OFFERING - Larry Coryell
by DiamondDog on Tuesday 08 November 2005
Larry Coryell - guitar
Steve Marcus - soprano saxophone
Mike Mandel - electric piano with fuzz-wah
Mervin Bronson - bass
Harry Wilkinson - drums
OFFERING is real good fusion album of Larry Coryell. I must say, thanks to Steve Marcus. He gives an extra sparkle to the album and Larry Coryell gives an excellent show with his guitarplay. Not too much, but functional. The songs are fuller of sound and stronger than most of the songs on previous albums.
OFFERING kicks off with the excellent song 'Foreplay'. The interaction between Larry, Steve and Mike is beautiful. The song makes your head bounce because it has a catchy jazzfusion-vibe to it. A good solo performance of Steve Marcus. 'Ruminations' is fast jazz track in a fusion-coat. It starts with a mid-tempo hook, but it fires of with a be-bop with uncanny speed! A battle between Steve Marcus and Larry Coryell. Good action. A dreamy and psychedelic 'Scotland I'. This songs reminds me of Mahavishnu Orchestra. Very laidback and repeating. Steve Marcus shows off, but again it fits. 'Offering' is written by the drummer Harry Wilkinson and starts with a dramatic drumsolo. Good play between Larry and Steve. This track is funky and mysterious. The solo is beautiful and fast. It must be said that Mervin Bronson, Harry Wilkinson and Mike Mandel are giving the right vibration and atmosphere on this song. Larry Coryell is on fire here. And that goes for his bandmates too! 'The Meditation Of November 8th' sounds like an early Weather Report song with Wayne Short on sax. Very easy and quiet song. With Steve Marcus on solo and the rest of the guys in the background. The album finishes with a bang with the track 'Beggar's Chant'. A little Waltz rhythm with a bluesy riff. You can hear the wierd fuzz wah of Mike Mandel here. Very obscure and witty, but it fits excellent. It ends with a good solo of Larry Coryell.
OFFERING is one of my favourite albums of Larry Coryell. It kicks off with an awesome track with a powerful groove of fusion. This band is much better. Also thanks to Steve Marcus and his marvellous play. It's not annoying and he fills the right gaps in all the songs. Larry Coryell plays very good, as usual. But he gives this album the right touch. The Eleventh House (upcoming band) was good, but don't skip this band on this album. If you want to hear Fusion on its best, you have to hear this album. All the tracks on this albums are great examples how Fusion can be played.
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