The Fents ~ USA ~ Los Angleles, California

First Offense (1983)

---4/29/12

There's no question that First Offense is of 1983 vintage, especially after taking in the opening track. Funky slap bass, synthesizers, and slick production qualities are laid out early and offer a somewhat dubious beginning. Perhaps a First Offense indeed. But The Fents were far more interesting than that, and as the album unfolds, a sophisticated blend of instrumental jazz and rock emerges, with complicated rhythms, smoking solos, and grittier sounds. The band themselves were influenced by some of the leading fusion artists of the day like Bruford, Holdsworth, and Dixie Dregs, and those artists' fingerprints are all over this.

---7/5/25

In hearing the album for the first time since, I also wanted to mention how melodically strong the album is. The album continues to shine when others of its ilk have lost their luster over time.

Ownership: 1983 Not Yachting (LP)

4/29/12 (acquired / review); 7/5/25 (update)

The Other Side (1987)

I've been familiar with The Fents going back to the late 80s (thanks to PPR Jeff), but this is the first time for me to hear their second, more widely available album. It skipped the CDRWL project since it was released on CD from the beginning. I finally secured a copy at a local store. I'll be honest I didn't have high hopes for it, figuring it would be too modern, slick, and digital for my tastes. Something akin to Spyro Gyra for example, minus the saxophones. And if keyboardist Adam Holzman had it his way, they would have succeeded to fulfill my prophecy - his tones scream late 80s. But guitarist Ted Hall would hear none of it, and he's blistering away on his guitar with a sound from a decade prior. Calling up the collective spirits of Terje Rypdal and David Torn, Hall rips, especially on side 2 as the album begins to creep into the consciousness. My listen started in the good territory and eventually landed on great. Plenty of room for growth here. Nice surprise.

Ownership: 1987 Passport (LP)

4/2/23 (review)

Both the debut EP and First Offense have yet to be reissued as of 7/13/25.

4/2/23 (new entry)