YOU BE EASY

UZEB is a fusion band coming from Quebec. They sound very modern, fresh, rhythmic & urban. The rhythmic keyboards are very "Dave Stewart of the 80's" influenced: "You be easy" has slightly the style and the sound of the Bill Bruford's "Gradually Going Tornado" album. Alain Caron often plays a very good fretless bass, like on "Miles away", but he is often far below his usual heroic performance level; he sometimes uses a popping technique. The drums are very good. UZEB's performance here is however a bit disappointing: indeed, they really have only one excellent, fast, loaded & complex track on this record: "Pork Chops", which really shows their true potential. "Hit it" has the Jean Luc Ponty's style of the 80's, especially the keyboards arrangements. The mellow "Entre ciel et terre" sounds like some Terje Rypdal's music, especially the electric guitars. "Hanging out" has quite the Pat Metheny's sound and style of the 80's, especially the electric guitar. This record is very good; however, UZEB made better albums than this one.

The breezy and smooth sound of Uzeb quickly launched them among the favorite groups of the Jazz and Fusion audience.A second album, entitled ''You be easy'' was recorded by the group at Studio Vert in Quebec and, as with ''Fast emotions'', it was released both in Canada and France in 1984 by Paroles & Musique and Cream Records respectively.

The first few opening cuts of the album, though not exactly dissapointing, maintain this 80's-styled Fusion sound with a plastic production and mechanical drum and keyboard sounds.On the other hand some great guitar solos and very groovy bass lines give hope for a work, that does not sound as dated as ''Fast emotions''.Fortunately, as the album unfolds, the music becomes more interesting with nice HOLDSWORTH-like guitar moves and a jazzier rhythm section playing in a pleasant mood.The atmosphere remains very smooth and easy-going with safe procedures in the composing parts and a fair dose of accesibility, making this some nice background music.However there is still evident lack of dynamics and true passion, as if the band was willing to please a wide spectrum of fans.Secure performances with some funky moves thrown in for good measure and weak battles between the instrumentalists.The cheesy keyboards are a negative factor as well.The CD reissue by Cream contains two bonus tracks from the live performance of Uzeb in Bracknell in 1981 and these pieces show signs of a potential development with a deeper rhythm section and an even more adventurous guitar playing with the long ''Tribecca'' being a great Fusion cut with very technical playing and some excellent piano and bass parts.

Not sure if this one has moved along with the strands of time.It has a typical, slightly annoying 80's production, while the performances seem to be accurate but not very competitive.Propably good only for dedicated fans of Jazz/Fusion....2.5 stars.