Brian Auger: Voices of Other Times

The latest incarnation of Brian Auger’s enduring retro-rockin’ soul band Oblivion Express is something of a family affair. On Voices of Other Times (Miramar 23152; 63:31) the keyboardist who played with Rod Stewart back when he was “Rod the Mod,” is joined by his son, Karma, on drums, and his daughter, Savannah, on vocals, as well as bassist Dan Lutz and guitarist Chris Clarmont. The sound and sentiment of the ’60s arrives intact, with kickoff tune “It Burns Me Up” setting the tone with a retro-funk squishy keyboard feel and “the only religion is love” lyric, delivered in a nice, bluesy vocal style by Savannah. There are more smooth-jazz/pop-type confections here as well (like the dreamy love song “Soul Glow”), but this band’s bread and butter is in funk fusion-the wicked, tricky-timed “Jam Side Down,” showing off Oblivion’s rhythm section, is a prime example. Jazz pianist Victor Feldman is the inspiration for another standout track, “Victor’s Delight”-a world beat percussive romp which lets papa Brian stretch and wail on an ultra-fleet, speedy tin-jazz piano solo.

Originally Published November 1, 2000