Bozzio Levin Stevens

Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome - 1997 - Magna Carta Records

This power trio has famous roots, and they've brought it all together masterfully. First cut "The Sun Road" starts off like a tune off of David Gilmour's first solo album and then vanishes into a driving, power-chorded surge of soulful rock. Next, "Dark Corners" is a massive rocker that pulls you under its powerful whirlpool of guitar/bass/drum frenzy. Stevens tortures the guitar into absolute submission without any predictable riffs. Levin looms everywhere, and Bozzio flows in a polyrhythmic jungle. Fine interactive tension and execution everywhere. This goes way beyond King Crimson's Red days. "Duende" opens with flamenco guitar firebursts, and slowly builds into a decent Spanish-flavored piece. Not my favorite, but well done. The title cut, "Black Light Syndrome," is obviously a play on "Bozzio Levin Stevens." It is a slower-paced dirge and filled to the brim with a variety of well-executed riffs, basslines, and drum tech. "Falling in Circles" is an early Floydscape dotted with Ronnie Montrose leads, a ballad of driving determination and resolve. Floods of Satriani, Wishbone Ash, Alvin Lee, Fripp, Buck Dharma, and even that Duane Allman tone. "Book of Hours" took me right back to Wheels of Fire's "Pressed Rat and Warthog," rainy-day dreamy afternoons with a fresh pot of designer coffee. Levin, Bozzio, and Stevens play off of one another precisely as one mind. On the last cut, "Chaos/Control," you hear that "E7 breakdown" from Hendrix's "Midnight" on War Heroes, and then a jazzy boogie in classic Frank Marino style is laid down. Stevens is a guitarist with a wide range of dynamics. © John W. Patterson © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/black-light-syndrome-mw0000024495

A powerful progressive rock album from three of the greatest musicians in the rock/fusion genre. Listen to the trio's "Situation Dangerous" album [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 148 Mb]

TRACKS

1.The Sun Road 14:39
2.Dark Corners 8:32
3.Duende 7:26
4.Black Light Syndrome 8:45
5.Falling in Circles 9:08
6.Book of Hours 9:42
7.Chaos/Control 8:48

All tracks composed by Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin and Steve Stevens

MUSICIANS

Steve Stevens - Guitar
Tony Levin - Bass, Chapman Stick
Terry Bozzio - Drums

BIO

One of the more interesting bands to emerge on the Magna Carta label (a record co that specializes primarily in prog rock artists, especially collaborations/supergroups) is the aptly named Bozzio Levin Stevens. Featuring three players who many feel are at the top of their respective instruments in the rock world (drummer Terry Bozzio, bassist Tony Levin, and guitarist Steve Stevens), each member possesses quite a storied history. Bozzio first came to attention of rock fans as the drummer for Frank Zappa (appearing on such ‘70s-era classics as Zoot Allures, Zappa in New York, Sheik Yerbouti, etc.), before becoming a founding member of new wavers The Missing Persons, and a much sought after session man. Levin on the other hand, is primarily known as a session man (having played on such renowned albums as Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years, John Lennon's Double Fantasy, Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms, etc.), but he's also been a long-standing member of Peter Gabriel's backing band, and was a member of King Crimson for an extended period as well. Like the others, Stevens has balanced his career between being a full time member of rock groups (he's best known as Billy Idol's right hand man on his best known albums, Billy Idol, Rebel Yell, and Whiplash Smile, as well as briefly working with Vince Neil), as well as session work (Michael Jackson's Bad, a Grammy award for his work on the Top Gun movie soundtrack, etc.). Never ones to pass on an opportunity to show off their immense instrumental prowess, the trio jumped at the chance to unite together and shred away. 1997 saw the release of the trio's debut album, Black Light Syndrome, which left prog rockers frothing at the mouth (especially since nearly all of the album's seven tracks either came close to reaching the ten minute mark). A supporting tour didn't happen, due to scheduling conflicts, but three years later, a sophomore effort was released, 2000's Situation Dangerous (an album that took only 14 days to record). It's anyone's guess as to when the trio will get around to issuing another recording -- as all three continue to have quite demanding recording schedules. © Greg Prato © 2012 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bozzio-levin-stevens-mn0000096373