PIERRE MOERLEN'S GONG — Downwind (1979-2010) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The impressive Downwind is the first release from the band under its new moniker, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, as Moerlen assumes creative control and dominance. The release marks a return to vocals/lyrics, which proves only partially successful. Moerlen's voice is a hit on the opener, the rocking "Aeroplane," and the collective vocals on the fast-paced, percussive "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" (popularized by Santana) are right on target. His singing is weak, though, on "What You Know" and detracts from the song's quality. Mick Taylor makes his only appearance here with an exceptional guitar solo. Downwind is also a return to compositions dominated by rock structures and styles, the jazz element minimal this time around. The instrumental cuts are sublime: "Emotions" and "Xtasea" are relaxing; "Crosscurrents" and "Downwind" are energetic and exciting. The title cut is easily the highlight of the album, featuring guest appearances by Steve Winwood (Moog, synth) and guitarist Mike Oldfield. At almost 13 minutes, this thrilling composition resembles the early work of Oldfield, particularly strains of "Tubular Bells, Pt. 1," and specifically the section used for the film The Exorcist. On "Downwind," Moerlen's percussives are ablaze, recalling his "Percolations" performance from Gazeuse. Bassist Hansford Rowe is prominent, and saxophonist Didier Malherbe, a longtime Gong staple, makes his only appearance on the album. David Ross Smith 
Tracklist :
1.     Aeroplane 2:39
2.     Crosscurrents 6:11
3.     Downwind 12:30
Co-producer – Mike Oldfield
Flute – Terry Oldfield
Guitar, Bass, Drums – Mike Oldfield
Saxophone – Didier Malherbe
Synthesizer – Steve Winwood
4.     Jin-Go-Lo-Ba 3:24
Written-By – M. Olatunji
5.     What You Know 3:40
Lead Guitar – Mick Taylor
6.     Emotions 4:44
7.     Xtasea 6:39
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Hansford Rowe
Congas, Marimba – François Causse
Drums, Vibraphone, Timpani, Cowbell, Timbales, Percussion, Organ [Hammond], Synthesizer, Vocals, Producer – Pierre Moerlen
Guitar, Vocals – Ross Record
Tape Op – Jess Sutcliffe
Vibraphone – Benoit Moerlen
Violin – Didier Lockwood (tracks: 1, 6, 7)
Written-By – Pierre Moerlen (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7), Ruan O'Lochlain (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7)

GINGER BAKER'S AIRFORCE - Airforce [1970] FLAC

For a change, the late 1960s yielded up a supergroup that lived up to its hype and then some. Ginger Baker's Air Force was recorded live at Royal Albert Hall in January of 1970 -- in fact, this may be the best-sounding live album ever to come out of that notoriously difficult venue -- at a show that must have been a wonder to watch, as the ten-piece band blazed away in sheets of sound, projected delicate flute parts behind multi-layered African percussion, or built their songs up Bolero-like, out of rhythms from a single instrument into huge jazz-cum-R&B crescendos. Considering that this was only their second gig, the group sounds astonishingly tight, which greatly reduces the level of self-indulgence that one would expect to find on an album where five of the eight tracks run in excess of ten minutes. There aren't too many wasted notes or phrases in the 78 minutes of music included here, and Steve Winwood's organ, Baker, Phil Seamen, and Remi Kabaka's drums, and the sax playing by Chris Wood, Graham Bond (on alto), and Harold McNair, all stand out, especially the sax trio's interwoven playing on "Don't Care." Additionally, Denny Laine plays louder, flashier, more virtuoso-level guitar than he ever got to turn in with the Moody Blues, bending notes in exquisite fashion in the opening of Air Force's rendition of the Cream standard "Toad," crunching away on rhythm elsewhere, and indulging in some more introspective blues for "Man of Constant Sorrow." The original CD reissue, which sounded pretty good, was deleted in the early '90s, but this album has been remastered again and repackaged as part of the Ginger Baker retrospective Do What You Like on Polygram's Chronicles series. It's a must-own for jazz-rock, Afro-fusion, blues-rock, or percussion fans. Bruce Eder 

Tracklist

1. Da Da Man 7:15

2. Early In The Morning 11:13

3. Don't Care 12:29

4. Toad 12:59

5. Aiko Biaye 13:01

6. Man Of Constant Sorrow 3:57

7. Do What You Like 11:47

Recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.

Credits

Alto Saxophone – Graham Bond

Bass, Violin – Rick Grech

Drums – Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka

Guitar, Vocals – Denny Laine

Percussion – Phil Seamen

Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Chris Wood (2), Harold McNair

Vocals – Jeanette Jacobs

Vocals, Organ – Steve Winwood

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