Downwind

Gong - Downwind

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Category: Music CD
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CD Details

Artist: Gong
Edition: Music CD
Format: Extra tracks, Import
CD Release Date: 1998-06-30
Music Label: Import [Generic]
Soundtracks:

Aeroplane
Crosscurrents
Downwind
Jin Go Lo Ba
What You Know
Emotions
Xtasea

Music reviews of Downwind

Music Review: it's really good, but not the best Pierre Moerlen Gong album
Rating: 4 Stars

First of all let me state that Downwind is definitely really good- it's just that I'm such a HUGE MONSTER FAN of Expresso II and the way it blends guitar jazz with electric guitars, violins and xylophones and does so in such a *brilliantly fanscinating way* that it's hard for me to even consider Downwind being anywhere NEAR the same level of musicianship and pure genius. However, I admit that's the close-minded fanboy side of me speaking, haha.

In all honesty, Downwind is really excellent as well. Back are the saxophones missing from Expresso II, especially noticeable in the 12-minute title song which is so exciting and adventurous that it sounds NOTHING like the approaching commercialized 80's years right around the corner. Nowhere in the same league as commercial music in fact. It's just a really cool display of electric guitars and saxophone solos with only occasional signs of a band starting to run low on songwriting ideas.

"Jin Go Lo Ba" is a very good Santana impression with a soaring guitar solo. "Aeroplane" is a wonderful pop song though it's surprising hearing Gong create something relatively simple and straight forward like this. "Xtasea" is like a mini epic with the first portion of the song being devoted to a quiet and fairly repetitive violin build-up before the electric guitars come in. It's cool.

Though it's probably my least favorite Gong album from the 70's (including both the early 70's psychedelic and the late 70's jazz/fusion years) that's not necessarily a huge problem for me. It's still a wonderful and rewarding listen with instrumental chops that only improve and delight and hold up remarkably well over the years. What a refreshing band.

More Downwind free music reviews:
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