GOOD GOD

I was lucky enough to find this wonderful album in a used record store in the late seventies, and it became one of my favorite rare gems.

this album was the one and only release from Good God, a fusion band from Philadelphia. The songs, while fusion lean a bit more toward the rock side, with Larry Cardarelli's strong guitar leading the way. But Cotton Kent's keyboards, mostly electric piano, keep the fusion feel throughout the album. The horns play a big role here, and the band added a number of extra players to keep the sound heavy.

I get hints of a Magma-like sound at times, especially in Galorna Gavorna. And the group does a fantastic job on Frank Zappa's early standard, King Kong, and John McLaughlin's Dragon Song.

Considering the popularity of good fusion at that time, it's surprising that this band remained obscure, and onlt put out this one album. But if you can find it, it's worth the price.

Wonderful lost gem of fusion. There's Zeuhl that leans towards fusion, and here is the ever rare fusion that leans towards Zeuhl. This rocks hard, is often very funky, and yet is clearly jazz infused. And our vocalists sing like they're from Kobaia, a very interesting twist to this record. Just listening to the first two tracks gives you a road map for how the album will play out, with "A Murder of Crows" jazz rocking to the fullest, and then "Galorna Gavorna" lays on the funk. Both feature the unique singing style. The whole thing drips of the intersecting of soul, jazz, funk, rock, and disco in the band's native Philadelphia throughout the '70's - another way to describe it, then, is a proggy, rocking take on the whole realm of Sweet Philly. This is just an enjoyable listening experience, bringing all sorts of happy and energetic genres together in a euphoric mix played perfectly. Highly, highly recommended to all fusion and funk fans, and really anyone reading this should try this album out.

GOOD GOD were a five piece Jazz/ Rock band out of Philadelphia and they released this one album back in 1972. We get two sax players although the one also plays the keyboards, plus we get four guests playing a variety of horns. Love the electric piano that is quite prominent and the guitar. Legend says they were huge CAPTAIN BEEFHEART fans, so when they were trying to decide on a band name they phoned him up and yes they got their band name by his sarcastic response. These guys cover a Frank Zappa song and a John McLaughlin tune on this album.

"A Murder Of Crows" is a pretty good rocking track with bass, guitar and drums leading the way. The horns after 1 1/2 minutes change the flavour though and we get keyboards as well. So impressive. Electric piano to the fore after 3 minutes as the horns stop. The guitar takes the spotlight a minute later. Vocals 5 1/2 minutes in but by the 6 minute mark the horns have replaced them. This is probably my favourite one from their original material. "Galorna Gavorna" is such a catchy tune, it's hard not to move. The vocals and sound bring GENTLE GIANT to my mind but that changes when the vocals stop and the horns start to lead the way. The guitar replaces the horns 2 1/2 minutes in as they continue to jam. Electric piano to the fore after 3 1/2 minutes. There's a bit of a "Continental Circus"(GONG) vibe with the rhythm section. "King Kong" is a Zappa cover and a top three for me. This is a jazzy, horn and electric piano led piece where once again it feels like a jam. I really like this one.

"Dragon Song" is my other top three and a John McLaughlin cover. This is a powerful Jazz/ Fusion song with plenty of horns and busy drum work. The guitar starts to light it up before 2 1/2 minutes. "Zaragoza" is the first time I feel like it mellows out and that's just at the start of this one as we get piano melodies and lazy horn expressions. It does start to build even by the first minute as things start to get adventerous especially the horns. This lasts for about a minute then the electric piano leads the way with bass and drums. The horns are back and then we get a brief drum solo 3 1/2 minutes in. A calm returns after 5 1/2 minutes. Good song. "Fish Eye" is different as we get a bluesy CAPTAIN BEEFHEART inspired tune. The horns blast to start before it settles right down a minute in as these bluesy vocals join in. I can just imagine seeing these guys in a smoke filled bar at this point. The horns will come and go along with bluesy guitar melodies. We get a lazy prolonged horn solo late followed by a passionate ending.

This is a really good album that keeps me interested all the way through. A solid 4 stars.