A bona fide guitar hero, Ray Russell bridges the musical worlds of jazz and rock on 'Now, More Than Ever'. Featuring an all-star cast, including drummer Gary Husband, bassists Jimmy Johnson, Mo Foster and Anthony Jackson, this bold outing straddles that no man's land between rock power and unfettered jazz improvisation, while conjuring up ethereal guitar synth soundscapes along the way.
From the hard-hitting opener, The Island, powered by Husband's muscular backbeat, to the urgently swinging, organ fuelled Way Back Now, a brilliant showcase of the great guitarist's blistering chops, to the blues-drenched, heavy duty Slow Day, the funky Rubber Chicken Diner and the atmospheric duet Suddenly they are gone, 'Now, More Than Ever' stands as one of the more dynamic outings in Russell's extensive discography. Fans of John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth and Terje Rypdal will want to check out this latest triumph from one of fusion's great innovators.
The creator of such groundbreaking and seminal jazz-rock works as 1968's 'Turn Circle' and 1969's 'Dragon Hill', guitarist-composer Russell emerged on a fertile '60s London music scene as a ubiquitous session musician. For over four decades, artists such as Tina Turner, Van Morrison, Art Garfunkel, Dionne Warwick, Bryan Ferry, Jack Bruce, Cat Stevens, Phil Collins, Robert Plant and Georgie Fame have turned to Ray Russell to add something special to their work. He is also well known for composing the themes for hit TV series such as Bergerac and A Touch of Frost.
Personnel: Ray Russell (guitars), Rupert Cobb (trumpet), Jim Watson (keyboards), Mo Foster, Jimmy Johnson, George Baldwin (bass), Anthony Jackson (contrabass), Gary Husband, Ralph Salmins (drums)
Russell isn't merely a fine jazz player, but a truly original music thinker and an improvisational force to be reckoned with. - All Music Guide
That Ray Russell can play so convincingly across so many styles won't be news to his fans. However, to many listeners, he's still something of a well kept secret...a true guitar master. - Goldmine
