I'm not certain just how this all happened, but, in 1981 I was still searching for a direction on the electric guitar and it led me to go back to the most basic sound, the one I began with when I was 19 yrs. old and at U.C.L.A.!
It
was pretty simple, just plug into an amp with a Gibson,
dial in a little reverb, and play! I had owned a Gibson
335 for many years, but was so linked to my Telecaster and
its sound that it was hard to change. I began as a Gibson
player and decided to go back to it for the warmth and body
of the sound. I was also ready to surround myself with a
totally different group of players in conjunction with a
new spirit of making music....something much looser, something
not so married to having everything neatly in place and
perfectly played(not that I was ever the best at that!).
Some phone calls were made, and two of my favorite players
and I were to get together to "see what happens." Those
players were drummer Steve Jordan, and bassist Anthony Jackson.
I also felt that I wanted to include the brilliant and unique
percussionist Manolo Badrena. Manolo and I had recently
worked together on Mike Mainieri's recording "WANDERLUST,"
and I just knew somehow that he was the right player for
this new concept. We used to meet to 'rehearse'/'jam' at
Steve Jordan's loft in the Chelsea section of Manhattan.
I'm still not certain just what to call what we did....but,
we would just begin to play.....sometimes ideas or grooves
that didn't seem to have a place in any other musical setting.
Here you had four very unique perspectives on music making....and
four of the most stubborn maniacs one could gather in a
room, but somehow it was working. It was magical! I would
always record CSTEs of each session and bring them home
for study. As the months went by, I just KNEW that we had
something exceptional, and I wanted to get it recorded before
we actually figured out just what it was that we were doing.
So, with the help of our old friend George Braun, who put
together deals for Japan, we were able to record on a weekend
in November of 1981, and to this day, "EYEWITNESS"
remains one of my favorite recordings....perhaps THE favorite.
Only five tunes....not one with a real ending.....but, the
spirit and approach to music-making was the best I'd ever
felt. No matter where I have traveled, there is always a
drummer or bassist who, when speaking with me, reveals that
he has been influenced by the work of Anthony Jackson and
Steve Jordan on the three recordings we made together. The
word "genius" is a pretty scary label to throw out there
without great thought and care, but, in my opinion, Anthony
Jackson and Manolo Badrena possess this gift.....the moods
and textures they are able to create are just not of this
earth. I treasure these musical friendships.
|
[1] Where's Mumphrey?(Khan, Jackson, Jordan, Badrena)(7:28) [2] Dr. Slump(Steve Khan)(8:21) [3] Auxiliary Police(Khan, Jackson, Jordan, Badrena)(5:25) [4] Guy Lafleur(Steve Khan)(10:30) [5] Eyewitness(Steve Khan)(7:16) |
Photos: Manolo Badrena, Anthony Jackson, and Steve Jordan - by David Tan
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