One of the most extraordinary singing guitarists, Adrian Gurvitz has always had much more going for him than riding the heavy metal glory of “Race With The Devil” recorded by GUN, a group the young Londoner formed with his older brother, Paul. The sibling may have proceeded to explore sonic possibilities with BAKER-GURVITZ ARMY and THREE MAN ARMY, whose respective platters "Elysian Encounter" and "A Third Of A Lifetime" were prog masterpieces, as were "Kick Off Your Muddy Boots" and "Paradise Ballroom" – the two albums the Gurvitzes laid down as part of THE GRAEME EDGE BAND where Adrian was a main vocalist and primary composer, the albums that added the ensemble’s leader to the list of legendary drummers they had worked with, which included Ginger Baker, Buddy Miles, Mike Kellie and Tony Newman. Yet the younger sibling found proper fame in 1982, when his ballad “Classic” became, well, a classic, a hit single and a gateway to an amazing solo career.
Adrian co-penned Eddie Money’s perennial “The Love In Your Eyes” and “Even If My Heart Would Break” that Kenny G and Aaron Neville delivered on “The Bodyguard” soundtrack; other Gurvitz’s songs can be heard not only on Steve Perry and REO SPEEDWAGON records but also on a Pixie Lott’s, with “Stevie On The Radio” featuring the titular Wonder. And then there’s been an occasional effort under the veteran’s own name, the last of those being “No Compromise” from 2000, so a follow-up opus is long overdue – and, finally, September 27th will see the issue of “Blood Sweat & Years” which Adrian calls his most honest work. One look at the tracklist suggests as much, with “Freedom” an original rather than Hendrix cut BGA used to play. Released on Gurvitz’s new label and leading to a string of tour dates, it promises to be fantastic.
1. Blood Sweat & Years
2. Takin’ Today
3. Ease
4. Freedom
5. Passengers
6. Water Under The Bridge
7. Bigger Than Love
8. Around You
9. Deny
10. Stealing Time
11. Sweets Never Sweet