Venusian Summer (1975)
Venusian Summer is one of those fusion albums that fell through the cracks as I was motoring through multiple titles over a decade ago. Since new copies of the CD are going for the same price as a pack of bubblegum, I thought I'd reengage.
This is Lenny White's first solo album, and he must have called in all his markers, as you'd be hard pressed to find such a list of fusion all-stars on one album. All but his comrades in Return to Forever are here, except Al Di Meola who rips on the final track trading insane licks with none other than Larry Coryell. The music isn't straight fusion, but rather has a strong funk bent. As well as prog rock, as heard on the title track. 'Mating Drive' is a burner, one of the heaviest fusion pieces you'll ever hear. Larry Young is a beast on the organ, while Doug Rauch and White goes nuts on the rhythm. Meanwhile Ray Gomez absolutely sheds on the guitar. Mid 70s jazz fusion at its best.
Ownership: 1999 Wounded Bird (CD)
8/11/07; 4/2/14; 12/29/25 (CD acquired / review)
One presumes Lenny White was hitting the wacky weed pretty hard during this era, if we are to absorb the concept, cartoons, and story line of The Adventures of Astral Pirates. Well, no matter, as White has turned in a powerful, mostly instrumental, jazz fusion album not that far removed from his other gig with Return to Forever. So Chick Corea was into Medieval knights and White was into alien pirates from antiquity. Like I said, could have been the bud.
What makes The Adventures of Astral Pirates such a great album is the solid compositions, strong melodies, some indigenous global sounds, and - to be expected - expert musicianship. It would be easy to laugh off a work such as this, but doing so would be at your loss. And what I respect most about White's album, is that he doesn't feel the need to remind you that he's a monster drummer. Other than a small bit on 'Assault', this is truly ensemble material. A good one that I feel is often times overlooked.
Ownership: 1978 Elektra (LP). Gatefold. Complete with outrageous story and artwork.
The Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)
What makes The Adventures of Astral Pirates such a great album is the solid compositions, strong melodies, some indigenous global sounds, and - to be expected - expert musicianship. It would be easy to laugh off a work such as this, but doing so would be at your loss. And what I respect most about White's album, is that he doesn't feel the need to remind you that he's a monster drummer. Other than a small bit on 'Assault', this is truly ensemble material. A good one that I feel is often times overlooked.
Ownership: 1978 Elektra (LP). Gatefold. Complete with outrageous story and artwork.
2008 (LP acquired); 6/3/14; 7/10/18 (review)
7/10/18 (new entry)
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