COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

This group was located in Palm Springs, California and recorded only one album for the Black Gold label.Genre were drummer David Maxwell, bassist Wally Stahl, keyboardist Matthew Mahboub and guitarist L.A. Jenkins.The sole LP of the band carried the title ''Commercial success'' and was released in 1978.

I doubt the band meant all this thing about ''Commercial success'', cause' with such a complicated and smoky style chances to hit the charts were dead zero.Genre played a complex Jazz Fusion with some superb interplays and intricate breaks, suffering a bit from period production qualities, but ending up to be one of the strongest ''unknown'' records of US Fusion during late-70's.With a creative keyboardist using electric piano and synthesizers and a gifted guitarist with a fiery and confident style the material is pretty nice, not forgetting to thrown in some lounge atmospheres and melodic tunes, but basically offering dense, jazzy instrumentals with numerous tempo changes and even some Latin Jazz influences in several moments.Excellent electric solos and some funky inspirations are also present, while the atmospheres consist of both playful and more dramatic segments.''Commercial success'' of course passes often through the typical, airy moods of late-70's with the band delivering tropical Jazz music, but the next moment the material becomes absolutely technical with certain progressive vibes via the unusual display of different rhythms and the nice instrumental interactions.

Triple-digit price album according to my research.A legit reissue is more than recommended, because ''Commercial success'' is a delightful blend of Jazz and Prog Fusion with countless interesting parts.Needless to say that fans of the style will love it...3.5 stars.