[Rick and Roll]

I have not heard or seen a better fusion outfit than Gamalon since Bruford's Dave Stewart days (although Frank Gambale has come close). I was in a now-defunct record store (concentrating in jazz/soul) and the store manager really had a liking to it, playing it a LOT. I heard it, bought it and the rest is history.

It's very much driven by the propulsion of the Reinhardt brothers, who really have a feel for fusion. There are two very different guitarists, who complement each other so well. One is a tasteful player (Brucato), and the other (Puleo) is a pedal to the metal wailer.

I am even more impressed with their second release, "Aerial View". The addition of a violin/keyboard player really expands the music (no vocals). "Bleecker St". and "Lena" are real gems. Their third and last (save for an atypical jazzy live release w/ Ernie Watts) "High Contrast" is not as good as the first two (mostly because of weird songs like a "Helter Skelter" cover), but 80% of it is great. On that CD, "Tecumseh" is a signature fusion great.

The first one Jo mentions is a classic. I would add Aerial View before the debut, but would not be displeased if the order was reversed. As long as at least those two are on, with the third a later addition, I'd be ecstatic.

And finally, I know I've missed a lot of great shows, but me and 30 other hearty souls seeing this band was a special night.