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Tunnels - Progressivity CD (album) cover

PROGRESSIVITY

Tunnels

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.76 | 22 ratings

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Bonnek
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Progressivity is an imposing 74 minute fusion album that covers a wide range of styles and moods. Not an easy listen as it will take time to absorb the compositions to their full extent. But it's absolutely deserving. Required listen for all lovers of Brand X and Mahavishnu. One of the best fusion albums I've heard so far.

Syzygy Incident, one of the most alluring pieces, opens the album. It is an up-tempo improvisation in a very weird key. Simply mesmerizing, I can't come up with any references really. Wall to Wall Sunshine is more traditional fusion, similar to Mahavishnu Orchestra, especially the interplay between the guitar and violins. Frank's Beard stays in Mahavishnu territory, be it that the fretless bass is very prominent and almost sounds atonal. It's another excellent composition, the ambience created is very moody, entrancing almost.

Diabollocks is a next gem in the chromatic tonalities of this band. Due to some jungle drum&bass effects and a nice melody on midi vibes (some electronic xylophone apparently) the band manages to give each track a unique identity. Upon first listen the non-melodic approach might wear you out, but this album is a grower and with each listen the number of songs that you appreciate will increase. Progressivity is made around a midi vibes solo. Again the bass and drum work is impressive, very subtle and enthralling here

After 33 minutes of dense music, the 20-minute Miles Away is not for the faint of heart, 20 minutes of abstract music, bordering on free-jazz, without melodies and only occasional accents or short solos by the soloists. Half-way through the players relax a bit and even get into something of a zeuhl mood. Most impressive piece.

55 minutes in and I'm already seeing 5 stars rising at the horizon, so everything that follows is a bonus: Some Things Must Last is more melodic. Complex as it is, it's a welcome rest point. Fusionauts is good on its own, but amidst all the excellence here I usually skip it. Orfeo's Demon adds vocals, experimental and non-melodic, and a laidback trip-hop groove: think Massive Attack goes free-fretless-bass-jazz or something similar... High Tea ends the album in due fashion with abstract sounds on a jagged rhythmic section.

Amazing album. 4.5 stars.

Bonnek | 4/5 |

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