Caldera / Sky Islands

3-4 songs at the end of the cd either don’t exist or don’t play. Not sure of the problem

I was Lucky Enough to See This Great Band when They were just Starting at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. I do have Both Vinyl Recordsabout 40 Years Old. Time for Cd's when you can find them.

This dual album release completes my CD collection of the four recordings that Caldera produced from 1976 - 1979. I was missing "Sky Islands" and jumped on this purchase opportunity even though I already owned an import copy of their self-titled first recording. All I can say about this group is that their intense hybrid-Latin-Jazz vibe really resonates with me. I especially like how they blend in the vocal tracks on "Sky Islands" to give us our first glimpse at future Jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves. She is exceptional on the "Ancient Source" track. You can definitely hear and feel the inspiration of Earth, Wind and Fire throughout this disc thanks to Larry Dunn's contribution. The 70's produced a lot of gems like this that took Jazz Fusion into new and exciting areas. These recordings did not get much exposure back then, but I am glad that a college friend turned me on to Caldera, Matrix and the Simon & Bard Group.Thanks Soul Music Records for releasing these recordings. You have made a lifelong music fan very happy. - PeaceA. Stan Davis

Caldera has a good melody and relaxing when you are in a peaceful mood or place

I first heard Caldera about 30 years ago -- I had the vinyl. It's great to have the CD.

I first heard these two albums in the summer of 1977, (I had begun to become interested in Progressive music a year earlier.) Upon hearing "Caldera" & "Sky Islands" I was hooked, (perpetual lending and playing brought these albums led to an unceremonious death by the mid 1980's!) CD's were making their inroads at this time and trying to find replacements had never ceased. I had tried to look for CD reissues, (I scoured music stores from Seattle to Montréal, Central Texas, L.A. Vegas and AZ. Napster etc. but to no avail. in the intervening years I'd hyped this group, to many friends who were unaccustomed to Progressive music, (having no copy from which to refer, left my "Opinion" a little wanting.) these truly are among the finest examples of the progressive era.

A Friend of mine Turned me on to this group way back in high school (1979-80). Loved their Music every since. Had all of their albums awhile back, but lost them due to a fire. When capitol records folded, I was never able to find them again until now. Thanks to Amazon for helping me to finally end this long search for this Group. They will now stay in my music collection forever! Caldera is the best Latin Jazz Group I have ever heard. Their music is AWESOME!!!!!! Ollie, Los Angeles, Ca.

I disliked the recording,although not Amazon fault but,I'm very disappointed! To say the least.I use it for listening.

Sky Islands featuring the voice of Diane Reeves on two tracks is a very strong jazz funk album from 1977. The vinyl copies of it are rare, and I'd not even heard the first eponymous album. Musicianship and the music writing itself is exceptional though rarely heard. For this genre it is a must have. I thoroughly enjoyed the first album on here having never heard it before now, nearly as good as Sky Islands.So why only 4 stars? Well even that is generous. Sleeve notes claim this is remastered. So some years ago I bought a copy of the LP from the US, and using my own (OK fairly high quality) equipment, made my own digital copy from the vinyl. Cleaned it up and made a CD. Comparing my vinyl recording to the CD release, the CD is dull, lacks stereo depth, and tape hiss is evident. So the lack of brightness is nothing to do with trying to quieten the hiss.Overall I am exceptionally disappointed with the mastering. I will be contacting the company that remastered this and ask their comments, because, if I, with only semi professional equipment, can arrive at a far better digital sound than they can, something is seriously wrong in the remastering process. Don't get me wrong, this is not the only case of bad mastering I have heard (and where my vinyl transcriptions to digital are better than the official remasters) but the rarity of the material even in its original vinyl form means someone should have taken far greater care to get this right.The music is something else, magical, enchanting, a pure delight. But it sounds no better than on a cheap cassette with dirty playback heads. We are talking around a 3 dB cut in the high frequencies, and the stereo sound stage is muddled. If you've never heard the vinyl, then buy the CD, you'll be happy, the music is a sheer delight. However if you already own the vinyl and have a good playback system, don't bother. I will be keeping mine because I've not managed to get that first album on vinyl, but I'm determined to get a copy now.I love this music so much, but the mastering is such a disappointment.

I read an interview with Larry Dunn in Keyboard Magazine who mentioned this sadly missed band Called Caldera who I had not heard of before. I thought I would have a listen online but could only find one track that was included on a compilation CD. I was so impressed by the playing on this track that I searched for more and discovered this double CD on Amazon. It is full of fabulous music with some very tasty guitar playing throughout. Think of Weather Report meets Earth, Wind and Fire and you will have some idea. Highly recommend a listen if you love good music of this ilk ;-)

A very welcome reissue of seminal albums by Fusion Legends Caldera. There are outstanding cuts that merit 5 star rating. I do hope the other two albums "Time & Chance" and "Dreamer" are reissued in this format. "Dreamer" is truly a 5 star album.

it's what made the otherwise punk-mangled late 70s worth living through! Just pure, unadulterated musicianship! Aaah - those lovely, deepdown FUNKY basslines, the soaring female chorus - the outstanding soloist, the joyful inspired arrangements... shame their other albums aren't on CD. My LPs long ago wore out.

I had a taped copy of "Sky Islands" in the '70swhich finally stopped working. I have been looking on and off since then to find the album. I admit that it sounds a little dated but I still love every single track and "Caldera" is also a fine album - well worth buying.