Search - Passport :: Infinity Machine (Mlps)

Great New Sound in the 70's

Richard W. Abrams | Middle of Nowhere, OK USA | 10/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Passport's Infinity Machine on Atco records, is a must have addition to any serious music collector's library. The opening song is worth the price of the CD alone. Fortunately, there are several other great selections. I found the album very enjoyable considering my diet at the time had contained large portions of Chic Corea, Return To Forever, Nektar, pre Phil Collins Genesis along with a background in Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Earth, Wind & Fire and old school Dave Brubeck jazz.... Passport is a refreshing change of pace. While not quite jazz and not quite rock, I didn't know how to classify it when I first heard the release back in 1976. It would become what was called jazz/rock fusion but even that title didn't seem quite right. Even now, I could hear Dave Koz or Jim Brickman sitting in with the group and feeling quite at home. There are some undertones of what would become "New Age" and at least a parting tribute to the 70's funk sound. A great album worth five stars as it shows just how diverse the group could be. And as a DJ, it came along as Disco was driving me nuts so this was an exceptional breath of fresh air! Just how danceable it is, I'm not sure but it is one to tap your toes to with melodies to reflect upon."

Good Album-A Killer Opener!

Andre' S Grindle | Bangor,ME. | 06/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just on "Ju Ju Man" alone.It's been said that how an
artist opens an album can make or break it's appeal and this opening track for Passport's "Infinity Machine" is a perfect example.Opening with a duff rollcall,Curt Cress's funky drumming
welcomes you to show and all hell breaks loose!Herbie Hancock-like synthesized keyboard riffs puncuate the beat,Klaus effectively synthesized horns shines like a diamond,hooked to a great,catchy melody.And unlike other fusion bands,Passport keep it "on the one" for over ten minutes in true funk style-how could "Ju Ju Man" go wrong?It's a shameless festival of classic funk and should be on countless compilations and tributes to the
genere.Only one problem-the rest of "Infinity Machine" lapses
sadly into more downbeat electronic kraut-fusion,typical of this
era of Passport and though "Ostinato" gets pretty exited,it's sad
to see artists as talented and ambitious as Passport fail to deliver a consistant collection.Despite these problems,nothing here is unlistenable and five stars is far too little for
"Ju Ju Man",which alone makes this a must-have album!"

A must have Passport album

Steven F. Grimm | Englewood, Colorado United States | 01/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this album overall is not Passport's best, the first rack Ju-Ju Man is certainly the best song they have ever done. This song is a mixture of African rythms, funk and progressive concepts. The 15 minute song is engaging from beginning to end and the solos are top notch. The second song Morning Sun starts slowly and just when you think you will fall asleep, the tempo changes and Klaus Doldinger's sax work demonstrates why there will never be another sax player to match his talent.The rest of the album is marginal, but is still better than any fusion being done today."