ELECTROMAGNETS II

If you want to hear virtuoso teenage guitarist Eric Johnson do jazz rock -- then I highly recommend this release. Song compositions are strong as well is the musicianship. I was delighted when this "other" Electromagnets CD was sent to me years ago. It was featured on my JazzRock-Radio radio show.

Frankly, I wish Johnson and the rest of the group had continued playing and recording their tight jazz rock fusion. Sadly, fusion is not a very profitable genre to play and the fan base and purchasing customer base is limited. It's no surprise they didn't last -- no matter how skilled they were. At least Johnson went on to be a guitar hero of a more profitable genre of instrumental guitar.

This 2nd and last album is quite similar to side B of their first effort. From the second track onwards, the tunes and interplay get a little repetitive. The energy on drums and guitar decrease before the half of the work, and it's when they even get closer, sometimes, to a soft jazz-prog, what IMO makes it a little annoying. There is a track that tries to bring some latin rythym to the album, but goes mechanically, therefore with no emotion at all. This material is supposed to be taken from a tape recorded in 1975.

It's all instrumental.

There is some good stuff. Track 1 is a brilliant effort. If you're a huge fan of the first album, you may feel the rest of the work is between great or good. But if you're not, I think besides the first track, you may have some interest on tracks 2, 4, 8 and maybe 7.

Biggest quality of this work? Eric's riffs and the interplay with the drummer. Biggest mistake? Too similar to the first album, but lacking creativity and energy; only sometimes they reach the dynamic force they presented earlier.

3.1 on a five-star scale.