Jan Hammer - The First Seven Days 1975

This is a concept album, the subject matter being obvious and is instrumental. I'm pleased to say that Hammer is not being a creationist here, he refers to the concept as being valid whether a day is 24 hours or a hundred million years, I go for the latter!

Almost all the instruments are played by Hammer, with exception of violin from another ex-Mahavishnu, Steve Kindler and congas. It is evokative and beautiful, full of lovely melodies. Even though the album had a major label backing, it sank, from memory, without a trace. pity as it deserves recognition. Just listen to the sample, a good guide to the album as a whole. Hammer went on to write music for crap TV programmes before dropping out of the music industry completely some years ago.

Recommend as a forgotten jewel.




Jan Hammer - piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Moog Synthesizer, Oberheim synthesizer and digital sequencer, drums, percussion, Freeman string synthesizer, Mellotron

David Earle Johnson - congas and percussion on 5, 6
Steve Kindler - violin on 2, 5, 6, 7

1. Darkness/Earth In Search Of A Sun (4:31)
2. Light/Sun (6:44)
3. Oceans And Continents (6:16)
4. Fourth Day - Plants And Trees (2:46)
5. The Animals (6:14)
6. Sixth Day - The People (7:15)
7. The Seventh Day (6:11)