Where have I been these last few days? Right here. Immersed into the newly released CD from This Oneness. We'd been waiting for this release for some time (3 years?), as the band promised two more albums that were fully recorded but never released. That day has finally arrived, and what a package it is. More on that later. Let's start with the original CDRWL entry:
Minnesota based group who performs a Mahavishnu styled heavy fusion with Canterbury touches. The song portions are of the Midwest progressive rock variety ala Ethos and Albatross. The odd song out is 'Please the Sunshine', an almost-gospel like vocal track that is a bit painful to endure. Overall an excellent fusion album.
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As it turns out, the Mahavishnu reference is very poignant, since John McLaughlin was indeed a major influence. Both musically and spiritually. Now we know the album itself is only a small part of the story of this intriguing band. They went on to record two more albums, but without the woodwinds of Robyn Lee, which definitely changed their sound. Most of the proggy ambitions are gone, and its place is a ferocious jazz fusion. Not atypical of its era, but a cut above in quality. There's very few vocals after Surprize. And there's a tendency to break into jazz guitar land, with the expected rhythms of that genre. Only to turn back on the amps and the full instrumentation goes all in for heavy rock. Electric guitar and analog synthesizers rule the sound palette. Some really strong Moog work will be heard. The rhythm section is outstanding as well. Worth mentioning that the sound quality of these two additional albums is first rate. They could have (or should have) been on a major label. And there's enough material on Sonic Geometry to make up for a double album.
And what did these guys do on their off days? Shoot pool, drink beer, hang out at bars? Nope - they were the touring backup band for none other than Olivia Newton-John. Well, someone had to do it! But it goes to show how talented they really were.
In the end, This Oneness were truly a professional outfit. One of those legendary regional bands that should have been known worldwide. That's a tale that's been told too many times I'm afraid. Anyway, buy this triple CD if you have any interest in American fusion.
Ownership: LP: 1975 Oz. Single sleeve. Acquired online (2012). I believe this may have been a Midwest Mike contribution to the CDRWL, and I was able to secure the LP relatively quickly.
CD: 2022 Oz. 3xCD as described above. Titled The Story of thisOneness. In addition to the two extra albums, you get a full history with contribution from most of the members. Full recording details are provided inside the multi-foldout digipak as well. We also learn that the band stylized their name as thisOneness, so the original cover was literal not artistic.
5/22/10 (CDRWL); 12/13/12; 12/12/22 (new entry)
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