Cristo Redentor (studio album) by Harvey Mandel

From OldToad 10/27/2019 00:55

CD versions of this album reverse sides 1 and 2--what were tracks 6-10 on the original LP become tracks 1-5 on the CD. I guess they didn't want to frontload the dreamy strings and soprano of the uncharacteristic title track, thinking people would just turn it off and not ever hear the funkiness of the rest of the album; I see why they did it, but it's not the way the artist intended, and the original sequencing is better.

This is not a typical guitarist's instrumental album--it's not about virtuosic show-off shredding, or getting the biggest thickest heaviness of tone. The arrangements and the other musicians are as much a part of the show--Charlie Musselwhite on blues harp, horn sections, string sections, musicians from the wrecking crew...even Graham Bond (one of my musical heroes) makes an appearance, although in a background, studio musician role and I wonder if Mandel knew who he was. Mandel's playing, when it does take the lead, is restrained and cool, often multi-tracked, not showy but melodic and expressive. Don't let the title or the title track scare you away. This is a funky, very 1968, very hip instrumental album.