Stevens, Clive - Atmospheres CD
SKU
21-ESC3750-2
Wow - I never, ever thought that this would be reissued on CD, but here it is!
This very obscure album was originally released on Capitol in 1974; it isn't particularly rare, but for a heavy-weight fusion album, it's really very unknown. Look who is on this!:
Ralph Towner-electric piano & Ring Modulator (the rig Jan Hammer played in the early Mahavishnu)
Steve Khan-6 & 12 string guitars
John Abercrombie-electric guitar
Harry Wilkinson-percussion
Rick Laird-bass
Billy Cobham-drums
Clive Stevens-electric and acoustic tenor and soprano saxes
So, what you have is the original Mahavishnu Orchestra rhythm section less than a year after their dissolution, with Towner channeling his inner mounting flame and John Abercrombie at his early, electric best here.
"Saxman / keyboard player Clive Stevens from Bristol, England, was among the earliest to explore the nexus of jazzrock and electric jazz in his two 1974 albums. And both releases, “Atmospheres” and “Voyage to Uranus” have stood the test of time. “Atmospheres” was finished in one day with no rehearsals in New York City. This was a super session of the highest level with bassist Rick Laird and drummer Billy Cobham's only recording together outside John Mclaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra.
The world class guitarists Steve Khan and John Abercrombie feeding off of each others' incredible talent, Ralph Towner on electric piano/ring modulator in awesome form and Harry Wilkinson added later on percussion.
The raw power of the session was electric, beyond belief. So don't expect to hear something mellow, this is dark, sometimes scary music for those late nights. Still compelling after all these year, something like a blast from the past.
“Atmospheres” is being re-released now after 40 years, first time on CD."