Larry Coryell – The Offering (Vanguard/Wounded Bird, 1972)

Larry Coryell (g); Steve Marcus (ss); Mike Mandel (el p); Mervin Bronson (b); Harry Wilkinson (d)

Recorded on January 17, 18, 20, 1972

The Offering features Coryell's distinctive electric guitar work.  Known as "The Godfather of Fusion," Coryell combined jazz with Hendrix-like rock influences and Eastern sounds.  

Some of Coryell's releases lean more towards rock while others are more jazz-oriented.  I think The Offering manages to balance both of sides of the coin very convincingly. 

The band is solid and swinging. It includes Coryell's childhood friend Mike Mandel on keyboards as well as excellent soprano sax work from Steve Marcus.  Plus the compositions are strong.

More Larry Coryell
Barefoot Boy (Flying Dutchman, 1971) is another excellent record.  Like The Offering, it features Coryell's electric guitar work.  If you'd like to hear Coryell in acoustic mode, I'd recommend The Restful Mind (Vanguard, 1975) -- with Ralph Towner, Glen Moore, and Collin Walcott from Oregon -- as well as Standing Ovation: Solo (Mood/Arista Novus, 1978).  I've also enjoyed Coryell's collaborations with Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine, Twin House (Elektra, 1977) and Splendid (Elektra, 1978).