From playing on vintage James Bond soundtracks when he was still a teenager to working on such classic albums as “Evita” and leading bands like ROCK WORKSHOP and THE RUNNING MAN to jazz-rock glory before experimenting with Gil Evans, Ray Russell‘s role in the development of the current music landscape in Great Britain and beyond can hardly be overestimated. Each of the guitarist’s albums is a gem, and “Dangerous Bends” that’s going to hit the shelves on September 25th should deliver similar thrills – more so, it promises to come across as a humorous offering, given such titles as “From Here To Dexterity” and “Just For Clicks” – and become another instrumental classic.
Of course, there’s much more gravity in “Walking With Giants” or “So Be It” that summarize the veteran’s life and his attitude towards it, but, judging on its first single which can be watched below, the record promises to sound effortless – unsurprisingly so, because Russell’s accompanists here include saxophonist Tim Whitehead and bassist Laurence Cottle, and there’s a special guest, Simon Phillips. Ray first shared vinyl space with the drummer on the aforementioned Andrew Lloyd Webber album, and then enjoyed improvising with him in RMS. a trio they had with Mo Foster, and now the two cowrote, and played together on, two numbers.
Dangerous Bends
1. Just For Clicks
2. From Here To Dexterity
3. We Are Here
4. Airscapes
5. Why Wait To Be Invited
6. Dangerous Bends
7. Walking With Giants
8. So Be It
