Album Liner Notes
Just As I Thought
Just As I Thought is one of the more interesting Jeff Berlin side credits because it sits right on a transition line. David Sancious had come out of the elaborate Tone records and moved into a tighter solo format without giving up the progressive edge entirely.
Overview
What makes this album worth writing about is the way it compresses several David Sancious identities into one record. There is still progressive architecture here, especially on 'Suite (For the End of an Age),' but much of the album moves in a leaner fusion direction than the big Tone statements.
Jeff's role is not that of a permanent house bassist on the whole album. He comes in as part of a three-way bass picture with T.M. Stevens and Sancious himself, which makes the record useful for comparison listening instead of simple hero worship.
That split also says something about the session concept. Sancious was clearly shaping each track for the sound he wanted rather than handing the entire rhythm role to one player. The result is a debut solo album that feels designed, not merely assembled.
Quick Snapshot
- Most discographies list the album as a 1979 Arista release, while Apple Music metadata places the digital issue on February 1, 1980. The site copy treats it as a 1979 album and keeps the date discrepancy visible.
- The record was cut at Eddy Offord's Mobile Unit in Woodstock with Sancious co-producing and arranging the session.
- Jeff Berlin and T.M. Stevens split bass duties, while David Sancious also plays bass elsewhere on the record.
First record after Tone
The album marks Sancious's first solo release after the David Sancious and Tone run, so it carries real transition weight.
Three-way bass picture
Jeff Berlin, T.M. Stevens, and Sancious himself all handle bass on the album, which makes the rhythm design more interesting than a standard one-bassist session.
Eddy Offord production
Offord's involvement ties the record to a more overtly progressive studio world even as Sancious pushes toward fusion.
Listen For
Run
The opener announces the album's tighter fusion direction immediately rather than easing in through a long-form suite.
Suite (For the End of an Age)
This is the album's long-form centerpiece and the clearest place where Sancious keeps one foot in progressive composition.
And Then She Said
One of the record's sharpest fusion cuts, and a good place to hear the guitar-led bite that keeps the album from going soft.
Track Listing
- 1. Run — 3:06
- 2. Just As I Thought — 1:27
- 3. Again — 5:02
- 4. The Naked 1 — 2:33
- 5. Valley Of The Shadow — 5:49
- 6. Suite (For the End of an Age) — 8:04
- 7. Remember — 1:05
- 8. And Then She Said — 4:53
- 9. Again (Part II) — 3:07
Musicians
- David Sancious: piano, electric piano, Polymoog, synthesizer, Minimoog, Hammond organ, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, arrangements, producer
- Ernest Carter: drums, percussion
- Jeff Berlin: bass on two tracks
- T.M. Stevens: bass on two tracks
- Brenda Madison: choir
- Kabir Ghani: lead vocals
Technical Credits
- Producer: David Sancious
- Producer: Eddy Offord
- Engineer: Eddy Offord
- Engineer: Rob Davis
- Arranged by: David Sancious
- Recorded at Eddy Offord's Mobile Unit, Woodstock