Bill Connors Quartet/MA, USA 1980

He was the first guitarist for Return to Forever, led by Chick Corea, who entered the full-fledged jazz-rock genre, and later signed with ECM and participated in his own solo works, Jan Garbarek’s works, and tours, and in the 1980s he became a contemporary guitarist.・A rare live performance by the Connors Super Group, which was said to be the standard-bearer of jazz/fusion, is now available! ! Although known as a legendary guitarist, Bill Connors, whose actions were often mysterious, entered the 1980s at a time when fusion was still in full swing and the term contemporary jazz was not yet known.In fact, Bill Connors was the pioneer of fusion, which was different from what we now call fusion. On December 4, 1980, they were playing contemporary jazz at Michael’s Pub in Boston, with drummer Mike Clark, with whom he had lived together before joining RTF, and saxophonist, who was rapidly rising to prominence at the time. An extremely rare live performance by Bob Mintzer and bassist Lincoln Goins, a group for which no official recording has been left, which in retrospect is a super group, in the highest quality sound with the label’s own careful mastering. The first and second sets, a two-disc set with a complete recording of two and a half hours, are now available! ! It wasn’t as easy to listen to or as refreshing as the fusion music that was at its peak at the time, and unlike the technical jazz-rock that was popular at the time, there was also a tight, pop-like, yet thrilling interplay centered around Connors’ guitar. It is the very “contemporary jazz” that many fans would talk about 10 to 20 years after this live performance, with plenty of elements! ! For example, would it be easier to understand the existence of White Elephant and Full Moon in the early 70’s, when the fusion genre did not yet exist? As Connors has said since he joined RTF, he played Coltrane’s phrases with a Clapton-like sound, and also composed and arranged the Buddy Rich Orchestra and Jaco Pastorius’ Word of Mouth, as well as Michael Connors at the time. As a saxophonist representing the new generation along with Brecker and Bob Berg, Mintzer, who has been active as a key member of the Yellow Jackets since the 1990s, is an old friend of the tenor front team and Connors, who supports the front duo. , Clark, who left a strong impression when he was called Mr. Odd Time Signature in The Headhunters, has a unique drumming that transcends genres such as jazz, rock, and funk, and a wide range of drums such as Jack Bruce, Eddie Gomez, Jaco, Bobby Rodriguez, etc. He learned Afro-Cuban grooves while interacting with Latin musicians such as drummer Robbie Ameen, and has played with many other artists, including Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Mike Stern, and Michelle Camilo. If the strongest rhythm section is made up of the talented Goins, who is trusted by great musicians and was said to be the number one young player at the time…Here in Japan, the other three members are underrated, and perhaps the other three members are better known than the leader, Connors. This quartet may have value, but Connors is the one who pulls this something new performance and is at the center. Live at Michael’s Pub,Boston,MA December.04.1980 Second Set EX – AUD 2020 Original Remaster 141 min No Set List First Set Disc 1 Track 1 – 3 Second Set Disc 1 Track 4 and Disc 2 Bill Connors – Guitar Bob Mintzer – Saxophone Lincoln Goines – Bass Mike Clark – Drums