classic and rare Australian popular music from the 1950's, 1960's. 1970's and beyond..including rock and roll, pop, beat, rock, surf and progressive, plus contemporary artists, new releases, reviews and other fun stuff

.

.
Showing posts with label Jazz Fusion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jazz Fusion. Show all posts

Friday, July 8, 2016

Kush...Presents Snow White and the Eight Straights...1974 album



Kush was formed in 1971 with Jeff Duff on Vocals, John Santos (aka Montesante) and Colin Chapman on trumpet, Ron Anderson on piano and saxophone, Stephen Ball on keyboards, Tom Cowburn on guitar, harmonica and backing vocals, John Ellis on clarinet, flute and saxophone, Rob Matthews on bass guitar, and Graham McDonald on drums. They released covers of "Peter Gunn", "MacArthur Park" and "Walk on the Wild Side" as well as originals such as "(Livin' on) Easy Street".

Their 1974 album release "Presents Snow White and the Eight Straights" is a fusion of jazz meets progressive rock and showcases Jeff Duff's cabaret style tenor vocals. It is one of those forgotten gems of the 1970's that still sounds good today. Kush were together from 1971 to 1975 and are notable for performing to 45000 people at the 1974 Sunbury Pop Festival. 

Geoff "Jeff" Stephen Duff, or Duffo, has used various personae, wardrobe, and satire as features of his performance. Duff's show 'Ziggy' is a portrayal of the music of David Bowie, whom he met while Bowie was a Sydney resident. Duff is a regular performer on Australian television and continues to headline some of Australia's leading Jazz festivals.





Visit my other blogs and pages here:


Monday, February 15, 2016

Ayers Rock...Big Red Rock....1974 album



Ayers Rock were an Australian jazz fusion, progressive rock band which formed in August 1973. Ray Burton (guitar and vocals), Mark Kennedy (drums) and Duncan McGuire (bass), members of Leo de Castro and Friends, left to form the eponymous trio of Burton, McGuire & Kennedy. They added a guitarist, Jimmy Doyle, changed their name to Ayers Rock and invited Col Loughnan (saxophones and flutes) to join. The group signed with independent label Mushroom Records in December 1973. Burton left the following March, and was replaced by Chris Brown (guitar, vocals). With live appearances, coverage in print media and word of mouth the group had a high national profile despite little radio airplay, and journalists praised their musicianship, music and live energy.

The band's first album, Big Red Rock (November 1974), received positive reviews and peaked at number 32 on the Australian Kent Music Report album chart. It featured mainstream rock and three longer, instrumental tracks which introduced progressive styles, including jazz fusion. Label owner Michael Gudinski promoted Ayers Rock in Los Angeles and they signed with A&M Records, the first Mushroom Records artists to sign with an international label. 

The United States release of Big Red Rock in February 1975 was followed by a tour there, later that year. The band played to large crowds, supporting major international artists (including Bachman–Turner Overdrive) before 35,000 people – the first Australian band to perform in large US stadiums. Ayers Rock were named 1975 Musicians of the Year on RAM's "New Year's Honors List".





                                         


Visit my other music blogs here:
Twitter @islandmanrocks