Review by Mellotron Storm — After spinning this a few times I decided to check out opinions and I was shocked to find out that this band is from Guatemala. I thought from the title and the Spanish vocals that they were maybe from Spain but I did not see this coming, that they are from a civil war torn country and despite this these guys became a success. And without compromising their music as they play a complex symphonic style with lots of tempo changes and they are constantly changing things throughout most tracks. So impressive then the vocals for some reason bring RPI to mind, I was just ..read more

Review by kev rowland — I have been reviewing Vanden Plas for more than quarter of a century, and while there are times when their albums are somewhat workmanlike, there are plenty of others where they are truly phenomenal. My first look at this release did cause me some surprise though, as they are famed for having kept the same line-up throughout their career, yet for the first time since their debut 'The Colour Temple' (1994) that is not case. While Andy Kuntz (vocals), Stephan Lill (guitar), Andreas Lill (drums), and Torsten Reichert (bass) are all still there, keyboard player G�nter Wern ..read more

Review by Dapper~Blueberries — The fourth Momentaufnahme album, and probably the last as I feel like now the band is kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel with these archival releases. You can only do so much of these albums before you kind of run out of juice, that's why this is probably one of the only Momentaufnahme records that I consider to be 'mid'. Not bad like the first one, but this certainly doesn't end this little saga of albums with a bang. A lot of the songs here are pretty alright. I wouldn't say any of them are too bad, aside from Schwindebek III and Begl�ckte Schlagbohrm ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — I've never been certain why this album has always, since I acquired it in 1978, maintained a very high place on my all- time list of Favorite Albums, but now, after examining it from the critical perspective of a music reviewer I think I have a better grasp of it. 1. "The Woods" (4:23) a wonderfully atmospheric, psychedelic, even appropriately-comedic collection of sounds and melodies to open Chick's 1977 rendering of Charles Dodgson's famous story. What a great, perfect opening (overture). Like a soundtrack to a book-on-tape. (10/10) 2. "Tweedle Dee" (1:10) piano a ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — Drummer Billy Cobham's sophomore effort at bandleader. 1. "Spanish Moss - A Sound Portrait" : - a. "Spanish Moss" (4:11) human-generated wind sounds (synths and cymbals and gongs) open this one before the whole band jumps into a highway-driving cruise through New Jersey or the Taconic Parkway. Beautiful scenery A gorgeously-constructed song with subtle and heavily-nuanced performances from all of the performers--especially Billy, Lee Pastora, and keyboard artist George Duke. (9.25/10) - b. "Savannah The Serene" (5:14) some gentle drums and bass over which Randy Breck ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — Bass guitar legend Stanley Clarke's debut foray as a band leader. 1. "Vulcan Princess" (4:00) great whole-band jazz-rock with horn section and a bit of the RTF feel in the rhythm section. How to find fault with this? Maybe it lacks a little in the melody side. And drummer "Anthony" (Tony) Williams doesn't get much chance to shine. (9.25/10) 2. "Yesterday Princess" (1:41) slowed down for Stanley's vocals. (4.75/5) 3. "Lopsy Lu" (7:03) another song which amply displays Stanley, Bill Connors, and Jan Hammer's skills but seems to severely restrain those of Tony William ..read more

Review by andrea — Tangle took form in 2019 in Bergamo with the aim of experimenting with new sounds drawing inspiration from jazz rock, fusion, prog rock and artists such as Porcupine Tree, Plini or The Aristocrats. The name of the band refers to their compositional style in which they blend many genres to play a music that, in their own words, is "rich in variations, dynamic excursions and tempo changes". After a good live activity on the local scene, in 2023 they self-released an interesting debut album, entitled "Entangled", with a line up featuring Fulvio Marcarini (guitar), Manuele Mari ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — The third and final album from this stellar group of brass rock musicians. 1. "Weird Music No. 1" (5:38) as if trying to meld several style/traditions together at once--over a kind of Spanish foundation. Weird? Yes. Remarkable. Also yes. Great (and inventive) horn arrangements with the weird synth (and keyboard) work of Wally Yohn. I love the big horn build up around the four-minute mark before backing off for bass and tubular bells to fill beneath as more weird keyboard sounds gradually join in. Interesting. (8.875/10) 2. "Run Back To Mama" (3:11) a BLOOD SWEAT AND ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — If the Don Ellis Orchestra produced Blood Sweat and Tears and they composed for Broadway musicals. 1. "Open Up Wide" (3:48) amazing full-throttle brass rock. (8.875/10) 2. "Livin' In Heat" (2:54) a little Broadway musical feel to this one (as well as BS&T). I guess the lead vocals hear must be attributed to Dennis Johnson. (8.875/10) 3. "Hello Groceries" (2:56) R&B brass rock. Jerry Van Blair's lead vocal is pure R&B. (8.75/10) 4. "Handbags and Gladrags" (3:23) slowed down New Orleans funereal music start turns into New York City open air style jazz-ro ..read more

Review by BrufordFreak — The Japanese band's sophomore album--released in the same year as their debut but feeling quite different. 1. "Take Me" (4:19) sounds like a song by JOE SAMPLE or TOTO's "Georgy Porgy." (8.75/10) 2. "Flying" (4:51) incredible bass play beneath syrupy Yacht Rock/Smooth Jazz. I'm not liking the new tone that the electric guitarist is using. (8.75/10) 3. "Dune" (4:51) a slowed down variation on/version of JOE SAMPLE's "Midnight and Mist" from his 1979 album, Carmel. (8.75/10) 4. "Asayake" (5:05) competent but does little to engage me. (8.75/10) 5. "I Love New York ..read more