When Horacee Arnold’s Tales of the Exonerated Flea
came out, I was still reading Downbeat, and a positive review piqued my
interest. Whenever I listen to it, I’m amazed that it’s not better known. With Jan
Hammer, Rick Laird, Ralph Towner, John Abercrombie, Sonny Fortune, Dom Um Romao,
David Friedman, Clint Houston, and George Mraz on board, all driven by their drummer-leader,
it’s a cross-section of Seventies fusion jazz at its best. Tales is a forgotten
classic that should be better known. Check out Sing Nightjar and Chinnereth
II and you’ll see what I mean. Happily,
Horacee Arnold is still active in the music world, and planning a reimagining
of Tales. I’m in!
Here's Sing Nightjar...
...and Chinnereth II.
