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PB

Special Others

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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3 stars Neat album, a bit to much background musicish for me though. The drums are an onslaught that once they begin, don't stop, the keyboard is a familiar jazz fusion epiano and the guitar has a tone very close to the keyboard.

Track 1, Title Is 3 minutes long and consists of a very fast jazz playing, particularly on the cymbals and keyboard, high energy for the whole time.

Track 2, PB is 9:20 and kicks off with slower drumming then the preview track and relatively sparse keyboard/guitar work. At about a minute the guitar let's loose a rapid fire barrage of notes that goes till a short transition then heads into a less note dense lead. At 4 minutes ~ keyboard replaces the guitar with chords/arpeggios. From this short respite grows a keyboard solo. The second guitar solo then returns at around six minutes and takes the song to its rhythmic coda.

Track 3, Stay is 7:53 and starts with chill arpeggios on guitar supported by percussion and bass. A far more relaxed style follows, one that approaches a Beach resort vibe. At about 2 minutes Japanese male harmony vocals come in briefly. This heads into a stripped down keyboard bass drum section with the keyboard getting the spotlight. The vocal then return after about another two minutes. A bit later different vocals come in, delivered in the style albeit with the notes held far longer. The song spends its last minute on a guitar solo that becomes a short outro.

Track 4, SPinWednesday is 6:00~ and starts with just a vamp on keyboard that is soon joined by drums/bass and replaced by a guitar lead. At around a minute the keyboard plays its part again, this time with the rest of the band which later plays the lead guitar part but with keyboard beneath. Another minute later the keyboard part returns but becomes a keyboard lead, rather then guitar. This is bookended by a repeat of the theme then guitar solo then keyboard then BOOM fast full band section to keyboard cadence.

Track 5, Charlie is 5:13 and begins with drums and bass which in a measure are joined by keyboard. A very old time blues/jazz lead guitar line croons over the rhythm. Then things get ominous at about a minute from a neat chord sequence/sound patch. At 2 mins~ the opening is repeated then fx laden keyboard takes the lead. The songs ominous theme returns for then the guitar/keyboard play their lines together. This erupts at five minutes into an energetic climax. A variation of the intro is the outro.

Track 6, Silent is 7:02 and begins with the same echo e piano featured on the last track. under drumming and bass the keyboard plays some chords and a bit of lead frantically. At around one minute the guitar enters then a minute later vocals like track three make an appearance. This is followed by guitar lead over bass and drums of a similar texture as the earlier keyboard one. The guitar and keyboard then join up again. At 4:30 the vocals return with a bit more added. The songs ends with keyboards bass drums and guitar.

Track 7, Potato is 8:33 seconds and starts with a neat keyboard riff drums and bass. Some guitar chords are added in the background and continue while the keyboard head into a solo. After about three mins of solo the music chills out for a bit then heads back into the rhythm but less chaotic. Soon the music returns to the chill rhythm and guitar gets time to shine for the next couple of minutes. At around 7:30 the bass gets a little actual solo then is joined by a snare build up then the song heads into a frenetic climax. Briefly the guitar gets rock and roll, then the song ends.

Track 8, twilight is 3:31 and is one of the more relaxed tracks. Keyboard dominates this one.

Track 9, LIFE is 9:34 and kicks off with keyboard chords then is joined by the rhythm section and guitar. Calm lines dance till this songs done. I think one of the best things about this album is how most of the songs have so much energy which this one lacks. LIFE never really builds to anything.

Track 10, sunrise is 4:10 and consists of acoustic guitar, hand drums, harmonica (melodica?) and cowbell.

Overall this is a solid album that for me is 3/5. I do think most of the songs would be better if the same keyboard solo wasn't always repeated later but on guitar and vice versa. Could also do without the last three songs.

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Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | Review Permalink

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