Lenny White ~ USA

Streamline (1978)

While I'm crankin' on jazz fusion albums, might as well get ol' Lenny in on the action. It's clear that White wants to get his funk on here. Complete with pimp hat. Were you ever curious what a funk cover of the Beatles' 'Lady Madonna' would sound like with Chaka Khan on vocals? I guess I hadn't thought about it either but White goes forward with an answer anyway. A3 follows with an instrumental hard rock tune. OK then. A4 reintroduces us back to jazz funk with female chorus vocals. The side closes with a 22 second guitar-drums jam called  'Spazmo Strikes Again'. Clearly the man has an unhinged imagination.

'Time' opens side 2. Wanna guess the style? You win - jazz funk - this time with male vocals. 'Pooh Bear' represents the kind of instrumental jazz funk I've been getting into these last six years or so. Breezy, optimistic, yet complex in its own way. Hearing a bit of George Benson as well, especially the guitar solo. B4 was getting a bit Love Boaty for me until Nick Moroch plugs in and wails on the guitar. He's the same guy providing the hard rock on the flip. I don't recognize his name, though he has an impressive resume of contributions according to Discogs. In any case, it's the longest song, and not the highlight for certain. Too smooth jazz. For those who are patient, B5 finally delivers on the Lenny White fusion cred.

Tough album to grade and evaluate. It's unfocused but largely pleasurable - in its own way, though. Can't fault him for trying for something different, and funk seems to be his preferred genre. I might grow into it more. Worth holding onto, despite purging others similar. Paid a quarter for it, and it's not worth much more sadly. And it's a super nice copy.

Ownership: 1978 Elektra (LP). White label promo. Acquired in 2026.

8/17/26 (review)
 

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 re-engage.

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 shreds on the guitar. Mid 70s jazz fusion at its best.

Ownership: 1999 Wounded Bird (CD). Acquired in 2025.

8/11/07; 4/2/14; 12/29/25 (review)
 

The Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

One presumes Lenny White was hitting the wacky weed pretty hard during this era, if we are to absorb the concept, cartoons, and storyline 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. Acquired in 2008.

2008; 6/3/14; 7/10/18 (review)

7/10/18 (new entry)