Steve Khan Evidence (1980) {arista 3074 2 N}

At the 1978 Montreux Jazz Festival, a variety of artists (including keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarists Steve Khan and Larry Coryell, trumpeter Randy Brecker and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri) recorded a dozen funky selections which were originally released on two Arista LPs. Michael Brecker in particular is in good form. The results are not essential but offer listeners a time capsule of where R&B-oriented fusion was in 1978.

Two Places at the Same Time is the third studio album from Raydio, the group led by session guitarist/songwriter/producer Ray Parker Jr. Like the two albums that came before it, it again features 8 tracks; one of them, "Until The Morning Comes" was written by Parker and vocalist Arnell Carmichael. For another song, "Tonight's The Night", Parker teamed up with famed keyboard player Herbie Hancock, and Hancock received a co-writing credit.

Parting Shot represents a most special moment for Steve, because it is the first time that he has felt ready to present an entire recording dedicated to Latin Jazz. Anthony Jackson, Manolo Badrena, and Steve are together yet again, alongside their bandmate of 20 years, Dennis Chambers, where, joined by master Latin musicians, Marc Quinones and Bobby Allende, they have crafted these 10 pieces of music. It is their hope that everyone will enjoy the recording to the fullest.

At the 1978 Montreux Jazz Festival, a variety of artists (including keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarists Steve Khan and Larry Coryell, trumpeter Randy Brecker and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri) recorded a dozen funky selections which were originally released on two Arista LPs. Michael Brecker in particular is in good form. The results are not essential but offer listeners a time capsule of where R&B-oriented fusion was in 1978.

It has been a great pleasure for me to have a chance to collaborate with Steve Khan on his first solo album. I was constantly amazed at his knowledge of the entire spectrum of music. Steve's music signals a new era in jazz, combining the best elements of his rock, jazz & progressive background. It has been exciting watching it come to life on this record. ~ Bob James

The title of this review is for the artist as well as this recording. Steve Kahn has been a vital and sustaining force in modern music for almost 40 years. He has played with the best musicians on the planet and has contributed to the jazz and latin jazz catalog with wonderful compostitions. He was the principal guitarist on Steely Dan's "Gaucho". "Crossings" is one of my favorite recordings. Kahn's deep respect as well as his creative brilliance make these standards shine. And I include his originals as standards. The band is fantastic, Dennis Chambers on drums; Anthony Jackson on electric contra-bass, and Manolo Badrena on percussion, with Michael Brecker on tenor on a few tracks.

Fresh off his monumental work on Steely Dan's Gaucho, Steve went into the studio and cut these fabulous tracks. The three-piece really works, and Ron Carter on bass is exceptional. But it's Khan that really shines – his creative guitar interpretation of Monk's original angular piano sound makes for heavenly listening, awash with texture, color, and personality.

Gil Evans - Live At The Public Theater Vol. I (1980) {Evidence Music ECD 22089-2 rel 1994}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 235 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 103 Mb
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© 1980, 1994 Evidence Music | ECD 22089-2
Jazz / Progressive Jazz / Post Bop

One of arranger Gil Evans's main talents was his ability to fuse diverse, unique performers into a unified ensemble. He accomplishes that on the first of two LPs taken from a pair of 1980 concerts, even if his presence is felt more than heard. Although Evans is on electric piano, he also employed two other synthesizer players (Masabumi Kikuchi and Pete Levin) in his eclectic band, which at the time included such notables as Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis and Hannibal Marvin Peterson on trumpets, altoist Arthur Blythe, trombonist George Lewis, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and drummer Billy Cobham, among others. A lengthy "Anita's Dance" and a remake of "Gone, Gone, Gone" are the more memorable selections.

Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection
I consider this album to be the most sentimental one from Steve Hackett, and it is also among his best ones.