This was the follow-up to the legendary Introducing the Eleventh House recording. While it never achieved the classic condition of its predecessor, it is an first-class follow-up that captures the band at their creative as well as technical peak. From the whimsical "Diedra" to the intense "Nyctophobia," Coryell leads his grouping alongside an understated refrain. He has ever been at his best when acting every bit an equal inside a group's infinite rather than every bit the centerpiece. His 1 indulgence hither is the pretty, acoustic guitar solo "Eyes of Love." Of item involvement on this recording is the ferocious drumming of Alponse Mouzon, who displays a style of speed as well as might that rivals that of Billy Cobham. This is a forgotten precious stone from the fusion era.
You actually convey to paw it to reissue labels similar Wounded Bird, who produce a fantastic project of unearthing gems from the vaults every bit good every bit getting vintage in-demand, previously out of impress releases past times pop artists dorsum inward circulation. Jazz-fusion fanatics convey long been clamoring for Level One from The Eleventh House to last reissued on CD, as well as instantly hither it is. For anyone who is unfamiliar alongside this band, it featured guitarist Larry Coryell, drummer Alphonse Mouzon, Mike Mandel on keyboards, bassist John Lee, as well as horn histrion Michael Lawrence (Randy Brecker as well as Danny Trifan were inward an before incarnation of the band). Level One was originally released inward 1975, as well as is a seminal recording from the fusion era that likewise spawned such acts every bit Return to Forever, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, The Brecker Brothers, The Tony Williams Lifetime, Brand X, as well as and hence many other groundbreaking bands.
Level One was the bands 3rd release, as well as finally before they disbanded for the rootage fourth dimension (The Eleventh House would reunite several times alongside diverse line-up over the adjacent few decades), but it is an extremely company attempt that rivals their debut Introducing the Eleventh House from 1973. Led past times the sizzling guitar of Coryell as well as Mouzon's dynamic drum work, Level One contains many standout tracks of scorching fusion, similar the killer opening championship cutting as well as "Some Greasy Stuff". Coryell's licks as well as solos convey a for sure John McLaughlin experience to them, every bit he likewise favored distorted, rapid give the sack passages that mixed stone as well as funk styles, zig-zagging through arrangements likewise colored alongside trumpet, flugelhorn, as well as keyboards. "Nyclaphobia" is an aggressive fusion monster, alongside Mouzon's acrobatic drum fills blazing underneath furious riffs from Mandel & Coryell, easily a vocal that volition appeal to fans of Return to Forever as well as The Mahavishnu Orchestra. If y'all love the audio of the Fender Rhodes, Mandel puts on a present here. The royal 3-part "Suite" is but lovely, every bit the band combines jazz as well as progressive rock, piece "Eyes of Love" shows Coryell's deft impact the acoustic guitar. Another highlight on Level One is the surging funk rocker "Struttin' With Sunshine", a existent barnburner alongside fatty bass riffs from Lee as well as a wealth of horns, ethereal keyboards, as well as Coryell's nasty licks. Closer "That the Joint" is a bombastic, rockin' piece of fusion, alongside all the players delivering scorching passages inside the catchy, can't immature lady melody.
Top to bottom, Level One is scorching, mandatory listening for whatever fan of '70s jazz-fusion. It's a shame this band basically burned out as well as hence quickly,as they had precisely every bit much to offering the scene dorsum inward the twenty-four hr menses every bit whatever of the groups mentioned above. Kudos 1 time once to a greater extent than to Wounded Bird for unleashing this brute on CD.
Someone finally had the decency to release this music on CD. Larry Coryell as well as society were at the top of their game when they lay this championship out. As several reviewers convey already said; this ranks correct upward in that location at the top of so-called classic fusion recordings. I'm talking almost existence inward the same league every bit Billy Cobham's Spectrum, whatever 1 of Return To Forever's recordings, Tony Williams Lifetime as well as other such dearly dearest fusion classics. I was fortunate plenty to run across Larry Coryell as well as the Eleventh House when they played at the University of Florida non long later on this recording was made. Let me tell you, at the time, Larry was considered the shredmeister of the day. He was as well as hence revered (not precisely because of his technical might as well as pure speed but likewise his musicality) that he was given a regular column inward Guitar Player magazine. Do yourself a peachy favor; purchase this CD instantly piece it's available. Everyone (and I produce hateful everyone) who currently cherishes their re-create of this championship inward it's master vinyl shape volition last purchasing this CD! Buy this CD as well as piece y'all are at it, purchase his mass "Improvising". Listen to this recording piece reading his book. Then produce a Google search on his yell as well as read every article y'all tin find. Believe me, in that location are plenty of stories as well as information non included inward his mass because in that location was non plenty room, he forgot or he was trying to last small-scale as well as non come upward off every bit a braggart.
I was glad to run across this fusion classic finally released on cd. this actually is 1 of the fusion classics from the '70s as well as has ever been a favorite eleventh family album for me. without a doubt, it is coryell's best album for hot, rocking electrical guitar. coryell, who has ever been a jazz guitar god, is 1 of the pioneers inward fusion, alongside the rootage eleventh family album making its debut inward '68, when fusion was however practically unheard of. every bit y'all tin tell past times the geeky comprehend photos (not the brightest move), score 1 was released inward '75 during the funk-jazz era precisely before the dawn of disco popularity. as well as about of the music reflects the updated funk-jazz-pre-disco trends of the time, although this music is as well as hence much to a greater extent than palatable than disco for a number of reasons: it's rattling powerful instrumental fusion driven past times coryell's hot as well as rattling rocking electrical guitar work. although about tunes aim their powerful melodies inward a funk-jazz-pre-disco era direction, they are well-delivered as well as memorable songs (even for people similar me who never liked disco). as well as in that location are a skilful number of tunes alongside a stronger feel of jazz fusion composition that are quite impressive for people who desire to run across inventive jazz/rock fusion composition on an album similar this. the mix of tunes alongside haunting melodies as well as tunes alongside intricate compositions was good chosen as well as executed. although EH's master trumpet homo (randy brecker) had been replaced past times michael lawrence past times the fourth dimension they did this album, music character did non suffer. although he doesn't aspect similar much, lawrence did a wonderful project belting out his trumpet parts.....whether inward hard-driving melodies or smoking jams, lawrence delivers on the horn! as well as EH criterion personnel alphonse mouzon (drums) as well as mike mandel (keyboards) deliver inward fine style, every bit expected. the other newcomer on this album, john lee is likewise a rattling worthy as well as respectable homo on bass. the primary argue i'm exclusively giving this album 4 stars is because the album as well as all the songs inward it are a niggling shorter than they should last (with the exception of coryell's acoustic solo piece, which is perfectly fine fifty-fifty inward its brevity). if the jams were all longer on all tunes, the songs as well as the overall album would convey been a to a greater extent than respectable length. still, despite existence shorter than it should convey been, this is a rattling pleasing album for fans of jazz fusion, as well as i'm glad i finally instruct to convey it on cd! it's almost time!
I had this album inward vinyl when it rootage came out...This is my favorite fusion album from the jazz side...HANDS DOWN! This
album rocks! This goes rattling good alongside Jeff Beck's Wired album that is fusion from the stone side. The total of the ii are
synergistic inward nature, as well as volition fuse your heed alongside an release energy champaign that does non wearable off when the finally rail is played!
Level One is 1 of my greatest albums I've ever owned. Kudos to the brilliant private who brought this peachy operate back
to life without changing the mix! Just similar the vinyl........................IT'S ALIVE!!!
Tracks Listing
1. Level One (3:21)
2. The Other Side (4:35)
3. Diedra (3:56)
4. Some Greasy Stuff (3:30)
5. Nyctaphobia (4:03)
6. Suite (5:32) :
- a) Entrance
- b) Repose
- c) Exit
7. Eyes Of Love (2:35)
8. Struttin' With Sunshine (3:20)
9. That's The Joint (4:03)
Total Time: 34:40
Line-up / Musicians
- Larry Coryell / guitar
- Mike Lawrence / trumpet, flugelhorn
- Mike Mandel / keyboards
- John Lee / bass
- Alphonse Mouzon / percussion
With:
- Steve Khan / 12-string guitar (1)
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