REPOST: Crossfire - East Of Where (1980)

(Australian 1974 - 1982, Present)

This jazz rock group was formed in 1974 and based in Sydney, Australia. The band originally comprised of Jim Kelly (guitar), Greg Lyon (bass), Ian Bloxsom (percussion), Michael Kenny (piano), Steve Hopes (drums) and Tony Buchanan (saxophone). Crossfire were of a high enough standard of musicianship to gather worldwide recognition, the band served a long apprenticeship in jazz venues, often as the backing band for other artists, with the various members still concentrating on session work. Early on the band showed a lot of blues influence in their playing probably due to members having played in R&B and soul bands previously. By the late 70s the band was touring widely overseas, spending time in Asia, Europe and America, having played such prestigious gigs as the Newport Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's in London and The Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1982. 

They recorded seven albums while together, including a live album with U.S. vocalist Michael Franks and produced Australia's first direct-to-disc LP in 1978. Crossfire also performed on collaborative tours with Lee Ritenour, Don Grusin, and Randy Brecker In 2007, ORiGiN released a collection of their best instrumental pieces entitled 'Hystorical Records'. A collectable item celebrating the bands music and also coinciding with a newly reformed line up of Crossfire who begun touring again in 2007 after a break of approx 15 years [extract from lascintasrecuperadas.blogspot.com] . 

Guitarist, Jim Kelly has long been recognised as 

one of our finest guitarists and through the late Seventies and Eighties he was a sought-after session musician. After The Affair he became one of the scores of top musos who passed through the ranks of Levi Smith's Clefs, followed by a stint in Mother Earth, which featured a young Renee Geyer on lead vocals. In 1974, Jim and Mick Kenny formed Crossfire, Australia's most successful jazz-rock fusion band. In 1990, Jim moved to Lismore where he took up the position of Head of Guitar Studies at Southern Cross University. He has released five solo Albums and has written a guitar instruction book, The Dominant Seventh Chord and Then the Blues.

As well as being a guest clinician at teaching institutions throughout Australia, Jim remains a popular performer at major jazz venues and festivals. [extract from Milesago.com)] . Tony Buchanan played saxophone & woodwinds and currently plays with the very talented vocalist Jo Jo Smith. Tony studied saxophone with Frank Smith in Melbourne, Graham Lyall in Sydney, Joe Allard, Eddie Daniels and David Leibman in New York. His musical career spans more than 35 years and was a long time member of Crossfire. Tony has played in countless bands and ensembles during his career and is known to many of his peers as 'The God Father of Sax'.

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Tony has performed and recorded with musical greats such as: Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Lee Ritenour, Michael Franks, Ronny Scott, Maynard Ferguson, Mel Torme, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Maclaine, Tubby Hayes, Jo Jo Smith and many others. Tony has taught saxophone at: Sydney Grammar, Southern Cross University in Lismore, Conservation of Music in Brisbane, Melbourne Grammar (boys), Melbourne Grammar (girls), Box Hill TAFE nd Victorian College of the Arts. [extract from www.jojosmithsoul.com] . 

In this Crossfire posting, the band plays with some funk guitar riffs, rhodes and various woodwinds and brass, often with several instruments played through wah-wah pedals. Listening to it again now, more than thirty years later, I think I can hear what they might have been listening to - maybe some guitar work from Return to Forever, some Eddie Henderson wah-wah or the wonderful fusion played by Weather Report and Miles Davis. If you enjoy jazz fusion, then you are really going to enjoy this album. . Rip was taken from vinyl in glorious FLAC format and full album artwork is included for vinyl.. Another request for a REPOST in FLAC format.

Track Listing 

01 - Bob's Ya Uncle 

02 - Roll The Ivory Dice 

03 - Let Sco' 

04 - Parade 

05 - Malice In Wonderland 

06 - Where's The man In The Fat Suit 

07 - Away In D Major 

08 - East Of Where . 

Band Members: 

Jim Kelly (Guitars)

Michael Kenny (Keyboards)

Tony Buchanan (Tenor / Soprano Sax, Flute)

Phil Scorgie (Bass)

Ian Bloxsom (Percussion, Mallets)

Steve Hopes (Drums)

Crossfire Link (227Mb)  NEW IMPROVED RIP IN FLAC

REPOST: Crossfire - Direct To Disc (1978)

(Australian 1974 - 1982, Present) .

The Australian jazz fusion band Crossfire was formed by guitarist Jim Kelly, keyboard player keyboardist Michael Kenny, and percussionist Ian Bloxsom in 1974, in Sydney. Additional band members have included Tony Buchanan (flutes), Don Reid (sax/flutes), Phil Scorgie (bass), Greg Lyon (bass), Doug Gallagher (drums), and Steve Hopes (drums/percussion). Crossfire were of a high enough standard of musicianship to gather worldwide recognition, the band served a long apprenticeship in jazz venues, often as the backing band for other artists, with the various members still concentrating on session work. Early on the band showed a lot of blues influence in their playing probably due to members having played in R&B and soul bands previously. 

By the late 70s the band was touring widely overseas, spending time in Asia, Europe and America, having played such prestigious gigs as the Newport Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's in London and The Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1982 (see pictured above). They recorded seven albums while together, including a live album with U.S. vocalist Michael Franks (see previous post) and produced Australia's first direct-to-disc LP in 1978 (as included in this post). 

Crossfire also performed on collaborative tours with Lee Ritenour, Don Grusin, and Randy Brecker. Lead guitarist Jim Kelly went on to release several CDs as a leader and record with D'Volv, in addition to working as Head of Guitar Studies at Southern Cross University in Lismore. Further information on Greg Lyons (Bass) can also be found at his website. Greg is pictured left in the studio, sometime in the late 70's. . 

Direct To Disc Recording 

In the late 1970s, "direct-to-disc" records were produced, aimed at an audiophile niche market. These completely bypassed the use of magnetic tape in favor of a "purist" transcription directly to the master lacquer disc. The first direct to disc recording in Australia was by Contemporary Jazz/Funk band Crossfire, closely followed by Dutch Tilders (with Kevin Borich) entitled 'The Blues Had A Baby' These days, the term "direct-to-disc" means recording to a computer hard drive. 

But in the 1970's, it referred to the audiophile technique of recording directly to a vinl-disc cutting lathe, without the intervention of a tape recorder. It was a notoriously difficult way to record; the musicians and all concerned had to record a complete LP side without any serious musical or technical mistakes. Otherwise, it was put another lacquer on the lathe and do it over. But the gain in sound quality was considered worth the trouble. (As typical commercial LP releases were cut from fourth-generation analog tape copies, the improvement in sound offered by eliminating all those layers of tape and electronics was not illusory.) The analog direct-to-disc recordings were therefore the most expensive and the most ideal when judging on quality of sound alone. The drawback of the vinyl long playing record is however that only a restricted number of copies shall be pressed. A number of 1500 per matrix is the maximum if a relatively high level of quality is to be guaranteed. Less attractive is also that the vinyl disc is easily damaged. On top of that, the gramophone record asks for a high quality playback system: the optimum turntable-arm-cartridge-amplifier combination. [extract from Soundfountain.com] . . The rip was taken from my mint condition 'direct-to-disc' vinyl in FLAC format and sounds as crisp as the day it was cut.  Arrrrh - give me a shot of vinyl any day ! It is somewhat regrettable that you will only experience a digital version of this album, but I'm sure you will enjoy the music just the same. I also include full album artwork along with select photos of the band at that time period as well as current photos. Thanks to Greg Lyons for some of these shots. 

Note: While doing some research into this album, I stumbled on a 'weird' copy of this LP for sale on eBay. The pressing in question has 'Armada Records Logo' printed on its label, rather than 'Trafalgar Records Logo', even though it clearly states the LP is released by Trafalgar. The correct label is shown on the right, and the 'pressing error' below right. . 

       New Improved Rip !

Track Listing 

01 - It Coitainly Was (5:03)

02 - On the Wings Of Albatrocity (4:37)

03 - Fahannokookin’ (6:03)

04 - Oddball (6:44)

05 - Satie-ated (8:15). 

Band Members: 

Mick Kenny (Wurlitzer piano, fluegelhorn) 

Doug Gallagher (drums) 

Ian Bloxsom (percussion) 

Don Reid (saxophones, flute) 

Greg Lyon (bass) 

Jim Kelly (guitars) 

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Crossfire Link (182Mb) New Link 31/03/2025

Crossfire - Hysterical Rochords (1982)

(Australian 1974 - 1983)
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Crossfire were an Australian jazz-fusion band active from 1974 to 1983, which recorded five studio albums. The primary composers of the group were founding members Jim Kelly (guitars) and Michael Kenny (keyboards, piano). Other members of Crossfire included Ian Bloxsom (percussion, glockenspiel), Greg Lyon and Phil Scorgie (electric bass), Don Reid and Tony Buchanan (saxophones, flute), John Proud, Doug Gallacher, Steve Hopes, and Mark Riley (drums).

Crossfire were a jazz-fusion band formed in Sydney in 1974 with a line-up of Ian Bloxsom on percussion, Tony Buchanan on saxophone, Steve Hopes on drums, Jim Kelly on guitar, Michael Kenny on piano and Greg Lyon on bass guitar. Bloxsom, Kelly and Kenny had been band mates in Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly. The ensemble issued a self-titled debut album late in 1975, with a line-up of Bloxsom; Kelly; Kenny on keyboards and trumpet; Lyon on bass guitar and vocals; John Proud on drums and Don Reid on reeds. Rock Australia Magazine's Felicity Surtees found that the group had "gone past the stage of being just a creative outlet and has become a major part of their lives." Lyon described their style, "what we play is contemporary music. We're influenced by everyone really... It allows everyone to be creative."

Crossfire 1978

Crossfire were the first Australian artists to use direct-to-disc recording for their aptly titled second album, ''Direct to Disc, in late 1978. It was produced and engineered by Alan Thorne and issued by Trafalgar Records/RCA. For the album, the line-up was Bloxsom; Kenny on Wurlitzer piano and flugelhorn; Lyon; and Kelly; joined by Doug Gallacher on drums; and Don Reid on saxophones and flute. Michael Foster of the Canberra Times felt "their music displays many moods — playful and joyous, eerie and somber — always sensitive, reflecting the influences and experiences of each player." He emphasised "the effect gained by the horns, which seem to hang suspended a lot of the time against a backdrop of the instruments which normally carry rhythm, and the percussion group. The rhythm and percussion instruments often, as is the way since bop, step outside their roles as custodians of time and measure, and establish their own rights to individual actions."

Jim Kelly

The group's third album, East of Where (1980), was issued on WEA and was co-produced by Kelly, Kenny and Martin Benge. All the tracks were written by Kelly or Kenny. For this album Bloxsom, Buchanan, Hopes, Kelly and Kenny were joined by Phil Scorgie bass guitar. Foster found there was "more humour in this album than in the previous one. The music is of the same genre, but there is a certain wryness in the approach to its work, by one of Australia's most exciting bands." Although "there are times when it gets a little heavy, but generally the music lifts and soars, and is fun to listen to."

Crossfire were the backing band for the American jazz singer Michael Franks on an Australian tour, which provided a live album, Michael Franks with Crossfire Live (1980). In late 1982 they issued their fourth studio album, Hysterical Rochords, again with Kelly, Kenny and Benge co-producing. The line-up was Bloxsom, Buchanan, Hope, Kelly, Kenny and Scorgie. The Canberra Times' W. L. Hoffman noticed that "there are six tunes, all of them interesting and, again, all of them written by [Kelly or Kenny]." Hoffman praised the title track, "it is a neatly structured, very bluesy piece, with Ton Buchanan's saxophone threading through the tune, bringing it all together" while "the sounds continue on the second side, smooth, singing music as is characteristic of Crossfire."

Crossfire 1982

During 1982 Crossfire undertook an international tour through India, Holland, England and the United States. The group's performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival on 16 July 1982 was recorded. It was released as their second live album, Live at Montreux (July 1983). The ensemble were Bloxsom on percussion and mallets, Buchanan on saxophones and shakers, Kelly, Kenny, Lyon and Mark Riley on drums. Eric Myers declared, in the July-August edition of Jazz magazine, that the gig showed the group "playing original music that is an outgrowth of our own culture, can take their place on the international stage with the best of them ... a great moment for Crossfire and a high point for Australian music." The group disbanded later that year. Their performance at the Basement in Sydney was broadcast on ABC radio's The Burrows Collection for the episode, "Ten Years On – The Basement" in August 1984.[10] The gig had included guest vocals from Erana Clark and Barry Leaf.

Crossfire reunited briefly in 1991 and issued another album, Tension Release; with the line-up of Bloxsom, Buchanan, Hopes, Kelly, Kenny and Lyon. In July that year they promoted its release with a series of gigs in Sydney.[extract from wikipedia]

Album Review from Canberra Times (11/10/1982)
CROSSFIRE is also an all-Australian group, and I suppose it is appropriate to add my own prejudices to the nationalism which has been so evident these past many days, with Brisbane the epicentre.

There arc six tunes, all of them interesting and, again, all of them written by group members. Keyboard player Michael Kenny wrote the title track (two on side one), 'Youth In Asia' (3/1) and 'Trinity' (2/2); Guitarist Jim Kelly wrote 'No Hands Jive' (1/1), 'Miles Away' (1/2) and 'Let It Slide Down Easy' (3/2). Those two, with Martin Benge, produced the album.

Tony Buchanan

'No Hands Jive' has a Caribbean influence. 'Hysterical Rochords' is nothing like the music implied in the title. Indeed it is a neatly structured, very bluesy piece, with Ton Buchanan's saxophone threading through the tune, bringing it all together.

Again, the music is somewhat different to what is expected from the title of 'Youth In Asia'. There are some passages which hint at Asian subtleties, but Buchanan again seems to be in charge and rather seems to wail like a West Coaster on the rampage.

The sounds continue on the second side, smooth, singing music as is characteristic of Crossfire. Ian Bloxsom's percussion, Phil Scorgie's bass and Steve Hopes' drums are all of importance in the rounded sound.

It is a sound which is distinctive, easy on the ears and which swings. It, too, is Australian, and very good indeed.

Michael Kenny

Another Review 
by Mr MarcGorium's Wonder Emporium

Hysterical Rochords was the fourth album from Australian fusion group Crossfire. This album contains six pieces, all pretty generic jazz fusion, and far more poppy than other jazz fusion albums. If you’re into the 70s era of Zappa, but don’t want the comical side, then this is the album for you.

To be honest, I can’t really find a fault in the performances. The arrangements are quite nice, and there are plenty of nice uses of different instruments all over the place. The hooks on some of the songs are quite good too, and it’s all very clean. There in lies the problem however – it’s just sort of… too polished. There is very little emotion coming from these tracks, and instead it’s just very well executed jazz rock.

Stand out track is the 10 minute ‘Youth In Asia’, which, despite the title, didn’t actually make me want to end my own life. Pretty good music all round, but it will leave you feeling like you needed just a bit more.

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my virgin vinyl and features full album artwork for both CD & Vinyl formats, plus label scans. This is another great album from one of the best jazz rock bands to have come out of Australian. This album is also very hard to find, so you might want to grab yourself a copy here, before it becomes a truly 'historical record'. LOL

Track Listing 
01 - No Hands Jive 5:08
02 - Hysterical Rochords 6:54
03 - Youth in Asia 10:05
04 - Miles Away 5:43
05 - Trinity 7:38
06 - Let It Slide Down Easy 5:36

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Crossfire were:

Jim Kelly - Guitars

Michael Kenny - Keyboards

Ian Bloxson - Percussion, Mallets

Tony Buchanan - Sax, Flute, Clarinet

Phil Scorgie - Bass

Steve Hopes - Drums

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Crossfire FLAC Link (260Mb) New Link 18/12/2023

REPOST: Michael Franks with Crossfire - Live (1980)

(U.S 1973-Present, Australian 1974 - 1982, Present)
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When Crossfire charted a self-titled album in 1975 their deft jazz-rock fusion set at odds with the glitter'n'glam and stadium rock of the day. By 1980 their reputation as one of Australia's most inventive musical outfits was further enhanced by another charting album, 'East Of Where'. Jim Kelly, Tony Buchanan, Michael J. Kenny, Ian Bloxsom, Phil Scorgie and Steve Hopes perfected a gestalt of fire and ice and were the logical choice to accompany jazz-singer-songwriter Michael Franks (with five US and two Australian hit albums, and a cult hit with Popsicle Toes), on an Australasian tour. The resulting album 'Michael Franks With Crossfire Live' was captured at the St James Tavern and the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, and at the Auckland Town Hall in September 1980. A rare vinyl item for more than thrirty years, this unique and often exhilarating album has gained almost legendary acclaim amongst record collectors and lovers of Jazz music.
For a comprehensive bio on Crossfire, see my previous posting for their East Of Where album.

.An enormously popular performer in the late '70s and early '80s, Franks performed folk/rock songs while in high school, then became a literature student at UCLA and a part-time performer. He taught undergraduate music courses in the early '70s at both UCLA and Berkeley, then provided scores for the films Count Your Bullets and Zandy's Bride. He made his first album in 1973, then enjoyed success with a string of late '70s albums on Warner Brothers. He has worked with the likes of Flora Purim, Kenny Rankin, Ron Carter, the Crusaders, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Eric Gale, and others, and has had songs recorded by The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Labelle, Carmen McRae, and the Carpenters. [Ron Wynn, All Music Guide]

Over the languorous course of 33 years and 16 albums, Michael Franks has mesmerized an international legion of fans with his
one-of-a-kind artistry. Seamlessly weaving lyrics of stunning sensuality, wit, reflection and literary eloquence over music that tastefully utilizes top shelf shadings of jazz, soul, pop, chamber and music from around the globe, Michael Franks the songwriter has set a bar in the music world that places him as nothing less than a statesman of song craft. His best known works include “Popsicle Toes,” “Monkey See-Monkey Do,” “The Lady Wants To Know,” “When the Cookie Jar is Empty,” “Tiger in the Rain,” “Rainy Night in Tokyo” and “Tell Me All About It” (covered by artists ranging from Diana Krall and Natalie Cole to Manhattan Transfer and the Carpenters). As if that weren't enough, Michael Franks the singer is gifted with a gentle, deliciously expressive voice - identifiable from note one [Michael Frank's Website]
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The rip provided was taken from my 'mint' vinyl copy and includes full scans of album artwork and inserts. Because the live tracks run into each other, I was forced to apply some fade in / fade out affects to allow for song separations, but only affects portions of the audience's applause.

REPOST: In response to a blog follower's request, I have re-posted this album in FLAC format. This album deserves the best treatment, as do my followers.
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Track Listing
01.  Don't Be Blue (3:38)
02.  When The Cookie Jar Is Empty (6:29)
03.  The Lady Wants To Know (6:02)
04.  B'wana He No Home (4:57)
05.  Chain Reaction (4:25)
06.  Antonio's Song (4:42)
07.  Monkey See-monkey Do (6:14)
08.  Popsicle Toes (4:55)
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Band Members:
Michael Franks (Vocals)
Jim Kelly (Guitars)
Michael Kenny (Keyboards)
Tony Buchanan (Tenor / Soprano Sax, Flute)
Phil Scorgie (Bass)
Ian Bloxsom (Percussion, Mallets)
Steve Hopes (Drums) 
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Michael Franks with Crossfire FLACs (251Mb) 

New Link 13/07/2016
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Crossfire - Live in Montreux (1982)

(Australian 1974 - 1982, Present)
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The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is the second largest annual music festival in the world after Canada's Montreal International Jazz Festival.
The Montreux Jazz Festival was founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, Géo Voumard and René Langel with considerable help from Ahmet Ertegün and Nesuhi Ertegün of Atlantic Records. The festival was first held at Montreux Casino. It lasted for three days and featured almost exclusively jazz artists. The highlights of this era were Keith Jarrett, Soft Machine, Weather Report, The Fourth Way, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald.
Originally a pure jazz festival, it opened up in the 1970s and today presents artists of nearly every imaginable music style. Jazz remains an important part of the festival. Today's festival lasts about two weeks and attracts an audience of more than 200,000 people.
The festival was originally held at the old Montreux Casino, which burned down in December 1971 during Frank Zappa's performance. ("Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple tells that story.) The festival was held then in other auditoriums in Montreux, until it could return to the rebuilt new Casino in 1975 [extract from wikipedia].
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The 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival
The 16th edition of the Festival (1982), held from July 9 to 25 opened with a musical firework along with Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. The Brasilians Milton Nascimento, Wagner Tiso and Alceu Valença were on the second evening and the king of Reggae music Jimmy Cliff and Gilberto Gil played the third evening !
The Rock music was secured by Steve Miller Band, Mink Deville and the British Climax Blues Band who was one of the leading lights of the late ‘60s Blues boom. Jackson Brown took care of the Soul music and the Lounge Lizards and, on the same evening Michael Schrieve (Santana’s drummer) and his band “Novo Combo” played the Jazz-Rock side.
The Blues evening was secured by the virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan who surprised many, and David Bowie who was present in the audience at the time was so impressed that he requested Stevie to play guitar on his new “Let’s Dance” album. Jackson Brown, also present in the audience, offered his recording studio for Stevie to record his new album “Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble” and assist him in signing a contract with record company Epic (thanks to John Hammond senior).
July 22, BB King Blues Band played for the third time in Montreux. Again, all kinds of music styles were represented: from Charles Lloyd, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Jay McShann, Billy Cobham’s Glass Menagerie, Eric Gale and a super session with big names such as : Jack Bruce, Alan Holdsworth, Didier Lockwood, David Sancious and Billy Cobham on drums.
Another revelation was, with no doubt, the Australian Jazz-Rock-Fusion Band called 'Crossfire' with band members Mark Riley (Drums), Greg Lyon (Bass), Jim Kelly (guitars), Michael Kenny (keyboards, Trumpet), Tony Buchanan (Sax, Oboe, Flute) and Ian Bloxham (Percussion). The 16th edition of the Festival deserved its eclectic reputation ! Jean Tinguely, a Swiss artist best known for his sculptural machines, designed the festival's poster as depicted above [extract from Montreuxmusic.com].
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In the July/August 1983 edition of 'Jazz', Australian jazz writer and critic Eric Myers reviewed the LP entitled 'Crossfire: Live at Montreux'. The recording documented a live 1982 performance by Australian jazz-rock fusion band Crossfire at "one of the world's great festivals" (Myers, 1983: np). Myers' review begins with reference to what is commonly referred to as Australian cultural cringe - the belief that Australian culture is inferior to overseas culture, especially European and North American - before offering his assessment of Crossfire's place amongst the elite company at Montreux:
What this record shows beyond doubt is that Crossfire, playing original music that is an
outgrowth of our own culture, can take their place on the international stage with the best of them ... a great moment for Crossfire and a high point for Australian music.
[ extract from epubs.scu.edu.au ]
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This post is presented in two parts. The first consists of 5 separate tracks, as released on their official WEA album, ripped from YouTube videos as mp3's (256kps). Limited album artwork is included along with record label scans and select photos from their performance.
The second part is a single mp3 file (256kps) ripped from a YouTube clip, which captures their complete Montreux set (nearly 80mins long). Limited artwork is included along with screen captures of their performance. The quality of the sound reproduction is awesome, and Crossfire's performance is as good - if not better, than the masters of Jazz Fusion - 'Return to Forever'
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Album Track Listing
01 - Clown Raga
02 - Off Balance
03 - This Way Out
04 - Hysterical Rochords
05 - A Youth In Asia
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Full Concert Set
01 - No Hands Jive
02 - Off Balance
03 - Clown Raga
04 - Hysterical Rochords
05 - This Way Out
06 - Let It Slide Down Easy
07 - A Youth In Asia
08 - Encore
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Band Members were:
Greg Lyon (Bass)
Mark Riley (Drums)
Jim Kelly (guitars)
Michael Kenny (keyboards, Trumpet
Tony Buchanan (Sax, Oboe, Flute)
Ian Bloxham (Percussion)
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Live in Montreux - Album (94Mb)
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Live in Montreux - Full Set (145Mb)
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Crossfire - Selftitled (1975)

(Australian 1974 - 1982, Present)
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The cover may have you expecting some prog-psych-rock nightmare, but this is actually a rare piece of Australian 70s jazz. This album is largely instrumental but does include a vocal or two. It was only after many years that vocals would again feature when Crossfire toured with Michael Frank out front.
Crossfire were my introduction to electric jazz - introduced to the funk via the radio and some Reneé Geyer shows, then this local band Crossfire appeared in 1975, with some funk guitar riffs, rhodes and various woodwinds and brass, often with several instruments played through wah-wah pedals.
Listening to it again now, more than thirty years later, I think I can hear what they might have been listening to - maybe some early pre-guitar wank 'Return to Forever', some wah-wah Eddie Henderson, and even the occasional MPS jazz artist?
Crossfire made seven albums, and often backed international jazz visitors like Randy Brecker, Ben Sidran and of course Michael Franks on a 1980 live album.


The following is an article published in the Dec 5 1975 edition of RAM magazine (editorial by Felicity Surtees)
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Crossfire: The approach is serious
Ironical, that's what it turned out to be. Y'see there's this group in Sydney called Crossfire who've established something of a reputation for themselves around the biz. Stories of people standing on each other's shoulders and applauding till they came up in bruises were not uncommon.
So here's what happens, your scribe turns up at the waterings-hole of French's to see the marvel and sure nuff, a band is playing involving and spontaneous music that stirs the crowd into mighty enthusiasm. They are finally let from the stage after they plead, "We just don't know anything else to play."
Good group that Crossfire, heh?
What's that?
Well, turns out it wasn't Crossfire after all. Crossfire had had to cancel out of the gig and what had been blowing was a jamming outfit consisting of the rhythm section of Sydney group Rocket with a few footloose sax players, etc. thrown in.
Oh, I see.
So anyway, catching the real Crossfire the next Saturday arvo was something of an anticlimax. It turns out that Crossfire is a bunch of very competent musos with influences ranging far and wide — but somehow the afternoon seemed to be lacking in the uh ... high spirits dept. The audience was part of
Crossfire's dedicated following and there was polite applause after any particularly tasty solo etc. The approach was Serious.
Earlier, as I d stumbled past the sprawled bodies of French's stairs, I d noticed a large poster asking Crossfire—Jazz or Rock? So I put the question to bass player, Greg Lyons. He returned it with a polite frown, saying, "That is not our doing. What we play is contemporary music. We re influenced by everyone really ..." Which basically means that Crossfire are not about to confine, define or restrict themselves with labels. "It allows everyone to be creative," explains Greg. Which is what Crossfire is about. A band where its members can feel free to experiment without compromising. It was originally formed as a creative outlet outside their "day jobs". Day jobs that ranged from percussionist lan Bloxsom's stint with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to the various session/studio work of the other members. But now their first album Crossfire has been released, and it's gone past the stage of being just a creative outlet and has become a major part of their lives. As the band's guitarist, Jim Kelly puts it, "It's more of an onwards and upwards kind of thing."
Oh, I see.......
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Post consists of a 320kps rip from vinyl and includes full album artwork (thanks to Micko and the Midoztouch community for the vinyl rip and scans). I have also included a scan of the magazine article featured above, along with a bonus track featuring Jim Kelly playing live at a small music venue called 'Queens Head Cafe' in Tasmania, sometime in 2011. Unfortunately, the track is untitled and was sourced via YouTube.
Complete with Derek Smalls 'etching' cover art, this is pure punchy driving fusion goodness, straight from the top drawer. Shades of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soft Machine and electric Miles and all bundled up in knat's-chaff-tight arrangements.
This 1975 album is their first and best album in my opinion and I regret the day I sold my copy at a record fair back in the 80's. Hope you enjoy it!
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Track Listing
01. Remember The Trees (Jim Kelly)
02. Nobody Nose (Mick Kenny)
03. Freddie Funkbump (Jim Kelly)
04. Perverted Pavanne (Mick Kenny)
05. Inside Out (Mick Kenny, Don Reid)
06. Nada (Ian Bloxsom)
07. Stygian Night (Mick Kenny)
08. You Gotta Make It (Greg Lyon)
09. Bonus live track (Jim Kelly, Queen's Head Cafe, 2011)

Band Members:
Greg Lyon - bass, voice
Mick Kenny - keyboards, trumpet
Don Reid - Reeds
John Proud - drums
Ian Bloxsom - percussion
Jim Kelly - guitars
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Crossfire Link (119Mb)