Optimystek Visionaries are a UK jazz-fusion outfit that formed close to a decade ago, and Return is the bands' second album, recorded during COVID 19 when drummer Greg Morgan and keyboard player Nick Steed felt the time was right to come up with some new material for a follow-up album. Along with bassists John Sandham & Nigel Clutterbuck, guitarists Peter Mason, Nick Mellor, and Nick Waddecar, sax player Kim Nishikawara, percussion veteran Lenny Castro, and vocalist Amanda J. Heywood on one track, Optimystik Visionaries have put together 12 new tracks of melodic modern fusion that is enjoyable from start to finish.
If you like energetic burners, look no further than "Pulsar", "Optimystik Vision Return", and the homage to Chick Corea "Chick's Danza", each filled with dazzling musical interplay between the keys, guitar, and sax, while the more laidback fare such as "Quiet Town", "Stay With Me", "Positano", and the Latin tinged "Me Lev De Volta" offer up plenty of breezy rhythms and tasty melodies. Even their stab at vocal-oriented jazz-pop, "Dukey Sunrise", is a fun track, and shows a different side to the band. Other highlights include the energetic fusion romp "Chilli Confuzion" and Castro's wild percussion piece "Sugar, Solo Sugar!".
Lots of great fusion music coming out here in 2021, and we can add Return to that list of must-hear releases. Welcome back guys!
Track Listing
1. 19 Ways To 16 (3:30)
2. Chick's Danza (4:54)
3. Quiet Town (4:50)
4. Pulsar (5:59)
5. Dukey Sunrise (4:29)
6. Optimistic Vision Return (4:05)
7. Stay With Me (5:21)
8. Positano (4:14)
9. Me Leve De Volta (4:03)
10. Chilli Confuzion (4:13)
11. Jugar, Solo Jugar! (2:20)
12. Tomb Of Nefertiti (4:32)
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