Reviews of our releases...

Spring 2007 -- Alternity Records brings you some of the most important recorded contemporary music as a compelling alternative to the clueless corporate label mainstream! If you don't believe it--read our reviews!
Click on the below covers to see what critics and fans have written about:

SOME ALTERNITY RECORDS REVIEW HIGHTLIGHTS:

Critics applaud Gary Husband's landmark solo piano work, A Meeting of Spirits: Interpretations of the music of John McLaughlin:

“More than an homage to a gifted artist, this is a highly personal, highly impressionistic effort to capture the spirit of John McLaughlin in a way that communicates what his personal legacy means to Gary Husband… While it’s a nice idea to do tribute to a musician as gifted as McLaughlin, it is in this case not a reason to buy the album. Simply put Gary Husband is an artist of considerable talent himself, and that is reason enough.” -- Steve Jankowsi / JAZZ IMPROV QUARTERLY - Winter 2007 Issue

"Arranging material such as 'The Dance of Maya' and 'Celestial Terrestrial Commuters' for piano, given the tumultuous power of the original quintet recordings, is some feat, but
one which Husband's prodigious keyboard technique (somewhat overshadowed by his prowess on drums over the years) enables him to pull off with considerable aplomb. Interspersing McLaughlin material with his own (often brief) reflections, Husband manages to catch the spirit of the great guitarist, particularly his fierce, slightly edgy joyousness and controlled passion, extremely well. The grace and fire of McLaughlin have thus been decanted without noticeable dilution into Husband's vigorous, pleasingly garrulous piano versions..." Recommended! --Chris Parker / March 2007 / (Jazzwise / Ronnie Scott's)

Keyboard Magazine Raves about Jason Smith's Think Like This:

"This superb jazz trio record is the brainchild of drummer Jason Smith who teams with the exceptionally talented Gary Husband and Dave Carpenter... Husband’s chops verge on the ridiculous... his piano work is classy and elegant with just the right amount of bravado and daring to paint outside of the lines. Much praise to Smith for not just gathering a great trio but for laying down such a tasteful foundation on the drums. This may be Smith’s first solo album but with such high quality performance and musicality, it surely won’t be his last. (Alternity) - - Robbie Gennet

Allan Holdsworth - Against The Clock :

ProgressiveWorld.net -- "All the tunes are great and the only true description of this album is "best of" artist, "best of" class. He definitely earns the distinction of magna cum laude among his musical peers.... If Allan's trying to meet a deadline, he's really in no hurry to do so as this collection takes a little more than two hours to traverse. It happens over the course of 26 separate topics, most around the four or five minute range... The pieces sound fresh, youthful, and refined. They don't appear to be rushed and I didn't check the time once while it was playing..."

Rich Murray / The Guitar Channel :
"I would highly recommend this album to people who are new to Holdsworth's music, but also to existing fans. This is a tremendous collection of music from, arguably, the greatist guitartist ever."

THEN! - The Allan Holdsworth Group Live

eermusic.com:
Holdsworth's THEN! on the Alternity label is playing now and I must say this is definite must-have!! Just to hear Zones I, II and III is worth the buy as these compositions are totally live improv and boy do these cats let it rip. The other 6 tracks smoke too -- sheesh, and they sound this superb live!! -- oh how this makes me want to nail my guitar case shut and pack it away for another decade!

fretplay.com:
What's unique about this record are alternate arrangements, its audiophile recording quality, and particularly the three improv pieces or "Zones" featuring Holdsworth blistering and growling on a huge baritone electric guitar. This album captures a 1990 performance when Holdsworth toured with one of the world's most talented electric jazz quartets, including master drummer Gary Husband, bassist Jimmy Johnson, and keyboardist Steve Hunt (Stanley Clarke/Mahavishnu Project). Some of Holdsworth's solos on this record are unforgettable... the interplay between the band members is at once loose and locked in. This is instrumental rock, jazz, fusion--call it what you will, but Holdsworth has an approach to the guitar and sound that is one of the most revolutionary of all time.

RIPTYDE: Sonic Undertow

allaboutjazz.com:
"Holdsworth somehow manages to alter the complexion of the artists' compositions, making them fit within his universe. And the same can be said about his contributions to Sonic Undertow ; whenever he solos his personality is indelibly stamped, not just through the notes he plays, but in the way they alter the context of what surrounds them. "Sonic Undertow will be a treat for fans of progressive music who believe that the genre didn't peak and end in the '70s. Clearly there is room for modern cross-genre experimentation in a more advanced context, a concept that Hoard clearly understands. "

amazon.com:
Allan Holdsworth Average Customer Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars Release Date:
September 9, 2003 ... Riptyde , with special guest Allan Holdsworth...

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