You won’t have to look very far through your list of favourite bass players to find one that has been inspired by the legend Jack Bruce.
When Cream, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker, released their first album, Fresh Cream back in 1966 it signalled the start of one of rock’s most important bands of all time.
The ‘Clapton Is God’ graffiti had already started appearing all over London whilst he was still with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Ginger Baker was well on his way to becoming one the best known drummers of the age, and then there was Jack Bruce. Jack had come to notice whilst playing with the Graham Bond Organisation releasing two albums the previous year.
His bass playing style is often described as pioneering. You will read that time and time again in articles about him. A quick check into the Thesaurus will reveal that the word actually means revolutionary. Such was his standing at that time.
Cream were simply huge and their subsequent albums Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels Of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969) led the way for much of what was to follow.
When the band imploded Jack embarked on a productive solo career. There are many highlights among the host of albums he released starting with Songs For A Tailor (1969). With a reputation as huge as his, it was inevitable that Jack would also be invited to appear on many other notable artists albums.
In 1972 he was part of the short lived incendiary trio that was West, Bruce, and Laing. He then worked with BLT, or Bruce, Lordan, and Trower. His working relationship with Robin Trower was revived last year for their Seven Moons album.
When his solo album Jet Set Jewel was shelved in 1978 due to problems with the record label it signalled a time of difficulty and change for Jack. Jet Set Jewel was destined not to see light of day until finally being released some twenty-five years later.
The next album appeared in 1980, I’ve Always Wanted To Do This and that brings us to this re-mastered re-release available on the Esoteric Recordings label. It was officially released as Jack Bruce And Friends.
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