FOREST OF FEELINGS

Now here's an album that deserves much more recognition than it has received this far! Hopefully the re-release by Esoteric Recordings continues to have some effect. The name of David Sancious is probably more familiar from the early Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band line-up, and from the album (or concert) credits of several artists such as Sting, Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel. He's primarily a keyboardist but he has played also guitar since his teenage years. While still in Springsteen's band, a record company man who had heard some old demos asked him if he was still writing music of his own. In August 1974 Sancious went solo and took his E-Street bandmate, drummer Ernest Carter, with him. Only the recruiting of bassist Gerald Carboy was needed, and with Billy Cobham as the producer - and adding some Timpani here and there - the trio recorded this excellent debut album.

The instrumental music is lively and versatile Fusion with lots of influences from the (British) progressive rock and classical music. Comparisons can be made towards MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and RETURN TO FOREVER. The nearly 9-minute opener 'Suite Cassandra' (she was David's infatuation and a cousin of Clarence Clemons) is one of the highlights with its sophisticated balancing between melodic tenderness and proggy energy. The second track is tight and funky, and is emphasized on David's electric guitar. Slow-paced 'East India' starts in a very delicate and impressionistic manner and increases Eastern flavour along the way. Very soothing and beautiful composition, which must have sounded too lame in the ears of those who expect fiery Fusion in the Mahavishnu style. I got an association to VANGELIS's China album (1979).

Also 'Dixie', inspired by the civil rights movement in the Southern states, stays in the totally boundary- free area between jazz and rock. I'd like to mention my countrymen PEKKA POHJOLA and JUKKA TOLONEN as equally free-minded Fusion artists. The title track is the second longest (7:49) and guaranteed to please any friend of classically influenced Fusion. Acoustic piano takes the lead role at one point but the track's arrangement is rich. 'Joyce #8' is a brief, romantic composition for solo piano. Fast-tempo 'Crystal Image' is one of the jazziest moments in the album.

Cheerful 'One Time' has lots of funk but also some amazing virtuosity on keyboards. 'Further in the Forest of Feelings' has many time-shifts and has more substance within three minutes than a 7-minute composition might have. Still it doesn't feel too rushed. 'Promise of Light' is another romantic piano piece in the classical style. This album maybe isn't quite an essential masterpiece, but skillful and enjoyable enough for me to round my 4½ stars upwards. Especially as it's relatively little known.