Jeffery, Jack: Enlightened Horizon

Jack Jeffery is an American musician who released his debut album Passage to Agadir in 2009. I first heard his music in 2012 when I reviewed his sophomore effort The Constant That Remains which I liked very much. Well, Jeffery has a new album titled Enlightened Horizon and I am happy to report it is excellent.

Just like his last album Jeffery plays everything himself including production. There is no doubting the man's talent as he puts it to good use throughout the album's eleven tracks. He plays both guitar and synthesizers as well as trumpets and cornets. His vocals, while often fragile, also add to the album's charms but may take a bit getting used to depending on your taste. His delivery is quite laid back and melodic and matches up nicely with the dreamy nature of the music. There is still a Floydy vibe on many of these tracks such as the peaceful "Memories of Tomorrow" with its waves of organ and shimmering guitar work and on the acoustically driven "The Road That Never Ends" which recalls Meddle-era Floyd along with a dash of Neil Young. What makes this album a little different are the electronic elements that hearken back to '70s Kraftwerk. Songs like "Continuum" and "Trans-Celestial Express" display crystalline electronics and pulsating beats with the former featuring an addictive rhythmic groove giving it a Depeche Mode feel.

In a complete change of pace "Amazing Grace/The Consequence of Love" offers up some Hendrix-like guitar feedback set in a psychedelic haze of fuzzy guitar tones with a punky rawness not unlike Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps. Again, I am reminded of Neil Young in the gorgeous acoustic ballad "Never Go Back to the Mountain" where even Jeffery's vocal delivery has an uncanny resemblance to the iconic Canadian artist.

The album ends with the lovely psychedelic ballad "Our Own Past" clearly influenced by the Fab Four. The chiming psyche infused guitar solo and lush symphonic synths, including Mellotron, are particularly tasty.

Jeffery has stepped it up a notch with Enlightened Horizon. If you are into any of the aforementioned bands or generally appreciate the mellower side of '70s psychedelic rock and electronic music there are many sonic delights to be had. Recommended!

Track Listing:
1. Global Rise, Ancient Truth (5:52)
2. Melancholy Minstrel (5:53)
3. The Road That Never Ends (5:11)
4. Memories of Tomorrow (6:28)
5. Approaching the Starlight (5:59)
6. Continuum (3:55)
7. Sonata No. 1 in C for Theorbo (1:20)
8. Amazing Grace/The Consequence of Love (6:00)
9. Trans-Celestial Express (4:57)
10. Never Go Back to the Mountain (8:19)
11. Our Own past (6:32)

Added: December 29th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Facebook Page
Hits: 2052
Language: english

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