IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

With It Could Of Happened To You the legendary Focus guitarist stays on target and true to form. Some Eighties elements creep in, but Jan puts them to good use. This includes some very creative use of a drum machine, believe it or not! Akkerman incorporates eighties technology wisely, and the result is still very listenable...all prejudices aside of course.

Jan transformed his sound in 1977 with his self-titled album to become one of the first master musicians to risk venturing into jazz/fusion. His is not the funky keyboard/sax sound of Weather Report, or Herbie Hancock, nor the furious fret-oriented way of Mahavishnu or Lifetime. No, Akkerman presented the listener a more European and refined sound, that was, come to think of it, no less funky, or for that matter no less furious then those previously mentioned.

This is a short record, clocking in at less than 40 minutes. The consolation is that there is no filler and all four songs reach their maximum potential as Akkerman stretches right out in typically confident fashion. Old Tennis Shoes is as comfortable and relaxing as...well, old tennis shoes. Come Closer is enticing, but the real standout is Funkology. DJ's might want to give this one a listen, as it has dance-floor potential.

It is the title song that grows on you most however: its sweet dreaminess could go on all day. It is a beautiful song, plain and simple.

You might fall in love with this album too: it could happen to you.

It could happen to you is another jazz-rock/ fusion album from Jan. It was recorded with Danish musicians and Jan found Polydor willing to bring the album out. It failed to reach the Dutch albumcharts and Jan could look for another recordcompany. The music on the album is good, i think it's his best studio recording since Jan Akkerman. It's good to settle down with the four tracks. Old tennis shoes is a nice slow one with fine basslines and inspired guitarsolo's. Come closer is less special than the other tracks,but i can listen to it. Funkology is an experimental,imaginative song with drumcomputer and funk influences. This song contains strong parts for the rhythm -and acoustic guitar. The titletrack has a leading part for the acoustic guitar. One of the best acoustic songs he ever wrote. One of his better records, in spite of the bad sellings.

For those of you who enjoy jazz-rock fusion combined with vintage or classic rock guitar style, you will definitely love this album by Jan Akkerman. Take the opening track "Old Tennis Shoes" (11:30), you will enjoy the track right from beginning to end of the track. It llays the music on top of slow rhythm section in practically constant style and the guitar solo really something that makes it a good choice for you to stay with this track until the end. Akkerman's guitar style demonstrates excellent manouvres as the music is progressing in slow-paced style that you might refer it like blues music.

In Funkologi (it's a good title isn't it?) you will find the combined ambient music with stunning guitar work and sound effects. The guitar works that starts attacking the music in sort of background work seems like hiding behind the basslines and ambient sound. The intro part does not reflect any typical jazz-rock fusion music. As the music flows into second movement there is an apparent rhythm section that features nice guitar work, solid basslines and soaring keyboard sounds and its effects. It's really enjoyable.

Overall, it's a very good album by Jan Akkerman. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW