Multi-instrumentalist Dean Watson is back with his latest release of jazz-fusion/prog rock, titled Fantasizer!. This is his third work inspired by the artwork of Ron Eady, and this one is based on the artwork titled 'Fantasizer'. Filled with mostly lengthy tunes that touch on all the glorious sounds of '70s jazz-fusion as well as symphonic prog rock, Fantasizer! will be a joy for anyone who likes to indulge in keyboard & guitar dominated instrumental music. Watson of course handles it all here, ripping into some chops fueled but highly melodic lines on the vibrant opener, "Fantasizer!", and mixing majestic vintage synth tones with tasty guitar licks on the enticing "Twig". On "Freak", the mood changes from complex, funk laden fusion to more meditative prog, as tight rhythms and sizzling guitar solos give way to lush Mellotron and beautiful piano. I'm reminded a bit of some of Chick Corea's '80s work on the dreamy "Nomad", as classy electric piano melodies sweep the listener away, while "At Odds" & "The Anomoly" both offer soaring melodies of sensational progressive rock, seemingly inspired by the classic material of Genesis and Yes. You can hear pure electric jazz on the quirky "Linear Tendency", until the finale where heavy riffs and yearning lead guitar lines battle blazing synth for metallic fusion at its finest. The near 12-minute "Caged Creator" provides the albums epic length piece, and it's a slow builder, as tender piano and some simmering guitar riffs eventually give way to tricky rhythms and impressive guitar & synth solos. The emotional piano piece "Solemn" gives Fantasizer! a tranquil ending, and closes out the album in style.
Not only has Dean Watson showed us once again how much of a master musician he is, but it's his compositions and keen ear for melodies that perhaps are the stars of the show here. Any fan of classic jazz-fusion and prog-rock sounds would be well advised to seek out Fantasizer!, which can be sampled & purchased on Dean's Bandcamp page link below.
Track Listing
1.
Fantasizer! 08:17
2.
Twig 05:39
3.
Freak 07:32
4.
Nomad 07:36
5.
At Odds 04:18
6.
The Anomaly 04:38
7.
Linear Tendency 05:48
8.
Caged Creator 11:32
9.
Solemn 03:16
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