Search - Neil Larsen/Orbit :: Neil Larsen & Orbit Feat. Robben Ford

The finest instrumental cd of 2007!

Benjamin J. Neiman | Phila., Pa. United States | 01/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being that Neil Larsen's 1979 masterpiece "Jungle Fever" is my all-time favorite album (and I have owned at least a thousand), I was WAY looking forward to this! Not only does it feature Neil's incredibly melodic compositions (some from "Jungle Fever" and one or two from his follow up "High Gear"), but the musicianship is world class! One of my favorite guitarists (the magnificent Robben Ford) is featured throughout, and plays in a jazzier style than he often does, though still keeping a bluesy touch. The other players are great as well: Jimmy Haslip(Yellowjackets),Tom Breichtlein(Robben Ford and the Blue Line), and Gary Meek (Hollywood session great). The tunes are absolutely gorgeous, in a word, memorable. Highlights are, "From A Dream", one of the prettiest melodies I've heard), "Midnight Pass" (a beautiful melody from Neil's Full Moon 1972 album with guitar great Buzz Feiten, and if you have not heard that you are seriously missing out!), and Red Desert, a soft samba with a fantastic Robben Ford solo! Neil plays fabulous piano throughout, and this time out his tunes are in a more straight ahead jazz style than the fusion-y Jungle Fever. I must also mention the unbelievable sound of this live in studio recording (by legend Bernie Grundman), this is indeed one of the best sounding cds I've ever owned. I have never been so sure of anything as I am of recommending this cd highly. It really is essential!"

A glorious anachronism . . .

S. M. Geer | Metropolitan Cornfields of Illiana | 04/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Music and albums like this are, sadly, out of style these days, and even in the heyday of fusion they were never the most popular sounds on the planet. So it's all the more amazing that this CD somehow snuck out of the studio and made it to market for the (presumably) tiny cult which remembers, misses and still cherishes great instrumental music performed with verve and virtuosity.



As a fan of Neil Larsen's work going back to the very first Full Moon record, how this one got past me when it was initially released, I don't know. But I discovered upon first listening, Orbit is one of the most enjoyable small ensemble jazz records ever made and destined to be a lifelong favorite in my collection. Whether it's the astonishing warmth and transparency of the recording itself (CD's just don't normally sound this good!) or the stellar musicianship and ESP-like interplay of everyone performing or whether it's Neil Larsen's gorgeous compositions re-imagined for this setting, or maybe Robben Ford's sinuous guitar setting those terrific melodies on fire with jaw-dropping solos (`tho I miss Neil and Buzz Feiten's patented unison playing on the melody lines just a little), there's a wealth of reasons to just flat fall in love with this album.



I can't add anything to the superlatives the other reviewers have heaped on it, but I was so smitten by Orbit, I just had to add another voice to the "buy-it-now" chorus - before music this exquisite dips even further below our cultural radar.

"

You won't be disappointed, just buy the record!

Jack Andersonsen | Los Angeles, Ca USA | 02/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A simple review. If you like hearing a band back each other like they'd grown up together, buy this record. If you want to hear some of the best solo's Robben's ever played, get it. If you are afraid of the word fusion, friends, no need to fear. This record has the best of all words, never abrasive, very uplifting. Its never pretentious the way some soloists can be. Elements of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Latin Jazz, Fusion(easy now) , and a healthy dose of love. Its not just the band that has it folks- This record is for you. Its from the people that call their label "the peoples record label". No corporate mucky mucks in their entire(tiny) organization. In fact they don't even record at a recording studio, its at Bernie Grundman Mastering - Bernie's behind it, I'm buying it- The guy that makes Thriller, Herbie Hancock, Jazz & classical re-issues, even top pop records like Stefani, Aguilera , Outkast etc..when that guy says this is HIS labor of love, I'm listening. Behind this label are hearts of gold, and a fanaticism for great sound that should've been around long ago to help save this era of crap in- crap out and declining rapidly is the quality. They can't buy stuff that works well enough to make records ...so they built the recording gear- thats nuts and I love it. Everything is live- read the web page about Straight Ahead Records ---Listen folks, a vote for this, is a vote for better things in every genre and the future of music FOR YOU!---because if these guys make any money, it'll go into the next record. It won't only be one genre- I asked them at a show- they're about ready to tackle other stuff too and I can't wait-

Keep it up legends, keep it up crusaders, there's still some of us that care."