NEW LIFE TRIO – Visions Of The Third Eye (LP-1979)

Label: Mustevic Sound – MS 6001

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: US / Released: 1979

Style: Soul-Jazz, Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz

Recorded at Tin Pan Hollow Studios, Putney, Vermont, December 6, 1978.

Engineer [Recording] – Bill Shaw

Photography By – Ed Lawton

Producer – Bill Stanback, John Sprague Jr.

Written-By – Brandon Ross (tracks: A1, A3, B2, B3)

                      David Wertman (tracks: A2, B1, B3)

                      Steve Reid (track B3)

A1 - Empty Streets . . . . . 2:02

A2 - Egypt Rock . . . . . 8:13

A3 - Sculpture . . . . . 10:48

B1 - Chinese Rock . . . . . 12:21

B2 - Prelude To Grace . . . . . 4:56

B3 - Love Cipher . . . . . 2:23

BRANDON ROSS – guitar

DAVID WERTMAN – bass

STEVE REID – drums, percussion


A lesser-known set from groundbreaking drummer Steve Reid – issued on his Mustevic Sound label after the classic Rhythmatism and Nova sets! Reid's playing here with the New Life trio – a group that features his drum work next to the guitar of Brandon Ross and heavy bass of David Wertman – who'd done some great work of his own for the same label. The tunes have a very rhythmic pulse – especially the bass and drum work – and the guitar seems to move around the top of the tunes, almost of its own accord. Titles include "Chinese Rock", "Egypt Rock", "Empty Streets", "Sculpture", and "Love Cipher". 

(Dusty Groove, Inc.)

Listen to the opening song "Empty Streets" which seems more like a memory of a song than a song itself. it's incredibly beautiful. written by Brandon Ross, who also sings beautifully on it.

If you find it, buy this album!