LOVE, LOVE

4.5 stars. Julian Priester played trombone with Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters while still a teenager. He's also played with John Coltrane and Duke Ellington and other greats. His stint with Herbie Hancock (part of the Mwandishi lineup) is really the closest connection to this particular album. He recorded "Love, Love" in 1973 not long after he left Herbie's band. Pat Gleeson well known for his work with Herbie plays synths on this one as well as helping Julian to mix and produce it. Julian certainly does more than play the trombone here, he plays a variety of synths and horns, as well as percussion, and of course he composed these two side long suites. Oh, I forgot to mention that guitar ace Bill Connors plays on one track. Lots of other guests as well.

"Prologue / Love, Love" opens with what sounds like sliegh bells as piano comes in with other sounds. Not melodic here at all. Bass, drums and piano take over before 2 minutes and really they form the base of what we'll hear the rest of the way. A repetitive rhythm that sounds really good. We get synths, horns and other instruments coming and going throughout. Connors arrives after 9 minutes. There's even string-synths before 19 minutes. Excellent tune that Hancock fans would enjoy i'm sure.

"Images / Eternal Worlds / Epilogue" like the first track has no real melody to begin with. This time it's synths, drums and other sounds dominating until before 2 minutes. A change 2 1/2 minutes in as horns become prominant. Some dissonance after 6 minutes. A change after 8 minutes as piano and cymbals lead. Horns come in too. Piano leads before 11 minutes.The horns are crying out before 13 minutes. Piano ends it.

The first track is sort of repetitive and catchy while the second is more difficult and more of a challenge. A cool album and I like the cover too.