CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE

Who ever though that Ian Gillan after departure from Deep Purple in 1973 will form couple of years later a jazz rock/fusion band, when his roots, musicaly speaking, were entirely in hard rock zone, it was just an unexpected move from him. The resulty is Ian Gillan Band who manage to release 3 albums, the second one named Clear air turbulence being the best for sure from the all 3. Originaly released in spring of 1977 with a solid line up like predecesos , musicians coming from diffrent already well known prog and rock bands like bassist John Gustafson from Quatermass, excellent drumer Mark Nauseef from Elf fame, etc. With this band Gillan was trying diffrent things then what he done with Deep Purple and for that matter he optained for a jazz rock almost fusion music. Even the Deep Purple influence can easely be heared in Money Lender, the rest of the album are entirely towards jazz rock even some funk parts are present with almost clear direction to Return to Forever for example . To tell the truth I was very very impressed by this album and I guess is the best Gillan evr done outside Deep Purple. The rythmic section is absolutly killer is just enough to liste to the title track, what a drumer is Nauseef, amazing, not to mention the guitar player or the angaiging and inventive keybords arrangements made in - Colin Towns . Also he left aside almost entirely his hard rocking roots only in minor parts are present as on Money lander, and he infuse progressive rock parts combined with horn section and even some flute is present in some parts, the result is pretty amazing, at least for me this combination works very well here. Not a weak moment on this album, better then the first and third, Clear air turbulence remains as one of the better albums from late '70's in jazz rock,maybe to much time over looked in comparation with other names. Gillan voice is good as ever, giving a solid vocal partiture on every piece from mellow register to the usual screm parts. Very good solid and the musicianship is top notch here. recommended, I was very pleased what I've heared.4 stars easy.