Jade Warrior - Jade Warrior (1971/2004 Remastered Mini Gatefold Sleeve Edition)
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Album: Jade Warrior - Jade Warrior (Remastered Mini Gatefold Sleeve Edition)
Released: 1971 (2004)
Genre: Progressive Rock
Vertigo/Repertoire Records - REPUK 1019
Welcome reissue for the debut album from this UK progressive rock band who grew out of the UK '60s psych band July.Originally on Vertigo it Mixed ripping fuzz guitar with flute, and exotic funky percussion it's an atmospheric debut that ranges from dreamy relaxing passages through to all freaky acid rock. Great album now housed in a mini gatefold card sleeve replicating the original artwork that also contains an insert. - Re-issue Description
One of the most original of the British progressives, Jade Warrior were one of the first bands to incorporate "world" elements into their unique sound. - ProgressiveRock.com
The music of Jade Warrior is somewhat difficult to describe. It doesn't fit conveniently into any one of the categories into which people tend to pigeonhole music... or into any two or three categories, really. That's one of the little difficulties of being a Jade Warrior fan - it's hard to explain to people just why the group's music is so fascinating. That's probably also part of why they've gotten so little airplay or recognition - they just don't "fit" in a music industry dedicated to turning out more and more "product".
Among the influences you'll hear in various aspects of Jade Warrior's music are rock, jazz, Latin, Japanese, African, ambient, and the kitchen sink (almost literally - there are spoons and an empty whiskey bottle in there somewhere!) It's often melodically simple, and rhythmically complex... or vice versa. It tends to have a characteristic sound... which changes to something completely different at the drop of a hat. It's subtle, quiet, lurking around back where you can just barely hear it... and then it leaps forward and stomps flaming circles around you. It's layered, complex, involved, inter-woven... and as pellucidly clear as a calm ocean lagoon. It originated in the heads of two guys who wanted to express their own private sense of music, not thinking that anyone else would ever be interested in it... and it's fascinated fans of the group for decades.
Sounds intriguing? I hope so. They've been making music like this for over 20 years. They've broken a lot of ground, and lead the way for much of the "world music" that's become popular in the past few years. They've made albums which are critically acknowledged as being years ahead of their time. Almost nobody has ever heard of them. - The Friends of Jade Warrior home page
Jade Warrior was (and is) an enigmatic and unique band with an uncategorizable sound that evolved over a lengthy career going through several different phases. Core members Tony Duhig (guitar) and Jon Field (percussionist/flute) had worked together in the late sixties in a psychedelic band called July. After July called it a day, the two worked together on various studio-based musical projects that ultimately led to Jade Warrior Mark 1, then joined by Glyn Havard (bass & vocals). The first album Jade Warrior from 1970 is a powerful opening statement, about half instrumental and half vocal, the songs cover a variety of ground but generally employ a rock base fused with world influences, with Field's flute and Duhig's non- standard guitar tuning - as well as the lack of a regular drum kit (mostly hand drums, bells and other percussion are used) giving their sound a character unlike any other. The dynamic shifts between loud and quiet passages would also be a trademark of their sound throughout their career. Some tracks are a bit more introspective and cerebral (for example "Masai Morning", "Wind Weaver" and "Slow Ride"), while others are more basic rock songs ("Petunia", "Psychiatric Sergeant", and "Telephone Girl") although these are affected by their unique style... - Gnosis Ratings
Another British legend, Jade Warrior were a very unique trio that transcended the boundaries of progressive music with a string of LPs for Vertigo and later Island in the seventies. Their Vertigo albums Jade Warrior, Released and Last Autumn's Dream were all very Oriental sounding in a way (as were the covers) and combined this influence in a rock setting. They don't really have any drums per se (except on the latter two) and instead put forth an interesting music full of flutes and fuzz guitars and a unique song style...
...Jade Warrior had three very different phases. The first, which includes the first three albums (plus the Reflections compilation of early material), could be thought of as east-asian and jazz-influenced folk-rock, with some fiery guitar outbursts and strong presence of flute. JW is the most dynamic of the three, alternating between rougher fuzz-guitar based tracks and quiet spacy instrumental passages, reminiscent at times of very early Jethro Tull, but without drums. At that point the band was a trio of Jon Field (flute and percussion), Glyn Havard (bass and vocals) and Tony Duhig (guitar)... - New Gibraltar Encyclopedia Of Progressive Rock
This is Jade Warrior's first release from 1971. It was dismissed by most critics as a not commercially viable record. The original recording was carried on Vertigo, this record did sell as a slow sell. Reality is, it is late 60's early 70's MAGIC! Jade Warrior were in uncharted waters and because the focus of the band at that time was on the electric guitar and Flute, they were always compared to Jethro Tull.
The Traveller is the openning track and takes the listener into a calm mystical place- reminiscent of the psychedelic movement of the 60's, but NOT as cliche. The re-master FINALLY got the mix correct! Fuller bass and balanced sound.
After Traveller, they travel into some more potentially commercial pieces on the record like Telephone Girl and Petunia, but head back to exquiste space with pieces like Dragonfly Day.
Jade Warrior influenced many a "new-ager" in their career. It is because of this that this is a monumental recording. I pedrsonally feel the 1st album captures the best from the "Tullish" period of the band. Please keep in mind the record was released in 1971. It still sound excellent today. Exquisite Spin! - Music cd reviews of Jade Warrior - Jade Warrior
Jade Warrior was one of the most original and unusual progressive rock bands to come from Britain in the early 70's. They combined strong ethnic influences (mostly from Chinese/Japanese culture) with progressive rock that ranged from heavy, flute-driven Tull-like riffs to peaceful and atmospheric parts. The main musicians in the band were Tony Duhig on guitar and Jon Field, who contributed with flute and lots of ethnic percussion. Especially the first side on their self-titled debut showcased their originality very well. The three-part "Masai Morning" is an orgy of ethnic percussion and very fuzzed and heavy riffs played on guitar and flute. But Duhig's distinctive sound on the guitar is actually best heard on the more quiet songs, like "The Traveller" and "Dragonfly Day". "A Prenormal Day at Brighton" is structurally a quite straightforward, flute driven heavy-prog tune, but the band manages to integrate their ethnic influences into even this one. The second side is a bit more basic but still good, although I don't care too much for the the stripped-down blues of "Petunia". The hard rock of "Telephone Girl" is better, and one of the best known tunes here. "Psychiatric Sergeant" has some cool jazzy flute, and the two last tracks are quiet pieces with more of the band's ethnic influences. A unique and strong debut that clearly showcased what an original and creative band Jade Warrior was. - VintageProg.com
1. Traveller (2-40)
2. Prenormal Day At Brighton (2-45)
3. Masai Morning (6-44)
4. Windweaver (3-43)
5. Dragonfly Day (7-45)
6. Petunia (4-46)
7. Telephone Girl (4-54)
8. Psychiatric Sergeant (3-08)
9. Slow Ride (2-36)
10. Sundial Song (5-08)
Tony Duhig - Guitars
Jon Field - Percussion, Flutes
Glyn Havard - Bass, Vocals
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