Max Middleton
Land of Secrets
© 2003 Max Middleton/Real Life Ltd/RL2 Music (880892000421)
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Chill out jazz from the renowned Jeff Beck keyboards man - featuring Sade co-writer Martin Ditcham on percussion and long time Ronnie Scott sideman Dick Pearce on flugelhorn/trumpet.
tracks
- 1 Loco
- 2 Miles Away
- 3 Cherry Blossom Blue
- 4 Mr.Godsky
- 5 Blues on a Summer's Day
- 6 Cuban Nights
- 7 Land of Secrets
- 8 Bomba's Bar
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notes
The background history of Max Middleton's legendary keyboard work reads like a musician's who's who of the past four decades.
It begins in 1968 after a chance meeting with Cat Stevens and since that day his unique style of playing has found him in the company of Jeff Beck ....Beck, Bogart & Appice ....Hummingbirds ....Beatles producer George Martin on the film soundtrack of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ....Bee Gee's ....Peter Frampton ....Kate Bush ....John Martyn .... Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) ....Chris Rea and numerous others.
Amazingly 'Land of Secrets' is Max's first solo album features Sade writing collaborator Martin Ditcham on drums and percussion, Robert Ahwai on guitar, Sylvin Marc on bass, long time Ronnie Scott sideman Dick Pearce on flugelhorn/trumpet and RL-2 stable mates Maiuko and Maquenzie on backing vocals.
Sitting in the 'chill out jazz' genre 'Land of Secrets' was co-produced with Paul Lilly and finds Max honing his melodic style whilst immersing himself in the feels of the Caribbean, Africa and South America amongst others. This, blended with a contemporary jazz approach, gives an album that offers up plenty of ear candy on each listen.
reviews
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Great album!
author: BengalIf you're into jazz, jazzrock, fusion or anything similar, you'll love this album. I'd never heard about Max Middleton, until I listened to a Chris Rea album which had a very catchy piano solo on it. Checked out the performer's name: Max M. Searched the Internet for solo albums: voilà...Land of Secrets! From nowhere straight into my personal top 10 jazzy albums.
After all these years, Thank You!
author: David C.If you ever made a connection with Max Middleton during his stint with the Jeff Beck Group from the early '70's, with Hummingbird or on Beck's "Blow By Blow" and "Wired" recordings, then I highly recommend this CD to anyone as a long overdue, yet very, very welcome reintroduction to Max and his signature style of playing that is as extremely distinctive as any artist, in any era. On this CD, Max provides the listener with a muti-faceted array of, at times haunting, then mesmerizing, then atmospheric, then emotionally evocative, then melancholic electric and acoustic piano work that will literally have your breath taken away by the final note of the final song. He, and this CD are that good. Thank you, Max!
It's about time!
author: tobBeen waiting since "Hummingbird" and "Sleeper Catcher" to get more Max! Great sounds, songs, if you like the genre or any of his earlier work, you'll know it's Max! When will there be more????
Max Middleton will take you somewhere, anywhere you what to go.
author: HeyfronI have always loved Max Middleton's playing, from the first time I heard him with Jeff Beck. Always on the lookout for more material that has Max's mark on it. This is a real good CD, his Rhodes tone is top notch. It reminds me of an album which had a lot of Max on, an Annete Peacock album, which you should try find. I love to listen real hard to Max's playing, I just go somewhere else. This is a great CD!
- author: Steve
Well,I got this record solely because of an old Beck tune...I think it was from the "Rough and Ready" album.I got to thinking..hmmm....what ever happen to Max Middleton.I always dug that tone he got out of a Rhodes. He's still got that tone.It's a good listen.I hate to think it's gonna be classed in with that smooth jazz(I hate pigeon holes..) stuff.Cause it's more than that.Max is one fine musician and this record just proves it to me all over again.I'm liking this internet more when I can find old friends like this.
Ultra-fine piece of smooth well written and flawlessly played work.
author: E. CaldwellThis is an ultra-fine piece of smooth jazz style work with an international flavor. Highly enjoyable rhythms under expert keyboarding along with very subtle vocalizations make this CD the perfect soundtrack for viewing a spectacular summer sunset.
Keyboardist Max Middleton's work on this project truly offers a powerful musical
author: Sandy ShoreI would like to assign a copy of LAND OF SECRETS to every radio programmer out there who is programming 'Smooth Jazz' so as to serve as invaluable lesson on how an artist can stretch out while maintaining melodic beauty by combining pretty much all elements of the format(jazz, chill / downtempo, world, pop/rock). The first track is 11 minutes plus. That in of itself might send our radio friends into turmoil, considering that it's fashionably chic to come in at 3:30 these days. Keyboardist Max Middleton's work on this project truly offers a powerful musical experience, transporting the listener to exotic locales through moody soundscapes while showcasing his ultra cool keyboard vibe (Fender Rhodes + piano + keyboards). The smooth transport starts in South America with one of our favorite tracks on the CD, the pulsating and rhythmic, "Loco" and journeys to lands near and far such as Asia with the mysterious and enchanting "Cherry Blossom Blue", the Caribbean with the tobacco-tinged, and emotive"Cuban Nights". There are flavors of remote destinations, undiscovered drinking holes, and colorful characters with the help of cool instruments like the beat box, flugelhorn, and trumpet in addition to voice effects and searing guitar nuances. While LAND OF SECRETS is an easy listen, it's also a complex listen. Which means that you won't get bored as you'll discover something new on the album with each play. One of the cool cats - Max Middleton (played with Jeff Beck, Kate Bush, fellow Brits, The Bee Gees, Chris Rea and John Martyn) has brought serious experience to this new genre of chill out jazz, with a magic touch and adventurous spirit reminiscent of Bob James. -Sandy Shore
This reviewer's favourite album of the last 2 years!
author: Bruce StringerThe long-awaited solo album from Max Middleton holds some interesting surprises and is this reviewer’s favourite album of the last 2 years. For fans of Jeff Beck’s Blow By Blow this CD comes highly recommended, infusing jazz, Latin and reggae whilst retaining the wonderful Fender Rhodes playing that was the watermark on Jeff Beck’s fusion era. Not a moment of disappointment on this album and a wonder as to why Max didn’t offer a solo album earlier. Click on reviewer's website to read the full review.
Excellent songs with inventive grooves to compliment the tasty keyboards.
author: G. NelsonThis is a collection of 7 strong songs based around the bluesy/jazzy keyboards of Max Middleton. Each track is excellent in its own right by creating a soundscape which Mr. Middleton is able display his tasty playing. Various grooves, instruments and background vocals are utlized to wonderful effect in order to enhance each track. This is music that satisfies on both an intellectual and emotional level. Highly recommended.