Named after one the best fusion albums of the early 70's by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Italy's Birds of Fire has put together a commendable platter of articulate jazz-rock. While not as intense as that legendary band, this bunch of hot musicians mix some serious chops with melodic sensibilities.
Birds of Fire is mainly a trio of guitar/bass/drums, augmented by sax and keyboards on a few tracks. The music has a fairly full sound, and bounces from swinging jazz to metallic instrumental fusion. Guitarist Fabio Rigamonti has a similar tone and style to Frank Gambale, able to blaze with fiery intensity or lay down full-bodied fat lines over a light beat. It's the more agressive tracks that really work here, such as "Muscon", a muscular workout that features lightning guitar parts and a complex rhythm section. Rigamonti's wailing guitar weaves over bubbling synth tones and nimble drum patterns, in what proves to be some chilling moments of instrumental grandeur. Half this CD features a similar style, while the others are more staightforward jazz. For my money, it's the more progressive and rock flavored tracks that work here, and it would be interesting to hear the band expand on that context on future releases.
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