Show 3 - 10/10 & 11......Fusion!

[Rick and Roll]

Or at the very least, jazz-inflected pieces.

I had a few suggestions for these, and I will play them as part of the next fusion show...so may to choose from...but I had this one in the mix already.

1) DFA - Escher - Duty Free Area

These cats are great. A damn good record, too.

2) Kazumi Watanabe - Mo' Bop - Mo' Bop

The Japanese wizard returns to electric form with this one. Was struggling whether to play something off of his "Spice of Life" CD's (with Bruford and Berlin), but I couldn't pass this up.

3) Fast Eddie - The Godfather (James Brown's Nightmare) - Not Sold In Stores

Saw them two weeks ago....never heard them before...most of their stuff is of the Tool and Radiohead type, but this is not like that, it's jazzy. It's very weird in that the themes pop up again and again and are mixed together at the end. Also picked up a solo record by Bryan Jones (bass), look for that soon.

4) (Pierre Moerlen's) Gong - Esnuria - Gazeuse!

Love this band.....the epitome of class and power. Could hear them all day!

5) Schleigho - Shine Blue - A Farewell

Heard bits and pieces, but still not heard a full song. Asked Moses, the resident expert on all things Schleigho, and he recommended this piece. Looking forward to piercing my virgin ears with this (ouch!).

6) Chicago - The Approaching Storm/Man vs. Man: The End - III

A perfect jazz/fusion tune - theme/solo, repeat. Each member gets a crack at a solo. All supported by a killer rhythm by the late great Terry Kath.

7) Gamalon - Tecumseh - High Contrast

This song KICKS ASS. I can still hear it in my head live some 10+ years back.

8) Weather Report - Nubian Sundance

Confession time: I am WR deficient. I love Jaco, just never owned any of this band. Since it was recommended by more than one source, and I was told that this cut would make certain Moonies happy, here it is. Another virgin sacrifice for me!

9) Mathematicians - Aule's Children - Factor of Four

Jim Brennan tries forever to add these guys to the station...finally gets "Irrational Numbers"...and then I play something from this CD! I am a bastard! These guys smoke.

10) Carl Hupp Project - Skeleton Crew - Hyper Statue

This is an odd time displacement situation: I will see his band on Saturday, after this post but before the show airs.....oooooooh freaky. Stanley Whitaker is all over this record. Another theme/solo piece. Good stuff by a local lad.

11) Crack The Sky - She's A Dancer

This is inserted for three reasons: a) need to get a tune in here that stretches the genre, b) two of the horn players on this are also on the previous piece (yes-segueway!), and c) The overly long drum solo will enable the listener to take a much-needed pee break. It's a long one - I almost wish I could condense it but alas I can't. The last three minutes are stellar.

12) Bruce Hornsby - Harbor Lights - Harbor Lights

With the aid of Pat Metheny, this is so sonically brilliant.

13) Pat Travers - Crash And Burn - Crash And Burn

A blast from the past...such a cool tune.

14) Jan Akkerman - My Pleasure - The Noise of Art

The Dutch Master shows off his awesome prowess in this one. Please remember to "Focus" on this one! (please throw no tomatoes, I am sorry!)

15) Return To Forever - Song To The Pharoh Kings - Where Have I Known You Before

The best four musicians you can ever assemble. A brilliant piece.

Full length: Bruford - One Of A Kind

Hell's Bells
One Of A Kind - Parts One and Two
Travels With Myself - And Someone Else
Fainting In Coils
Five G
The Abingdon Chasp
Forever Until Sunday
The Sahara Of Snow - Parts One And Two

Bruford, Stewart, Holdsworth, Berlin. Not a law firm, but if it weren't for RTF, the best four musicians you can ever assemble!

This CD to me defines Fusion. One of my all-time favorites, it demonstrates that Bill Bruford was miscast in Yes (but not in Crimson lol).

Enjoy everyone!