FOR EVA

Although most probably not very interesting for a proghead I was thinking I should include this album here since it's probably their very first record from 1967/68. Considering the time one cannot expect anything progressive of course. These are live recordings of them together with jazz pianist Mal Waldron and the music is actually more or less pure smooth and relaxed jazz with Burchard playing vibes, Waldron on piano (it's missing in the line-up!) and percussion, Reinhard Knieper on bass and Dieter Serfas on drums. The musicianship is really excellent and it's a nice record presumed one likes jazz. Nevertheless I can't rate it higher than 2 stars because it's only a Collector's item for jazz lovers or fans of the group to complete their collection.

This album is an Embryo album without being one.. As this collection had appeared under Mal Waldren name back then. Indeed this 67 live collection shows the partnership between American jazz pianist and vibraphonist Christian Burchard, but also many other Embryo familiars like drummer Serfas, bassist Meid (also AD), etc. The whole thing was pure jazz back then, you could even call swing, because of its Lionel Hampton-type mallet-driven jazz. The quartet developed some very enjoyable but out-of-scope for this site jazz that borders Armstrong or the afore-mentioned Hampton. Virtuosic, but certainly not arrogant or show-off-ey, the 9 tracks taken from '67 concerts in Munich or Graz (Austria) are all originals penned by Mal Waldren or Burchard (just one) , with one cover, Autumn Leaves, with none standing out from the selection. Quite pleasant , but completely anecdotal for prog!!!