OPEN THE CAGE

Tasteful, Restrained, Jazz-blues Jams

ROD WHILE offers his debut solo release, "Open the Cage". Who's ROD WHILE? Former member of '80's progressive outfit Trekellion Skyway, and Sarajevo, musician/composer/producer, based in Buckingham, UK.

This all-instrumental album resists over-statement, bombast, frenetic shows of instrumental prowess. Rather, we are treated to subtlety, verve, dreamy moodiness, with occasional crowd-sounds, bits of conversation, and in one jarring but significant passage, manic cackling laughter. ROD WHILE apparently plays all instruments and is the composer of all tracks.

Here's How It Opens the Cage

"Breakout" opens with clean Strat-style guitar picking. Crisp drumming joins, and synthesized guitar melody. There's a shift to acoustic guitar picking, and mystical strings are added. Back to the opening picked pattern, and a supple guitar melody joins. This shifts to synth chords with clean Strat noodling overhead. Roving bass guitar rumbles beneath. It's a spritely, melodic track.

"Everyday Psychopath" has a thrumming keyboard pattern, and we hear piano chords with gentle guitar accents. Tasteful bass lines are added, then chiming keyboard sounds. Picaresque synth lines merge in- nothing ever swiftly or abruptly happens until...the already mentioned manic, cackling laughter (presumably the psychopath?). Meanwhile the jazzy, calm, bluesy patterns continue, and once again that crazed laughter intrudes.

"A Great Day for Planet Earth"- this is my favorite track, with solemn synth chords, some near-symphonic passages, soaring lead guitar, and added crowd applause in the distance. For the first time we hear sax sinuously insinuating its jazzy self into the mix.

"The Turning Point" starts with a babble of human chatter; then EXPLOSION! (The only other jarring moment in this album). Then chittering electronic percussive sounds with acoustic bass and solemn synth chords. Legato synth chords join, then picked electric guitar pattersn that grow with synth, bass guitar, drums, and lead guitar, with chiming guitar accents. We hear harmonics ring, and gentle keyboards give way to bird calls.

"Parallelogram" has restrained drums, bass, and keys, with electric piano chords joining. These layered sounds add depth and texture then subside. Crackling electric piano again takes a chill lead, and the electric guitar emerges with fierce, bluesy playing. This seems to be one of Rod's signature strengths. Once again the sax emphatically wails- and I like this element as well, over a punchy, jazzy background.

"Autumn in Kerkyra" has water sounds, then clean picked guitar pattern with various jazzy voicings. Gauzy synth chords join and an echoing guitar progression. There's a mystic and dark feel to the progression, which gently subsides into water sounds.

"Johari Window" has a drum-click countdown into a chill, jazzy progression. A whimsical synth lead line joins, then smooth keyboards, very relaxing and cushioned. This grows and a bluesy Strat lead develops over cool, calm keyboards. Another great track.

"Windows on the World": here we have rich, discordant synth chords sweeping and dreamy setting the mood- and it seems to me 'mood' is the key word for this album- building into a gentle, elegant passage that drifts and grows. A buoyant synth passage brings on a cool pizzicato section with keys and guitar picking. Drums enter- they're not a huge factor on this album, but when they are, it's usually back in the mix. We hear almost chamber-like woodwinds in a whimsical, playful pattern.

"Nuendo Mundo" opens with keyboard arpeggios in a playful pattern, with added mystical string sounds. There are intricate yet restrained drums, and some Strat noodling that grows with some sweet, nimble playing. This subsides into night sounds with the susurrus of wind, that fades.

The final track, "The Slippery Slope to Freedom" is another favorite, and the longest track. Here we have a piano introduction, and woodwinds melody with flute and sax. The drums and bass join in a solemn progression, very deliberate over a cushion of string sounds. There is a rich, Hammond-organ passage with is full and mellow, leading to full band playing with stately Strat lead overhead. The guitar slashes and sings and grows more intense. We hear a slightly jarring synth breakdown...into rushing oceanic surges of the tidal waves, with sea-bird calls and cries leading us out.

Closing Thoughts

Here's an elegant, restrained, moody album that perfectly complemented the relaxed morning I was having as I write this review, incense burning, and nothing urgent to do.

My rating- better than 'just' "good", not quite excellent. 3.5 carefully crafted stars.

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