About Time

Ray Crawford - It's About Time (1977) {Absord Music Japan ABCJ-623 rel 2011}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 395 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 101 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977-78, 2011 Interplay Records / Absord Music Japan | ABCJ-623
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Post Bop / Jazz Funk / Guitar

When tuberculosis forced Ray Crawford to give up his gig playing tenor sax and clarinet in Fletcher Henderson’s band of the early 1940’s, he decided to switch to guitar. Ray became an important cog in pianist Ahmad Jamal’s early groups and his unique, percussive style was soon appropriated by other guitarists including the great Herb Ellis. Ray went on to record with Gil Evans towards the end of the 1950’s, and after settling in Los Angeles he started to work for the legendary organist Jimmy Smith — an association that would last well into the 1980’s.

Gong gone punk. "About Time" documents Daevid Allen's 1979 New York trip to partake of the then-happenin' CBGB's scene. The new sound is an odd hybrid of Psychedelia ("Preface"), New Wave ("I Am a Freud") and Punk ("Much Too Old"), with a lyrical sentiment reminiscent of early-'70s Gong ("Jungle Window"). The CD opens with an effects-laden recording of Allen reciting his "trippy" poetry. Some of the compositions, like "I Am a Freud," bleed quirky rhythms and melodies resembling the work of the League of Gentlemen and Talking Heads. "Materialism" and "Strong Woman" feature Allen's glissando guitar, which seems a forerunner to the sound Fripp and Belew employed on their early-'80s King Crimson projects. "Materialism," penned by Laswell, is a standout with its dominating bass driving home the groove…