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Just one of four great koinonia albums

07/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Koinonia released 4 great albums. Before this one there were 'more than a feeling', 'celebration' and 'frontline'. Those were all instrumental albums, containing some of the very best, funkiest jazz-rock ever made. Abe Laboriel supplies amazingly original and powerful bass-grooves. Boom. His charisma and dedication (to faith as well as the groove) is evident on every album.For Koinonia, their self titled (and last) album was an experiment: the first one with actual songs on it, with Lou Pardini as their new singing band member. Somehow it doesn't really work out on all songs. Still it's an impressive cd, well worth five stars. Listen to Bill Maxwell drumming on 'Talk about it' and the guitar on 'Lynn' and you'll be convinced. Laboriel knows how to hold an acoustic guitar as well as his bass. Of the previous records 'Celebration', released in '84, is especially worth looking for. I was fortunate to see Koinonia (BIG Abe jumping around during his solo's) live in '89. Celebration is a live album which contains some of the most POWERful jazz-rock ever. The title says it all... It was released by Royal Music in Sweden and Bird in England. It's still available in Holland. Most of the musicians in this band have had most of their succes outside Koinonia, especially Laboriel didn't need the band to become one of the most-appreciated bassplayers in the world. (Guidum is a great solo-album! Or listen to Rio Funk on Lee Ritenour's album Rio. Oh yeah) Still: Koinonia is a highlight in music history so get hold of their music while it's there. THANK GOD FOR MUSIC AND ENJOY IT! - That seems to be the message of Koinonia. Amen."

KOINONIA.... Thanks for nice music

Liyanto | Jakarta, Indonesia | 09/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Koinonia in 1987 and I have Celebrations album, I've looking so hard to find until a friend send me from New York the last album 'KOINONIA'. When I travelled to Europe I got 1 FRONTLINE album in Amsterdam (not new/it has been used) March 2001 and I buy it, I'm still looking other albums of KOINONIA; More than a feeling; Celebration, I've been looking those for long time. I've tried to find those albums in Paris, Rome, Brussels, Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok and got nothing of those albums. They're really great musicians, I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH....
Oh...GRP or others,Please release these albums....
Thanks"

Celebration was the best live recording of theirs

Liyanto | 05/26/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Celebration is my all-time favourite album and this one was disappointing. I have More than a Feeling and Frontline as well, and there is more depth to those albums than their last one. Abe Laboriel, Bill Maxwell, Alex Acuna and Justo Almario are excellent musicians! Please give us another album like Celebration guys!"