BIRDS OF FIRE

As I tend always to ask myself is some album is essential for what matter (established one kind of genre, help to create a tradition, did something off the wall against its context, etc), I tend to give a lot of 5 and 4 stars. I dont think we have to be harsh with albums to be critic of them. I hardly give 2 stars to albums, in that manner.

For this album, regarded as a masterpiece, and "essential" to the Jazz Fusion genre... why am I giving the three stars?

I guess that there is no easy explanation (also, I prefer their first album) besides thinking how much, already in 1973, Jazz could TALK. I mean... some works of Hermeto Pascoal are full of life and expression, and we cant even begin to talk about Area (1973 is the year of Arbeit Macht Frei). But "Birds Of Fire" are completly technical competent and (repeating another reviewer) cold. No one deny the musicians quality in their instuments, and the good melodies. But this album does not necessarily goes in higher places...

Its a good album... but I cant find it essential. Maybe after more listenings I'll return here and change that... maybe not. Time will tell.