LINGUA FRANCA

I enjoy listening to a number of Genres, but Jazz Rock/Fusion usually gets my attention first. Naturally, I had to check out this release too, especially after what I read about the musicians involved.

Well, I was in for a bit of a cold shower here, really. The music does have jazzy elements, no doubt, but it's much closer to RIO/Avant than to Jazz Rock/Fusion. My first impression is that whilst this project may showcase talent and ability, I can't really detect much direction here. And to use a Jazz benchmark term - it doesn't really "swing".

Fragmented and slightly awkward compositions encompassing elements that range from Free-Jazz, Heavy-Prog to Weather Report's more Ethnic approaches and more don't really blend well together. I could compare it to random ingredients added to a soup and fingers crossed, hoping that it may turn out to be palatable. There is nothing much wrong with the actual ingredients and the spicing with the odd run on sax, flute, guitar. But the end result is Avantgarde soup.

This work reminds of Frank Zappa's more indulgent pieces where the emphasis is on delivering difficult arrangements - never mind that few will like the end result.

"Chasing sheep is best left to shepherds." These capable musicians are probably better suited to excel in their own strength than to dabble in Jazz. I am sure that some people will find "Lingua Franca" to their liking. From my perspective i find it more disturbing than satisfying.

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