THINK DIFFERENT

PA lists this band as Neo Prog, but I find them to be straddling the line between full-on prog and jazz/rock fusion. Indeed, their own characterization (from Bandcamp) has them tagged as experimental, hard rock, jazz fusion, progressive rock, ambient, art rock, instrumental, jazz rock, progressive metal, and Poland! Interestingly, I can find elements of all of those genre's on this fabulous gem of an album!

The album consists of 8 tracks spanning more than 66 minutes. Two of the tracks, Prognose and Eridanus, were previously released as an EP entitled "This Shit's Got to Go". It took another 3-1/2 years before the full LP was released.

I find this album to have a wonderful balance of musical elements. Guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, and saxophone all shine in the multispectral prog spotlight. At times, the guitarist, Jan Mitora, is reminiscent of David Gilmore. Other times, he sounds like Pat Metheny. Reportedly playing an Ibanez S2540 NT, an Aria Pro II semi-hollow, and an electro-acoustic Cort SJ-7X -- he is highly skilled and captivating. The keyboardist, Krzysztof Walczyk, plays Hammond organ, piano, and a variety of synths. Nearly hidden among the jazzier and classically influenced keyboard passages, you'll hear elements of Klaus Schulz and Tangerine Dream. On track 5 (Eridanus) you'll hear their guest saxophonist, Michał Szafraniec, channeling Didier Malherbe in a wonderful solo near the end of the piece.

Aside from the spoken words ("This Shit's Got to go") at the very end of Eridanus, there are no vocals. With ample groove, elements of surprise, and a strong sense of forward-leaning composition, there is no need for vocals in this work. It ranks a strong 4 stars in my book. Listen and purchase on Bandcamp!

Brain Connect is a quite intresting young prog rock/jazz fusion band from Poland. Founded in 2005 and after an EP issued in 2010 they released a full lengh in 2015 named Think Different. Well this is intresting album all the way, they had one foot in progressive rock and one foot in jazz fusion and add above some electronic moments. All album is instrumental, dominating by Jan Mitoray guitar and top performance of Krzysztof Walczyk on hammond, organ, no less great are the rest of the musicians. The songs are long, 5 out of 8 are over 7 minutes, even some of them over 10 min in length, with elaborated passages, very strong guitars and hammond organ, synthesizers when needed, all is done in perfect unit. The album is varied in arrangements and sounds, but in the end whole package is compact, the musicinship is more then ok and all album is intresting from start to finish, including the art work. Fans of prog rock/jazz fusion can easy take some spins, worth it for sure. 3,5 stars.