SPELLBOUND

2.5 stars really

Third and last album (for the 70's anyway) from the ex-Weather report bassist Alphonso Johnson, this time helped out by from what it looks like a set-group (this might have been a regular band, maybe they even toured) and in the reduced guest list, only Pat Thrall (future Pat Travers Band and Glen Hughes) rings a bell to yours truly. A rather boring photo, but showing the Chapman graces the album's cover.

If Johnson appears with that now-famous Chapman stickon the cover, the least we can say is that it is all over this album as well >> it can even serve as a demo for the instrument makers.. The first half has three sung tunes, which is generally not good news in jazz-rock, but then again, most of the tracks on that album don't really qualify as such (funky jazz-funk at most ;o))). Nothing really transcendental or even remotely interesting on this side. Musically, this album is all over the map, a bit like the other two, but again there are four sung tracks, even if the sidelong suite Earthtales only gets a couple lines, twice. Don't get your hopes up to high about it though?. The first half is downright boring (nothing exciting happening), but around the 2/3 mark, it does get more exciting as they all crank up the volume and passed on the third gear? there are good moments in there, but unfortunately a bit tempered by disputable synth sounds of the late-70's. Just like his other two 70's albums, this is hardly essential (except for the Chapman stick), and if you want to discover his works, I suggest you start with Yesterday's Dream.

A Great Album From The Last Of Alphonso Johnson's Three Album Run. The Highlight On This Would Be Earthtales Suite Which Is A Great Song With Some Excellent Playing From The Musicians. There Are A Few Other Good Songs On Here Such As Summer Solstice, Follow Your Heart & Face Blaster, & the epic 9 minute long Earthtales Suite.

The Vocals On This Album Fit Very Well For Theme For This Album & It Takes You On A Journey With These Awesome Tracks. What Also Surprised Me Was The Album Was Very Proggy With The Intro & The Final Composition Being How The Album Begins & Ends The Same.

Some Brilliant Musicianship On Here With The Lead Guitar Solos & Johnson's Medlodic Jazzy Bass Playing. Also, This Album Was Produced Very Well. It's A Shame That Most Fusion Fans Ignore Alphonso Johnson's Solo Albums, Especially This One As It Shows His Experimental Elements With Bringing in Some Progressive Rock Instead Of Keeping It To The Jazz Funk As His Two Previous Albums.

Overall, This one of Alphonso Johnson's better albums In My Own Opinion With This Just Behind Moonshadows.