Doors of Perception is the third Cuneiform release from Finnish-American guitarist Raoul Björkenheim and his quartet eCsTaSy. Containing ten instrumental tracks, the combination of guitar, reeds, double bass, and drums create a sound that mixes free-jazz, avant-garde, and rock styles. You can hear all three on the sometimes savage, other times adventurous "Answer It!", as Björkenheim's distorted, jagged guitar lines cut through some floating sax from Pauli Lyytinen and plenty of rhythmic swirls. "Buzz" and "Ides of March" are more improvised jazz/avant-garde pieces, and the quirky "Surf Bird" sees flute and Jimi Hendrix inspired liquid guitar tones combat for an almost Jade Warrior sounding musical palette. Busy rhythms and soaring jazz arrangements can be found on the engaging "Elemental", easily one of the main highlights on Doors of Perception, while "Talkin' to Me?" features fuzz laden explosive rock guitar from the leader over fat bass grooves and bleating sax noise. Lyytinen's squonking sax again appears on the mysterious title track alongside some excellent drumming & percussion courtesy of Markku Ounaskari, and intricate free-jazz and rock collide on the brief yet frenzied "Jitterfug", another great workout for Raoul's metallic shards of molten guitar. Bassist Jori Huhtala is all over the busy closer "Ecstasy Dance", a tasty jazz-fusion romp that also includes some wild guitar & sax explorations.
Without a doubt, Doors of Perception is a highly enjoyable release from a pretty lethal band. If you enjoy a mix of jazz, rock, and avant-garde, this is an album I can easily recommend to you.
Track Listing
1.
Ides of March 03:16
2.
Answer It! 05:13
3.
Buzz 03:01
4.
Surf Bird 04:27
5.
Elemental 05:44
6.
Talkin' to Me? 04:18
7.
Doors of Perception 05:30
8.
Jitterfug 03:25
9.
Sunflower 03:21
10.
Ecstasy Dance 04:50
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