SUNBIRDS

Jazz/Fusion ensemble from Munich led by German drummer Klaus Weiss (R.I.P.) and Austrian pianist Fritz Pauer (R.I.P.) and found in 1971.When Pauer presented Weiss some new songs, the two of them gathered Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine, Dutch flutist Ferdinand Povel and American drummer Jimmy Woode (R.I.P.) and formed Sunbirds.The recordings of their debut took place at the Union Studios in Munich on 24th August 1971.Weiss had good connections with various labels and the album was eventually released on BASF the same year.''Sunbirds'' features also as a guest Juan Moreno on percussion.

The style of Sunbirds was a cross between Electric Jazz and Psychedelic Kraut-Fusion with changing atmospheres and plenty of enjoyable rhythms and solos.Quite diverse music, that goes from hypnotic and more psychedelic material to dynamic and energetic Fusion with good breaks and solos.The first relies much on the mellow rhythm section and the delicate flutes of Povel, the more powerful moments though find the band in full collaboration with Catherine's very effective guitar work next to Pauer's long and virtuosic solos.And there are plenty of them in this album in a semi-improvised approach along with endless interplays with flutes, guitars and electric piano in evidence.Some moments, maybe because of the presence of Catherine and especially on ''Spanish sun'', recall the style of PORK PIE, having a light spacey atmosphere blended with a tremendous Psych-Kraut feeling.Beats of Funk can easily be traced throughout the releae, but I do not regard them as the more succesful addition next to the main style the band has chosen.

Originally the band had composed 8 tracks, including ''Fire Dance'' and ''Dreams'', which were cut due to 55-min. long material, unable to be filled in the vinyl version.However the remastered and excellent Garden of Delights re-issue (no surprise here) includes both of them along with a fantastic booklet, containing the history of Sunbirds and BASF label both in English and German.

Very nice and adventurous Jazz/Fusion, which can be easily heard even today.Kraut-Rock and Jazz-Rock fans should simply hurry to get this one, followed by another warm recommendation for the rest of the readers...3.5 stars.