Velvet Darkness

Last updated

Velvet Darkness
Allan Holdsworth - 1976 - Velvet Darkness.jpg
Studio album by
Allan Holdsworth
Released1976 (1976)
Recorded24–26 May, 18 June 1976
Studio Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Genre Jazz fusion
Length30:03 [1]
Label CTI
Producer Creed Taylor
Allan Holdsworth chronology
Velvet Darkness
(1976)		 The Things You See
(1980)

Velvet Darkness is the first studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1976 through producer Creed Taylor's CTI Records.

Contents

The tracks for the album were originally recorded by engineer Rudy Van Gelder at his Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey. According to Holdsworth, this was done during a rehearsal session, after which the tapes were released by CTI without his or the other band members' consent. None of the musicians involved ever received royalties for their work. Holdsworth therefore considered the album an unauthorised release and not part of his discography. [2] [3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

John W. Patterson of AllMusic gave Velvet Darkness only 1.5 stars out of five, describing it as "an interesting snapshot of young stellar musicians doing their thing in a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove", but more for completists and collectors. [2] In his review of Holdsworth's 1982 album I.O.U. , he also labelled Velvet Darkness as a "train-wreck disaster" and "infamous". [4]

Reissues

Velvet Darkness was reissued on CD in 1990 through the Epic Associated division of CBS/Columbia Records as part of their "Contemporary Jazz Masters" series. [5] This version was completely remixed and remastered from the original session tapes. The remixing process (which was not indicated within the CD packaging) significantly changed the sound of some instruments, especially the drums. Also included are five alternative takes as bonus tracks.

Track listing

All music is composed by Allan Holdsworth.

No.TitleLength
1."Good Clean Filth"5:22
2."Floppy Hat"2:47
3."Wish"4:21
4."Kinder"3:08
5."Velvet Darkness"4:43
6."Karzie Key"3:12
7."Last May"1:39
8."Gattox"4:51
Total length:30:03
1990 remastered edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
1."Good Clean Filth" (alternate take)5:38
2."Kinder" (alternate take)3:07
3."Velvet Darkness" (alternate take)4:44
4."Karzie Key" (alternate take)2:15
5."Gattox" (alternate take)6:47

Personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Holdsworth</span> British guitarist and composer

Allan Holdsworth was a British jazz fusion and progressive rock guitarist and composer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CTI Records</span> American record label

CTI Records is a jazz record label founded in 1967 by Creed Taylor. CTI was a subsidiary of A&M before becoming independent in 1970. Its first album was A Day in the Life by guitarist Wes Montgomery in 1967. The final release, by the CTI Jazz All-Star Band, was recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2009, and released in November 2010 on multiple formats: CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

Creed Bane Taylor V was an American record producer, best known for his work with CTI Records, which he founded in 1967. His career also included periods at Bethlehem Records, ABC-Paramount Records, Verve, and A&M Records. In the 1960s, he signed bossa nova artists from Brazil to record in the US including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eumir Deodato, João Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, and Airto Moreira.

<i>Stone Flower</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Antônio Carlos Jobim

Stone Flower is the sixth studio album by Antônio Carlos Jobim. Recorded in March, April, and May 1970 by Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studios and produced by Creed Taylor, the album was released on July 7 on CTI Records.

<i>I.O.U.</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Allan Holdsworth

I.O.U. is the second studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1982 through Luna Crack Records/I.O.U. Records originally on vinyl; a CD edition was reissued in 1985 through Enigma Records, and a remaster in 2008 through Belle Antique. Holdsworth’s band consists of drummer and pianist Gary Husband, bassist Paul Carmichael and singer Paul Williams, with whom Holdsworth had worked in Tempest. A previous solo album, Velvet Darkness, was released in 1976 without Holdsworth's consent, therefore making this his first official solo release. Many tracks from Velvet Darkness were refined, re-recorded and retitled for I.O.U., whilst "The Things You see" takes its name from an earlier album of the same name, made in collaboration with keyboardist Gordon Beck.

<i>Road Games</i> (EP) 1983 EP by Allan Holdsworth

Road Games is an EP by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1983 through Warner Bros. Records originally on vinyl only; a CD edition was reissued through Gnarly Geezer Records in 2001.

<i>Sunbird</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Gordon Beck

Sunbird is a studio album by pianist Gordon Beck, released in 1979 through JMS–Cream Records. This was the second Beck recording to feature guitarist Allan Holdsworth, following up Conversation Piece (1977). Two additional collaborative albums would follow: The Things You See (1980) and With a Heart in My Song (1988). Both Sunbird and The Things You See were reissued together as a compilation in 1989 and again in 1994. Sunbird by itself was reissued on 17 September 1996.

<i>Penny Arcade</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Joe Farrell

Penny Arcade is a jazz album by Joe Farrell on the CTI Records label. It was recorded at the Van Gelder Studio in October 1973.

<i>Prelude</i> (Deodato album) 1973 studio album by Deodato

Prelude is the eighth studio album by Brazilian keyboardist Eumir Deodato, released in 1973. With the signature track "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)", Prelude would become the most successful recording for Deodato and CTI Records.

<i>Beyond the Blue Horizon</i> 1971 studio album by George Benson

Beyond the Blue Horizon is a 1971 studio album by American jazz guitarist George Benson. It was his first album released by CTI and included organist Clarence Palmer, drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Ron Carter, and percussionists Michael Cameron and Albert Nicholson.

<i>Prayer Meetin</i> 1964 studio album by Jimmy Smith

Prayer Meetin' is an album by the American jazz organist Jimmy Smith, recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was rereleased on CD with two bonus tracks from the same session.

<i>Bad Benson</i> 1974 studio album by George Benson

Bad Benson is a 1974 studio album by American guitarist George Benson, released on CTI Records.

<i>Body Talk</i> (George Benson album) 1973 studio album by George Benson

Body Talk is a 1973 studio album by American guitarist George Benson, released on CTI Records.

<i>Sunflower</i> (Milt Jackson album) 1973 studio album by Milt Jackson

Sunflower is an album by vibraphonist Milt Jackson recorded in 1972 and released on the CTI label. Assisting Jackson are trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, a star-studded rhythm section composed chiefly of Miles Davis alumni, and, on the first track, string and woodwind accompaniment, courtesy of Don Sebesky.

<i>From the Hot Afternoon</i> 1969 studio album by Paul Desmond

From the Hot Afternoon is an album by American jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond featuring performances recorded in 1969 and released on the CTI label.

<i>Skylark</i> (Paul Desmond album) 1974 studio album by Paul Desmond

Skylark is an album by American jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond featuring Gábor Szabó recorded in 1973 and released on the CTI label.

<i>Good King Bad</i> 1976 studio album by George Benson

Good King Bad is the thirteenth studio album by American guitarist George Benson featuring performances recorded in 1975 and released by CTI Records in 1976.

<i>Benson & Farrell</i> 1976 studio album by George Benson and Joe Farrell

Benson & Farrell is an album co-led by American guitarist George Benson and jazz saxophonist and flutist Joe Farrell; both artists had previously released several albums on the CTI label and had also contributed to the albums Free, CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl, and Giant Box.

<i>Pacific Fire</i> 1983 studio album by George Benson

Pacific Fire is an archival studio album by George Benson released in 1983 by CTI Records. This album consists of unreleased tracks recorded during the 1975 Good King Bad sessions. It is credited as the final release for CTI before the label temporarily folded until the 1990s. It was given its first ever official CD issue as a Japanese only release in 2017.

<i>Beck</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Joe Beck

Beck is an album by guitarist Joe Beck which was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in New Jersey in 1975 and released on the CTI label. The album was reissued in 1979 and 1987 as Beck & Sanborn.

References

  1. ↑ Velvet Darkness (CD release "KICJ 8319").
  2. 1 2 3 Patterson, John W. "Velvet Darkness - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  3. ↑ Prasad, Anil (1993-01-15). "Creating imaginary backdrops". Innerviews . Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  4. ↑ Patterson, John W. "I.O.U. - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  5. ↑ "Allan Holdsworth – Velvet Darkness". Discogs. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.