Isobar are a San Francisco area instrumental prog/fusion band who have just released their third album, titled III, and the line-up features:
Jim Anderson, bass
Malcolm Smith, guitars
Marc Spooner, keyboards
with Mattias Olsson, drums
Along with special guests:
Evan Weiss, trumpet (5, 6, 7)
Ben Bohorquez, saxophone (5, 6, 7)
Joanne Wu, violin (1, 8)
Prog fans will no doubt recognize Anderson, Smith, and Spooner as members of Metaphor, and of course, Olsson was a longtime member of Swedish act Anglagard as well as countless other bands and collaborations. Here we have nine new compositions that are expertly constructed and feature some sensation playing from the group. "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?" kicks things off in fine fashion with some tasty guitar & keyboard exchanges, and "Parts of Harvey" perfectly blends prog and fusion arrangements, as the silky electric piano and synth tones flutter around some searing guitar lines, with Olsson kicking in some intricate rhythms underneath. Anderson's meaty bass drives the lovely "Face in the Blue", and the quirky "The Trouble With Buttons" has a certain Canterbury flair to it with the exciting organ riffs and fluttering sax. Big props also go out to the 10+ minute epic "The Mimus Polyglottos Alarm Clock", a melodic prog feast that contains some soaring violin, potent drumming, tasty guitar, and gorgeous keyboard textures.
Fans of instrumental prog-rock with a dash of fusion would be well advised to investigate Isobar's III. Expertly played, fantastic production, and memorable songs...a winner!
Track Listing
1.
Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been? 07:44
2.
Parts of Harvey 07:28
3.
Face in the Blue 05:01
4.
Shadow Green 06:27
5.
The Trouble With Buttons 05:32
6.
4th Leg 06:38
7.
Objet 03:42
8.
The Mimus Polyglottos Alarm Clock 10:12
9.
Full Nelson 05:02
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