BLOW BY BLOW

Funky, explosive, soaring, unadulterated, and at times delicate: Blow by Blow is a record where the well established Jeff Beck ventures out of the rock and roll universe and lands himself alive in the middle of the fusion colony. By 1975, fusion had lost some of its initial spontaneity and drive as the major acts seemed to falling apart into individual side projects (the initial Mahavishnu Orchestra had separate a few years before and Chick Corea was about to disband the classic lineup of his own band Return to Forever). Regardless, Jeff Beck released a hallmark in jazz fusion with Blow by Blow, where his guitar twists, dives and propels the genre into mature, yet unexplored pastures.

The album has truly 70's feel with funky keyboards and bass set alongside Beck's versatile guitar playing. The man will effortlessly transition from slippery riffs and bridges to acerbic and edgy solos, speaking through his guitar and evoking a wide variety of emotions through his various approaches. George Martin's production and arrangements on this album add tremendous depth to the four piece fusion outfit; alongside the world class musicianship, Martin's presence is equally responsible for the album's punch. The centerpieces of the album-"Scatterbrain" and "Cause We Ended as Lovers"- illustrate the two moods of this album. The first features a blistering guitar riff and accelerates at a fever pace; the band behind Beck stands toe to toe throughout and pushes him to peak of his prowess. The latter demonstrates Beck's ability to elevate his guitar above the mere notes he is playing, developing a powerful song in which he explores feelings of loss, despair, remorse and rejuvenation.

Jeff Beck proves that once again he is a revolutionary when it comes to guitar playing, incorporating his own style into the jazz fusion vocabulary. Unlike many of his fusion contemporaries, Beck illustrates that one can create equally complex and emotional solos, while playing a fraction of the notes. His guitar speaks volumes and demands the listener's attention whether it is in the explosive moments of "Freeway Jam" or in the more pensive "Diamond Dust." Blow by Blow is a must for any fan of classic jazz instrumental fusion and highly recommended for prog fans.