Fresh Aire - Mannheim Steamroller on sale BOX 119

ONe of 27 releases by American Gramophone Records. THis is the first digital release (CD) from 1985 ( first release on LP was 1975) This is the beginning of a long iine of fresh aire releases over the years.
CASE : Light - medium shelf wear
ART Pristine
CD VG+ one mark BOX 119

A harbinger of the new age movement, Mannheim Steamroller's debut is a unique mix of light classical piano music, progressive rock, and medieval songs. Composer Chip Davis breaks the album into 12 semi-classical structures (sonatas, interludes, even a disguised passacaglia) that match up to the seasons, rendering Fresh Aire a concept album about nature and life. Most of the music is played by Jackson Berkey, dubbing piano, harpsichord, and synthesizers atop one another with a minimal rhythm section from Davis and Eric Hansen. At its spaciest, Fresh Aire sounds like Keith Emerson or Camel; when the band's in a medieval mood, Gentle Giant (notably "Talybont") comes to mind. Audiophiles took a real shine to Mannheim Steamroller, both for the superior album packaging and the clean sound (if memory serves, American Gramaphone used to charge on the high side for their LPs). As CD technology was on sale introduced, the Fresh Aire series was reissued and became a popular demo for its inoffensive high-mindedness as much as its dynamic range. While sections of Fresh Aire are very pretty, the frequent interludes cost the album its momentum (and are a full half of the months really sad?). When Mannheim Steamroller cuts loose -- as on "Rondo," "Chocolate Fudge," and "Saras Band" -- they're a hoot. The solo piano passages are all right, but listeners would do better to turn to budding ambient composers (Brian Eno), electronic acts (Tangerine Dream), and the original masters (Claude Debussy, Sergei Rachmaninoff) themselves. Then again, a mix of medieval prog and mawkish piano melodies might be just what you're looking for. DAVE CONNOLLY

Tracklist
Medley4:23
Prelude
Chocolate Fudge
Interlude I2:50
Sonata2:26
Interlude II2:29
Saras Band3:43
Fresh Aire5:27
Rondo2:33
Interlude III2:31
Pass The Keg (Lia)2:27
Interlude IV2:05
Mist1:45