RMS was a jazz-fusion supergroup formed in the early 80's featuring drummer Simon Phillips, former Nucleus guitarist Ray Russell, and bassist Mo Foster, who not only was a noted session player but also cut his teeth with none other than Jeff Beck. For this concert at the 1983 Montreux Jazz Festival, the band enlisted the services of legendary jazz figure Gil Evans, who adds some airey Fender Rhodes Electric Piano to a few tracks, and the group is also rounded out by a horn section that includes the incomporable Mark Isham on trumpet, synth, and electric piano.
It's too bad this ensemble never made a lasting impression, as the original tunes here are pretty hot fusion as well as laid back tasty jazz fare. Take the intricate and burning "Hoover the Duvet" and "Broadway Rundown" for example, which feature blistering guitar work from Russell, muscular bass grooves from Foster, and dexterious drum patterns from Phillips. These guys could really rip when they wanted to, but most importantly the music is always highly melodic and tasty. Fans of Return to Forever, Weather Report, and Lifetime would certainly dig this stuff. The band covers some Jimi Hendrix classics "jazz style" with the addition of Evans on the electric piano, as well as the Evans staple "Gone". It must have been a pleasure for RMS to share the stage with Gil Evans, and everyone seems to just really be enjoying themselves, and that joy really comes out in the music.
This is a solid and enjoyable DVD for fans of jazz fusion music, from a band that was not well known, but probably should have been. Kudos to Angel Air Waves for unearthing this from the vaults.
Song Listing
1) Broadway Rundown
2) First Love
3) The Whole of Tomorrow
4) So Far Away
5) Hoover the Duvet
6) Stone Free
7) Little Wing
8) Gone
9) Juna the Last
Bonus Features-The Story Behind the Concert, band quotes, biographies, and photo gallery
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