JAN AKKERMAN

Along with talented keyboard man Joachim Kuhn, former Focus guitarist Akkerman offered up something new to fusion with this fifth though self-titled album...class. Jan's wide open guitar sound is as crisp and clean as it is soulful and catchy on this realease. He leaves previous solo effort's niavity and muddiness in the past. The diaphanous and sometimes ellusive sound travels on a mystic sea of strings to the listeners ears.

From a "Prog" point of view I would simply point to the lofty heights of Gate To Europe, surely a song for all time and something completely different. There is also a funkiness to this album's mix of tunes, so there is something for everyone. I think you could play this one for varied crowds at gatherings and it would entertain & charm all present. This is instrumental Jazz Rock at its most sophisticated.

Even today this album sounds clean, fresh and contemporary. The wonderful track Streetwalker alone is worth the price of admission.