JOHN LEE / GERRY BROWN / EEF ALBERS / DARRYL THOMPSON: BROTHERS

In December of 1980 the duo went back to Europe to record with long-time collaborators, guitarists Darryl Thompson and Eef Albers at Tonstudio Zuckerfarbrik in Stuttgart.

A1. "Uptown Express" (6:13) back to try another attempt at a pop hit! What starts out sounding like Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" with some funk bass play turns into The Knack and The Police (without the Ska). This being a Darryl Thompson composition, it is appropriate that he gets the first guitar solo: it's edgy and awesome but Eef's melodic smoothness and seamless runs outdo Darryl a bit, in my opinion--which is weird cuz this song is screaming out for raunchy, screaming rock soloing like Darryl's doing, but there's just something special about Eef's play that fits; it works. Too bad the foundational music isn't a bit more interesting and varied. (8.75/10)

A2. "Brothers" (4:34) more stellar guitar soloing but, unfortunately, it's played over some rather stiff and rigid/mathematically-structured music (composed by John and Darryl). The guitar playing is off the charts great, and the skill level of the rhythm corps is equally so, it's just so stiff! (8.75/10)

A3. "Rita" (5:07) picked solo guitar opens this one giving it a kind of BEATLES/JESSE COLIN YOUNG feel, but then the rest of the musicians join in and move the song into a rock version of what sounds like a standard blues song--at least until the end of the second minute when there is a brief switch over into a more dynamic GRAND FUNK RAILROAD- sounding motif. Unfortunately, this second "chorus" motif is far more interesting (and impressive) than the main theme--and composer and soloist Eef Albers' guitar is engineered oddly enough to make it sound as if he's not with the rest of the band--as if he's in his own containment shell (where he's channeling Jimi Hendrix). Really amazing guitar play, though! (9/10)

A4. "Rise On" (4:27) Blues guitar! Over what lays out to be a syncopated Jazz-Rock tune (by Gerry). It's Darryl again in the lead with Eef doing an awesome interplaying with him, just below his lead. I love John's piano chord play in the rhythm section and the cool motif switch at 2:22. John's cousins, Albert and Alvin, would be very proud of Darryl's work here. (Buddy Guy, too.) (9/10)

B1. "For Bill" (5:37) gentle picking on electric guitar opens this Darryl Thompson composition before bass, cymbals, and second guitar (Darryl Thompson) join in for some quite beautiful guitar soloing. When the full sound palette kicks in at the end of the first minute the groove continues to remain fully engaging with excellent support to Darryl's gorgeous play from the amazing trio of jazz rhythmatists. Some of the finest guitar soloing the 80s has ever presented to me! Wow! I've got tears flowing! Music doesn't get any better than this, folks! (10/10)

B2. "Close The Door" (4:43) that stinky Southern "Swamp" Rock vibe! Man! These guys are rollin'! This John Lee song sports some more amazing lead guitar play from Darryl Thompson (in the first half). Eef's solo in the second half is smooth but not as emotional and stinky as Darryl's--a bit too technical. (8.875/10)

B3. "Uncle William" (8:03) the other Eef Albers composition which had received rave reviews (for Eef's mind-blowing guitar play) in their concert tour following the Chaser album. In this version the tempo is picked up and the rhythm pattern is smoothed out to cruise along at a fairly straightforward speed. Eef does not disappoint with his fiery solos. (Looks like he has learned a lot from working side-by-side with Darryl.) What makes this song better than most of the Brothers fare is the variation and motif switches within the overall song: it makes it feel that much more thought out and polished. (13.75/15)

Total time: 38:44

Though I love the funk-jazz grooves John and Gerry have put up over the years, this hard-drivin' jazz-rock album may be my favorite: the guitar performances are just so great!

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of guitar-showcasing rockin' jazz-rock and blues-rock. If you love great, hard-rocking guitar music, this might be right up your alley! As many reviewers/commenters have said: Eef Albers may be the best kept secret in the pantheon of guitar greats. (And Darryl Thompson, too!)