Description

Sonny Sharrock Band – Highlife – Cassette

Highlife is an album by the Sonny Sharrock Band, released in 1990. Sonny Sharrock was an American jazz guitarist known for his innovative and avant-garde approach to jazz and free improvisation. Highlife showcases Sharrock’s distinctive guitar playing and his ability to blend various musical styles into a cohesive and dynamic sound.

The album features a blend of jazz fusion and free jazz, characterized by Sharrock’s intense and expressive guitar work. Incorporates avant-garde elements, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz with experimental sounds and structures. The album also reflects rock and blues influences, particularly in the guitar riffs and solos.

Highlife was Sonny Sharrock’s first studio album in three years, and it bore witness to several slight modifications in the guitarist’s approach. Gone were bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer Pheeroan akLaff, who had moved on to other projects; they were replaced by Charles Baldwin and Lance Carter, respectively, who joined additional drummer Abe Speller. Dave Snider’s Korg synthesizer also makes its studio debut, which immediately makes the overall ensemble sound simultaneously brighter and tinnier.

Even past the added timbre of the keyboards, Sharrock seems to be searching for ways to push his music forward, as he begins going farther afield for material and revisiting his past in the process. In addition to three full-fledged originals, he covers two traditional folk songs, the West African standard ‘Highlife’ (learned in one of his earliest gigs with drummer Babatunde Olatunji) and the Harry Belafonte-associated ‘All My Trials’; he adapts several themes from Kate Bush’s prog pop hit ‘Wuthering Heights’ into ‘Kate’; and he returns to his legendary appearance on Pharoah Sanders’ Tauhid album with a medley of two Sanders themes, ‘Venus/Upper Egypt.’

It’s fascinatingly eclectic, but the results are undercut to a degree by all the keyboard polish, which tends to rob Sharrock’s most furious licks of a certain element of danger (even if it does occasionally bring out his more playful and spiritual sides). In the end, Highlife is something of a transitional album, catching Sharrock in the midst of figuring out where to take his music next, yet that searching quality makes it a compelling listen for fans.

The album is primarily instrumental, focusing on the expressive potential of the guitar and other instruments. The music conveys a wide range of emotions, from intense and aggressive to reflective and melancholic, through the use of dynamic playing and improvisation.

The production captures the raw intensity of the band’s performance, emphasizing Sharrock’s powerful guitar sound. The album features layered soundscapes, combining electric guitar, bass, drums, and other instruments to create a rich and textured sound.

Highlife received positive reviews from critics, who praised Sharrock’s innovative guitar work and the album’s dynamic range. The album has been influential in both jazz and rock circles, appreciated for its bold and boundary-pushing approach to music.

Highlife by the Sonny Sharrock Band stands as a testament to Sonny Sharrock’s innovative approach to guitar playing and his ability to blend diverse musical influences into a unique and powerful sound. The album’s mix of jazz fusion, free jazz, and avant-garde elements makes it a standout in Sharrock’s discography and an important work in the broader context of experimental jazz.

Highlife is an essential listen for fans of jazz fusion and avant-garde music, reflecting Sonny Sharrock’s talent for pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz. The album’s raw intensity, dynamic playing, and innovative approach make it a compelling and rewarding experience for listeners seeking something beyond conventional jazz. For those interested in the intersection of jazz, rock, and experimental music, Highlife offers a rich and engaging auditory journey that highlights Sonny Sharrock’s enduring influence and artistic vision.

Enemy Records

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal but small hole in spine

Track Listing
1. No More Tears
2. All My Trials
3. Chumpy
4. Highlife
5. Kate (Variations On A Theme By Kate Bush)
6. Venus / Upper Egypt
7. Your Eyes