LEVEL ONE (LARRY CORYELL & THE ELEVENTH HOUSE)

Most seem to prefer the first ELEVENTH HOUSE album but this one is a close second. For me the highlights are listening to Coryell on the guitar and Mouzon on the drum kit. Mouzon of course played on WEATHER REPORT's debut and man he takes the spotlight here much of the time.

"Level One" is a top three for me. This sounds really good, such a powerful sound and the drumming is killer. Coryell lights it up after a minute. "The Other Side" is uptempo with a great sounding rhythm section. Trumpet and electric piano come to the fore after 1 1/2 minutes. It's the guitar's turn before 3 minutes as Larry starts to solo. "Diedra" is laid back with some tasteful guitar before 2 minutes. "Some Greasy Stuff" is uptempo with horns blasting then we get some nasty guitar before 1 1/2 minutes. Back to the horns then the guitar returns late to end it. "NYCTOPHOBIA" is a top three as well. The drums impress and this one gets pretty intense. Yes they really rock hard here.

"Suite" is my final top three. Piano to start then it kicks in with horns. Guitar takes over before a minute but then the horns return. It settles right down to a calm 2 minutes in then kicks back in after 4 minutes. Great sound ! "Eyes Of Love" is mellow with acoustic guitar. "Struttin' With Sunshine" hits the ground running and the guitar is ripping it up a minute in. "That's The Joint" ends it with an intense ride as they let it all hang out.

An impressive release but it lacks warmth. Still for the guitar and drums alone I have to give this 4 stars.