Brian May + Friends – Star Fleet Project
7/10
In the early 1980’s there was a Japanese children’s TV show called “X Bomber”. When it broadcast in the UK, it went under the name “Star Fleet”, and among its most avid fans were little James May and his space crazy, guitar-playing father Brian. He was enamoured with its theme song, thinking he could do something with it. Then, in 1983, with Queen on hiatus, Brian went to Los Angeles, where he summoned an illustrous lineup to record a hard rock version. On drums was REO Speedwagon’s Alan Gratzer, bass was played by Jeff Beck/Rod Stewart musician Phil Chen and keyboards by Queen touring musician Fred Mandel. On another guitar was a certain Edward Van Halen. The record was released as an EP under the “Brian May and Friends” banner, but Van Halen was every bit as important as the ringmaster.
The EP, which is now at long last being re-released, consisted of three tunes. There was the highly melodic title track, with Brian singing lead and the two guitarists trading licks frenetically. Then there was “Let me out”, a pop/blues May composition and finally “Blues Breaker”, a thirteen-minute jam credited to the whole band and dedicated to Eric Clapton. On this re-release, these tracks are augmented by a single edit of the title track as well as a vast number of work-in-progress. Here, you can experience the way it all grew into a finished product; the pitfalls of repetition splendidly avoided by the sheer joy of playing together. There is a lot of soloing going on, but since the creators are two of rock’s finest mestros, I don’t mind. To the contrary, I urge for more.
Artist: Brian Maay + Friends
Title: Star Fleet Project
Rating: 7/10
Label: Universal
Release date: 14/7-2023
Standout track: Star Fleet
