Tag Archives: Jazz rock

Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

Posted on May 30, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album. First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour. Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Focus, Focus 12, Jazz rock, Pierre van der Linden, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Thijs van Leer | Leave a comment

Album review: MANDOKI SOULMATES – A Memory Of Our Future

Posted on May 16, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Red Rock Music/Inside Out Music [Release date 10.05.24] I think it fair to say that Leslie Mandoki doesn’t do things half-arsed. Several years ago a couple of reissues were accompanied by an expansive press kit, a real thick tome that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Memory Of Our Future, Al Di Meola, album, AOR, Bill Evans, Ian Anderson, Jazz rock, Mandoki Soulmates, Mike Stern, prog, Progressive Rock, Randy Brecker, review, Simon Phillips | Leave a comment

Interview: JOHN McCOY & DAVE QUINCY

Posted on March 22, 2024 by jason

ZZEBRA - Hungry Horse (Live In Germany 1975)

Fusion/prog rock band Zzebra recorded two studio albums in the mid 70s (and a 3rd in 1975 that remained unreleased for 35 years), and some wonderful music that should have been much more in the public eye. Joe Geesin recently interviewed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged bassist, Bernie Torme, David Quincy, fusion, Gillan, Hungry Horse, interview, Jazz rock, John McCoy, live album, prog rock, saxophonist/flutist, Zzebra | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Sherwood, Dark Encounters, fusion, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Prog Collective, progressive, review, Rick Wakeman, rock, Ron Bumblefoot Thal, Steve Morse, Steve Stevens | Leave a comment

Album review: TEMPEST – Tempest/Living In Fear (Remaster)

Posted on January 3, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 06.10.23] The two albums released by Tempest in 1973/4 marked a musical departure for jazz rock drummer Jon Hiseman who – at the time – was best known for his work with Colosseum and to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Alan Holdsworth, album, classic rock, Colosseum, Jazz rock, Jon Hiseman, Living In Fear, Mark Clarke, Paul Williams, review, Tempest | Leave a comment

Album review: DISTRICT 97 – Stay For The Ending

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 20.10.23] Now here’s something a little different. A prog metal band fronted by a female vocalist, an American Idol finalist to boot! I have been aware of District 97, not least when they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, DISTRICT 97, fusion, Jazz rock, prog, progressive metal, review, Stay For The Ending | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE KENEALLY – The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat

Posted on February 19, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Exowax Recordings [Release date 24.02.23] Mike Keneally played keyboard and guitar with Zappa. More recently he’s provided similar support to Satriani. But on his latest solo album it’s the Zappa irreverence that comes out on the opening track ‘Logos’ which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, fusion, Jazz rock, Mike Keneally, Progressive Rock, review, The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat, Zappa | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF BERLIN – Jack Songs

Posted on September 26, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

jeffberlinmusicgroup.com [Release date 02.08.22] It won’t surprise you that an artist like Jeff Berlin has a rather impressive contacts list. He’s been providing sublime bass for any number of artists over the years including Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth. On … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alex Ligertwood, bass, bass guitar, Bumblefoot, Cream, Eric Johnson, Jack Bruce, Jack Songs, Jazz rock, Jeff Berlin, review, Scott Henderson | Leave a comment

Album review: NICK FLETCHER – The Cloud Of Unknowing

Posted on June 2, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Rough Draft Audio [Release date 02.09.22] Nick Fletcher’s latest album is a departure from the previously reviewed ‘Cycles Of Behaviour’ It gives free rein to his jazz rock tendencies whereas its predecessor added a bit more prog in the mix, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Bainbridge, guitar, instrumental, Jazz rock, John Hackett Band, Nick Fletcher, review, The Cloud Of Unknowing | 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: 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

Album review: MICK PAUL – Parallel Lives

Posted on June 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 09.06.21] www.mickpaulbassist.com David Cross (ex-King Crimson) collaborator Mick Paul is a bassist/guitarist and ‘Parallel Lives’ is characterised by his bubbling bass and Sheila Maloney’s excellent keyboard textures and arrangements. Craig Bundell (Steven Wilson) lends his drums including on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Craig Blundell, David Cross, David Jackson, fusion, Jazz rock, Mick Paul, Parallel Lives, prog, Progressive Rock, 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

EP review: RAY FENWICK – Going Large

Posted on January 12, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Ray Fenwick “goes large” in this promotional audio for the new EP (Singsong Music) (11:29) A Ray Fenwick interview special will be broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 14 February 18:00 GMT. Singsong Music [Release date 15.01.21] … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, funk, Going Large, guitar, guitarist, Jazz rock, Ray Fenwick, review, rock | 1 Comment

Album review: AMERICAN TEARS – Free Angel Express

Posted on October 18, 2020 by jason

Deko Entertainment [Release date 23.10.20] Since Mark Mangold brought back American Tears in 2018 they are now onto this, their third album – the sixth in the band’s history. This latest, ‘Free Angel Express’ features Alex Landenburg (Stratovarius, Kamelot, Rhapsody) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Tears, Dave Brubeck, Free Angel Express, hard rock, Jazz rock, Mark Mangold, pomp rock, prog rock, review, rock, Touch | Leave a comment

Album review: MANDOKI SOULMATES – Living In The Gap/Hungarian Pictures

Posted on June 24, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Red Rock Production/Cleopatra Records [Release date 06.20] 2-CD Reviewing in the millennium means that we miss out on previous decades’ lavish PR packages. If we are lucky these days we get a 320kbps download. The arrival of the re-promoted Mandoki … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Di Meola, album, Bobby Kimball, Chris Thompson, fusion, Hungarian Pictures, Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, John Helliwell. Leslie Mandoki, Living In The Gap, Mandoki Soulmates, Mike Stern, prog, progressive, Randy Brecker, review, rock | Leave a comment

Book review: ON TRACK…Toto/The Solo Beatles/Steely Dan (“Every album, every song”)

Posted on February 19, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Pubishing [Publication date January/February 2020] Liked and loathed in equal measures by the music press in the 1970s and 1980s, ultimately the band may have had the last laugh. As author Jacob Holm-Lupp reiterates, their latest offering – XIV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, classic rock, Donald Fagen, fusion, George Harrison, Jazz rock, John Lennon, melodic rock, On Track, Paul McCartney, pop, review, Ringo Starr, Steely Dan, The Solo Beatles, Toto, Walter Becker | 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: THE IDES OF MARCH – Play On (55th Anniversary)

Posted on August 12, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

IOM Records/Wienerworld [Release date 16.08.19] I am old enough to remember when ‘Vehicle’ by The Ides Of March was a radio hit back in 1970. It was a slice of jazz rock that chimed with other brass-led rockers of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 55th Anniversary, album, classic rock, Jazz rock, Jim Peterik, Play On, review, The Ides Of March | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK BRUCE – Live At Rockpalast 1980, 1983 and 1990 (CD/DVD)

Posted on June 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MIG Music [Release date 26.04.19] 2 DVD/5 CD This multi-disc box set is a fine summary of Jack Bruce playing live from 1980 through to 1990. Culled from the legendary German TV show “Rockpalast” this 5-CD set also contains 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 1983 and 1990, album, Billy Cobham, blues rock, box set, CD, Clem Clempson, Cream, David Sancious, DVD, German, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, Live At Rockpalast 1980, review, TV | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM STAFFELL – aMIGO

Posted on June 2, 2019 by jason

Moscodisc [Release date 12.07.19] Tim Staffell’s 2006 solo album ‘aMIGO’ gets a timely re-issue, given the ongoing success of the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ film, plus Tim Staffell released his latest solo album ‘Two Late’ last year (the title a nod to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, aMIGO, Brian May, jazz, Jazz rock, Morgan Fisher, Mott the Hoople, Queen, review, Santana, Smile, Snowy White, Solo, Thin Lizzy, Tim Staffell | 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: CANNONBALLZ – 8Ballz2Many

Posted on April 9, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 10.05.19] Andrew McNeice and his MelodicRock Records label have released some top quality AOR releases in recent years including Don Barnes and the excellent comeback album from Boulevard, now you can add to this Cannonballz. Who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 8Ballz2Many, album, AOR, Cannonballz, Jazz rock, melodic, melodic rock, MelodicRock Records, review, Robbie LaBlanc, Toto | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEELY DAN/Steve Winwood – Manchester Arena, 21 February 2019

Posted on February 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

STEELY DAN - Manchester Arena, 21 February 2019

Could it be that for the past six years, Steve Winwood has been resting on laurels? When we last reviewed him – in June 2013 – he was playing pretty much the same set. With no new album since 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 February 2019, classic rock, Donald Fagen, funk, gig, Jazz rock, Manchester Arena, review, Steely Dan, Steve Winwood | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLY THE FIDDLE – Up

Posted on August 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Gentle Art Of Music [Release date 14.09.18] Think of rock fiddle players and you can probably name the significant on one hand. Jerry Goodman? Darryl Way? Jean-Luc Ponty? Female rock fiddle players may be more of a challenge. Anna Phoebe? … Continue reading →