Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival 1983 captures a rare meeting of two different musical worlds: on one side is the legendary arranger and pianist Gil Evans, one of the most important innovators of modern jazz, and on the other side is RMS (Ray Russell, Mo Foster and Simon Phillips), a British fusion trio that represented the dynamic and electric aesthetic of the early 80s. This performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival was recorded in 1983 and released years later on DVD, constituting a valuable document for jazz fusion fans.

From the first minutes it becomes clear that the chemistry of the musicians is based more on interaction than on the display of virtuosity, although the latter is in abundance. Guitarist Ray Russell moves effortlessly between fusion, rock and avant-garde, while Mo Foster delivers solid, melodic basslines. Behind the drums, the then-young Simon Phillips proves why he was considered one of the leading drummers of his generation, with technical precision and a sense of groove.

Gil Evans’ presence transforms the material. Rather than dominating, he chooses to act as a catalyst, adding characteristic harmonies and atmospheric interventions on the Fender Rhodes. When he participates in the arrangements of Jimi Hendrix’s “Stone Free” and “Little Wing”, the result acquires greater depth and lyricism, highlighting Evans’ long-standing relationship with Hendrix’s music. Accordingly, his own composition “Gone” is one of the most inspired moments of the concert, where orchestral development and improvisations are ideally balanced.

RMS’ original compositions, such as “Broadway Rundown”, “Hoover The Duvet” and “Juna The Last”, capture the sound of the era: electric guitars, intense rhythms, synthesizers and a fusion aesthetic that today sounds nostalgic but still retains its vitality and enthusiasm. The addition of wind instruments, with Mark Isham, Henry Lowther, Malcolm Griffiths and Ronnie Asprey, enriches the sonic palette and gives the orchestrations greater complexity.

The DVD image naturally betrays the age of the production, with low lighting and a limited television aesthetic of the early 1980s. However, the historical importance of the recording outweighs the technical shortcomings, as this is one of the few available audiovisual testimonies of this special collaboration.

Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival 1983 is not just a concert; it is a snapshot of an era when jazz fusion was seeking new directions and Gil Evans continued to prove that he could transform any musical environment with his unique aesthetic. It is not only addressed to Evans’ fanatical friends, but also to those who love the electric fusion of the early 80s and want to discover a collaboration that never received the recognition it deserved.

A historic live with exceptional musicians, inspiring moments and a unique meeting of Gil Evans’ lyrical orchestral thinking with the explosive energy of RMS.

Through this exceptional live album I select the track “So Far Away”.

Tracklist

1. Broadway Rundown 6:05
2. First Love 5:25
3. The Whole Of Tomorrow 5:11
4. So Far Away 4:55
5. Hoover The Duvet 15:12
6. Stone Free 19:31
7. Little Wing 10:22
8. Gone 18:35
9. Juna The Last 9:20