CURT CRESS CLAN

I remember how excited I was when I first heard about this album, especially when I saw the lineup. Curt Cress is probably most well known for being the drummer of PASSPORT, but before that he drummed on ORANGE PEEL's only album released in 1970. So yes an excellent pedigree and the former label boss for PASSPORT Sigi Loch was impressed enough to make it possible for Cress do this solo record. The lineup besides Cress on drums is Volker Kriegel on guitar, Dave King on bass, Ack Van Rooyan on flugelhorn, and Kristian Schultze on keyboards. My enthusiasm became dampened though after reading many opinions around the internet suggesting this was a good but lightweight album. And after many listens I have to agree. Some really good songs here but also some almost cringe-worthy tunes that makes this one a 3.5 star recording for me.

"Cyclone" certainly got my hopes up as Cress shows us why he is such a talented drummer. It's all Cress early on doing it solo then the bass kicks in around 1 1/2 minutes in. So good ! Keyboards around 2 minutes then they stop as the guitar takes a turn while the bass and drums continue. Killer tune. "From The Back" is funky and one tune I have a hard time with. It's not bad though and I like the guitar. "Fields" opens with drums and is more laid back. This is a sweet track with intricate drumming and tasteful flugelhorn. One of favs from this disc. "Shuffle On Out" is a cool track with the guitar and drums standing out. Love the sound of the keyboards before 3 minutes.

"Delphine" is the worst track in my opinion. I just find the melody to be so annoying. "451271" is a funky song. Not bad a but a little repetitive. "No Answer" is a very laid back and mellow tune. I like it. "Movin" Right Along" shows off Cress' drumming skills and the bass is fantastic. Great track. Too short though. "Funk Off" is not a song I can't get into. Too lightweight and the word "annoying" comes to mind.

So a hit and miss affair but if you like the PASSPORT albums "Hand Made" and "Looking Thru" you will probably love this one. I just wish it was more like "Cross-Collateral" that PASSPORT released the same year as this one.