Shadowfax - The Odd Get Even - 1990 (24/96 Vinyl Rip)

By the release of this album, Shadowfax had expanded into a sextet with a strong reliance on drum programming and synthesizers. The sound was far more powerful and dramatic, and worth hearing for that,
although early listeners had some adjusting to do. < William Ruhlmann > All Music Guide
Probably not their strongest album; but "The Odd Get Even" remains for me an enjoyable album; hope you enjoy this album too!

Note > No silence was deleted; please burn this album gapless..

Review:

Another top notch album by Shadowfax. This album will appeal to those fans of jazz fusion who also like strong melody and touches of world music. Generally this album creates atmospheres which has you saying "from where in the world does the influence for that come from?" Shadowfax were just…different.
"The Odd Get Even" was the band`s most keyboard orientated album making full use of the then current technologies. The opener "Oasis" begins with tabla but is drum driven throughout and is very powerful. It has a very unusual time signature. Stu Nevitt shows what a first class drummer/percussionist he is.

"Winter Morning" Is atmospheric & moody. Great work on keys by David Lewis is matched by Chuck Greenberg`s lovely lyricon & sax touches. The band are as tight as it gets.
"1001 Nights" is unusual as usual. Again the drumming is a highlight.
"A Pause In The Rain" is an all time Shadowfax classic. Memorable melody and very atmospheric - you can almost see the mist beginning to clear…. Greenberg shows why the band couldn`t carry on after his death he dominates the track with his lyrical sax & lyricon work. Just perfect.

"Her Dress Just Hangs There" is a different can of worms altogether - you just know the band means business. It rocks heavily and is structured to build to an almighty climax. Keyboards play the percussion line during the quieter passages but when Nevitt joins in and the band are in full flow they are completely superb.
"Changing The Guard" and "Boomerang" are not in the same league but are still interesting.

The title track is synth lead and is the most `progressive` track on the album. It has a `Big` sound. "Sujata" and "One Heart" close the album in a quieter mood the former contemplative almost sad to begin before a jazzier finish the latter begins with some nice jazzy guitar touches before a lazy meander.
None of the instrumentalists battles for prominence on this album - they all take their turn at adding to the overall picture and complement each other perfectly. As usual I find this Shadowfax album a joy to listen to.

Tony Penn@Rateyourmusic.com


Track List:

01 Oasis
02 One Winter Morning
03 1001 Nights
04 A Pause in the Rain
05 Her Dress Hangs There

06 Changing of the Guard
07 Boomerang Lewis
08 The Odd Get Even
09 Sujata
10 One Heart

Line-up / Musicians:

Chuck Greenberg - Lyricon, flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Stuart Nevitt - cymbals, drums, programming
G. E. Stinson - guitar, accordion, electric guitar
Charles Bisharat - mandolin, violin
David Lewis - piano, Moog synthesizers
Phil Maggini - bass, percussion, piano

John Bergamo - drums, tabla
Ralf Hess - programming
Emil Richards - chimes, marimba
Toni Schneider - flute, saxophone
Michael Spiro - percussion, conga