EDDIE HARRIS — E.H. In The U.K. (review)

EDDIE HARRIS — E.H. In The U.K. album cover Album · 1974 · RnB Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
js
The restless and exploratory Eddie Harris was always willing to try out something new and different, and such was the case when he decided to go to England in the mid-70s to record “E.H. in the U.K.” with some of the top names in British rock at that time including Albert Lee, Jeff Beck, Alan White, Stevie Winwood, Raymond “Boz” Burrell, Ian Paice and many more. Unfortunately, despite such an all-star cast, the results on here are mixed. Some cuts are OK, but most of the songs sound like the rock musicians are being a bit shy and holding back and the straight forward RnB/rock instrumentals Eddie provided don’t ever get a chance to take off.

The best cuts include “Wait a Little Longer” and “I’ve tried Everything” which sound like classic Harris instrumentals, but with more of a rock feel in the rhythm. Tony Kaye’s slightly out of tune Moog lends an interesting exotic flavor to the melody on “I Waited for You”. On “He’s Island Man” the band fumbles with a reggae rhythm to no avail. It sounds like drummer Ian Paice more or less has the island beat down, but bassist Raymond “Boz” Burrel is playing the bass line in a syncopated RnB style which totally turns the beat around. This one is a small disaster and was possibly included on the album due to Harris’ laissez-faire attitude and sense of humor.

On album closer “Conversations of Everything and Nothing”, the anticipated mid 70s style free jazz-rock jam attempts to go down, but it takes a long time for the musicians to settle and get anything going. The song opens with endless electronic noodling from Harris and most of the members of Yes, Chris Squire stubbornly attempts to start a groove but Alan White ignores him and goes into an extended drum solo while the others frantically noodle away and so on. Eventually they settle on a beat and Squire lays down a hard bass line while Eddie Harris channels Miles Davis’ rock style on the trumpet. Harris’ playing is so ‘Miles like’ that you have to wonder, given his sense of humor, if this isn’t a bit of a tongue -in-cheek spoof.

This isn’t a great album, but for those who like odd collectables, its hard to pass up Eddie Harris 'Running the Voodoo Down’ with the members of Yes, who would have thunk it.
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