SPACES

I'm pretty sure I had to wipe the drool from my chin when I first saw the lineup for this album. Larry Coryell and John McLaughlin on guitars, Miroslav Vitous double bass, Billy Cobham drums and Chick Corea electric piano. These guys should have burned the studio down they recorded in with that kind of fire-power right ? Well that's the problem, there is no fire. This comes across as one of those unplugged records or like a traditional acoustic Jazz album. So disappointed. It's like Coryell and McLaughlin are picking away usually in a fast paced manner but it all sounds the same and there is zero power. No amplified notes at all. Chick plays on one track only unfortunately because I do love the sound of electric piano.

Now there is what sounds like violin on a few songs including the opener "Spaces (Infinite), and i'm assuming it Vitous who does like to play bowed bass. This song changes tempos several times as the guitar and bass standout. "Rene's Theme" is more of the same as we hear strummed and picked guitar. Bass stands out 2 minutes in. "Gloria's Step" has more bowed bass with intricate guitar lines.

"Wrong Is Right" has uptempo picked guitar with cymbals and bass then bowed bass joins in. "Chris" is better as Corea helps out on electric piano but by this time i'm so done listening to this (haha). "New Year's Day In Los Angeles-1968" ends it with 20 seconds of guitar.

Great album cover and an incredible lineup. The music though lacks the "Rock" in Jazz / Rock.