JAN AKKERMAN & KAZ LUX: ELI

One of my all-time favorite albums, ELI has stayed on my regular playlist since I purchased it in the 1970s as a "cut out." My chief regret about this album is its length: it's too short. The atmospheric mood set by the majority of this lush, beautiful music is too soon over. "WIngs of Strings," "Eli" and of course the inimitable though VERY often imitated "Naked Actress" ("I once watched a fly die," "Eli, Please," and "Puh-FACshun" have been non sequitur epithets of mine since 1979) are mood masterpieces. Great R&B-like female b/vox, great melodramatic half-spoken lyrics' by Kaz, and, of course, the amazing guitar talent of one of the planet's all-time greatest, here, at his peak powers. Even the low points of this LP/CD are interesting, quirky, oft-times humorous, always out there. A wonderful if brief adventure into a kind of smokey psychedelic backworld. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. Kaz will entertain you, but Jan's effortless virtuosity will move your soul.

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Posted Tuesday, November 4, 2008 | Review this album | Report (Review #187950)

Out of limited number of albums that I have on Jan Akkerman's solo works, this is the album that I like most for a very simple and basic reason: the music is nice even though not that progressive or not that jazz. It's probably there is an addition of vocal with Kaz Lux that makes it an excellent collaboration. Not only that, the music represents what kind of music in the seventies in terms of recording quality as well as how the music was composed. Look at "Guardian Angel" that flows very nicely from start to end giving intense nuances of vintage or classic rock sounds. The instrumental "Tranqualizer" is also a good one to enjoy. I do enjoy how the flow and groove of "Can't Fake a Good Time" move from one piece to another - it's very enjoyable. I can find it also with "Eli" which demonstrates excellent quality of Kaz Lux voice. Of course there are some disco-style music like "There he still goes" but it's OK as a break.

It's hard to believe if you claim yourself as someone who loves vintage rock music for not liking this album. Yes, it's not that progressive or jazzy, but the feels and nuances of the music are really great.

At first I did not realize that this excellent album was backed up with talented musicians like Rick van Der Linden as well as singer Maggie McNeal.

On the basis how the composition was made and how the music flows in the entire album regardless it's progressive or not, I consider this one is an excellent album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW.

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Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2012 | Review this album | Report (Review #818985)

A very unusual record in Jan's repertoire. The start of the record seems to come from a bad dream - haunting and dramatic vocal that partly sings partly speaks. The instruments don't save this inferior track, unfortunately. The vocals appear on almost each track and they are an acquired taste. O ... (read more)

Report this review (#2118929) | Posted by sgtpepper | Thursday, January 17, 2019 | Review Permanlink

"Because You're a Fly, Fly, That's Why" This is an incredible album. I discovered this album through Jan Akkerman, who is, in my opinion, one of the greatest guitarists. He has a completely unique sound that is full of life. I had no idea who Kaz Lux was before I came across this album, but bo ... (read more)

Report this review (#1591722) | Posted by BunBun | Tuesday, July 26, 2016 | Review Permanlink

Sort of a concept album here with Akkerman joining up with his old Brainbox buddy vocalist/lyricist Kaz Lux. Lyrically, the album develops around a rather simple man ( Eli) and his old fashioned values while also exploring his fantasies and dreams. Lux`s powerful and emotive vocals convey the ... (read more)

Report this review (#72507) | Posted by Vibrationbaby | Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | Review Permanlink

This is such a precious album. Jan Akkerman teams up with Kaz Lux and lays out the music in beautiful chords. Many of the songs are based on a simple loop and drum machine. It is a very atmospheric album and the voice of Kaz Lux gives you the shivers. It reminds me somehow to the progressive p ... (read more)

Report this review (#71623) | Posted by peter lensvelt | Saturday, March 11, 2006 | Review Permanlink

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