Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders:

All Music Pic

Finding their first album in 2010 was, to me, a miraculous find. Where has this music been? It is an update on the 70’s fusion style I was so fond of, especially reminding me of the work of John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Having seen that band at least a dozen times during the 70’s, (the original lineup, mind you), an immediate connection was made to Animals as Leaders as they seemed to be the band finally able to pick up the baton McLaughlin left behind for others to pick up. It took a while, but I am damned glad they are here, eight string guitars and all. AAL are not the second coming of Mahavishnu, and I do not want them to be, but Tosin Abasi’s guitar work is subtle, powerful and demanding, much in the same way McLaughlin’s work was in the 70’s.

I look forward to much more from this band.  

jazzmanblue  

August 13, 2014

animals-as-leaders-4faf0af52d65e

 

Here is a link to Song of Solomon, from the debut record:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HYMeb8tYy8

Animals as Leaders - Weightless

Here is a link to Weightless, the title track from the second album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4tAzMVTEug

Animals as Leaders - The Joy of Motion

Here is a link to Crescent, from the Joy of Motion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4seDWHo3tM