Saturday, 15 February 2025

3PM - Better Late than Never, 1981 [FLAC limited time only]

 






For sure I completely forgot about this one, suggested by a commenter recently, it's a one-off from this instrumental fusion band from North Carolina, and it features front and center Jerry Peak, who plays bass and synths on there, handling most of the compositions too, who was on the Pruett and Davis Time's Arrow.  There is some of that early 80s slapped-bass smooth 'n' funky fuzak sound in there (eg Brecker Bros) but it's minimized, thankfully.

The title track is great, amazingly it even has a thumping Crimsonesque passage (like their Mars) in the middle--too bad there isn't more like this on the record:




Thursday, 13 February 2025

More Pruett & Davis, Breaking the Rules, from 1993 CD

 



Another CD from them that appeared earlier, in 1993, than this one.  Note the reappearance of AscensionKaren's Lullaby, Winter's Ending, and Cape Spear, etcHowever these are reworked versions, despite the self-plagiarism

A track called Destin South didn't appear on the other 2 already posted, but it's not as good as some of the other reused material:



A couple of other songs similarly cannot be found on the previous posts.

And Advanced Happy Valentines Day, for those observers, who believe in such things...

Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Back with the other requested Pruett & Davis, Winter's Ending (USA, 1981)

 



Some earlier work from these two guys posted before here.  Note that:

Recorded Live at the East Lansing Blues and Jazz Festival—April 11, 1981.

All compositions by Rick Pruett except New Car by Mike Davis. 

Also, on the left channel is Pruett and the right Davis.  If I listened more carefully it would be interesting to differentiate the two playing styles.  And gotta love that picture of the mixing board and old tape reels on the back of the album, for those who remember such things from the past.  As on the last work, the playing is extremely professional and therefore extremely enjoyable.

Karen's Lullaby with its special extra-resonant tuning is so harmonious, perhaps a little new agey, but that's OK here, as a break from the complex prog stuff:




Of course the title track, and it's a lovely one, is the one that showed up on that new age collection I posted back here.







Sunday, 9 February 2025

The Requested Pruett and Davis Group's Time's Arrow (USA, 1997)

 


The second release from these guys, see here. Note that these 2 only played together, there are no other releases on which they appear solo, the two being Rick Pruett and Mark Davis.

If you recall the French Canadian band (soon to be French American band) Connivence (or French-Panamian band ?) with their light guitar-based instrumental fusion, this is similar. The playing is beautifully tight and highly, perfectly, professionally rapid if you know what I mean, recalling the magicians of yore like Coryell.

Title track:



The final track, Cape Spear, really grew on me with its truly original chord progression:




Friday, 7 February 2025

Brazilian Glauco Sagebin with Alto Cumbia (1985)

 




A really lovely cover.  Nice rarity recommended by our Brazilian friend, kind of what you expect with smooth soft fusion, some slight progressive touches, mostly commercialized  however. 

Glauco Sagebin

Pianist and composer from Porto Alegre, Brazil whose reputation in his native Brazil is in the field of musical scores for soundtracks. His jazz recordings are a mix of soft, comfortable, soothing jazz with a Brazilian flavor.

Satelito Africano: