Jazz Articles about Leland Sklar

About Leland Sklar

Reassessing

Was it jazz or rock? This was (is) the eternal question about fusion. Back in the 1970s when the Mahavishnu Orchestra pioneered the genre, the electric and chaotic unpredictability of the John McLaughlin-led outfit cut across what was thought to be basic jazz concepts by displaying loud electric guitar riffing over what could stand for prog rock organ, bass and drum. And shockingly, none of the original players blew into their instruments. But Mahavishnu McLaughlin was as cruel ...

Album Review

Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne (2023 Remaster)

Read "Jackson Browne (2023 Remaster)" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
December 2, 2023

It was only a matter of time until Jackson Browne turned his attention to an archival endeavor devoted to his self-titled debut album. Having plumbed the vault for his masterwork, Late For The Sky (Inside Recordings, 2014), then a re-release of his most commercially-successful record, Running On Empty (Inside Recordings, 2019) five years later, he may have been saving what he considers his best for last (unless and until he turns his attention to his brilliant sophomore outing For Everyman ...

Album Review

Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks: Orange Crate Art 25th Anniversary Edition (2 CD)

Read "Orange Crate Art 25th Anniversary Edition (2 CD)" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
June 28, 2020

Personal estrangement, lawsuits and terminal illness permeated the Beach Boys' world when Orange Crate Art was originally released in 1995. It is thus little wonder it was greeted with more than a little ballyhoo (even if that was bit tentative), but that's also because it was, apart from the single song “Sail On Sailor" from Holland (Brother Records, 1973) the first longplaying-length collaboration between Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks since they teamed for the mythic album Smile (formal archiving ...