TRIBUS

The recording sessions for Tribus, the third album by Norwegian prog maestros The Windmill, would be marred by the death of Sam Arne Nøland, the group's drummer. One can only hope that the group will find a way to balance respecting Sam's memory whilst keeping on going, because despite such difficult circumstances for all concerned the improvement over their previous album, The Continuation - which was no slouch itself - is notable.

Playing in a heavy style which at points puts me in mind of a "what-if" in which Jethro Tull merged with Uriah Heep (Jethro Heep? Uriah Tull?), the group also sneaks in gentler touches to their music reminiscent of, say, some of the more delicate moments of the neo-prog bands. This is served up in portion sizes to suit all appetites, from album- opening epic The Tree to the comparatively short and sweet closer Playing With Fire.

All great stuff, drawing on the instrumentation and attitude of 1970s prog without deliberately trying to replicate any particular approach to it in too slavish a manner. Truly, this is a Windmill of the participants' own specific musical vision; long may it keep turning.