SPACES

This obscure American Fusion band from the early-80's was propably based in or near Utah and was apparently a group of close friends, who happened to record a pretty rare album.Spaces were keyboardist Roger Nichols, drummer Anthony Perry, bassist Wendell C. Jones, guitarist Randy Hall, percussionist David Carrilo and sax/flute player Rand Keith, yet the back cover of their only album features a seventh member, which was propably sound enginner Craig Apgood.''Border station'' was privately pressed and released in 1981 with one Steve Lewis guesting in a few electric guitar solos.

They ended up to be a rather overlooked, unknown group due to the album's scarcity, but Spaces were all accomplished and skillful musicians, who did not only know how to torture their instruments, but evolved also as capable composers, always in a fiery Jazz Fusion affair.We are talking about early-80's here, so some snippets of a more ethereal approach on Jazz Rock with the occasional commercial vibes, sweet sax melodies and slick sounds partially ruin this effort, but most of the tracks are complex Fusion with a certain progressive attitude, based on jazzy exercises, but also featuring tons of breaks and tempo variations.Nichols is a great musician, his electric piano does not shine among other important players of the style, but his odd synth flashes belong definitely among the best you can hear in the genre.Randy Hall's presence appears to be also a significant branch for the band.Both his smoky and smooth soloing makes Spaces' sound more dramatic, virtuosic and inventive.Some great compositions in here with a certain US flavor of the Prog Rock era, displayed in several of the keyboard parts and guitar lines.But the majority is tight Jazz Rock with lots of sax and some flute and endless electric/acoustic piano echoes.

According to Rand Keith the band was around for about 7 years, without moving to any further recordings.''Border station'' remains though a good example of 80's underground Jazz Fusion with some blistering guitars and energetic rhythms, warmly recommended to all fans of the style.