Electromagnets: Electromagnets

This release is among my top ten fav discoveries in 1999. Back in 1975, a little-known, Texas fusion band released an album that has become the stuff of legend and one for the collectors’ bins. And 23 years later Rhino unearths it all for us on CD. Wonderful! This is precisely what ‘70's jazz rock fusion was all about, great tunes like this. Keys are delightfully dated, Hammer/Zawinul/Hancock/Corea-ish, funked superb, bass ultimately Clarke/Pastorious, pumpin’ fusion-driven tough, drums supremely right on and who is this on guitars?!! Eric Johnson, teenager Johnson was ripping it up in classic jazz rock fusion style back in the early seventies. Amazing. Frankly, he had 90% of all his chops down pat way back when and I actually prefer his stylings and riffs better in his ancient fusion mode. He kicks some serious hindparts, pulling out all the stops. He burns the frets with ferocious efficiency. Have mercy! This stuff is the ticket for a free time machine ride right back into a glorious time in the days of The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever. Why the Electromagnets didn’t gain wider recognition is puzzling — some things just don’t happen.

This is simply great keys, wonderful bass, excellent drums, and extremely hot guitar — all set firmly in a solid jazz rockin’ fusion-fired groove. Also available now from the above contact source is a rare video. I found it entertaining, informative, and recommend this 4-song visual treat and short interview of the Electromagnets in action. Educate yourself all the way around and grab both of these treasures. High recommendations! What fun!

Comments