Another sweet episode of 4Fusion Friday! Brand X, Al DiMeola, and I have been spinning around my home since the 80's. Iceberg and Dixie Dregs not as long as the others. 4. Dixie Dregs. 3 Brand X. 2. Iceberg. 1. Al DiMeola. -Thank you for introducing me Chris Fox of @Helmet of Gnats! I've been checking out their catalog and I'm really digging their style of prog/fusion! They have a new fan!
New Releases ARC Trio and John Daversa Big Band - Arceology : The Music of MSM Schmidt Mathias Heise Quadrillion - Quadrillion Ipso Facto - From Nowhere to Now Here 4square Brand X - Moroccan Roll Al Dimeola - Elegant Gypsy Dixie Dregs - Freefall Iceberg - Sentiments George's Pick Kornet - Frittfall (July) Fragile - 5 (August)
Thanks guys never heard of Iceberg or Brand X and i'm listening to them now 👍😎 I remember when I was a kid in the 70s my father had a friend that lived on Long Island that loved fusion jazz so I brought back a lot of memories thanks again guys
Having never heard Iceberg before, I spent the three-day weekend listening to their catalog, and as a prog fan, it’s pushing all the right buttons for me. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hey guys, Im at work so I couldn't make it to the live chat, this is just to tell you that I did indeed do some homeworks (partialy cause Im still a bad student). I did listen to the first Chick Corea's Electric Band, I loved it ! Did listen to the Players album and also loved it ! These 2 I prefered over the other 2, probably cause of the 80s sound I guess which I like. Couldn't find the first Kick The Cat so I listened to the most recent one I believe, dug it too. As far as the other project with Tony McAlpine, I only listened to partialy, will catch up later. So I will listen to the next 4 and more sometimes in the future (Im a slow listener). It's hard for me to listen to new stuff as I tend to listen to the same old same old but Im making progress so dont give up on me yet guys lol. Sorry about the lengthy comment, peace out and see you next time ! Oh and Eric I listened to Camerone Graves live as well, very good, some heavy fusion like you said. Plus Morbin and The Aristocrats this week
Pete, you should do a Holdsworth special where he was a sideman! The picks could be Believe It, Enigmatic Ocean, Gazeuse Gong, and Bundles as your selections! Those are 4 great ones!
Al DiMeola is one of my all time favourites always drift back to his stuff, love Dixie Dregs, never got into BrandX and never heard of Icegerb but will have to check them out
I have a stronger personal attachment to the Dregs, but for me Elegant Gypsy is a "perfect" album -- there is not a single moment I'd change and it all fits together like a single cohesive statement. I've had Moroccan Roll for years and while I admire them, I just never feel like listening to it.
Love this show guys! Keep them coming! I always get an education on fusion albums I should immediately check. However this time I was aware of all the albums talked about. I like all of them except Moroccan roll which doesn't connect with me. For some reason I can't get into brand x though I really love the playing overall. As for the other three, elegant gypsy is one of my favorite albums of all time regardless of the genre and my favourite jazz fusion album of all time outstanding album. My dad introduced it to me when I was really young. I absolutely love free fall too and it's my favourite album by the dreggs. Iceberg is a fantastic wildcard as well My ranking Al di meola-elegant gypsy Dixie dreggs-free fall Iceberg-sentiments Brand x-moroccan roll
1. Brand X - Moroccan Roll 2. Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy 3. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall Never heard of the Iceberg album (or band). Will have to rectify that
I love all four of these selections and have had a long history with them. I’m also a big Helmet Of Gnats fan. My ranking order: Brand X Al DiMeola Iceberg Dixie Dregs
A fantastic follow up to the last show and very enjoyable, these albums in my opinion are true fusion masterpieces of the highest quality and you can't go wrong with any of them no matter what your ranking is. Loved this one and I'm already pumped for the next one, keep up the good work guys 1. Al Di Meola - Elegant Gypsy 2. Brand X - Moroccan Roll 3. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall 4. Iceberg - Sentiments
Watching this again I didn't realize that was Chris Fox on the lower right. I'm a great admirer of HOG, and his guitar playing. Anyway, his description of the Elegant Gypsy album was great! That was my first fusion album purchased in 1981. I missed the fusion boat during high school in the 70s. But that record started a great musical journey.
Hi Chris! Ponty was an early favorite of mine as well. I heard all this stuff on Syracuse University's radio station. They played tons of great fusion in the early 80s. But I heard HOG on a Rochester station around 2006. It was Chinese Leftovers. Caught your set at NEARfest 2012. That was a great weekend!
Yeah, I remember 805. I didn't go to SU. I grew up in Syracuse. I also was on the air at WAER-FM doing jazz and fusion music from 2000-2007. It was just a volunteer thing.
Hi Pete...enjoyed your trip back to ‘77, but you missed a hidden fusion gem, The Dancer by Gary Boyle ... if you don’t know it, check it out, you’ll see some names you recognise!
@@Chrisgnat Also did good work on Brian Auger & The Trinity's Befour. I love his solo Electric Glide (with Gary Moore as guest) & Step Out. The Isotope stuff is wonderful
My ranking (there are no clunkers here at all): 4. Iceberg - Sentiments 3. Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy 2. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall 1. Brand X - Moroccan Roll The order of this list has changed in the last 3 years...
@@georgelamie7001 Actually thank you! This program just keeps getting better and better. I might not always be available for the chat, but I am indeed watching at my earliest availability.
Another great show. My ranking : 1- Al Di Meola "Elegant Gypsy" (I thought that the sublime Elegant Gypsy Suite Moog solo was done by Jan Hammer...my bad!) 2- Brand X 'Moroccan Roll" 3- Dixie Dregs "Freefall" 4- Iceberg "Sentiments" And that Kornet album...Wonderful!
@@georgelamie7001 4 keyboard players listed on that album (including Al himself & Mingo Lewis on synth - "Flight Over Rio"). Discogs has Hammer on Mini Moog on "Elegant Gypsy Suite" & so does Prog Archives - however they also list Miles on mini moog on "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway"...?
I go with Chris' list. "Morrocan Roll" should be higher on the list. On the first side one song is a studio jam/improv so it's not highly structured. I need to check out Iceberg.
Thanks Dave! Didn’t mean to sound like I was dissing Brand X, I dig them. These are albums we like, but for me, that album is a bit too spacey and noodly, but still enjoy it. Thanks for watching, hope you like Iceberg
@@georgelamie7001 May not have heard the very end...HOG II = Timeslip (2004). That's how my digital mp3 files are stamped for album name. Has "Misfit Toys", "Chimps In Space" etc...Now fixed in my database
Love the show. I've asked before so forgive the nudge. Have any of you heard The Sadistic Mika Band? They have a very small catalog but I think The last 2 albums are right up FFF's alley.
The more I listen to these kind of fusion selections they have one thing in common they can’t keep their Grace after something cool is established, instead it’s like a hard turn into making you aware of how technically proficient the band is but it just ends up sounding clumsy, props to the Dregs though, they are definitely more tight and organic on the playing and composition
I would agree to disagree Steve. I find plenty of Grace in Al’s music along with the others. I don’t think they write the music to “show off”, rather, having that technical aspect is a way to elevate their music to my ears. Appreciate your perspective, and thanks for watching! I agree, the Dregs are amazing
I feel like Paco de Lucia is actually better than all these put together, it would be cool if Pete did an episode on Flamenco fusion, I could definitely recommend some things ✨
George, Eric and Pete, thanks for another great and interesting show. Your guest was equally impressive and knowledgeable
Thanks Enrique, glad you enjoyed the episode, thanks so much for watching!!
A little late to the party once more, another great show, a big thanks to everyone who took part.
Thanks for watching John.
Great job yet again
Thank you sir
Thanks Jim
Another sweet episode of 4Fusion Friday! Brand X, Al DiMeola, and I have been spinning around my home since the 80's. Iceberg and Dixie Dregs not as long as the others.
4. Dixie Dregs.
3 Brand X.
2. Iceberg.
1. Al DiMeola.
-Thank you for introducing me Chris Fox of @Helmet of Gnats! I've been checking out their catalog and I'm really digging their style of prog/fusion! They have a new fan!
Awesome Vincent, they are an excellent band. Glad you enjoyed the show
Thanks Vincent!
New Releases
ARC Trio and John Daversa Big Band - Arceology : The Music of MSM Schmidt
Mathias Heise Quadrillion - Quadrillion
Ipso Facto - From Nowhere to Now Here
4square
Brand X - Moroccan Roll
Al Dimeola - Elegant Gypsy
Dixie Dregs - Freefall
Iceberg - Sentiments
George's Pick
Kornet - Frittfall (July)
Fragile - 5 (August)
Thanks George 👍 Forgot to mention that the Carlos Fischer recommendation is awesome. Criminally underrated
@@frank.s.castro Glad you're enjoying it.
GEORGE/ thx again/. Lists are huge help for us “ students “ !!👍💯
Thanks George for new episode. Always enjoyable with lots of music to explore.
@@tonypeake467 Glad you liked it Tony!
Thanks guys
never heard of Iceberg or Brand X and i'm listening to them now 👍😎 I remember when I was a kid in the 70s my father had a friend that lived on Long Island that loved fusion jazz so I brought back a lot of memories thanks again guys
Thanks for checking out the episode, Rob!
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed the bands
Mi piace ,i love this type of episodi , siete fortissimi
Thanks
Again/ not my genre in past/ but I’m 💯learning a lot. Keep it up either in power “ trio form or whatever works to keep this going. Thx guys 👍💯
As always, thank you Gary. I’m loving this music, eating it up as fast as George can tell me about them
@@ericporter344 LOL. Agreed!!!👍💯
Will have to listen to Iceberg. I've never heard of them until this video. The other three have been in my collection for decades. Thanks!
Thanks Reid, report back to us on Iceberg, it was new to me as well
They have a bit of a Brand X vibe to them. They’re outstanding!
@@davel.9467 They Rock!
Having never heard Iceberg before, I spent the three-day weekend listening to their catalog, and as a prog fan, it’s pushing all the right buttons for me. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for watching, Iceberg are excellent!
Hey guys, Im at work so I couldn't make it to the live chat, this is just to tell you that I did indeed do some homeworks (partialy cause Im still a bad student). I did listen to the first Chick Corea's Electric Band, I loved it ! Did listen to the Players album and also loved it ! These 2 I prefered over the other 2, probably cause of the 80s sound I guess which I like. Couldn't find the first Kick The Cat so I listened to the most recent one I believe, dug it too. As far as the other project with Tony McAlpine, I only listened to partialy, will catch up later. So I will listen to the next 4 and more sometimes in the future (Im a slow listener). It's hard for me to listen to new stuff as I tend to listen to the same old same old but Im making progress so dont give up on me yet guys lol. Sorry about the lengthy comment, peace out and see you next time ! Oh and Eric I listened to Camerone Graves live as well, very good, some heavy fusion like you said. Plus Morbin and The Aristocrats this week
Louis, Thanks, you are putting in some serious homework!!
Thanks as always for your input on the different vids Louis. One of the great characters on SOT
Pete, you should do a Holdsworth special where he was a sideman! The picks could be Believe It, Enigmatic Ocean, Gazeuse Gong, and Bundles as your selections! Those are 4 great ones!
Bruford
and UK also
@@Chrisgnat Also Jack Bruce, Level 42, Planet X, Chad Wackerman solo, Stanley Clarke, Andrea Marcelli, Bruford, MVP, Soft Machine, Soft Works...
Al DiMeola is one of my all time favourites always drift back to his stuff, love Dixie Dregs, never got into BrandX and never heard of Icegerb but will have to check them out
Thanks for watching! Hope you get to check out Iceberg
I have a stronger personal attachment to the Dregs, but for me Elegant Gypsy is a "perfect" album -- there is not a single moment I'd change and it all fits together like a single cohesive statement. I've had Moroccan Roll for years and while I admire them, I just never feel like listening to it.
Thanks for watching. It was tough ranking these!
Agreed . The tightest and most cohesive album of the bunch.
@@Chrisgnat You were great and I'm going to check out your band.
Love this show guys! Keep them coming! I always get an education on fusion albums I should immediately check. However this time I was aware of all the albums talked about. I like all of them except Moroccan roll which doesn't connect with me. For some reason I can't get into brand x though I really love the playing overall. As for the other three, elegant gypsy is one of my favorite albums of all time regardless of the genre and my favourite jazz fusion album of all time outstanding album. My dad introduced it to me when I was really young. I absolutely love free fall too and it's my favourite album by the dreggs. Iceberg is a fantastic wildcard as well
My ranking
Al di meola-elegant gypsy
Dixie dreggs-free fall
Iceberg-sentiments
Brand x-moroccan roll
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy the show! You are correct, classics for sure!
@@ericporter344 indeed!!
Hey we match exactly!
@@wolf1977 really cool!
1. Brand X - Moroccan Roll
2. Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy
3. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall
Never heard of the Iceberg album (or band). Will have to rectify that
👍 Thanks Craig, definitely check out Iceberg
Found the Kornet and Iceberg albums on YT for a listen. REALLY digging that Kornet album so far!
Cool! Thanks for watching
Good stuff, thanks for watching
That Iceberg is a winner as well! Going to have to check out the rest those catalogs. Great music. George, where do you find this stuff🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kornet's s/t & Fritfall are good records
I love all four of these selections and have had a long history with them.
I’m also a big Helmet Of Gnats fan.
My ranking order:
Brand X
Al DiMeola
Iceberg
Dixie Dregs
Thanks for watching Dave!
Thx Dave! I’m glad you enjoyed the panel
A fantastic follow up to the last show and very enjoyable, these albums in my opinion are true fusion masterpieces of the highest quality and you can't go wrong with any of them no matter what your ranking is. Loved this one and I'm already pumped for the next one, keep up the good work guys
1. Al Di Meola - Elegant Gypsy
2. Brand X - Moroccan Roll
3. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall
4. Iceberg - Sentiments
Thanks, Warhawk!
@@georgelamie7001 you're welcome, can't wait for the next one
@@WarhawkBeyond2040 Thanks for watching!
@@ericporter344 you're welcome and looking forward to the next one
I discovered Iceberg a few years back and I'm glad I did. They put out 4 studio albums and one live album. I prefer the second and third albums.
Great band, so glad George put them in the mix
Max Sunyer: I bought his solo lp Babel completely on a hunch around 42 years ago and was blown away.
I like his album Trio from '81 even more...
@@wolf1977 thanks I will check it out.
Fuckin’ A! Chris Fox in da house!
1) Al Di Meola - Elegant Gypsy
2) Brand X - Morrocan Roll
3) Dixie Dregs - Freefall
4) Iceberg - Sentiments
Watching this again I didn't realize that was Chris Fox on the lower right. I'm a great admirer of HOG, and his guitar playing. Anyway, his description of the Elegant Gypsy album was great! That was my first fusion album purchased in 1981. I missed the fusion boat during high school in the 70s. But that record started a great musical journey.
Thanks for watching Reid!
Thanks Reid!, and I appreciate the compliment! Elegant Gypsy along with Imaginary Voyage by Jean Luc Ponty were my gateway fusion albums around 77/78
Hi Chris! Ponty was an early favorite of mine as well. I heard all this stuff on Syracuse University's radio station. They played tons of great fusion in the early 80s. But I heard HOG on a Rochester station around 2006. It was Chinese Leftovers. Caught your set at NEARfest 2012. That was a great weekend!
@@reidwhitton6248 Reid, you went to Syracuse University? You must know the band 805?
Yeah, I remember 805. I didn't go to SU. I grew up in Syracuse. I also was on the air at WAER-FM doing jazz and fusion music from 2000-2007. It was just a volunteer thing.
Hi Pete...enjoyed your trip back to ‘77, but you missed a hidden fusion gem, The Dancer by Gary Boyle ... if you don’t know it, check it out, you’ll see some names you recognise!
David, thanks for watching, I’m not familiar with that one, I will check it out. I’d bet George and Pete know it
I have it. Good stuff, esp. Apple Crumble, and the title track.
Yep, good one indeed! Gary B is a great guitar player.
Isotopes guitarist- his playing reminds me of the guy in Iceberg
@@Chrisgnat Also did good work on Brian Auger & The Trinity's Befour. I love his solo Electric Glide (with Gary Moore as guest) & Step Out. The Isotope stuff is wonderful
My ranking (there are no clunkers here at all):
4. Iceberg - Sentiments
3. Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy
2. Dixie Dregs - Free Fall
1. Brand X - Moroccan Roll
The order of this list has changed in the last 3 years...
That’s my order also
@@Chrisgnat Purely coincidental, or a southern Fairfield County influence...
@@Chrisgnat I may have to blame Sally White...
Thanks for watching and hanging in chat, Joe
@@georgelamie7001 Actually thank you! This program just keeps getting better and better. I might not always be available for the chat, but I am indeed watching at my earliest availability.
Another great show.
My ranking :
1- Al Di Meola "Elegant Gypsy" (I thought that the sublime Elegant Gypsy Suite Moog solo was done by Jan Hammer...my bad!)
2- Brand X 'Moroccan Roll"
3- Dixie Dregs "Freefall"
4- Iceberg "Sentiments"
And that Kornet album...Wonderful!
Thanks Arnaud
I checked the credits. Chris was wrong! It's Jan Hammer. I thought so, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't challenge him. Never heard Barry Miles play moog
@@georgelamie7001 Matt Bocchino ( gnats keys) has been telling me for years it was Barry Miles on that moog solo.
,
@@georgelamie7001 4 keyboard players listed on that album (including Al himself & Mingo Lewis on synth - "Flight Over Rio"). Discogs has Hammer on Mini Moog on "Elegant Gypsy Suite" & so does Prog Archives - however they also list Miles on mini moog on "Race With Devil On Spanish Highway"...?
4. Sentiments (which I Haven't heard but look forward to checking it out)
3. Moroccan Roll
2. Free Fall
1. Elegant Gypsy
Thanks for watching Drew, the Iceberg is great, hope you enjoy it
I go with Chris' list. "Morrocan Roll" should be higher on the list. On the first side one song is a studio jam/improv so it's not highly structured. I need to check out Iceberg.
Thanks Dave! Didn’t mean to sound like I was dissing Brand X, I dig them. These are albums we like, but for me, that album is a bit too spacey and noodly, but still enjoy it.
Thanks for watching, hope you like Iceberg
@@ericporter344 Same for me. Love Brand X but Moroccan Roll isn't one of their best
@@wolf1977 and against the other 3, it really stood out to my ears. Some great stuff on It…
@@ericporter344 Yes, these are good albums so unfortunately one of them has to come in at number 4. Did not think anyone was dissing Brand X 🙂
@@blackcatcentralmusic cool Dave, I’m guilty, didn’t feel like I gave Brand X enough love 😂
Wow helmet of gnats rocks
They do Eric, excellent band
Their s/t, II & High Street are very good records
@@wolf1977 You didn't watch this through, did you Wolf? There's no album called II. Details towards the end.
Thanks Eric, glad you’re enjoying our music
@@georgelamie7001 May not have heard the very end...HOG II = Timeslip (2004). That's how my digital mp3 files are stamped for album name. Has "Misfit Toys", "Chimps In Space" etc...Now fixed in my database
Pete!
You used to write everyone’s list of band in the order chosen… please reintroduce this in writing after your written header…
Love the show. I've asked before so forgive the nudge. Have any of you heard The Sadistic Mika Band? They have a very small catalog but I think The last 2 albums are right up FFF's alley.
Shawn, I have not, but I’m sure George has!
😄👍
The more I listen to these kind of fusion selections they have one thing in common they can’t keep their Grace after something cool is established, instead it’s like a hard turn into making you aware of how technically proficient the band is but it just ends up sounding clumsy,
props to the Dregs though, they are definitely more tight and organic on the playing and composition
I would agree to disagree Steve. I find plenty of Grace in Al’s music along with the others. I don’t think they write the music to “show off”, rather, having that technical aspect is a way to elevate their music to my ears.
Appreciate your perspective, and thanks for watching! I agree, the Dregs are amazing
I feel like Paco de Lucia is actually better than all these put together, it would be cool if Pete did an episode on Flamenco fusion, I could definitely recommend some things ✨