THE ESSENTIAL LARRY CORYELL

This anthology which was released in 1975 covers recordings from the early period of Coryell`s solo career which was easier to follow and more consistent than the later stages of the `70s which became more eccentric. The CD re-issue cuts two tracks from the original vinyl release but still contains an excellent compact ( and low priced ) examination of his exploratory fusion work between 1968 and 1973.

There are examples of Coryell jamming away in the late sixties on tracks like Lady Coryell, Stiff Neck and The Jam With Albert which are solid indicators of the improvisational artistry he would apply to future musical endeavours. We also get a glimpse into the guitarists intellectual and abstract attitudes towards marrying traditional jazz ideas with modern rock music. The contemplative Spaces ( Infinite ) contrasts his approaches with those of John McLaughlin who was also toying around with hybrid jazz/rock experiments at the time. More orchestrated compositions are presented with Coryell in larger band formats from three of his albums with his first band, Foreplay as well as an interpretation of German jazzman Wolfgang Dauner`s composition, Yin from The Eleventh House, a prominent jazz rock outfit he would lead for 3 years which acquired a cult following on both sides of the Atlantic as well as Japan.

While sounding somewhat raw and primitive when compared to other fusion developments in the `70s, these prodigious recordings with concoctions of blues, jazz, country and rock elements exemplify why Coryell has been often credited as being the architect of fusion. Anyone who wants to know where fusion came from should consult this collection for reference purposes if not for Coryell`s intense playing during this period.