Lehorn's Hollow

The 2010 debut effort from Mars Hollow was considered one of the year's best by many prog rock fans, and now (just a year later) they're back with their sophomore album. With its fantastic compositions, terrific musicianship, and sleek modern sound, World in Front of Me will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the prog rock community once again. Fans of seventies-influenced prog rock that aren't hesitant to the newer generation of symphonic prog should find plenty to love here. The album was produced and mixed by Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa: World Trade), and mastered by renowned producer David Javu Morse (David Bowie, Alice in Chains, Frank Zappa).

Reunited with producer Walter Becker, China Crisis made perhaps their most Steely Dan-like album with Diary of a Hollow Horse. Pristinely recorded and brimming with jazzy sophistication, it includes some of the U.K. quintet's best-ever material, including "Sweet Charity in Adoration," a satisfying, complex pop song of the first order that features a lovely flute cameo from sessionman Jim Horn. Yet beyond the FM perfection lurk a few surprises. The group also teamed with producer Mike Thorne (Soft Cell) for a trio of cuts that are among the most simple and direct pop songs in the their catalog. In particular, "St. Saviour Square" and "All My Prayers" have straightforward rhythms and melodies that connect instantly, drawing passionate performances from singer Gary Daly and offering a nice contrast to the more subtle surroundings…

Elvin Jones & Masabumi Kikuchi - Hollow Out (1972) {2015 Japan We Remember Poo Complete Series} [CD7of8]
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 205 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 84 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 167 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1972, 2015 Philips / Unversal Japan | UCCJ-9209
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano Trio

Pianist Masabumi Kikuchi joins drummer Elvin Jones in a really great trio date – one that draws extra power from the mighty bass of Gene Perla, whose soulful tones help push the music along strongly! The Jones/Perla combination is always great, but it seems to take on a whole new level of sensitivity in the presence of Kikuchi – showing more sense of space to allow Masabumi's piano some great placement in the date, yet without any of the "hollowed out" modes you might guess from the title. Perla can be bold one minute, very subtle the next – and his presence is always appreciated on the record, making us wish he'd recorded more with Kikuchi over the years. Titles include "Apple", "Ginkai", "Little Abi", "Bell", and "Hollow Out".