SUSPENSION

It takes a lot to get this former-reviewer off his duff and into the review-writing mode, but this is one album that inspired me to do so BIG TIME. This mostly-solo artist really knows what he's doing! I loved 2011's Cosmic Perspective but this is way better! And such a diverse collection of trippy, jazzy, funky, proggy instrumentals! Awesome! Definitely a keeper! A true masterpiece of eclectic gathering of retro 1960s-early 1970s sounds and styles.

Tracklist: 1. "Roadbells" (3:08) gentle solo distorted electric piano opens before being joined by other keys/vibes in a three- way weave. Old IRON BUTTERFLY-like organ (with Mellotron backing) then takes the lead. Cool! Funky EGG/BACHian end! (8.5/10)

2. "Spiral" (5:33) opens with some serious funk in the bass and drums! Multiple keys create a little repetitive weave which is then joined by electric guitar. Definitely a perfect setup for some blazing guitar soloing--but the drums and keys steal the show, that is, until the fourth minute when two (or is it three) layers of guitars come out of the gates. Reminds me of QUANTUM FANTAY or SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMENT. (8.5/10)

3. "Worship" (5:13) old bluesy-funky jazz with the guitars sounding like the saxophones. Amazing! Again, a very old sound and style resurrected for this song. Great ears, Brian! (Wish I could peg the 1960s-70s jazz-funk artist this reminds me of! Larry Coryell? Eumir Deodato?) (9.5/10)

4. "Seventeenth" (2:33) a piano étude (for three pianos) reminiscent of many tributes to John Coltrane and/or Bill Evans. Incredible! (There's even a little "Shaft" in there, right Brian?) (9.5/10)

5. "Emerald" (3:36) This guy can play an organ! And choose great sounds from it, too! A little Wakeman-like feel (Criminal Record or "Seahorses") to this one. Awesome! And incredible use of effects to fade. (9/10)

6. "East" (6:15) like ELECTRIC ORANGE on acid--or Courvoisier! Awesome! One of the best songs of the year! (10/10)

7. "Dwell" (featuring Zuri Waters on saxophone) (6:36) funky but pretty straightforward. Nice Santana-like guitar sound/styling. Like the "tuned percussion" and drums best. Really gets under your skin (in a good way) by the end! (9.5/10)

8. Night Flight (6:54) moody heavily treated electric piano (á la LED ZEPPELIN's "No Quarter") opens up the song before heavily distorted softly picked electric guitar is woven in, and then bass. As a matter of fact, the longer it plays, it reminds me a LOT of "No Quarter." Crazy synths and even heavier distortion of other instruments turns the second half into a kind of cray-cray updated end to "Space Oddity." (8/10)

4.5 stars; a near masterpiece of progressive rock music though it is one of my favorite albums of the year!