UZEB

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.

Top notch fusion band out of Canada. Known throughout Canada, but very popular in their home province of Quebec. Also, very well known in European jazz circles(Didier Lockwood - electric violin, worked with them on a live album). This is as good place as any for an introduction to the wonderful jazz rock fusion of UZEB. Features 3 tracks from the album _Uzeb Club_, 5 tracks from _Noisy Nights_(my presonal favourite of theirs), 3 tracks from _Fast Emotion_ and 1 live track from _Live A L'Olympia/Live In Europe_(60 Rues Des Lombards...which was their big jazz rock hit Quebec). Points of reference would be Allan Holdsworth, '80s-era Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Bruford solo, Pat Metheny, Tribal Tech and Buffalo NY's Gamalon. Michael Brecker appears on saxophone on one track. Recommended for jazz rock fusion heads. Bass players must check out Alain Caron.

Not really progressive,UZEB were a band from Quebec,formed in 1976 in Drummondville.They moved to Montreal and through most part of their career they worked as a guitar/bass/drums trio with the occasional addition of a keyboard player.''Fast emotion'',released in 1983,shows a band,who wants to offer straight and pleasant jazz/fusion rock.The album is dominated by the groovy bass lines of Alain Caron,the extended guitar solos and the heavy use of synth guitar by Michel Cusson and the somewhat supported role of drummer Paul Brochu.Reminds me sometimes of some accesible moments of JEAN-LUC PONTY.The band is also accompanied by a sax player in a couple of moments,but this time the use of the sax fits more in some ballad-style tracks and actually it sounds quite cheesy.This work didn't impress me much.Not overly complex,atmospheric or groundbreaking,UZEB's ''Fast emotion'' will impress few of the progressive rock fans.IMHO,a work to be possibly appreciated only by jazz rock followers...2 stars

This is a solid collection of live performances. The musicianship here is top notch and the choice of compositions is very good. Plenty of room is given to each of the players to showcase their talents without it becoming a self-indulgent noodling-fest.

My only complaint is that, as a double album, this is a bit too long. Culled down to a single disc, this would have been a little more captivating. Their compositions tend to sound a little too similar to each other after a while and their jamming can drag on a little too long in parts.

Then again, if that's your thing, you'll love this album.

This is a very accessible Jazz Rock set by a talented set of musicians. Alain Caron may be one of the most underappreciated bassists out there. His groovy bass lines are always interesting and he creates some very tasty leads. Michel Cusson's fretwork is always impressive, especially when jumping through chords and Paul Brochu never drops a beat.

Although some tracks like "Noisy Nights" and "Spider" sound a little dated, it is still a pleasant album. The standout track on this album is "Luna Mars". The beautiful lyricism of Caron's fretless bass is worth the price of admission alone. Other highlights include "New Hit", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "I believe it".

I would consider this an excellent addition to any prog collection and an essential addition for any Jazz Rock fans or anyone who loves a great bass player.

Probably about 15 years, i owned this album, 15 years that i am listening to it, without ever thinking or feeling tired of it. This live album is a tremendous piece of work, and you will hear instantly the great qualities of these musicians. Caron , Brochu and Cusson are part of the best that have been done in the complex world of Jazz-Fusion and this album is part of it becauseit is extremely good. EnjoY!!!!!!!!

This is really an excellent music from UZEB! WOW! This LIVE record is shown as being their first album! Alain Caron's RESTLESS bass is VERY comparable to Jaco Pastorius's or Jeff Berlin's one: as you notice his huge talent on this record, you automatically understand why he was considered as one of the best bassists in the world!! Some parts sound a bit like Weather Report. Some keyboards are very rhythmic and urban, and they often sound like trumpet arrangements; the other ones are more vintage, like the numerous electric piano parts on "Tribecca", or like the rhythmic clavinet fully interlocking with Caron's complex bass on "Le waiter rapporte": IMPRESSIVE! Caron's bass on "Tribecca" may sound like a huge thin piece of flexible aluminum that you shake! The intensely floating, relaxing and romantic "Ballade Bleue" has Fender Rhodes parts amazingly sounding like the ones from the band "Solution"; it has visceral electric guitar solos which seem to never end. Before the last track, Alain Caron presents the musicians to the crowd: that's absolutely funny, charming and ...VERY QUEBECKER! The last track has an impressive bass solo. The very small crowd VERY favorably responds: just listen to the overwhelming reaction of some people at the end of "Bull's Nostril Blues".

Rating: 4.5 stars

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.

A milestone, ground breaking use of technology combined with all the daftness you would expect of a band Chick Corea tried (in vain) to emulate...

It's live - there are three of them... Virtuosity, wit, charm, sensitivity, outrageousness, subtelty, pompostity and strutting. Something that challenged the way I aproached my playing when I first heard it... (I wanted to be a plumber instead!!!)

UZEB CLUB is an album that has the best of both worlds. The energy of a live concert, the perfection of a studio album... why? Because IT WAS recorded LIVE!

For 7 nights, this passionnate band lit up an old bar in Montreal, QC and selected the best of each pieces. Wanting to give their fans as much as they could, they gave the public the opportunity the select the Titles of each songs.

A great album that will grow on you.