The Free Spirits

The Free Spirits - Out Of Sight And Sound (1966) {Sunbeam Records SBRCD5018 rel 2006}
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© 1966, 2006 ABC / Sunbeam Records | SBRCD5018
Rock / Jazz Rock / Psychedelic Rock

These tentative explorations into relatively uncharted jazz-rock territory retain an engaging, freewheeling verve and warm humor, although the lyrics are sometimes self-consciously hip and spacy. Coryell plays a sitar on "I'm Gonna Be Free," and "Blue Water Mother" employs the still-unusual device of two separate vocal tracks singing two entirely separate sets of lyrics. Obscure even in its day and long out of print, it's worth seeking out, though more for fans of '60s rock than jazz.

John McLaughlin & The Free Spirits - Tokyo Live (1994) {Verve 314 521 870-2}
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© 1994 Verve / Polydor / PolyGram | 314 521 870-2
Jazz / Fusion / Post Bop / Guitar / Hammond B-3 Organ

Although it is tempting to think that The Free Spirits (the trio featured on this CD), due to the similarity of the instrumentation (guitarist John McLaughlin, organist Joey DeFrancesco and drummer Dennis Chambers), would be an updating of Tony Williams's groundbreaking fusion group Lifetime, the reality is somewhat different. McLaughlin may get top billing but this music sounds very much like a Joey DeFrancesco-led Jimmy Smith revival date with most of the selections being blues-based. There are some introspective moments for the guitarist (who plays strictly electric here) but DeFrancesco dominates the ensembles and takes the lion's share of the solo space.

Really beautiful later work from the great Mary Lou Williams - and one of the key records that shows just how much she'd evolved as a player since the early days! Part of the strength of the record is the rhythm work from Buster Williams on bass and Mickey Roker on drums - slightly more contemporary players who open up with a sense of warmth that Williams can't help but address - still work on the keyboard of the piano that's very much her own, and touched with the modern elements of her early days - but wonderfully sensitive in all the right ways, a richness that's perfect for the spiritual jazz generation of the 70s.

From the same sessions that resulted in Homeless, the free jazz tenor saxophonist Charles Gayle pushes himself and his listeners on this rather intense set. With support by bassist Sirone and drummer Dave Pleasant, Gayle is unremittingly passionate on seven of his originals, including the lengthy "Spirits Before." The themes are discarded quickly, with the music focusing on group interaction, often violent screaming tenor, and fire. Depending on how open one's ears are, the results are either revelatory or unlistenable! However, one cannot doubt Gayle's sincerity, musicianship, and courage.

The recent recording of music by Fanny Hensel, Robert Schumann, and Franz Schubert. This album, entitled "Free Spirits: Early Romantic Music on the Graf Piano", will be released in May on the Deux-Elles label.