Search - Adam Holzman :: Manifesto

Hard edged funk-fusion for the 21st century

03/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Adam holzman has formed an excellent band in the spirit of the early jazz/rock pioneers. Strong writing, killer grooves and ethereal keyboard soundscapes all combine to make a fairly effective jazz/rock document for the late 90s. Check out the track "Jumpin' Jupiter"."

A standout fusion album

Steward Willons | Illinois | 07/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is a tendency to view Adam Holzman as just another fusion musician who played with Miles Davis during his fusion years, and while that probably helped him get his record deal, he has proven to be a good songwriter and bandleader. His sound is a particularly funky blend of jazz, rock, funk, and even some hip hop for good measure. The jazz elements are mostly in the improvisations as opposed to the sound itself. You'd think the group was a really hot funk band, but then their improvisations are very hip and the songs are considerably more complex than they sound.



Holzman's keyboards are good enough, but the most impressive musicianship comes from his band. They're aggressive, soulful, and they just rock hard - basically everything you want in a band. Holzman's main contributions are his excellent songs. I sometimes find his synthesizer sounds to be somewhat dated, but when he's on a more classic instrument (B3 and the like), he sounds good.



There are many many fusion albums out there, but this one is definitely deserving of a place in your collection. I think the thing that sets it apart is the hip hop elements - not something you find in a band like Tribal Tech or Weather Report. It's a nice variation on the classic fusion sound and I would recommend it to those discerning listeners that like fusion - the *real* stuff. If you like Tribal Tech, you'll probably like this. Although not exactly the same, it has the same appeal. Adam Holzman is worth checking out and "Manifesto" is his best CD."