Chicago based Ashby Ostermann Alliance is a good example of early 80s fusion mixed with a strong rock aesthetic. This latter element is often missing in the progressive rock & jazz rock genres. In fact the AOA album doesn't give that indication early. It seems to be pointed in the direction of Latin Jazz, but about midway through Side 1, the guitarist (that would be Ashby fyi...) begins to take over. Then the compositions take on more complex forms, and before you know it, you have a mighty fine progressive fusion album on your hands. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that these guys knew or played with fellow Chicagoan group Proteus. Hard to grab a story line here, but I think this one would go down a storm with the obscure fusion LP buying community. Neat cover art too.
Dusty Groove, the superb record shop from Chicago whose primary focus is in the soul-jazz-funk-fusion fields of music, had a used copy of AOA album that had recently sold (this was years ago, at the time of the CDRWL entry). Their quick review says "Obscure fusion from the Chicago scene – played by a group with heavy guitars from Vince Ashby and wailing keyboards from Dennis Ostermann! The sound is jamming, but with some nice tight moments that almost get funky." That's spot on as well.
Ownership: 1981 Divide (LP)
2/22/12 (review); 6/11/20 (update / new entry)
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