TEAMWORK

3.5 stars. This really is a fascinating project, and when I first heard about it, it had me doing a double take at the lineup. Multi-national, and the Jazz world is represented well. The "rock" part of this equation not so much. They began playing live in the second half of the 70's and that was their first release back in 1977 and my favourite by them. This is the first studio album from 1978 and the title is telling.

We have nine incredible musicians here and the thought is "too many cooks in the kitchen" but they did this three times in the studio('78, '79 & '87) before going with live only releases which they had been doing anyways('77, '81, '88, '92 & '96) and into the 00's they started picking one of their members and playing that members music live which they've done many times. This project has been going on for decades and I understand that Wolfgang Dauner started this all back in 1975. So nine musicians here on their debut including five horn blowers which you all know is my issue here. Blasting horns is a pet peeve of mine, I don't get it. I can tolerate them more on their first two live records but the two studio albums I own are a difficult listen at times.

So I mentioned that the "rock" quota is not strong here, even the guys who represent that style are all Jazz based so there's that. Jon Hiseman on drums comes from a Jazz start but like Ginger Baker he felt he was too restricted so moved out into more blues based stuff like COLOSSEUM which is Jon's band. Eberhard Weber on bass, Wolfgang Dauner on keyboards, Volker Kriegel guitar and five horn blowers. But check out the names... Barbara Thompson who was married to Jon Hiseman, Ian Carr(NUCLEUS), Charlie Mariano, Albert Mangelsdorff and Ack Van Rooyen. I didn't know the latter two I mentioned when I got into this ensemble but sure know them both now.

"Yin" is really the only track that I'm really into and even it starts with a drum solo then blasting horns before settling in thankfully. Carr's "Gone With The Weed" is the opener and I love this guy, come on! And he shines later on this record. Despite the names this isn't for everyone but I will always be grateful to own the two live records, and in particular "Live Im Schutzenhaus" from 1977. Classy with musicianship at the highest possible level here.