JAN AKKERMAN

The coolest thing about this recording is that album cover. Personifying the guitar sort of like Zappa saying "My guitar is going to kill your mamma." Or how about the album Akkerman released in 1979, 2 years from this one where his shadow on the cover is a guitar. Now that 1979 record is brutal from all accounts. I mean Jan looks like he's embraced disco full on with his look there. I mention disco because we get disco strings on here. You know those sweeping strings. There's even a conductor on here(lol). And it's not just the orchestral stuff, checkout the opener. Diso without vocals.

It's sad that so many artists had to employ the popular musical sounds of the times. Heck even RUSH was guilty of that with the rapping on "Roll The Bones". But many were affected with this disease. Having said all that I am quite impressed that this rock guitarist from FOCUS actually was into Jazz. Much respect for that part of this equation. He is so talented. Still, it's Joachim Kuhn who impresses me the most on here. The amazing keyboardist adds some delicious electric piano on here. Man, he's played on some of my favourite records over the years.

There's some real highs on here but just as many lows. I think that second track "Angel Watch" is the best. Yes we get those strings at times over the almost ten minute running time, but just some awesome music on here from Akkerman and Kuhn especially. And there's this electric piano/drum section after 5 1/2 minutes that kills. But disco ends it. It's surprising too that the album ends with a ballad, but again this is worlds away from the sounds of FOCUS.

I'm into albums to a fault apparently. One or two good songs doesn't equal a 4 star record in my world.