BILL CONNORS - Of Mist and Melting (1977) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A beautiful session by the ever searching guitarist Bill Connors - showing part of the musical direction that Connors first took after leaving Chick Corea's first jazz-rock incarnation of the "Return To Forever" band (following the departure of vocalist Flora Purim - due to legal problems, her husband percussionist Airto Moreira, and saxophonist/flautist Joseph "Joe Farrell" Firrantello from the earlier latin-jazz "Return To Forever" band). The intense, lyrical, and introspective Bill Connors' originals on the "Of Mist And Melting" session continued to show his great talents as a composer - compositions which bassist Gary Peacock both praised and also used in his jazz composition classes and workshops following his return to Seattle, Washington after recording the session in December of 1977. Note: the piece "Melting" is also known under the title of "Spanish Flames" from live Bill Connors / James "Jimmy" Giuffre duet performances. by Martin Totusek
Tracklist:
1 Melting 11:31
Bill Connors
2 Not Forgetting 6:30
Bill Connors
3 Face In The Water 3:25
Bill Connors
4 Aubade 9:36
Bill Connors
5 Café Vue 5:37
Bill Connors
6 Unending 7:33
Bill Connors
Credits:
Bass – Gary Peacock
Composed By – Bill Connors
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar – Bill Connors
Saxophone – Jan Garbarek

BILL CONNORS - Swimming with a Hole in My Body (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:

1 Feet First 6:14

2 Wade 3:29

3 Sing And Swim 4:41

4 Frog Stroke 5:14

5 Surrender To The Water 10:44

6 Survive 2:11

7 With Strings Attached 2:54

8 Breath 7:28

Credits:

Composed By – Bill Connors

BILL CONNORS - Step It (1985-1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This session accented the funk/R&B and rock elements of Connors' arsenal; the eight selections were dominated both by drummer Dave Weckl's prominent backbeats and Connors' riffs and dashing licks, as well as catchy hooks, progressions, and patterns from bassist Tom Kennedy. Such songs as "A Pedal," "Brody," and the title cut weren't melodically sophisticated, but had a bass-heavy structure and quick, animated solos. Although the date is a bit old, its qualities prove a perfect fit on several new adult contemporary and lite-jazz outlets.

Another essential CD for Bill Connors (ex-Return To Forever) fans is "Step It!", which offers prime examples of fluid, legato guitar in a Coltrane-meets-Hendrix, fusion context. Not only is Connors a silky smooth lead player, but his rhythm work is particularly intricate and inspiring. Bassist Tom Kennedy and drummer Dave Weckl also stand out - Kennedy with his poly-rhythmic stylings and Weckl with his energy, feel and panache. Produced by guitarist Steve Khan (who guest solos on "Twinkle"), "Step It!" is a super companion disc to Double Up, and also a great introduction to the work of Connors for the uninitiated. Remarkable fusion from a pioneer who can still deliver excellence. 

Tracklist: 

1. Lydia (3:35)

2. A Pedal (8:48)

3. Step It (4:33)

4. Cookies (4:46)

5. Brody (4:15)

6. Twinkle (5:58)

7. Titan (6:37)

8. Flickering Lights (5:07)

Total Time 78:12

Line-up / Musicians

- Bill Connors / guitar

- Dave Weckl / drums

- Tom Kennedy / bass

- Steve Khan / guitar (6)

BILL CONNORS - Double Up (1986-1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Bill Connors has forged a successful career by mixing light, pop-oriented fusion cuts with more ambitious works that showcase his considerable solo abilities and compositional skills. This was a trio date with Connors (who doubled as producer) playing in an introspective vein, showing his funk and rock side, and then playing with more imagination and style. The playing time was quite short (35 minutes-plus), but there was enough of Connors' guitar work presented to satisfy his fans and fusion/pop/light jazz followers. by Ron Wynn

Tracklist:

1 Subtracks 4:58

2 Tud 5:30

3 Floor To Floor 6:40

4 Crunchy Cuts Up 5:45

5 Long Distance 5:53

6 Out By Twelve 6:39

Credits:

Composed By – Bill Connors

Drums – Kim Plainfield

Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy 

Producer, Guitar – Bill Connors

BILL CONNORS - Assembler (1987-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jazz fusion guitar fans will recognize Connors as that blazingly explosive and technically precise legato guitarist in Return to Forever who left after one release to pursue a quieter acoustic guitar path. Connors has always been ranked in the upper echelons of fine fusion axe-men. Yet the guitar releases from Connors have come slowly and been severely underappreciated. After leaving Return to Forever, Connors released three excellent acoustic albums in the '70s, did some work with Stanley Clarke on Clarke's solo releases, and played with the Jan Garbarek Group. Connors then returned to releasing hard-hitting yet elegantly soulful electric fusion guitar albums in the '80s. They comprised a shorter, LP -length format, offering sonic snippets of Connors' electric visions. Comparisons can easily be made between this release's guitar stylings and those of Allan Holdsworth. This is not surprising, as Holdsworth has always sought that horn sound and flow of John Coltrane, and Connors, too, idolizes Coltrane. Convergent evolution perhaps? Connors has more of a rocking and visceral, edgy attack than Holdsworth. His legato phrasing is totally different, as well as his guitar voicings. Connors also has a lean funky, syncopated groove going on in his compositions; he demonstrates he is a guitarists' guitarist with evident passion for his instrument. Assembler marked the final electrified release of this fusion CD offering of the '80s. Assembler saw an initial 1987 release and then this 1994 re-release on the Evidence label. by John W. Patterson  
Tracklist:
1 Crunchy  3:29
Bill Connors
2 Sea Coy 5:39
Bill Connors
3 Get It to Go 5:10
Bill Connors
4 Assembler 5:07
Bill Connors
5 Add Eleven 6:12
Bill Connors
6 Tell It to the Boss 7:02
Bill Connors
7 It Be FM 5:39
Bill Connors
Credits:

Composed By – Bill Connors
Drums – Kim Plainfield
Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy
Guitar – Bill Connors