If you’ve ever leaped off The Cliffs of Dover, not literally but musically, you may know that one Eric Johnson was mastermind behind that tune and many others like it, a great fusion of jazz, rock, and blues. I’ve always been a fan of Fusion and Eric is one of the great ones.  However before he was too young to know better, 15 or 16 years old, he cut his teeth with drummer  Vince Mariani, who actually had his own equipment and band aptly titled Mariani.   It, like the wine, was fine!.. Coming out with this one great album in 1970.

     Along with bass/vocalist Jay Podolnick, Eric and the men recorded one mean-ass blues inspired, hard rock gem that fans of E.J. might or might not like.  This ain’t fusion, this ain’t acoustic and this damn sure ROCKS!, though it does lag in spots. You can hear the young Eric rock out, but at the same time notice, even at this young age, he was destined for greatness, especially on the Hendrix-y live cuts on the bonus CD version.  I think he might be singing on some of it too… If it’s even from the same time period that is..

     If you like Cactus, Jeff Beck Group, Faces or Cream, you’ll definitely dig on this album from back in the days when men were men and Eric was with them!.. Put it in your pipe and smoke it!!....Too hot to vape!!!