SPACES REVISITED

The album title invokes great expectations and one wishes to be thrown into the world of 70's fusion. The lineup is stellar with Cobham on drums, Lagrene as excellent guitar player and Bona a skillful bass player. The album is indeed different from anything Coryell has done in the 90's until this year.

When you hear the first track with elastic bass and pretty good and tasty guitar(s) soloing, your expectations rise high. "Hong Kong Breeze" calms down into a smooth and comfortable fusion typical for many former fusion stars. It lacks the energy and complexity of the 70's music.

Next tracks are somewhat disappointing for me as they are much closer to jazz and contemporary jazz, than fusion. In other words, it's all about feeling and soloing rather than dynamics and more elaborate compositions. "Variations on Good-Bye Pork Pie hat" has at least changes in the rhythm. The last track "Ruby my dear" is a clean acoustic guitar atmospheric track.

Recommended to the fans of contemporary jazz but not to the fans of fusion.