John Mayall - Jazz Blues Fusion - Limited Edition 180 Gram LP

Limited Edition 180 Gram LP

This Elemental Music release presents a new LP reissue of the long unavailable Jazz Bles Fusion: a live album by John Mayall recorded at the Boston Music Hall on 18 November 1971, and at Hunter College, New York, on 3 and 4 December 1971. This blues masterpiece was originally released by Polydor in 1972. Acknowledged as one of the godfathers of the British blues scene, John Mayall began making his mark during the ‘60s British Blues Boom with his Bluesbreakers, an electric blues band that at different times included such future guitar greats as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, and Harvey Mandel. On Jazz Blues Fusion, Mayall joined forces with jazz stalwarts Blue Mitchell and Clifford Solomon to effectively fuse the successful elements of his Bluesbreakers style with the smooth be bop of the aforementioned jazzers. Guitarist Freddy Robinson is the real anchor here, a fuse master with one of the cleanest and tasteful style on those days, possessing a rich, silky R&B tone with crystal clear speed to match. On the album, Mayall doesn’t neglect his hardcore blues fans as demonstrated on the opening cut, “Country Road,” providing a dose of the harmonica playing, lazy blues boogie of which he became famous. “Change Your Ways,” another great tune, belts out of the box with some great opening bars from trumpeter Mitchell who has played with various jazz greats. Mayall then takes it out from here, admonishing his fictional lady character in no uncertain tunes in classic style to “change her ways”. For Mayall fans, this album could considered a must in its own and quite frankly one of his best efforts at the time. This newly remastered album represents a different facet of jazz/rock fusion, retaining a down to earth blues element which was later neglected whether intentionally or not by Miles, Corea, Johnny Mac, Hancock, and the likes.

Tracklist:

Side 1

1. COUNTRY ROAD
2. MESSIN’ AROUND
3. GOOD TIMES BOOGIE
4. CHANGE YOUR WAYS

Side B

1. DRY THROAT
2. EXERCISE IN C MAJOR
3. GOT TO BE THIS WAY

Credits:

All titles composed & produced by JOHN MAYALL Recorded at the Boston Music Hall on 18 November 1971 (Side 1), and at Hunter College, New York, on 3 and 4 December 1971 (Side 2). John Mayall - vocals, piano, guitar & harmonica Freddy Robinson - lead guitar Larry Taylor - bass guitar Ron Selico - percussion Blue Mitchell - trumpet Clifford Solomon - alto & tenor saxophone.