Velvet Darkness

1976 studio album by Allan Holdsworth

Velvet Darkness

Studio album by

Allan Holdsworth

Released

1976 (1976)

Recorded

24–26 May, 18 June 1976

Studio

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Genre

Jazz fusion

Length

30:03^[1]

Label

CTI

Producer

Creed Taylor

Allan Holdsworth chronology

Velvet Darkness
(1976)

The Things You See
(1980)

Velvet Darkness is the first studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1976 through producer Creed Taylor's CTI Records.

The tracks for the album were originally recorded by engineer Rudy Van Gelder at his Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey. According to Holdsworth, this was done during a rehearsal session, after which the tapes were released by CTI without his or the other band members' consent. None of the musicians involved ever received royalties for their work. Holdsworth therefore considered the album an unauthorised release and not part of his discography.^[2]^[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]

John W. Patterson of AllMusic gave Velvet Darkness only 1.5 stars out of five, describing it as "an interesting snapshot of young stellar musicians doing their thing in a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove", but more for completists and collectors.^[2] In his review of Holdsworth's 1982 album I.O.U., he also labelled Velvet Darkness as a "train-wreck disaster" and "infamous".^[4]

Reissues

Velvet Darkness was reissued on CD in 1990 through the Epic Associated division of CBS/Columbia Records as part of their "Contemporary Jazz Masters" series.^[5] This version was completely remixed and remastered from the original session tapes. The remixing process (which was not indicated within the CD packaging) significantly changed the sound of some instruments, especially the drums. Also included are five alternative takes as bonus tracks.

Track listing

All music is composed by Allan Holdsworth

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Clean Filth"	5:22
2.	"Floppy Hat"	2:47
3.	"Wish"	4:21
4.	"Kinder"	3:08
5.	"Velvet Darkness"	4:43
6.	"Karzie Key"	3:12
7.	"Last May"	1:39
8.	"Gattox"	4:51
Total length:		30:03

1990 remastered edition bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Clean Filth" (alternate take)	5:38
2.	"Kinder" (alternate take)	3:07
3.	"Velvet Darkness" (alternate take)	4:44
4.	"Karzie Key" (alternate take)	2:15
5.	"Gattox" (alternate take)	6:47

Personnel

Allan Holdsworth – guitar, violin
Alan Pasqua – piano
Alphonso Johnson – bass guitar
Narada Michael Walden – drums

Production

Creed Taylor – producer
Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
Seiji Kaneko – mastering
Yoichi Nakao – producer (reissue)

References

^ Velvet Darkness (CD release "KICJ 8319").
^ ^a ^b ^c Patterson, John W. "Velvet Darkness - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
^ Prasad, Anil (1993-01-15). "Creating imaginary backdrops". Innerviews. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
^ Patterson, John W. "I.O.U. - Allan Holdsworth". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
^ "Allan Holdsworth – Velvet Darkness". Discogs. Retrieved 2014-08-26.