One of the First and Greatest Jazz and Jazz Fusion CD's Ever
Scooter | Southern California | 11/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The group "Full Moon" represented one of the first attempts at fusing jazz, blues, and rock in the very early 1970's. The group's members consisted of some surivivors of the 60's, mainly from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Buzzy Feiten, a guitar legend at age 18 played lead guitar for Butterfield from 69-71, and then went on to record two albums with Stevie Wonder, and even toured with Stevie Wonder in the Rolling Stones tour of 1972. Phil Wilson was the original drummer for Butterfield, and wanted to write songs and do something other than blues. "Brother" Gene Dinwiddie was a consumate and perfectionist sax player who also wanted to write songs. Freddie Beckmeyer on drums, and a young Neil Larsen on keyboards rounded out the group. Neil Larsen was a keyboardist with no bounds, and a favorite of jazz producer Tommy LiPuma.
The group had one short year together, not a single hit, and that fact alone makes this 36 year old CD amazing. People loved the songs and the sound. The fact that the group was a "no hit wonder" speaks volumes what a word of mouth this album was. Thankfully, the Japanese appreciated the music and have brought you this CD.
The CD opens up with "The Heavy's Scuffle's On" a soulish track of Brother Gene and Phil Wilson; then moves on to "To Know" a tender ballad written by Buzzy Feiten; next is "Malibu" a classic instrumental from Neil Larsen, that evokes the quiet surf of Malibu, California; next is "Take This Winter Out of My Mind", a soulish Wilson and Dinwiddie track; then moves on to "Midnight Pass" another Neil Larsen instrumental about a street from his home town--Tampa Florida; next is "Need Your Love" an exciting fusion track of jazz, pop and rock that is sure to please; finally the CD ends as the album did with "Selfish People" a soulish Dinwiddie Wilson track.
Buzzy Feiten went on to tour with the "Larsen Feiten Band" and his own group, invented a guitar tuning device and lives in Los Angeles, and hasn't toured in quite a while. Neil Larsen had a moderately successful touring stint and several solo albums as well as a highly demanded studio musician. Brother Gene died in Pomona, California in the 90's. I have lost track of Phil Wilson and Freddie.
But the music of "Full Moon" remains alive in the form of this CD. Buy it.
I can not recommend this CD enough."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
