GINGER BAKER & AFRICAN FRIENDS - Live in Berlin, 78, CD

Ginger Baker is probably best known as the drummer with British rock band Cream and also Blind Faith. Despite being hailed as The Greatest Rock Drummer he actually dislikes the title preferring the title "jazz drummer".

Following his tenure with a number of jazz bands in the late fifties and early sixties his career really took off commercially when he joined the Graham Bond Organisation. From here he formed Cream along with fellow Bond Organisation bassist Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton guitarist with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Cream were an instant hit particularly in America were they sealed their reputation with extensive touring and the release of the albums Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire. Following the split with Cream Ginger formed Blind Faith along with Eric Clapton Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. Once again the band enjoyed huge commercial success and played one massively attended open air gig in London's Hyde Park in June 1969. Following this gig the band released their only studio album the self titled Blind Faith before embarking on a successful American tour.

Ginger's next musical stop was his own band Ginger Baker's Airforce who released two albums of part studio part live recordings.

Following the breakup of airforce in early 1971 Ginger moved to Africa and built his own recording studio in Nigeria. At this point musically however Ginger was incredibly prolific working with Fela Ransome Kuti and also his own band Salt. He also recorded his own solo album Stratavarious. In 1974 Ginger returned to rock music with the Baker Gurvitz Army who over the next two years produced three studio albums and toured extensively.

In November 1978 after a short period setting up his own Polo Club (something that still interests Ginger to this day) Ginger found himself in Berlin for a concert with his old friend Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Africa 70 at the Berlin Jazzfest.

The three tracks contained on this album are a magnificent blend of styles and one which went down exceedingly well with the audience although best described as a jam the music is never boring or self indulgent. This high quality recording is a fine testament to the pairing of Fela and Africa 70 and Ginger Baker and captures a real moment in time where the language is music and the currency is virtuosity.