James Mingo Lewis (born Dec 1940) is an American jazz percussionist who played amongst Carlos Santana's band, Return To Forever (Chick Corea) as well as every bit a sideman for Al Di Meola. Aside from his extensive operate every bit a session musician—Paiste states Mingo "has recorded over 100 records"—, the percussionist also released a solo album, Flight Never Ending (Columbia, 1976).
Legendary Bay Area progressive jazz percussionist Mingo Lewis began performing amongst Santana inwards his teens. Lewis also worked amongst artists such every bit Al DiMeola, Chick Corea as well as Return to Forever, David Byrne, January Hammer as well as The Tubes. Many people got a commencement glance at Lewis’ extraordinary musicianship through Al DiMeola’s debut album from 1976 “Land of the Midnight Sun” where Lewis contributed i of the virtually memorable compositions, the opening rail “The Wizard” (1st sample below), which has buy the farm a DiMeola classic. Lewis' debut album was also originally released inwards 1976 as well as it also contains a version of “The Wizard” (2nd sample below). DiMeola’s version of “The Wizard” is melodically stronger, which perchance advise that DiMeola powerfulness convey heard Lewis’ version prior to him releasing his debut album. Nonetheless "Flight Never Ending" is classic 70's fusion much inwards the mode of Return to Forever & Al DiMeola. The music combines the primitive Afro-Cuban rhythms amongst the newest dimension inwards progressive stone at the time. It alone took thirty years for this recording to appear on CD every bit it was in conclusion superbly digitally remastered inwards 2007. Musicians include: Mingo Lewis on percussion as well as keyboards, David Logeman on drums, Eric McCann on bass, Randy Sellgren on guitar, Michael Kapitan as well as Kincaid Miller on keyboards, as well as A. Louis Bramey on paw bells.
In my regard this is a landmark recording. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 somewhat obscure album that should convey received to a greater extent than attending inwards the jazz/rock/fusion category. Featuring the guitar operate of Randy Sellgren. Mingo Lewis as well as Al DiMeola were on pretty much on the same page at this betoken inwards time. Al DiMeola had featured Mingo on his "Land of the Midnight Sun" recording from the same twelvemonth as well as did as well as thus i time again on his "Elegant Gypsy"(1977)/"Casino"(1978)/"Splendido Hotel"(1980)/"Scenario"(1982)/"Tour De Force"(1982"/"Electric Rendezvous"(1983) recordings. Al DiMeola did a rearrangement of Mingo's "Frankincense" on his "Casino"(Chasin' the Voodoo") lp amongst Mingo. Anyone who enjoyed DiMeola's operate at this fourth dimension should laissez passer on Mingo Lewis' "Flight Never Ending" recording a listen. His influence is obvious. In my opinion, i time again, all the inwards a higher house is non bad music from non bad musicians from a fourth dimension that has rarely been equaled since.
Great lost fusion music from a non bad percussionist that has played amongst a diversity of musicians as well as artists over the years. I convey been looking for this album for years as well as in conclusion somebody came out amongst it on CD.
Delighted to encounter that Mingo Lewis "Flight Never Ending" is re-issued on cd. As many may know, he was the percussionist on several of Al DiMeola's early on solo albums. When this album was released inwards the mid 70's, it was past times far my favorite Fusion album. The rail "Heart Song" withal holds up. Searing guitar solos, propulsive drumming, synth solos as well as layered amongst Latin Percussion. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 must convey for anyone who enjoys re-visiting musicianship from the Fusion Era.
CD reissue. Mingo Lewis' career spans to a greater extent than than 45 years. He is a percussionist that has performed alive as well as recorded amongst about of music's greatest names, including Al DiMeola, Santana, Miles Davis, Third World, Billy Joel, The Tubes as well as Chick Corea's Return To Forever. Flight Never Ending was originally released inwards 1976 on Columbia Records. This CD consists of searing guitar solos, propulsive drumming as well as synth solos layered amongst Latin percussion. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 must-have for all who savour fusion! This album features ii Mingo Lewis compositions recorded past times Al DiMeola, 'The Wizard' (on his Land Of The Midnight Sunday album) as well as 'Frankincense' AKA 'Chasin' The Voodoo' (on his Casino album.)
1. Aba Cua
2. Frankincense
3. Heartsong
4. The Wizard
5. Visions of Another Time
6. Trapezoid
7. Maginary Monsters
8. Flight Never Ending
Columbia Records, 1976
Mingo Lewis - percussion, synthesizers, congas, clavinet, as well as vocals
Louis Bramy - percussion, bells, vocals
Mike Kapitan - keyboards, piano, synthesizers, drums vocals
David Logeman - drums
Eric McCann - electrical bass
Kincaid Miller - synthesizers, keyboards clavinet
Randy Sellgren - electrical guitar, acoustic guitar
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