THE HIGH PLACES

Seek the words, seek the paths ... Stanley Whitaker and Frank Wyatt once were locked up in a cage on high places for this production? Okay, why not? When the result actually justifies all the effort. Anyway, for obvious reason OBLIVION SUN was formed to be the follower of the band 'Happy The Man'. What remains is the inspirational core and the ability to develop very melodic yet not really commonplace compositions. As quite usual, concerning the bass and drum requirements, their second album sees new collaborators again. David Hughes and Bill Brasso on this occasion. The quartet offers an interesting symbiosis of symphonic and canterbury respectively jazz fusion here. This means rather accessible songs, yes, but arranged with depth, definitely not a light-minded case.

Since years I'm occasionally listening to this. It's still growing, always an enchanting experience. Charming lead vocals matter, I assume it's Whitaker. We can also enjoy Wyatt's quirky synths and floating piano lines at its finest. Marching drums on March Of The Mushroom Men, who wonders? 'Everything is still a mystery ...' - sooner or later the ballad Everything invites to sing-along, hard to resist. And then the instrumental Dead Sea Squirrels develops to a real guitar showcase, partially with mellotron background. 'The High Places' opus with its six partitions marks the highlight finally. A very entertaining album due to some fine arrangements and the masterful instrumental execution.