This album features the pioneer fusion guitarist
Larry Coryell with quite an all-star group. Two selections match
Coryell with fellow guitarist
John McLaughlin, bassist
Miroslav Vitous (doubling on cello) and drummer
Billy Cobham, all important fusion players at the time. "Rene's Theme" is a guitar duet with
McLaughlin, while "Gloria's Steps" (a
Scott LaFaro composition) has
Coryell,
Vitous and
Cobham jamming as a trio.
Chick Corea sits in on electric keyboard for "Chris," and the 20-second closer ("New Year's Day in Los Angeles -- 1968") finds
Coryell playing alone. Overall, the music has its energetic moments, but also contains some lyricism often lacking in fusion of the mid-'70s. In addition, all of the musicians already had their own original voices, making
Spaces a stimulating album worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow