BRIAN AUGER — Happiness Heartaches (as Brian Auger's Oblivion Express) (review)

BRIAN AUGER — Happiness Heartaches (as Brian Auger's Oblivion Express) album cover Album · 1977 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
js
The late 70s were not good years for jazz fusion. Long expressive solos and extended group jam sessions were out of fashion and the various artists invoved in the genre struggled to find a way to be relevant in a changing music scene. On this record, Brian Auger and his band opt for the jazzy RnB of bands like Steely Dan and Tower of Power in an attempt to sound current, and achieve mixed results. The vocal sections are rather mundane, but the instrumental sections really take off sometimes. The group of musicians featured on here make up one of the best bands Auger ever put together. The rhythm section of Lenny White on drums, Lennox Langton on congas and Clive Chaman on bass is capable of hitting some very nimble Latin grooves that past versions of his band could never touch. Auger rises to the challenge thrown down by his lightning quick rhythm section and kicks out many great solos. One of the nicest is the extended spacey electric piano ride at the end of 'Spice Island'.

If this was an instrumental album it would have been one of the better fusion albums of the late 70s, but unfortunately it isn't.
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