Search - Edgar Winter :: Jasmine Nightdreams/Edgar Winter Group With Rick

Finally 'Jasmine Nightdreams' Out On A Playable CD!!!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 06/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the last few years Edgar Winter's album 'Jasmine Nightdreams has been available only on a DTS Version.That means if you played the album in a standard CD player all you receive is static and the DTS converter is something that a lot of people in electronic stores don't know anything about. And Jasmine Nightdreams is truly an Edgar Winter classic! The album emphasizes a potent mixture of R&B/funk/jazz/latin music (obviously Edgar's true musical colors) on the wonderfully bouncy "How Do You Like Your Love" and "I Always Wanted You",as well as the heavy clavinet funk of "Little Brother" and the gentle "Tell Me In A Whisper"-even Sergio Mendes covered that one on his Homecooking,also worth checking out.Aside from a handful of rockers in the traditional EWG style he also offers up the extragavent "All Out",an organ jazz free for all featuring Edgar's impassioned scat singing-it's all very far away from "Frankenstein" but closer to Jimmy Smith.That melds with "Sky Train" and "Solar Strut" which take the same sound to the next level-this is all music that knows no bounds of style,genre and tempo.Elements of classically influenced jazz piano and accomplished but melodic chord progressions sweep in and out of many of these songs at random intervals:this was a feat that only a handful of artists in the pop world such as Brian Wilson,Lennon/McCartney,Stevie Wonder,Gino Vannelli and occasionally Jan Hammer were ever able to achieve.That combined with Edgar's vocal gymnastics make for a truly magical album.As far as the other album in this twofer Rick Derringer,Dan Hartman and Edgar himself had already begun to move onto greener pastures but they decided to give it one last go as a group.The long forgotton 'Edgar Winter Group Featuring Rick Derringer' is for this group kind of their "White Album" in as much as each members own individual musical stamps are seperated out into patishe form,without one member having to dominate the spotlight. The funny thing is that by 1975 Edgar Winter's own star was already shinning so brightly it was in danger of outshining anyone else who happened to cross his musical path. But the chemistry this group created resulted in a lot of the old magic that sustained them during the "Free Ride" era still being there. On the opener "Cool Dance" Dan starts things off with a mixture of soul and rock he'd continue to refine in coming years.On "People Music" he and Edgar rock out to perfection on one of the very best rockers the two ever collaberated on. "Good Shot" had Edgar stepping out front and apparently he'd been doing some heavy grooving to some big time Sly & The Family Stone during this era because it's slippry horns and chocked vocals come right out of that school-it's one of Edgar's very best journey's into the funk. Next up is Rick Derringers turn at bat with the catchy little country-western-styled "Nothin' Good Comes Easy". On the next two numbers first Edgar then Dan try at something a little different-two melodic "suite"-type pieces;Edgar's being the jazzier "Infinate Peace In Rhythm" and Dan's the more soulful "Paradise/Sides"-both songs were great for the band because they put them in sync with the other musicians of that era."Diamond Eyes" is one of Edgar's best songs on the album and one of his finest ballads-a slick R&Bish tune with a pleasingly non-mockish,youth oriented humanitarian message. Another huge highlite from this recording is the closing "Chainsaw"-a raucous,hard-rock/fusion instrumental that makes it clear The Edgar Winter Group had every intention of going out with a bang not a whimper. So taken together these two albums showcase Edgar's transition from a hard rock mainstay to a more commercially obscure but artistically triumphant R&B/funk artist with heavy jazz influences. The last of these albums is already available on Wounded Bird in 2007 but this is worth purchasing even if you already own that just for the spectacular 'Jasmine Nightdreams';the remastered sound is excellent and this set includes excellent liner notes as well."

Nice Product

Philippe Royer | 10/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Looking for a long time to find the two LP's album on CD, Finaly one CD with this two marvelous EdgarWinter CD's. Well Done !"