TRIO OF DOOM (WITH JACO PASTORIUS AND TONY WILLIAMS)

This is the "legendary" Trio Of Doom" who got together for the Havana Jam in 1979 and features three giants from the world of jazz fusion - John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams. I've read that McLaughlin wanted this to be released "over my dead body" as he believed Pastorius wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time however there doesn't seem to be much wrong with his playing here. The energy displayed by the three is quite astonishing and, as you would expect, there is a large amount of soloing going on here. Although you occasionally get the feeling that they're just showing off, it's undeniably exciting stuff.

There are 5 live tracks from the Havana concert included here and studio versions of three of the tracks (although one of the three versions of "Papa Oriente" contains a mere 7 seconds of music).

If you're a fan of fusion and want to hear 3 outstanding musicians at the top of their game then you can't really go wrong here (especially considering the very reasonable price it's available for). It's nicely packaged and the sound is clear (apart from the live cymbals which apparently weren't miked up during the gig and sound a little artificial). A must-have for fusion fans.

For fanatics of 70s fusion a cover and liner notes seem would seem almost superfluous for this one. The distinct musical voices of John Mclaughlin, Jaco Pastorious and Tony Williams are more than eveident here on one of the most interesting jazz releases of 2007 even if they aren`t playing in the same world at times.The tracks are all taken from a goodwill concert along with a host of other American artists in Havana, Cuba in March 1979 and it was the first and only time these fusion gods would appear on stage together which in itself makes this CD seem pretty signifigant. However well the rehearsals went the stage show was at the time considered by McLaughlin as an unmitigated disaster as a result of Pastorious`overblown ego getting in the way and there was reportedly an exchange of not-so-nice-words backstage after their 27 minute set. In order to "get things right " it was re-recorded two weeks later with audience noise added for release on two compilation albums of the show. These recordings also appear on the second section of this disc for comparative purposes.

In all only 3 compositions were played ( one from each musician ). McLaughlin`s The Dark Prince from his Electric Dreams LP, Pastorious`Continuum from his first solo effort and Williams`Para Oriente which would be reworked for a future project. The fourth piece was a loose jam based on McLaughlin`s composition, Are You The One? Are You The One ? from his Electric Guitarist album. A two minute drum warm up kicks off the live set until things go awry almost immediately on " The Dark Prince "with Pastorious changing the key signature on the spot leaving McLaughlin to compensate thus setting the stage for an overall inconsistent performance which went all the way from electrifying to muddled especially on the last live jam Are You The One ? Are You The One ? where they almost completely lose it again because of Pastorious`more adventurous style of bass playing. Nonetheless, the whole largely improvised performance has a raunchy loudness to it and we get to hear everyone solo at one time or another amidst the confusion which gives the listener reassurances that this isn`t going to be a total flop. McLaughlin frequently echoes his chops from sessions with Miles Davis as well as his participation in Williams`band, Lifetime in the pre-Mahavishnu days of the early seventies. Despite the lack of focus from Pastorious they manage to pull off his own composition, Continuum, much the same way it was done in the studio on his debut solo album with Mclaughlin adding his special touches while Williams` Para Oriente is the grooviest they get in the short 27 minutes they were on stage.

When McLaughlin was asked to remaster the material for official release he must have done some soul searching. although he wasn`t satisfied with the results of the project at the time ( which only had recorded no more than 45 minutes of material together ) how does he present the material in a viable way? The best possible solution was to release the whole shebang and let the listeners sort it out for themselves. Consequently we have a package that lasts no more than 45 minutes on which the subsequent studio recordings come out to be more focussed, tighter and of course better produced, reportedly as result of a dressing down Pastorious recieved from Williams !

Unfortunately there`s just too little material on this CD for either the players or listener to get too immersed in. On the other hand, it`s a piece of jazz history which deserves to be heard with all the constraints borne in mind as well, with the most glaring one being the possiblity of too much talent in one place! Perhaps Pastorious realised this at the time when he suggested the prophetic name Trio Of Doom. Doomed not to last. Nonetheless, Trio Of Doom is an historical musical document which is of special interest to the die hard completist fan, the curious as well as the serious musicologist.

Extremely interesting recordings for every McLaughlin (or Jaco) fan. Recorded live during concert in Havana,Cuba in 1979, its were released in 2007 only. When you'll start listening, you will easily understand why.

Three great fusion musicians -John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams play life set! Such an attractive release! The problem is there are not enough recorded materials for quality release, so this album is more kind of compilation (only first 5 compositions are recorded life in Havana, five others are studio recordings and their out-takes).

Another negative result of such luck of material is that there is added everything, what had even small chance to be counted as musical recording. Big part of live recordings sound as rehearsal, even mistakes when played were added on CD!.

Sound quality is a bit unusual - not bad, without over-loops and studio tricks, clear and very natural, but sound mix is extremely dis-balanced. Drums attacks sound as explosions over the whole sound, John's guitar is somewhere on the back and sounds really shy! Bass is rich, but not deep.

Third problem is if even named as band (" Trio Of Doom"), musicians stayed just three extra level professionals, everyone playing his own music. And it feels!

In all, this release is real mixed bag! Some excellent moments presented here and there, and in few places Trio even sounds as real band, showing what a potential they could have playing together. But as album, it sounds more as collection of rough material and out-takes from the vaults (and it's true!).

Very interesting release for real fan of anyone of three artists, for casual listener possibly should be better avoided.

For a lot of Jazz Rock / Fusion fans out there this is a dream trio if there ever was one. John McLaughlin on guitar, Tony Williams on drums and Jaco Pastorius on bass. Sadly 2 of the 3 are no longer with us. Jaco came up with the name TRIO OF DOOM for the band. This really was a one-off performance as they were invited along with many CBS recording artists (including WEATHER REPORT who Jaco was playing with at the time) to Cuba for a cultural exchange of music in 1979. It became known as "The Bay Of Gigs" to the artists. This was a 3 night affair in Havana, Cuba sponsored by the U.S. State Department. It was the first time in two decades that Cubans and Americans shared the same stage. TRIO OF DOOM had 25 minutes to do their thing. Five days after their performance they re-recorded three of the tracks at Columbia Studios in New York bringing the combined studio and live songs up to 39 minutes and enough to release on an album.

We get the live show first opening with a drum solo from Tony called "Drum Improvisation". It blends into McLaughlins "Dark Prince" the most energetic track on here. The problem with this one is knowing who to focus on. This is lights out good as all three guys let their hair down. Beyond amazing ! "Continuum" is Jaco's composition and it's a beautiful laid back track but there is this underlying power that never raises it's head but you know it's there. The band is introduced to the audience after this song. "Para Oriente" is a Williams composed track and is quite powerful at times. McLaughlin lays down some fire later then a calm ends it. "Are You The One, Are You The One ?" is the final live track and a McLaughlin song. John recorded this with Jack Bruce and Tony Williams on his solo record called "Electric Guitarist". Killer drumming to open then they get into this groove a minute in. This is a monster. Check out the bass after 3 minutes. A big roar from the crowd when they finish. The studio tracks are "Dark Prince" , "Continuum" and "Para Oriente" and while they are more polished they do standup well to the fiery energy of their live counterparts.

For me this is a no-brainer at 4 stars. I have the remastered version and there's a blurb from John about the experience of working with these two legends among other things.

Historically an important fusion record of superminds behind fusion. They never played together in that format. All three players are totally geared up to tear their instruments showing immense talent, dexterity and experience. Do not expect advanced compositions, this is first and foremost a jamming tour de force.

All three players show a strong character but I acquired this record mainly because of Tony Williams ferocious playing that must pull many rock drummers of their chair - the intensity and use of bass drum are astonishing as well as the prowess of the trio to craft crazy rhytming patterns.

There is a light balance by also including two mellower pieces to reflect.