Customer Reviews

Moonshadows

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

With all these jazz-funk-fusion bass players such as Stanley Clarke,Jaco Pastorius and the like beginning solo careers in the mid 70's it seemed only fitting that Weather Report's Alphonso Johnson would do the same thing. With a list of over a bakers dozen musicans-everyone from Patrice Rushen,Lee Ritenour,Flora Purim,Ndugu Chancler,Ian Underwood and Gary Bartz you'd think the sound on this album is very cluttered. It doesn't.The music on this album emerges as a musical feast that is easily as potent and meaningful as a Weather Report album such as Mysterious Traveller and Tale Spinnin':with a sound that maintains a fusion of funk,latin and progressive jazz with avante garde touches. "Stump","Up From The Cellar" and "On The Case" are spot on jazz-funk where Alphonso works his bass into grooves AND excellent compositions that that really provide this great musical kick and the groove actually mutates along with the instrumentation as opposed to somewhat against it,setting it well apart from Weather Report. The middle section of the album is set up with the more abstract and atmospheric Brazillian-fusion pieces with "Involuntary Bliss","Cosmoba Place" and "Pandora's Box". All are very beautiful but also very haunting and forboding. Then again,isn't great beauty in pretty much anything kind of the same way? "Amarteifio" presents a very Flora Purimish sound...featuring Flora Purim and it's a wonderful marriage of vocalist and musician's sound combining into one. And yet more proof that Flora's sense of being a human musical instrument with an ability to keep up with just about any musician she's involved with. I must respectfully say that I don't entirely agree with another reviews comment on "Unto Thine Own Self Be True". I always appreciated Narada Michael Walden's spiritual/meditative approch to his brand of progressive funk/fusion and this cut could've easily come off of Narada's own Garden of Love Light. If he is to be considered one of the prejenitors of new age Narada was someone who got it right somewhere. This album is a vital part of the 70's funk/fusion movement and with it's great album cover also reflects the artistic spirit of the period. There is a sense of great freedom and thoughtfullness in this music and,as in the best of funk of the period it invites you to join in and be merry while your having the musical experience.

This is one of the most under rated bass players of all time. Henceforth this album is a rare find. Alphonso's work with Weather Report laid the ground work for the "Jaco" sound. One of the most innovative bass players of the 70's, Johnson was one of the first to use alot of the electronics common to the bass players of today. It's very evident on this, his debut album. An amazing bassist, second only to Clarke, Johnson is known for his work with many of the costars who help make this album the classic that it is.If you love jazz fusion, this cd is a must for your collection. Different than anything before it was released, this is easily Alphonso's best cd.He makes it sound so easy, until you try to play it. That's the beauty of Alphonso Johnson's Moonshadows.

I remember being fifteen and carrying this album from party to party with "George Duke Billy Cobham live on tour in europe."I love Alphonso Johnson!check out his work with Jazz is Dead.Moonshadows RULES!!!!

Each track on this album is a singular piece of art in its own right. From the funky 'Stump' and 'Up From The Cellar', one of my favourite tunes of all time, to the ethereal 'Involuntary Bliss' and 'Pandoras Box', Alphonso Johnson showed he could tumble with the best, it's just a shame he was up against Stanley and Jaco at the same time. The players line up like a first string of 70's funk and jazz musos; Lee Ritenour plays like he needs the money and Patrice Rushen provides her own touch of genius, among others whose names grace many jazz and funk albums from the era. The only let-down is the last track, 'Unto Thine Own Self Be True'; words crafted by Will Shakespeare, music forced upon us by Narada M.W. Sorry, but it has to be said. My advice ... start at this track and hit the 'random play' button.

See my review of the Collection. Well worth the price if you liked middle period Weather Report or Miroslav's record with herbie Hancock. Progressive funky jazz, with no cliches. All musicians are at their best, and Rit doesn't sound like he's thnking about disco riffs, he just plays his best, and leaves the smooth stuff behind.