From another time (James Gang) (LP 2824)

James Gang  Bang (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1973) ***  

Genre: Rock 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Must Be Love

Gear costume: From Another Time

Active compensatory factors: I bought this album for one reason and I keep the album for one reason: Must Be Love.

I love this song! It is a true standout from 1973.

The band is probably better known for the Joe Walsh era but this version of James Gang is from the Tommy Bolin years - he's on guitar and some vocals. Tommy is great throughout (this was his first of two albums for the band before he joined Deep Purple).  

The James Gang never managed to get into the A League - thanks to the revolving door of lead guitarists. First Joe, then Domenic Troiano, then Tommy, then others. It's a patchy career.

And this is a patchy album for sure as the band try a variety of styles - Got No Time For Troubles is almost Allman Brothers for instance. I can imagine Greg Allman singing it easily. From Another Time is almost Santana without Carlos.

Where do they all belong? A one-off, with no desire to add to my James Gang collection.

The grind (Tommy Bolin) (LP 2534 - 2535)

Tommy Bolin  Teaser (Vinyl, Nemperor Records, 1975) ***

Stanley Clarke  I Wanna Play For You (Vinyl, Nemperor Records, 1979) ****   

Genre: Rock, jazz fusion, Nemperor Records

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records, Slow Boat Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Homeward Strut (Teaser)

Gear costume: Rock'n'roll Jelly (I Wanna Play For You)

Active compensatory factors: I used to have Teaser back in the days of audio cassettes, and played it frequently, not knowing it was on Nemperor. Since deciding to complete a collection of the label I found a US copy in Real Groovy.

Usually, US copies retain the Nemperor label but this one, alas, uses Columbia. The Stanley Clarke album is on Epic. Nevermind. It's still a Nemperor album!

Teaser came out around the same time as Deep Purple's Come Taste The Band, so it retains some of the same aesthetics - funky rock and not hard rock. Bit more like his work with The James Gang actually.

I Wanna Play For You is a double live album. It shows Stanley exploring a variety of funky jazz fusion styles. The one constant being his brilliant bass playing.

The only downside is the album doesn't play as a full concert - always a bugbear for me.

Where do they all belong? Next up - a slew of Steve Forbert albums on Nemperor. Yes - this is what happens when you collect labels - you end up owning music you don't actually like!

Taurian matador (Billy Cobham) (LP 573 - 576)

Billy Cobham Spectrum (CD, Atlantic, 1973) *****

Billy Cobham Shabazz (Recorded Live In Europe) (CD, Atlantic, 1975) ****

The Billy Cobham and George Duke Band 'Live" On Tour In Europe (CD, Atlantic, 1976) ***

Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie Stratus (CD, Inak Digital, 1981) ****

Genre: Jazz fusion

Places I remember: HMV (East Croyden); JB Hi-Fi; Kings Recording (Abu Dhabi)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Stratus (Spectrum)

Gear costume: Spectrum 

Active compensatory factors: Billy Cobham has a great rock pedigree. He's played with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jack Bruce, George Duke and his solo records are fantastic. 

Of all those various bands and musicians, I prefer his solo albums. They are full of variety (and not too many drum solos).

Spectrum is the standout classic - it actually went to number one on jazz album charts at the time. Stratus is the peak for me, but the whole album is thrilling to listen to.

The George Duke collaboration is the weakest listed here. George's sense of humour works in Zappa's universe, but it doesn't translate too well outside of it.

Where do they all belong? All roads lead back to Spectrum.