Texan jazz guitarist (born Lorenz Albert Van DeLinder III 1943-2017), today known as "the godfather of fusion". After a period in music school he continued playing in a number of rock and jazz bands - among them The Free Spirits, Gary Burton and Chico Hamilton - before setting on a solo carreer and relesing his first own LP "Lady Coryell" (US Vanguard VSD 6509) early 1969. I first discovered him at the time of his third album "Spaces" (US Vanguard VSD 6558). A supergroup collaboration with John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Miroslav Vituos and Chick Corea, which was something totally new back then. Recorded more or less live in the studio, flaunting fast brilliant solos in an atmosphere somewhere between jazz and rock it struck hard and is now seen as the work that more or less fathered the jazz fusion genre. Me and my friends loved it and I remember vivid discussions who was the best guitarist - Coryell or McLaughlin. Today, as my ears are getting slower, I'm not that blinded by speed anymore, but actually prefer this his second album. It has jazzy parts, but the overall impression is more towards funk and blues. Guitars are still brilliant, though here against a steadier foundation making the listening more secure. For exemple - opening track "Sex" can best be described as funk psych with its warped vocals and reckless guitar sound and in the instrumental "Elementary Guitar Solo #5" he's working hard and fast, without once forgetting it's the blues. He may not be the best singer, but there's not much of that and you forget it anyway as soon as the next solo appears. The audio on this UK press is superb - big, bold and natural with a separation allowing every part to be heard clearly. Premiere US on Vanguard Apostolic (VSD 6547). Also originally released on Vanguard in Canada, France and Germany. Japan 2001 CD on King Record (KICP 777). First UK had label as shown here, heavy vinyl and fully laminated cover.
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