Saturday, 20 July 2019

For You Lot Bozzio Levin Stevens - 1997 Dark Low-Cal Syndrome

Black Light Syndrome is the start studio album past times Bozzio Levin Stevens (a supergroup comprising drummer Terry Bozzio, bassist Tony Levin in addition to guitarist Steve Stevens), released on July 15, 1997 through Magna Carta Records.

This mightiness trio has famous roots, in addition to they've brought it all together masterfully. First cutting "The Dominicus Road" starts off similar a tune off of David Gilmour's start solo album in addition to thus vanishes into a driving, power-chorded surge of soulful rock. Next, "Dark Corners" is a massive rocker that pulls you lot nether its powerful whirlpool of guitar/bass/drum frenzy. Stevens tortures the guitar into absolute submission without whatever predictable riffs. Levin looms everywhere, in addition to Bozzio flows inward a polyrhythmic jungle. Fine interactive tension in addition to execution everywhere. This goes means beyond King Crimson's Red days.
"Duende" opens alongside flamenco guitar firebursts, in addition to piece of cake builds into a decent Spanish-flavored piece. Not my favorite, but good done. The championship cut, "Black Light Syndrome," is plainly a play on "Bozzio Levin Stevens." It is a slower-paced dirge in addition to filled to the brim alongside a variety of well-executed riffs, basslines, in addition to drum tech.
"Falling inward Circles" is an early on Floydscape dotted alongside Ronnie Montrose leads, a ballad of driving decision in addition to resolve. Floods of Satriani, Wishbone Ash, Alvin Lee, Fripp, Buck Dharma, in addition to fifty-fifty that Duane Allman tone.
"Book of Hours" took me correct dorsum to Wheels of Fire's "Pressed Rat in addition to Warthog," rainy-day dreamy afternoons alongside a fresh pot of designer coffee. Levin, Bozzio, in addition to Stevens play off of 1 some other exactly equally 1 mind.
On the final cut, "Chaos/Control," you lot listen that "E7 breakdown" from Hendrix's "Midnight" on War Heroes, in addition to thus a jazzy boogie inward classic Frank Marino mode is set down. Stevens is a guitarist alongside a broad hit of dynamics.

Terry Bozzio, drummer for Frank Zappa in addition to Jeff Beck. Tony Levin, bassist for King Crimson in addition to Peter Gabriel. Steve Stevens, guitarist for Billy Idol in addition to Michael Jackson. To the typical prog fan, Stevens may appear the strange human being out inward this trio, but guitar aficionados know that he is a well-respected guitarist in addition to composer of Grammy Award-winning pic soundtracks. Initially conceived equally a "names" projection (like the Players session alongside Jeff Berlin, Scott Henderson, T Lavitz in addition to Steve Smith), the get evolved into a rattling special recording session.

Initiated past times Bozzio, solely he in addition to Stevens had met earlier the recording session for a few jams, just to brand sure the potential was present. Otherwise, none of the musicians had previously played together. The trio entered the recording studio for 4 days in addition to spontaneously composed in addition to played the 7 songs on this disc.

The opening track, "The Dominicus Road," was the final result of the start studio jam in addition to the version hither is the 2d take. In fact, each vocal was recorded alive inward solely the start or 2d take, alongside no punch-ins to erase bum notes, etc. Before leaving the studio, Levin dubbed inward a few extra bass lines alongside the Chapman Stick, bowed upright bass in addition to thus forth, for added tonal coloring. Stevens thus took the tapes for 5 days to overdub some effects in addition to a few extra guitar, guitar-synth in addition to electrical sitar lines.

For the most part, though, Black Light Syndrome is a alive inward the studio jam session alongside iii fantabulous musicians. The songs were composed inward 1 of 2 ways: the trio worked out some guideposts in addition to improvised their means from 1 to the next, or just permit the creative juices menstruum equally they may. Two songs autumn into the latter category and, interestingly, they characteristic Stevens on Flamenco guitar on "Duente" in addition to a jazzy acoustic guitar on "Book of Hours." His chordal move on "Book of Hours" reminded me of John McLaughlin from his Que Alegria album.

The remaining songs are to a greater extent than oft than non oriented to the electrical guitar. I produce non know if the songs are presented inward the guild they were recorded, but sure as shooting the chemical scientific discipline amid the iii musicians seems to amend equally the disc proceeds. The high point, for me, was "Falling inward Circles." All iii musicians click into a ferocious groove. Stevens' killer chops run the hit from bluesy riffs to swirling "the UFOs are landing" metallic licks. Bozzio is an outstanding drummer in addition to I especially liked his cymbal work. Levin just demonstrates why he is 1 of the most respected in addition to in-demand session bassists inward the work organization today.

Regardless of whether you lot form Black Light Syndrome equally instrumental stone or progressive rock, I mean value you'll observe it difficult to deny that something wonderful happened when these iii musicians entered the studio together."

This is some other event of the musicians going into the studio alongside rattling lilliputian rehearsing in addition to rattling lilliputian time. Four days to move truthful,but we'll permit the production utter for itself.

The projection started equally an thought betwixt Bozzio in addition to Magna Carta's Pete Morticelli. Steve Stevens was suggested past times Terry's married adult woman and, equally usual, Tony Levin was start choice but was never actually considered an choice due to his busy schedule.

Terry Bozzio was a get upward that I had heard of inward the music scene but had never heard whatever of his work. I didn't know what I was missing! He is able to play the fastest in addition to freakest fills / solos I e'er heard on whatever album. Check out the fills inward "Chaos/Control" or "Dark Corners"! He has jumped from just a get upward to 1 of my favorite drummers. He is upward at that topographic point alongside the likes of Steve Gadd, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart, Tim Alexander, etc. This whole album is a highlight of his talent in addition to mightiness to play many types of musical styles. Also I would similar to shout out for out the greatest symbol audio I receive got heard,I'm non sure if it's the recording or the symbols themselves but I beloved it!

Tony Levin. What tin move said of this guy that hasn't been said a hundred times already? He is the most innovative in addition to various bass thespian I tin mean value of. His master copy of the musical instrument has seat him on everybody's favorite bass thespian list. On this album he uses both the bass in addition to the chapman stick,which adds to the multifariousness of audio on the album. He fifty-fifty uses some distorted bass on "Dark Corners"! I gauge the solely affair to tell he has 1 time once again been able to lay a company foundation volition doing some of the coolest lines inward the world.

Steve Stevens was the solely get upward that I had doubts about. I was solely aware of his playing alongside Billy Idol in addition to Michael Jackson, which disturbed me a little. I never thought of Steve equally an experimental or progressive guitar thespian but 1 time once again I receive got been pleasently surprised past times this album in addition to industrial plant life that Steve was a proficient choice for the album. His guitar was quite subdued at times just playing a tune that was perfect to the song, for event "The Dominicus Road." On the other side I observe his purpose of effects in addition to the whammy bar to move a flake extreme. My highlight of his playing is the acoustic guitar on such tracks equally "Duende."

Overall this album has no problems becoming 1 of my favorite of the Magna Carta label. It gives each musical instrument / thespian their ain infinite to explore. I would receive got no reservations recommending this album to whatever progressive fan.

...essentially it is a perfect melding of jazz, progressive rock, ambient in addition to just champaign jamming that has anovertly '90s feel. This is best exemplified inward the stunning, nigh 15-minute opener "The Dominicus Road," which highlights all the band's strengths equally it begins a melodic fusion-like seat out in addition to builds inward intensity alongside thunderous percussion in addition to vivid guitar move that includes some eerie electrical leads in addition to fluid flamenco acoustic fills. "Duende" finds each band fellow member playing off the other inward this exotic in addition to melodic piece.

Stevens 1 time again shines alongside his flowing acoustic playing. Better even thus is the vivid championship cutting alongside its tougher textures in addition to slightly Hendrix-like soloing. This actually is an especial in addition to original album past times iii musicians who appear to receive got a proficient musical empathy in addition to may evidence to move the mightiness trio of the decade.

Track listing

All songs written in addition to composed past times Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin in addition to Steve Stevens.

1.     "The Dominicus Road"       14:39
2.     "Dark Corners"       8:32
3.     "Duende"       7:26
4.     "Black Light Syndrome"       8:45
5.     "Falling inward Circles"       9:08
6.     "Book of Hours"       9:42
7.     "Chaos/Control"       8:48

Total length:
    67:00

Personnel

    Steve Stevens – guitar, production
    Tony Levin – Chapman stick, bass, production
    Terry Bozzio – drums, production


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