REPOST: Jan Akkerman - Live At Montreux Jazz Festival (1978)

(Dutch 1968 - Current)
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Dutch guitar player Jan Akkerman (1946) did almost anything a musician could possibly do. He worked with many different musicians like BB King, Charlie Byrd, Cozy Powell, Claus Ogerman and Ice-T, besides being a former member of international acclaimed bands such as Brainbox and Focus and made more than a dozen solo records that showed his versatile playing without any boundaries or limitations. Whether it’s ‘Tabernakel’ (1973), the famous guitar-in-bed album ‘Jan Akkerman’ (1977) or his latest release ‘Live in Concert at The Hague, he explores and combines elements of rock, jazz, blues, classical or modern dance music and give those his own signature.

On stage, Akkerman has been touring all around the world. Besides several appearances at the Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival (and this post comes from one of them), the Dutch North Sea Jazz Festival, his countless tours around theatres and different stages, the guitarist also performed far beyond Western Europe, in countries like Japan, Russia, North & South America and Australia. He also has a long-time fan base in many parts of the world. In his own country, Akkerman received a Golden Harp in 2005 for his complete oeuvre and again gained recognition and sympathy for his distinctive role in guitar music by many people.
This Jan Akkerman record is a real gem! After the first spin, I was convinced this was by far his best live album. The material comes mainly from his self-titled record (1977), though Tommy (of the Eruption suite) of Focus is added and two new compositions in the spirit of the self-titled Jan Akkerman album. The recording of this live album is perfect, nothing more can be expected, not even today. The first Dutch pressing of this album was released as a limited white vinyl edition, and is a collectors item.

For newcomers. Jan Akkerman is ex-guitarist of Dutch progressive band Focus. In his solo career he concentrated on jazz-rock/fusion and some historical lute-guitar playing. Though at first (Profile, Tabernakel) Jan Akkerman would use his rockin' electric guitars most of the time, in 1977 Jan decided to become the master of the clean jazz-guitar. This resulted in the 1977 self-titled album with clean guitars, a great band and the best of string arrangements. The compositions had a relaxing but slightly magical vibe and some up-tempo moments. Most of the compositions of this record were played on this live album.

Now, the problem Akkerman and band had to face was that on the seltitled album these unbelievable string arrangements made a big contribution to the end result, but they weren't able to get such an arrangement for their tour. The problem was solved by adding an inspired percussionist (I love his contribution) and some synths that both helped to establish a more progressive climate, though the main genre would still be fusion. The two minuted atmospheric synthesiser opening track by Jasper Van 't Hoff really gets me warm for the rest of the album!

A nice track from the Focus era, Tommy, is played with precision but the great vocals of Thijs van Leer are a loss. Still the band makes a great symphonic jazz track with that magical feel and the great guitar solo's (this time clean) of Jan Akkerman.

Conclusion. This recording is perfect, the tracks are great, there's a magical progressive climate on this concert, all instruments are played perfectly, some problems concerning the arrangements were solved very intelligently and Jan Akkerman plays beautifully. There's only one letdown: the album is too short.

Running for 35 minutes this doesn't live up to today's standards. Still, this album is highly recommended to basically every-one who can hear the difference between elevator music and great Fusion. A big four star. [review by Frisco at progarchives.com]
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Rip taken from vinyl in FLAC and includes full album artwork and label scans. This is one of my favourite live albums and it was recorded at a time when I believe he was playing at his best.
Even if you are not a Focus fan, you will enjoy this progressive jazz rock masterpiece.

Update: Improved FLAC Rip
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Track Listing
01. Transitory (2:07)
02. Skydancer (8:35)
03. Pavane (7:15)
04. Crackers (6:50)
05. Tommy (3:36)
06. Azimuth (6:09)
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Band members:
Jan Akkerman (guitars)
Jasper Van't Hoff (keyboards)
Cees Van Der Laarse (bass)
Bruno Castelucci (drums)
Tom Barlage (Saxes and keyboards)
Neppe Noya (percussion)
Willem Ennes (keyboards)
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Jan Akkerman Link (221Mb) New Link 09/10/2020

Brainbox - Selftitled (1969) + Bonus Tracks

(Dutch 1968-1972)
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Brainbox was a Dutch rock group from the late 1960s / early 1970s. It was founded in Amsterdam by guitarist Jan Akkerman, drummer Pierre van der Linden and singer Kazimir Lux (Kaz). Their debut single was "Down Man", which established their progressive blues sound. They had several hit singles in the Netherlands, including "Between Alpha and Omega", "Doomsday Train", Reason to Believe and "Smile". Soon after they released their first album, Akkerman and van der Linden left the group to join Focus. After van der linden and Akkerman left, Brainbox bass player Cyril Havermans also followed to join Focus, replacing the original Focus bass player. They were replaced by guitarists Herman Meyer and Rudie de Quelijoe and drummer Frans Smit. Meyer was later replaced by John Schuursma. After Kaz Lux left the group in 1971, their popularity waned and they split up in 1972. In 2004, Kaz Lux reassembled the band (though without Jan Akkerman) and they performed in the Netherlands.
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The music of Brainbox is best described as progressive blues rock with a psychedelic vibe. The main attraction is of course the guitar playing of Jan Akkerman, but the soulful vocals of Kaz Lux are very distinctive for the music as well. Added with the powerful bass of Andre Reynen and the creative, jazzy drumming of Pierre van der Linden this is a great album.

It opens with one of their most progressive tracks, "Dark Rose". This is a sort of proto-Hocus Pocus (the Focus hit). There are some very fast and furious guitar breaks by Akkerman and a wonderful flute solo played by Solution member Tom Barlage. It takes some time to recover from this one, so the next song is a not so interesting cover of a Tim Hardin song. This is followed by a nice blues tune with some typical Akkerman chords. The adaptation of Scarborough Fair has again a progressive flavour. Akkerman plays acoustic guitar and Barlage again adds his beautiful flute. On the album is also a version of the classic Summertime. This is one of the better versions, with again a brilliant guitar solo. Sinner's Prayer is another typical blues song. The b-side of the album is occupied by the psychedelic Sea of Delight with long guitar, bass and drum solos. It starts and ends as an ordinary rock song, but the long middle part is truly a psychedelic trip. The best moments are occupied by Akkerman's guitar work, but there a also some tedious moments with the inevitable drum and bass solos. Overall a good track though.

On the CD release you can also find the a- and b-sides of their first two 45s. "Down Man" is a good original song, "Woman's Gone" is a sad blues song with the piano played by Rob Hoeke and bass by Akkerman, because at that time they didn't have a bass player. The second single is an edit of the long "Sea of Delight", paired with a rock song with a wah-wah drenched guitar.
I have also included a shorter version of "Dark Rose" which they released as a single and it is a more up beat version to the one found on the LP. In fact, it has an uncanny similarity to something that ZZTop would produce and therefore makes me wonder if this is where ZZTop got their sound.
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The rip provided was taken from CD at 192kps and includes full album artwork along with the additional bonus "Dark Rose" single track.
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Track Listing

01. Dark rose [5:20]
02. Reason to believe [2:23]
03. Baby, what you want me to do [2:36]
04. Scarborough fair [6:26]
05. Summertime [4:22]
06. Sinner's prayer [2:31]
07. Sea of delight [16:58]
Bonus Tracks
08. Down man [2:38]
09. Woman's gone [4:14]
10. Sea of delight (Try out) [1:05]
11. Sea of delight (Take 1) [2:51]
12. Amsterdam, the first days [3:11]13. Dark Rose (Single version) [2:53]

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Band Members:
Jan Akkerman - Guitar, organ, vibes, bass guitar (track 9)
Andre Reynen - Bass guitar
Pierre van der Linden - Drums
Kazimir Lux (Kaz) - Lead vocals, percussion
Guests:
Tom Barlage - Flute (tracks 1 & 4)
Rob Hoeke - Piano (track 9)
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Brainbox Link (82Mb) New Link 17/10/2024
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