Tag Archives: jazz fusion

Album review: PROG COLLECTIVE – Dark Encounters

Posted on March 11, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records [Release date 29.03.24] If this is “dark prog” then dark prog sounds to me like jazz/rock fusion. Once you are past the descriptors, a look at the cast list suggests this might be a rather tasty fusion … Continue reading →

Album review: BENJAMIN CROFT – We Are Here To Help

Posted on February 15, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Galactic Receiver [Release date 03.05.24] www.benjamincroftmusic.com You could be forgiven thinking that Benjamin Croft is the latest U.S. fusion export. But Benjamin is British and this is his third solo album. He has worked in the States but relocated to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benjamin Croft, Frank Gambale, fusion, Greg Howe, jazz fusion, Jeff Scott Soto, Lynsey Ward, Marco Minnemann, review, Simon Phillips, Stuart Hamm, We Are Here To Help | Leave a comment

Album review: BOB HOLZ – Holz-Stathis Collaborative

Posted on August 9, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

MVD Audio [Release date 08.09.23] This album, by veteran drummer Bob Holz, takes me back to the mid-late 1970s when there was a profusion of fusion. In the form of Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra and less prominent bands like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bob Holz, fusion, Holz-Stathis Collaborative, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Jean Luc Ponty, John McLaughlin, Randy Brecker, review | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMSEY LEWIS – Hang On Ramsey!/Wade In The Water/Don’t It Feel Good/Salongo/Tequila Mockingbird/Love Notes (Remasters)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

RAMSEY LEWIS - Don't It Feel Good/Salongo/Tequila Mockingbird/Love Notes

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date: various] Many readers’ first experience of Ramsey Lewis would have been the 1965 hit ‘The In Crowd’. This evokes happy times, stretched out with a transistor radio in the summer sunshine tuned in to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Don't It Feel Good, Earth Wind & Fire, Hang On Ramsey!, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Love Notes, Maurice White, Ramsey Lewis, review, Salongo, soul jazz, Stevie Wonder, Tequila Mockingbird, Wade In The Water | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID PAICH – Forgotten Toys

Posted on July 10, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

The Players Club/Mascot [Release date 19.08.22] The first thing to say about this, the first solo “album” from the long-serving Toto keyboard player, it’s very short and it’s very Toto. By using band-mates Joseph Williams (vocals, co-producer/writer) and Steve Lukather … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Paich, Forgotten Toys, jazz fusion, Joseph Williams, Michael McDonald, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: ART GRIFFIN’S SOUND CHASER – The Seven Ages Of Starlight

Posted on May 27, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Artsounds Music [Release date 08.04.22] A self-confessed sucker for a bit of jazz rock/fusion, I couldn’t really resist the latest offering from Canadian bassist Art Griffin. Ably assisted by his band including violinist Victoria Veh and Saga drummer Steve Negus, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Art Griffin's Sound Chaser, instrumental, Jamie Glaser, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Michael Sadler, review, The Seven Ages Of Starlight, Todd Sucherman | Leave a comment

Album review: VAST CONDUIT – Always Be There

Posted on February 17, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Vast Music Conduit [Release date 16.02.22] I have to admit I’ve never really been into the American prog rockers Enchant but – after hearing this – I think I should. The band flourished in the neo-prog decade of the 1990s. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Always Be There, Bill Jenkins, Enchant, fusion, jazz fusion, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Thought Chamber, Vast Conduit | Leave a comment

Album review: ORGAN FAIRCHILD – Brewed In Buffalo

Posted on October 27, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Organ Fairchild Records [Release date 15.09.21] Here at GRTR! Towers we are privileged to receive any number of albums from aspiring or jobbing musicians, some obviously hitting the mark more than others. Occasionally a real gem emerges and in Organ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brewed In Buffalo, funk, instrumental, jazz fusion, Organ Fairchild, review, soul jazz | Leave a comment

Album review: RACHEL FLOWERS – Bigger On The Inside

Posted on October 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

www.rachelflowersmusic.com [Release date 01.10.21] For an artist influenced by Coltrane and Zappa you may think that Rachel Flowers’ music will be a bit abstract, quirky and at times inaccessible. But, Rachel was mentored by Herbie Hancock and infuenced by the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bigger On The Inside, instrumental, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Rachel Flowers, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…LEVEL 42, AIMEE MANN (Every Album, Every Song)

Posted on March 26, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

On track...LEVEL 42 (Every Album, Every Song)

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 01.04.21] Level 42 were very much a band of the eighties – the decade of their greatest success – and submerged their early brand of jazz rock fusion in a highly accessible blend of pop funk. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 'Til Tuesday, acoustic, Aimee Mann, book, Every Album, Every Song, folk, indie, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Level 42, Mark King, Mike Lindop, On Track, pop funk, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: LYLE WORKMAN, CAMERON GRAVES

Posted on February 22, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Lyle Workman for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in May 2021. LYLE WORKMAN Uncommon Measures (Blue Canoe Records) Digital [Release date 19.02.21] Physical [Release date 16.04.21] Workman has recorded or toured with any number of well-known … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Cameron Graves, interview, intsrumental, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Lyle Workman, orchestral, radio, review, Seven, Uncommon Measures | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – I Found The Sun Again

Posted on February 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Mascot [Release date 26.02.21] We are being spoilt. Neal Schon’s album slipped out before Christmas and is one of his best. The earliest indication of Luke’s forthcoming album was a Lockdown video ‘Run To Me’. It was entertaining if not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, I Found The Sun Again, jazz fusion, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: NICK FLETCHER – Cycles Of Behaviour

Posted on February 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 26.03.21] www.hacktrax.co.uk Getting a glowing affirmation from none other that Steve Hackett, printed clearly on your album cover, may give a relatively unknown guitarist a definite leg up. Nick Fletcher is a member of brother John’s band and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cycles Of Behaviour, Dave Bainbridge, fusion, guitar, guitarist, jazz fusion, John Hackett, Nick Fletcher, prog, Progressive Rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JAN AKKERMAN – Close Beauty

Posted on October 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Music Theories Recordings/Mascot [Release date 25.10.19] Let’s be honest. Jan Akkerman hasn’t exactly been active in terms of album releases in the millennium. I also have to declare an interest having managed several UK tours for the guitarist in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Close Beauty, Focus, fusion, guitar, guitarist, Jan Akkerman, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE STERN – JEFF LORBER FUSION – Eleven

Posted on September 28, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Concord [Release date 27.09.19] Back in the 1990s there was a trend – epitomised by the chameleon-like Jazz FM radio station in the UK – for smooth jazz, a more accessible form of fusion that developed out of US FM … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eleven, fusion, instrumental, jazz fusion, Jeff Lorber, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Mike Stern, review, smooth jazz | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL J BOLTON – Earthrise

Posted on July 26, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square [Release date 30.08.19] www.marketsquaremusic.com Arriving to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, Michael J Bolton has fashioned his own tribute. As he outlines in the liner notes “I wanted to portray the drama and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Apollo 11, David Hentschel, Earthrise, instrumental, jazz fusion, Marc Russo, Michael J Bolton, review | Leave a comment

Album review: FRAUDPROPHETS – Poptosis

Posted on May 16, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www.fraudprophets.com [Release date 03.06.19] Looking at the cover, you could be forgiven thinking that Fraudprophets are the latest post-punk wannabes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This is an album of mostly cool jazz fusion grooves. If we’re looking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Fraudprophets, fusion, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Nate Morton, Poptosis, review, Sean Halley | Leave a comment

Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18] Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever. After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons. His … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Di Meola, album, fusion, guitar, jazz, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Opus, Return To Forever, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Chantel McGregor - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Day 3 – Sunday As the final day started we wouldn’t have been surprised to see Bobby Kimball sliding out of the curtains reminiscing about his appearance on Toto IV but … instead Chantel McGregor got the juices flowing with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28 January 2018, blues rock, Butlins, Chantel McGregor, classic rock, Deborah Bonham, festival, Giants Of Rock, jazz fusion, Larry Carlton, Minehead, Nazareth, Slade, Snakecharmer, Somerset | Leave a comment

Album review: SIMON PHILLIPS – Protocol 4

Posted on December 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Phantom Recordings [Release date 27.10.17] We couldn’t resist ‘Protocol III’ with its fusion flavours and great musicality but arguably it is edged by the latest iteration. This time Simon Phillips (best known for his work with Toto) brings in guitarist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dennis Hamm, drummer, drums, Ernest Tibbs, funk, Greg Howe, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Protocol 4, review, Simon Phillips, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: DJABE & STEVE HACKETT – Life Is A Journey – The Sardinia Tapes

Posted on September 24, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 06.10.17] I recall when chatting to Steve Hackett several years ago he mentioned that he is very receptive to his environment in terms of new sounds and possibilities. This might simply be hearing something ear-catching whilst … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Djabe & Steve Hackett, funk, fusion, Genesis, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Life Is A Journey - The Sardinia Tapes, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: STANLEY CLARKE BAND – Manchester Gorilla, 18 July 2017

Posted on July 19, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Stanley Clarke chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio ahead of his UK tour dates. This hour special looks at his career, with tracks from the 1970s to the present. First broadcast on 16 July 2017. (Listeners in the USA … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 July 2017, gig, Gorilla, interview, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Manchester, radio, review, Stanley Clarke | Leave a comment

News: More Hot Fun: STANLEY CLARKE – UK Tour and radio interview (July 2017)

Posted on July 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

STANLEY CLARKE - Manchester Gorilla, 18 July 2017

On Sunday 16 July on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio at 18:00 GMT, Stanley Clarke chats about his career ahead of the UK dates (Repeat: Thursday 20 July, 22:00 GMT) In this extract he sets the scene for the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged bass, dates, funk, interview, jazz fusion, July 2017, news, radio, Stanley Clarke, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

Album review: STANLEY CLARKE, NORMAN CONNORS, HARVEY MASON (Jazz Funk compilations)

Posted on June 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

STANLEY CLARKE - The Definitive Collection

Cherry Red Records/imprints The mid to late 1970s was a golden age for disco/jazz-funk. Bands like Earth, Wind & Fire were ascendant in the charts whilst our more home-grown Level 42 picked up the baton for the burgeoning Brit Funk … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arista, Buddah, collection, compilation, funk, Harvey Mason, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Norman Connors, R&B, review, Sho Nuff Groovin' You The Arista Records Anthology (1975-1981), Stanley Clarke, The Definitive Collection, Valentine Love The Buddah/Arista Anthology | Leave a comment

Album review: PYMLICO – Meeting Point

Posted on November 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Apollon Records [Release date 07.10.16] We’ve had an obsession with all things Scandinavian in recent years and the fourth album from Norwegian instrumentalists Pymlico contributes to this Nordic sense of intrigue. Wholly instrumental, prog/jazz fusion in approach, the band is … Continue reading →