The band also had two Jazz instrumental albums on their own - L. A. Express (1976), and Shadow Play (1976). The latter featured backing vocals and cover art by Mitchell. Both albums were recorded at James Guercio's Caribou Ranch studio and were the first albums released on the Caribou label.
The L.A. Express formed in 1973 as the backing band for jazz saxophonist Tom Scott.
The original lineup included Max Bennett - bass, John Guerin - drums and percussion, Larry Carlton - guitarist, and Joe Sample - keyboards. They recorded the album Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, as well as a number of tracks on Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark album in 1974 with this lineup before both Carlton and Sample left the group. Robben Ford replaced Carlton as guitarist and Larry Nash took over as the group's keyboardist.
With Ford and Nash on board, Tom Scott and the L.A. Express recorded the popular Tom Cat album in 1975. After the release of Tom Cat, Scott left the group and began recording solo.
The group recorded their first album without Scott in 1976- the self titled L.A. Express, which had as cover art a close-up of the belt buckle embossed with the band's name that was worn by a model on the cover of their first album with Scott. Later in the same year they recorded Shadow Play, which included several popular jazz tracks played on jazz radio well into the early 80s.
On the first of these two albums keyboardist Larry Nash was replaced by the late Victor Feldman, and David Luell played saxophone and woodwinds. Robben Ford left the group prior to the recording of Shadow Play and he was replaced by guitarist Peter Maunu.
Silhouette
L.A. Express Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
無口な瞳で 日々をルーティン
立ちふさぐ闇が もしも影絵でも
気づかぬハートは言うだろう it's a my fate
(No! Realize realize realize real live!) 壊せ bias!
揺らめく絶望の本当の姿を見抜いて
キミにはまだ知らない
新たなウタ 巡る 世界がある
幻惑の silhouette 超えて
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
暗い洞窟の 囚われ prisoner
壁に映るのは 酷いナイトメア
窮屈な部屋に 不意に届くオト
それは旅してる旋律 flame grace
(Yes! Realize realize realize real live!) 穿て your heart!
響いたオンガクに誘われ扉を開けば
キミはもう分かるはず
今まで 見えなかった 世界のこと
黎明の symphony 流れ
眩しくて鮮やか過ぎるかい?
自由は痛くて苦しい でも
(Yes! Realize realize realize real live!) 望め your heart!
揺らめく絶望の本当の姿を見抜けば
もうすぐ着くだろう
新たなウタ 紡ぐ イデアの声
Allegory of the cave
さあ 希望を迎えに行こう
幻惑の silhouette 消して!
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
The song "Silhouette" by L.A. Express explores themes of self-discovery, breaking free from constraints, and embracing one's true identity. The lyrics describe a person who feels trapped in a monotonous routine, compared to a lifeless mechanical doll with no will. They long to escape the suffocating darkness, even if it means facing the unknown. The song encourages the listener to realize their own biases and break free from the despairing reality they have become accustomed to.
The lyrics also speak of a journey towards a new world, a world filled with captivating melodies, symbolism, and an allegory of the cave. It suggests that by opening the metaphorical door, one can find enlightenment and discover a vibrant and previously unseen reality. The overwhelming brightness and vividness of this new world may be painful and challenging, but it also holds freedom and the opportunity to embrace the symphony of life.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
Repetitive vocalization, representing a sense of anticipation and energy
まるで意思の無い 機械仕掛けの doll
Like a doll with no will or emotions
無口な瞳で 日々をルーティン
Going through the daily routine with silent eyes
立ちふさぐ闇が もしも影絵でも
Even if the obstructing darkness is just a shadow play
気づかぬハートは言うだろう it's a my fate
The unaware heart will speak, saying that it's my fate
(No! Realize realize realize real live!) 壊せ bias!
Chant to break free from bias and prejudices
揺らめく絶望の本当の姿を見抜いて
Seeing through the true form of flickering despair
キミにはまだ知らない
You still don't know
新たなウタ 巡る 世界がある
A new world revolves around a song
幻惑の silhouette 超えて
Transcending the bewildering silhouette
暗い洞窟の 囚われ prisoner
A prisoner trapped in a dark cave
壁に映るのは 酷いナイトメア
The reflection on the wall is a terrible nightmare
窮屈な部屋に 不意に届くオト
A sound unexpectedly reaches the cramped room
それは旅してる旋律 flame grace
That is the melody of a traveling flame grace
(Yes! Realize realize realize real live!) 穿て your heart!
Chant to pierce through the heart and realize true life
響いたオンガクに誘われ扉を開けば
If you are invited by the resounding music and open the door
キミはもう分かるはず
You should already understand
今まで 見えなかった 世界のこと
The things in the world that were previously invisible
黎明の symphony 流れ
The symphony of dawn flows
眩しくて鮮やか過ぎるかい?
Is it too dazzling and colorful?
自由は痛くて苦しい でも
Freedom is painful and difficult, but
(Yes! Realize realize realize real live!) 望め your heart!
Chant to wish for your heart (desires and aspirations)
揺らめく絶望の本当の姿を見抜けば
If you see through the true form of flickering despair
もうすぐ着くだろう
You will arrive soon
新たなウタ 紡ぐ イデアの声
Spinning a new song, the voice of ideas
Allegory of the cave
Reference to Plato's allegory of the cave, symbolizing the journey to enlightenment
さあ 希望を迎えに行こう
Now, let's go to meet hope
幻惑の silhouette 消して!
Extinguish the bewildering silhouette
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: No-My, Erica Masaki
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gimbo
It's a crime that this isn't longer
s0alaih
This always reminds me of Blade Runner. I hope the new flick has some good music in it.
Milo J
that is some great artwork
Akaimayn
thanks for the upload man
qixismygame
victor feldman with the express - just beautiful thanksa very much
DMN1337
Substantial - No better time <3
Guerrero De Hojalata
k wea mas perfecta
La Fuerza
"The Chicago and Kansas concert in Boston have been changed to Boston and Kansas concert in Chicago"
MissGigi
Dilla ❤️
Teriyaki32186
DILLA!!!!!!!!!