Of all the recent CD's sent for review recently, this has probably been the most difficult to describe. While its foundations lie predominantly within the jazz realm, its oft-times free form delivery makes it a somewhat difficult listen. When there is a more readily identifiable structure to the songs, the music takes on an entirely new meaning and the enjoyment factor increases accordingly.
For my ears, with music that falls within the jazz / fusion / avant spectrum, a composer's ability to impart a truly imaginative musical statement can often lose that direction when too much improvisation or excessive mournfulness is introduced. I would have to confess to not being the greatest fan of this style as I find the all too frequent sideways excursions far too nebulous and meandering to ensure my mind doesn't wander off in some tangent the same way the music often does.
Although the playing is tight and controlled and the musicianship, generally of a high and professional quality, at the end of the day, only small sections of this recording made any meaningful impact on these ears. Your mileage may vary however but be prepared for long uninterrupted listening sessions to enable the music to weave it's rather obscure magic.
As the drummer for Spaced Out I was certainly expecting something a little more cohesive and less chamber oriented given his prior work with that band however, some may find more fulfilling interludes than I could.
Track Details:
1. Tergiversation (8.55)
2. Mauvais Cirque (5.07)
3. Aller Simple (15.02)
4. Metamorphose (13.19)
5. La Danse Des Cadavres (7.43)
6. Resignation (8.05)
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