Esoteric Recordings begin a series of releases drawn from TODD RUNDGREN's extensive archive of recordings with the first stand- alone CD release of the DISCO JETS project, recorded in 1976 by TODD and his group UTOPIA, featuring JOHN SIEGLER (Bass, Vocals), ROGER POWELL (Keyboards, Vocals) and WILLIE WILCOX (Drums). The DISCO JETS sessions took place at Bearsville studios shortly after the release of TODD's Faithful album and was a purely instrumental affair recorded tongue in cheek with sights firmly set upon the current trends of the time such as the US Bi-Centennial celebrations, Disco music, Science Fiction movies such as STAR WARS and the CB Radio fad. Featuring some memorable soloing from RUNDGREN and POWELL, the impressive 'SPACE WAR' and the memorable cover of the 'STAR TREK' theme, the DISCO JETS project would languish in the vaults for several decades before appearing as part of a Japanese only compilation, now long deleted. The ESOTERIC RECORDINGS release of DISCO JETS has been newly re-mastered from the master tapes and is sure to appeal to all TODD RUNDGREN and UTOPIA aficionados.
B**N
Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Never Released until now!
Strange enough? If you have never heard these songs it is something I had totally missed all these years ( because they were never released). Always happy to see Todd and Utopia releases but definitely not my favorite. If you are a fan you will buy it just like I did and the Cherry Red remasters are really excellent quality. The major record companies did a very poor job in the past of mastering CD's that's why everyone paid the price for the imports. If your going to enjoy digital music then you need a good CD transport (but the right DAC will blow your mind with a high current amp and reference speakers your there.
A**N
A must have for Utopian fans.
Not your typical Utopia album, hence why it was shelved years ago and never released. As a fan I HAD to have this and liked it very much. It felt like Todd was on a space kick during this time which carried over to the Opps! Wrong Planet album and Adventures in Utopia Album in theme. I would have liked to hear more of Todds vocals on this album though. But it was good in it's musical quality. So for someone who is not a big fan of Utopia, this album is probably not for you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't at least give it a listen to. Who knows maybe you will love it more than a normal Utopian fan!
J**E
Disco sucks no more
A long time Utopia fan, a Lucky Guy who was in the front row of the Utopia Redux (Live-Tokyo, 5/10/1992), was scintillated at the prospect of finally hearing Disco Jets NOT on a 8th generation re-recorded cassette. As other reviewers have noted, this is not for the casual Todd fan...Anyone ever heard yelling out "Hello It's Me" or "Can We Still Be Friends" will think this is rubbish...I thought it was absolutely hilarious and brilliant... I can just imagine the "Faithful" quartet taking occasional breaks from the hookah to record these songs in the snuggly Utopia Sound Studio in Bearsville...So take a trip down memory lane with the boys, it's just like "Adventures in Utopia" without any lyrics...
R**N
Supermarket music
The thing that I’ve always loved about Todd Rundgren’s music is he has always had a great sense of melody. This music is fun to listen to. A great piece of music I envision playing it in a supermarket while buying your weekly stable food items. This music is booming over the PA system or you can simply bring you MP3/Ipod player hooked up to headphones and experience supermarket shopping as I envision it.
C**R
Finally
I couldn't believe this lost 1976 album was finally being released, and remastered. Pre-ordered it, so saved some bucks over what the price is now. If you're a Todd/Utopia fan, how can you say no?I'd had an old cassette copy from someone at work, which had terrible sound, but the music and the idea was fantastic. What a hoot. There was a Japanese release a while back, but the price was astronomical.Yes, this album would have been critically trashed if it had been released between Faithful and Ra, but now it's a welcome official addition to Todd's catalog. Some of the tunes are musically hilarious, most are excellent (especially the more Jeff Beck-flavored pieces); and being Todd and Utopia, it's always brilliant and features some great Todd solos, as well as tastes of the "sound" of the prior 2 Utopia albums.For the casual fan? I don't think so. Not that it wouldn't be enjoyed, but because it's too expensive unless you're a Todd-ite. He's a joker at times, even with his full album releases (see "Deface The Music"), never mind the occasional goofy track (which I've always loved). Listening to Disco Jets over the weekend was wonderful! The mastering sounded great, the songs are quick and brilliant (and are all instrumentals). Nice package with some interesting liner notes.So: Todd fan - yes; casual fan - you wouldn't want to pay more than $4; a siginificant other buying a gift for a Todd fan? - you will rule the relationship for, well, about as long as disco ruled the airwaves. This CD shows what happens when musical genius has some fun.
F**4
OK, but not a show stopper.
Todd is great and Utopia is great, but this CD is one that doesn't quite live up to their other music. It is "OK".
W**R
Disco Jets
Long lost item now in LP format. Awesome!
T**N
Disco Todd
If you are a long time Todd fan you will love this CD! It's a fun disco romp with a Utopian flair with some very tasty Todd guitar riffs to keep you dancing! If you enjoy the original Utopia and enjoy fun in your music this is it! Fan forever, RAY
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