One of the most talked about reissues in the world of progressive fusion has finally been released, David Sancious and Tone's Transformation (The Seed of Love) from 1976. One of the original E-Street Band members, multi-instrumentalist Sancious recorded a few fusion classics in the late 70's, this one widely considered to be his best. Joined by Gerald Carboy on bass, Ernest Carter on drums, and Gayle Moran on guest vocal, Sancious adds in his formidable keyboard and guitar chops on the albums four epic tracks.
"Piktor's Metamorphosis" is a wild piece featuring Fender Rhodes electric piano and the famous Moog synthesizer, which Sancious pushes to the limit. Fans of Jan Hammer and Chick Corea will drool over the analog assault that Sancious lays on the listener on this track. Switching gears, "Sky Church Hymn #9" is a guitar tour-de-force, dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. Backed by the locked-in rhythm of Carboy and Carter, Sancious first starts out with some bluesy slide guitar, then rips into an extended, raging, funky solo, sounding like a combination of Hendrix, Trower, Marino, Holdsworth, and Stuermer. With effects loaded to the hilt, Sancious turn in one of the most impressive fusion guitar solos of all time. "The Play and Display of the Heart" is a stunningly beautiful piece featuring acoustic guitar and piano, and sounds like a long lost gem from either an early Return to Forever or Mahavishnu Orchestra album. The closer is the 18-minute title track, which is a fusion fans wet dream to be very blunt. Tons of melodic Moog and Hammond organ unison lines kick things off in grand fashion, with Carboy's supple bass lines and Carter's busy drum work providing a solid foundation. Sancious then blasts forth with some insane Moog solos that sound like what Derek Sherinian would be doing had he recorded in the 1970's. This tune is just oodles of complex yet melodic fun, and really showcases the talents of this hot band.
It's sad to think that this player is never mentioned in the same breath as Wakeman, Emerson, Corea, Hammer, Hancock, or Moraz when it comes to discussions of 70's keyboard wizards. His talents are very impressive, and he's no slouch on the guitar either. Thanks for Wounded Bird Records for giving new listeners the chance to discover this often forgotten gem from the golden age of fusion.
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