The tracks for the album were originally recorded past times engineer Rudy Van Gelder at his Van Gelder Studio inward New Jersey. According to Holdsworth, this was done during a rehearsal session, subsequently which the tapes were released past times CTI without his or the other band members' consent. None of the musicians involved e'er received royalties for their work. Holdsworth thence considered the album an unauthorised liberate as well as non part of his discography.
This debut solo liberate past times Allan Holdsworth has an "in the raw," coarsely presented, jam-session character consummate amongst warts as well as all, every bit good every bit existent gems of jazz fusion shining through. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 start hearing of this liberate inward its vinyl version powerfulness provoke laughter at how genuinely bad it sounds compared to Holdsworth's other releases every bit good every bit his playing amongst other groups. As it turns out, Holdsworth himself abhors this liberate (considering it "a existent terrible disaster"), as well as has taken legal activity as well as had it removed from production for several reasons.
The original label used rehearsal tapes to compile it, deeming it unnecessary to finance existent sessions. During the recording session, Holdsworth had to hurry through each vocal as well as evidently never obtained the masters to become over earlier release. In essence, the original liberate was goose egg to a greater extent than than a taped rehearsal, packaged past times CTI every bit an album without Holdsworth's permission.
This recording has been bootlegged past times label subsequently label, none of the musicians involved e'er saw whatever royalties, as well as no legal paperwork exists. (The recording's known labels as well as release/re-release dates include CTI Records [1976], King Records [1976], Epic Associated Records [CD, 1990], King Records [Japanese-only CD, 1994], as well as CTI Records [Japanese-only CD, 1997]. Velvet Darkness was also released inward 1997 on an unknown label inward Nippon every bit a bootleg CD; an original re-create of the vinyl LP album had been transferred to the CD.)
The 1990 liberate amongst alternate takes (just to a greater extent than pieces dredged upward from the jam-session exercise tapes) is indeed an interesting snapshot of immature stellar musicians doing their affair inward a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove. It is for all the inward a higher house reasons that this is indeed a completist/collectors detail nowadays. Included are the at 1 time really rare recordings of Holdsworth playing acoustic guitar as well as violin, which he does really well. The alternate accept of "Gattox" is a exceptional treat, featuring Holdsworth soloing amongst an intensity as well as emotive ability that echoes all the best dynamics jazz fusion could offering inward the '70s.
This 2017 reissue is from Talking Elephant as well as the remastering is awesome! You tin listen clearly every musical instrument from the musicians, the scorching guitar as well as violin of Holdsworth, pounding bass of Alphonso Johnson as well as the monster drumming of Narada Michael Walden, Same every bit the 1990 CBS reissue it comes amongst v alternate takes of the original tracks. Original album exclusively at xxx min. but amongst the alternate accept the whole cd runs at 53 minutes. This is AH's start album though he disowns since it is a "practice session" as well as took legal activity to terminate the liberate dorsum inward the 1990s. Does it audio similar a rehearsal session? Absolutely not, it is a dandy jazz stone fusion album. The exclusively allow downward is that at that topographic point is no booklet of reading but the CD sleeve album cover. Even if yous create got the CBS termination instruct this 1 since at that topographic point is a big improvement inward audio quality.
This album is really raw. High energy. Crisp sound. Keyboards are cheesy sounding, but when were they non from that era? The drums are GREAT. Allan plays violin on this 1 also. I met him 1 time during the I.O.U tour (25 years ago???), as well as he told me he hated this album intensely. In fact I asked him to sign mine, as well as he refused. He genuinely tried to BUY it from me!! He was non kidding. He said he wanted it out of circulation. I cannot imagine why.
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth.
https://jazz-rock-fusion-guitar.blogspot.com/search?q=Allan+Holdsworth
Track listing:
01. Good Clean Filth (5:20)
02. Floppy Hat (2:46)
03. Wish (4:20)
04. Kinder (3:07)
05. Velvet Darkness (4:42)
06. Karzie Key (3:11)
07. Las May (1:38)
08. Gattox (4:51)
Bonus tracks:
09. Good Clean Filth (Alternate take) (5:38)
10. Kinder (Alternate take) (3:07)
11. Velvet Darkness (Alternate take) (4:44)
12. Karzie Key (Alternate take) (2:15)
13. Gattox (Alternate take) (6:47)
Total fourth dimension 52:26
Personnel:
- Allan Holdsworth / acoustic (2,4,7) & electrical guitars, violin (6)
- Alan Pasqua / electrical piano
- Alphonso Johnson / bass
- Narada Michael Walden / drums
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