Jerry Godman Jan Hammer

Beyond the Mind's Eye is Grammy award-winning keyboardist/composer Jan Hammer's first solo album in over five years. The 14 tracks, composed for Miramar's new video album, are different than the Video soundtrack. The audio release is remixed, features extended arrangements, and has a bonus vocal track sung by Chris Thompson of The Manfred Mann Group. Known for his Miami Vice music, Hammer provides a potent fusion which is perfect for this arena where modern music meets the visual arts.

Synth pioneer Jan Hammer (Miami Vice soundtrack, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck) has released his latest album, Seasons Pt. 1…

What a surprise to have stumbled upon this CD by percussionist David Earle Johnson, who doesn't seem to have many albums in print, let alone much of a solo discography. Granted, the co-billing of Jan Hammer (a mover and shaker during the heyday of jazz-rock fusion) on the CD cover may have convinced me that there was some worth to buying "Hip Address", but the music itself turned out to be rather good for the most part.
Orignally released in 1980, "Hip Address" builds on the jazz-rock fusion Hammer created with both the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jeff Beck, adding a more percussive feel to it courtesy of Johnson. Hammer and Johnson play all instruments, with Hammer playing drums in addition to his multiple keyboards.

Japanese original release. "Birds Of Fire" from Mahavishnu Orchestra (John Mclaughlin) finally becomes SACD multi hybrid format reissue. Remastered in 2021, using the original master tapes. 7inch cardboard sleeve packaging.

On July 20, 2018 after a nearly 10 year-long hiatus, Jan Hammer - whose extensive body of work has spanned the musical spectrum from jazz to prog to classical to pop - will release Seasons Pt. 1, a compilation of existing musical sketches that Jan developed into full length compositions and selections that were created just for this album. Why the delay? Laughing, Hammer emphatically says, “It’s about time.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about releasing something new for 6 or 7 years,” he continues. “This is what happens - musical ideas had accumulated in my head over time until I suddenly realized that I had more than enough for an album.” In fact, Hammer says that he’s already at work developing what now only exist as sketches for a follow up album, which will be aptly titled Seasons Pt 2…