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Brian Auger - Happiness Heartaches (as Oblivion Express) CD (album) cover

HAPPINESS HEARTACHES (AS OBLIVION EXPRESS)

Brian Auger

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

2.99 | 14 ratings

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Easy Money
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars The late 70s were not good years for jazz fusion. Long expressive solos and extended group jam sessions were out of fashion and the various artists invoved in this genre struggled to find a way to be relevant in a changing music scene. On this record Brian Auger and his band opt for the jazzy RnB of bands like Steely Dan and Tower of Power in an attempt to sound current, and achieve mixed results. The vocal sections are rather mundane, but the instrumental sections really take off sometimes.

The group of musicians featured on here make up one of the best bands Auger ever put together. The rhythm section of White on drums, Langton on congas and Chaman on bass is capable of hitting some very nimble Latin grooves that past versions of his band could never touch. Auger rises to the challenge thrown down by his lightning quick rhythm section and kicks out many great solos. One of the nicest is the extended spacey electric piano ride at the end of Spice Island.

If this was an instrumental album it would have been one of the better fusion albums of the 70s, but unfortunately it isn't.

Easy Money | 3/5 |

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