Free Fair - 1978 - Free Fair

Free Fair 

1978

Free Fair

01. Happy Snake 11:30

02.1. Piano Introduction 3:00

02.2. Tunnel 7:00

03. Sorcerism 7:30

04.1. Introduction 0:57

04.2. Dance Of The Orcs 8:30

Bass Guitar – Harry Emmery

Drums – Eric Ineke

Percussion – Raul Burnet

Piano, Electric Piano [Fender], Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey] – Rob van den Broeck

Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Bass Clarinet – Dick Vennik

Recorded at Fendal Sound Studio, Loenen aan de Vecht, Holland, April 9 and 10, 1978.

Very good 70's Dutch Jazz/Fusion act, formed in 1975 and featuring an all star line-up of experienced Jazz musicians.The leading forces of Free Fair were keyboardist/pianist Rob van den Broeck (of The Chris Hinze Combination fame) and sax player Dick Vennik, while the rest of the crew included drummer Eric Ineke, ex-Serenade bassist Harry Emery and percussionist Raul Burnet.Their self-titled debut was released in 1978 on Timeless Records for the Dutch market and the next year on Muse for the US one, according to my sources there were two different covers for this release.The first side of the LP adds no significant updates in the Jazz/Fusion field, but it is definitely well-performed and played with passion.This is a mostly Weather Report/Return to Forever-inspired Fusion experience with dominant sax solos, jazzy pianos and complex bass/drumming, split between smoother and more fiery passages and including some light piano introductions.Not any kind of surprising music, but nevertheless enjoyable.The flipside though contains some different twists, especially on ''Sorcerism'', where Free Fair show a turn into a more Psychedelic/Jazz territory with notable Pork Pie hints with the addition of some atmospheric keyboards, while the rhythm section is more groovy but still powerful.The Weather Report influence though is still evident and the same goes for the closing ''Introduction/Dance of the Orcs'', which shows the more proggy side of Free Fair, with stunning opening keys leaving their place to massive interplays between the rhythm section and the sax, this is a track full of energy and pure dynamics all the way.Far from a groundbreaking effort, but Free Fair's debut has plenty of good moments to offer, even if you are not a dedicated fan of Jazz/Fusion.