The liner notes to this
Elektra
recording claim that
Robert Mason
"has built the world's first multi-voiced synthesizer that can be played like a real keyboard instrument with full chords and tonal clusters." With accompaniment by drummer
Stephen Gadd
, tenor and soprano saxophonist
Michael Brecker
, bassist
Jaime Austria
, percussion player
Bruce Ditmas
, and guitarist
Harvey Sarch
,
Mason
creates some playful riffs, but didn't cause
Wendy Carlos
or
Keith Emerson
to lose any sleep. A strange amalgam of
rock
and
jazz fusion
jams which aren't
jazz
enough for fans of the genre to seek out (unless the
fanatics have to have all his work), nor
enough to satisfy the
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
audience. Sure it is fun to listen to the synth, but it doesn't say much -- the vibe is definitely that of people messing around to see what cool sounds they can come up with -- there just aren't enough of them.
"Strawberry Fields Forever"
might be the best track, just a faithful rendition of that
Beatles
classic makes it a mandatory spin, but if you need a
fix, the six takes on the
Nothing Is Real
bootleg album will satisfy more thoroughly. The version is very laid back, and this excellent collection of musicians seems to be following tentatively rather than adding some dynamics. There you have the biggest problem with
's
Intergalactic Trot
. The format is so limited that the novelty wears off real quick.
Orion
Sometimes Words Get in the Way
is far more spirited. The up-tempo
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
is drenched in guitar reverb and echoplex -- acoustic guitars and the multiple synthesizers combining to form unique renditions of popular tunes.
no doubt heard
's work, for the best moments on
are when the synth artist takes on
Sly Stone
"I Want to Take You Higher"
the Beatles
. The originals fall very flat.
made sure they put more covers than originals on their 1975 release -- in doing so, it made their own compositions more intriguing. The cover of the band
Stardrive
's album features
's head out in space, like some poster for
Star Trek: The Next Generation
. A good idea that needed a bit more, but worthy of a glimpse because of the sidemen.
The Cars
' keyboard player does more that is creative and exciting inside one hit single than
does on an entire disc. ~ Joe Viglione