Search - Ginger Baker :: Unseen Rain

One Man Orchestra

Ustad Padraig Davis | everywhere in the world | 12/27/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The fabulous, yet unspoken, Ginger Baker released a masterpiece in Fusion/M-Base music when he released "Unseen Rain". This album teams master drummer Ginger Baker with Swedish phenoms, Jonas Hellborg on bass (formerly with John McLaughlin) and Jens Johansson on keyboards. Of course, out of these three musicians, Ginger's part is the most prominant. At times it seems his polyrhythmic playing is dominating the music, but if you focus hard there is magical interplay happening between Jonas and Jens floating over, under, and all around Ginger's "tribal" grooves. For a Fusion/M-Base album I rank this very high on that list! Not to mention the fact that it features Ginger Baker, my mentor and idol, my main influence, and Jonas Hellborg one of the largest inspirations in my own musical career! It may seem to be too "in the pocket" for most fans of Ginger's and Jonas' improvisational free-form music, but I can tell you that the playing is anything and everything BUT dull! Very rhythmic and masterful, with a nice dose of Arabic and African sounds thanks to Jonas and Ginger. For anyone craving a change from the "norm" of Fusion music, or if you just want to hear some kicking jam sessions, GET THIS ALBUM! Namaste!"

Unseen Rain

06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow can this man drum! Ginger Baker is in top form on this CD. Check out Rain and the Rhinoceros, Worlds Within Worlds...in fact check out all these tracks. This is one of my favorite CDs, an excellent find. Also features bass guitarist Jonas Hellborg, but Baker really shines on this one."

Unseen Rain is Unheard Beauty

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Unseen Rain" is one of Ginger Baker's most obscure recordings. The out-of-print disc isn't even listed in Baker's discography on wikipedia or his official site. It almost seems as if there's a conspiracy to hide this CD. That's a shame, since far from deserving to be out-of-print, it's one of Baker's best jazz efforts. In a genre dominated by saxophones, trumpets, keyboards and guitars, this is a drummer's jazz album. "Unseen Rain" is a rhythmic tour de force. Here, Baker lives up to his self-appointed title as 'the greatest' by practicing a craft that is so fluent, it often sounds like he has four arms. That's not to say that the percussion is overpowering. The rhythm is often thick and powerful, yet tender and delicate when necessary. Ginger Baker assembled a fine group for this project. Long time companion Jonas Hellborg (Day Eight Music, Middle Passage & Axiom) makes a beautiful contribution on the bass. He really steps out on 'The Great Festival of Destruction.' The other Swede in the group is Jens Johansson. His piano tends to play on the edge, usually skirting the periphery. Together the music is sublime, often transcending to mystical. Oftentimes, the polyrhythms lend a trance feel. There are few power solos; instead, the group spends most time in the groove. Many composition like 'The Time of No Room' and 'Worlds within Worlds' invoke Middle Eastern imagery. This may not be surprising since the title is most likely from the Persian poet Rumi. Those Baker fans that enjoyed the Ginger Baker Trio (Frisell & Haden) will discover instant gratification. It is a tragedy that "Unseen Rain" is out-of-print because it stands as one of Ginger Baker's best jazz projects.

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