Contraband (70s)

David Pritchard was a guitarist whose career started early in his professional life. He also played in the Gary Burton Quartet as a teenager. Pritchard and Pete Robinson formed Contraband in Los Angeles. Pritchard’s and Robinson’s album was released at a time when jazz and rock fusion was still a relatively new concept. The record was well-received by critics, with a generous four star rating from Down Beat. Bruce Cale doubled on bass and played the violin, as well as Charles Orena, a percussionist, and Bruce Moffat, a reed player. This group was mistaken for other musical Contrabands, such as heavy metal and Celtic bands. This is not the same Dave Pritchard that played with Jeff Lynne in late ’60s. From allmusic Contraband was an American jazz/rock band in the 1970s. They recorded “Time and Space,” an album for Epic Records. Downbeat gave it four stars and said, “With Weather Report and Miles Davis, Contraband makes music that is eclectic in inspiration, multi-dimensional and striking of passion.” http://www.last.fm

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