Coryell Mouzon - Back Together Again (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

A classic

mbfthrasher | Renton, Washington United States | 06/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, it's midnight and I'm cruising around seeing if old classics have come out on cd. And I as a joke I type in "Coryell and Mouzon," and here we are. I didn't think anything would show up; I thought it was too obscure. I'll get to the point. This is absolutely one of the greatest jazz rock albums of all time. Except, I am a rock fan, not a jazz fan. So, this is a rock jazz album (ok, cd). It is entirely instrumental, but there is some brief singing on a song or two. This thing rocks hard, and I'm not kidding. The guitar playing is stellar, and I mean stellar. The bonus is you don't just get one great guitar player in Larry, you also get Philip Catherine - they are a great guitar duo. It is not pure "hard rock" but is as close to that as rock jazz can get. This really is not for pure jazz fans, it rocks too hard for you (I don't mean to be condescending). Of course, the drumming is fantastic, that is the Mouzon part of the title. And, I don't want to leave the bass player out, he does a great job; it's just that he has so much to compete with! If you like 70's hard rock with a jazz influence, and as a song I suggest Sister Andrea from Mahavishnu Live - this is that type of album. It is the best example I have ever heard of instrumental rock jazz. It is an absolute classic of that genre. Ok, I'm sorry, I said "genre," that's such a cliche word. But I'm not kidding, if you like rock with a jazz kick that makes it unclassifyable, this is it. I simply cannot say enough good things about this CD. And if I haven't convinced you yet, they also at times throw some great funk into the mix! BUY IT."

Good fusion let down by poor mastering

mbfthrasher | 05/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The is a good effort by larry Coryell but the sound quality on this disc is horrendous! The label, "Wounded Bird" seems to make a habit of this. This CD sounds like it was mastered from the vinyl masters..just like the original cd pressings back in the mid eighties sounded, weak, no separation, no highs, and low volume! This is extrememly frustrating. If you are going to do it...do it right! With the incredible technology today it is a shame that these titles being out out by wounded Bird sound so bad. If you like your fusion with good sound beware...If you are an audiophile...run home to your mommas! If you just want to hear it, and don't have the ability to master it from a vinyl record your self...buy it."

As great as you remember!

Donald Stuart MacGillivray | Vancouver B.C. Canada | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truly an incendiary slice of mid 70's fusion, Mouzon and Coryell both at the very top of their game. These sessions were rounded out by Phil Catherine on 2nd guitar and John Lee on bass, both fusion players of the first order. Couple of simple vocals near the end of this disc but this album is all about the PLAYING ! Another reviewer had noted his dislike of the mastering and though I grant that it is probably not state of the art, it sounds pretty good to these ears. No need to be put off. I'm still listening to the software more than the hardware. Get this while it's in print!"

The music is all that matters

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 08/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1977 album presents a good collection of tight, short jazz rock instrumentals that feature the staggering virtuosity of guitarist Larry Coryell and blazing drummer Alphonse Mouzon.

Given the lack of a keyboardist, Back Together Again is a showcase for the guitarists and the drummer, with John McLaughlin-like shredding on the electric (the semblance to his style is uncanny) dueling with ferocious fills and double-bass drum attacks by Alphonse played at a breakneck tempo. Alphonse really is a remarkable drummer and I would place him in the same class as other jazz rock virtuosos like Billy Cobham. Additional guitarist Philip Catherine is quite good, adds a lot of color to each track, and provides some nice interplay with Larry on a few tunes. The focus however, is pretty much on Larry. Last, but certainly not least, bassist John Lee holds it all down with an unassuming style - very much like Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra).

The tunes are very short (2-6 minute range) and say precisely what they need to say in that time - that is, ferocious soling over an ostinato (usually played in unison with the guitar/bass). While this is not particularly interesting from a composition or arrangement perspective, this album really is all about the playing and Back Together Again certainly delivers in that respect. Admittedly however, the guys do break things up here and there with some quieter passages and other styles including funk.

Although jazz rock (with an emphasis on rock) is the main style, there are some quieter moments that feature acoustic guitars, and there is a bit of funk, with the title track being a good example of this. Although this album is 99% instrumental, vocals by Alphonse do turn up on the title track and there is also one other instance where he "sing-shouts". Fortunately, both examples are merely blips on the screen and do not detract from the listening experience.

This Wounded Bird Records reissue is nothing special but does feature decent sound quality. The CD booklet is pretty skimpy though (just like the Passport and Renaissance releases I have from Wounded Bird Records).

All in all, this is a good album of jazz rock that should appeal to fans of 1971-1973 Mahavishnu Orchestra that do not mind a bit of funk thrown in, along with a tiny smidge of (pretty weak) vocals."

Back Together Again - Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Shecky | Chicago, IL USA | 10/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm so happy that this album is finally available on CD. I don't think the sound quality is such that it should keep anyone from buying this CD which I recommend to all. Check out LC on Young Django with Stephane Grappelli, Phillip Catherine and NHOP or LC on Count's Jam Band Reunion or LC on Spaces with John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Miroslav Vitous and Billie Cobham. You know how you sing a song to yourself, well I'd do that all the time to the title track and now I've got the CD to accompany my bad singing. Get this CD, you'll be happy you did!"

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