MAN OUT OF TIME

To whom it may concern. Who's the 'Man Out Of Time' here? It's meant like nothing more than ahead of time, no doubt. Initiated by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) this marks an album consisting of a recipe with well-elaborated Canterbury and Avant Jazz bordering songs. Where some of them have been unfinished samples deriving from diverse prior music projects. One reason why so much guest musicans are involved, I'd say. Having a total length of 36 minutes a rather short one, though tension filled anyhow. Experimental, partially weird, but also accessible, melodic in the same way. Something for everyone, so to say. Thus for example What's The Big Idea partially sounds if a Jazz Big Band is underway.

The following melancholic World Song on the other hand is a leftover from recordings for another great album. Produced under the moniker DIRATZ, also in collaboration with Newhouse. Where Carla's figure as well as her voice somehow reminds me of Renate Knaup (Amon Düül 2). In For A Penny then is showing a canterburyesque flow including wonderful electric piano akin to Soft Machine. The utterly complex and multi-varianted 4 Steps Back marks the album highlight, includes a guitar solo that is delivered by Mark Stanley, a tad Gary Boyle and Alan Holdsworth reminiscent. Fantastic! Fred's Dream is dedicated to guitarist Fred Frith. The main theme was experienced during a concert, and then modeled by Newhouse later. Even Frith himself has provided the solo finally. Superb album, definitely recommended, I'm delighted to see and hear so much prolific musicians involved.