I just had the opportunity to review the newest release,
Coryell, from
Larry Coryell. This of course is a new release of a 1969 Vanguard release of the same name. The name Larry Coryell has always been synonymous with jazz rock and this release shows exactly why. Being released just before Coryell's unexpected and untimely passing in late February while on tour, this release shows just how long Coryell has been making crate sized impacts on the music scene. With Coryell, an absolute maestro on guitar and with first class associates Bernard Purdie on drums, Albert Stinson, Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter on bass, Mike Mandel on keys and Jim Pepper on flute, this release is heavily weighted by heavy weights! Opening with
Sex, Coryell shows raw adventurous fusion rock and takes the lead on vocal as well as guitar. With his phaser flaring, Coryell blasts off. Sensitive vocals and a quite melody on
Beautiful Woman opens wide for Ron carter to lay out some really nice bass lead and Coryell's own raw guitar work, framed by Purdie on drums. One of my favorite tracks on the release,
The Jam With Albert, is a very cool and structured guitar melody over Stinson's solid bass riff and Purdie's incredible drum line.
Elementary Guitar Solo #5 is a particularly interesting track with Coryell starting the track with highly sensitive chord playing and them progressively adding instrumentation and grit. Bouncing off of Chuck Rainey's bass lines, Coryell continues to dig deeper with some of the rockiest jazz rock fusion riffs to hit the stratosphere. I never picked up on this before but there is a musical theme in this track that follows or crosses a Steve Marriott melody that really adds a certain additional interest. On
No One Really Knows, Purdie really kicks up the beat and Stinson's thumping bass line gives Coryell the freedom to fly on guitar. Very nice. On funky,
Morning Sickness, Rainey digs in, fattening up the bottom and Coryell shows his wild fusion side almost broaching John McLaughlin territory. Wrapping the release is
Ah Wuv Ooh, a fluid, euro style jazz rock track with lead guitar melody. Purdie's strong command of the skins and Coryell are in perfect balance and Jim Jim Pepper's flute work adds just the right melodic touch. Very nice conclusion to an important release.
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