Artist: Steve Khan / Eyewitness - Album: Eyewitness
Steve Khan is a guitarist with considerable chops, but instead of showing off his technique, he has an open style that seems to play with air. His spacious approach leaves a lot of room for the amazing live-in-the-studio interplay of Anthony Jackson on bass, Steve Jordan on drums and Manolo Badrena on percussion to shine. When Khan cuts loose, it is beautifully fluid. These guys play in the land of there are no “wrong” notes when they stretch out. Each track is an impressive free-for-all held down by melodically interesting lines.
The self-titled debut Eyewitness album came out in 1981, and the equally fine Casa Loco came out in 1983, both on the Antilles label. Of the tracks on the debut that slay me, I love “Guy Lafleur,” which shines with lovely solo stretches and the strangely subdued, but hard-grooving “Auxiliary Police.” I’ve also included the title track from Casa Loco, which I licensed for a 2-CD fusion collection for Rhino back in the 90’s.
If you like bands like Weather Report and The Police, then this should fit a sweet spot. Of note is Khan’s consistent use of art of Jean-Michel Folon for the cover work
Eyewitness - “Guy Lafleur” from Eyewitness
Eyewitness - “Dr. Slump” from Eyewitness
Eyewitness - “Auxiliary Police” from Eyewitness
Eyewitness - “Casa Loco” from Casa Loco