Toto Blanke-Spider´s Dance (1975)

Hans Otto Blanke, better known as Toto Blanke, was one of the most renowned musicians of the European avant-garde jazz scene. Primarily known for his time with Association PC, led by Dutch keyboardist Jasper Van't Hof, he simultaneously launched a solo career, forming several bands in the style of American combos like the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever, but with an added element of experimentation. His solo career began in 1975 with the release of his first album, "Spider's Dance". For this project, Toto Blanke assembled an impressive band comprised of Joachim Kühn (electric piano), "Charlie" Mariano (saxophone and flute), John Lee (bass), and Gerry Brown (drums), in addition to Blanke himself, who played both electric and acoustic guitars. In this debut album, the German guitarist makes no secret of his influences from energetic American jazz-rock/fusion with progressive elements, as demonstrated in a series of creative compositions, brilliantly executed by a band showcasing its enormous instrumental virtuosity. Pieces like the jazz-rock tracks "Lady's Bicycle Seat Smeller", "Spider's Dance", and "Intermission", are interspersed with more experimental works such as the complex "Slight Touch of Hepatitis" and the dynamic, avant-garde funk-jazz "Toto". Without a doubt, "Spider's Dance" is one of the most interesting works of European jazz-rock/fusion, a style that would continue with other highly creative albums by Toto Blanke, such as the later "Electric Circus" (1976) and "Tales of Tomorrow" (1978).