Stardrive - Intergalactic Trot

Stardrive's Intergalactic Trot (with Robert Mason) first album released in 1973 is a significant contribution to the development of the synthesizer as a fulyl devoted instrument. At the time this album was recorded all synthesizers were only capable of playing only one or two notes at the time. As stated on the liner notes “Using a few pre-constructed parts plus a lot of custom-designed electronic gear and great ingenuity, Robert Mason has built the world’s first multi-voiced synthesizer that can be played like a real keyboard instrument with full chords and tonal clusters. All the music on this album was performed live on the Stardrive synthesizer, thus accounting for the unprecedented fullness and spontaneity of the electronic sound.” Although the compositions and covers are not as appealing this is a curiosity item worth having. Personnel are keyboardist Robert Mason, Michael Brecker on saxophones, Steve Gadd on drums, Harvey Sarch on guitar, Jaime Austria on bass and Bruce Ditmas on percussion. Originally issued in 1973, it is now making its worldwide CD debut thanks to Wounded Bird Records.

Track Listing:

1. Rushes (sampled above)

2. Strawberry Fields Forever
3. Stardrive
4. Dr. Tandem
5. Want To Take You Higher
6. Everything at Once
7. Intergalactic Trot

Buy it at Wounded Bird Records or Amazon Intergalactic Trot

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Still Can't Say Enough

Still Can't Say Enough is the third of four albums by the formidable rhythm section duo of bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown. Just as their 1975's Mango Sunrise, this album is also produced by Skip Drinkwater. It’s a perfect fusion of jazz, rock and funk that features Reggie Lucas and Ray Gomez on guitars, Hubert Eaves, Harold Ivory Williams IV and Rob Franken on keyboards, Ian Underwood on synthesizers and Mtume on congas and percussion. A horn with jazz luminaries as Randy Brecker and Jon Faddis on trumpets, Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts on tenor sax, David Sanborn and Gary Bartz on alto sax, Barry Rodgers on trombone and Ron Cuber on baritone sax. Vocals are provided by Donald Liston Smith, Tawatha Agee and C.P. Alexander. Even thou I have included a Rip from vinyl generously provided by Smooth of the former blog My Jazz World, this album has finally seen the light on CD as it's been released as a Japanese import available at Amazon US, Amazon Europe and at Dusty Groove to name a few.

Track Listing:

1. Freeze It Up
2. Love The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Rise On (sampled above)
4. Funky Row
5. Talkin’ ‘Bout The Right One
6. Strut ‘N’ Get Up
7. Breakin’
8. Down The Way
9. Out The Box

Buy at Dusty Groove, Amazon US or Amazon EU.

Michel Colombier - Michel Colombier

Recorded back in 1979, this amazing album is a remarkable achievement of beauty, force, passion and Fusion. The late bassist Jaco Pastorius plays as soloist with incomparable sensitivity on the tracks “Dreamland” and “Birdsong”. Also featured are Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour on guitar, Peter Erskine and Steve Gadd on drums, Herbie Hancock on keyboards, Tom Scott and Michael Brecker on sax, Airto Moreira on percussion and the London Symphony Orchestra. Bravo, the CD has been reissued again and it is available at Audiophile Imports.

Track listing:

1. Sunday

2. Take Me Down

3. Dreamland (sampled above)

4. Queens Road

5. Overture

6. Bird Song

7. Layas

8. Do It

9. Spring

10. The Dancing Bull

11. Autumn Land

Buy it a Audiophile Imports