Its a crying shame how albums like this do not receive the notoriety as others have. This 1962 album sure added a new dynamic when Chico Hamilton decided to innovate his sound with the addition of Charles Lloyd and Garnett Brown, wow! Talk about sleepers, this album is great and way ahead of its times, unbelievable! Let’s not forget the clever jazz guitar of Gábor Szabó who continued on in Chico’s band for another 7 albums afterwards. From the very beginning to the very end, this album stifles the mind with outstanding improvisation, never losing its blues roots and crossing into avant garde territory with no problem at all. Nobody in their right minds could possibly pass this album by, “Drumfusion” will knock you out, get it immediately!
About the album (Album still not available on CD by itself):
This is an LP long overdue to be reissued on CD. In 1960, Charles Lloyd succeeded Eric Dolphy in the Chico Hamilton Quintet, a cool jazz group famous for its use of a cello. However, since Nate Gershman (unlike his predecessor Fred Katz) did not improvise, the group was much more limited than its predecessors. By 1962, with the urging of Lloyd, Hamilton had completely revamped the personnel, having a quintet that replaced the cello with trombonist Garnett Brown and also included guitarist Gabor Szabo and bassist Albert Stinson. Drumfusion was the new band’s debut and it is a strong effort, featuring group originals and exciting solos from….Read More
