PROGRESSIVITY

Wow... without a question this fusion prog album is a mandatory purchase kiddies. In the tradition of BRAND X , MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and RETURN TO FOREVER; "Progressivity" is another key top gem. This is TUNNEL's 3rd album but very much stands out as their defining moment with the addition of BRAND X membership. Guitarist Van Manakas has left and has been replaced by BRAND X's guitarist John Goodsall and also by an extraordinary violinist by the name of Mark Feldman! TUNNELS is very much retro while very much forward sounding... modern fusion at its finest. Having been a big fusion fan (as you will have seen many fusion albums reviewed on my site), "Progressivity" is equally fitting. On this album the lineup is Percy Jones (fretless bass), Frank Katz (drums), Marc Wagnon (midi vibes), with John Goodsall (guitars), Mark Feldman (violin) and Sarah Pillow (prepared voice). Sound on this CD is unbelievable with some pretty incredible bass tones and nice range and pitch separation. One of the key aspects of this album is that although it is pure fusion prog they never get too far off the 'beat and track' and stay within complex yet controlled boundaries. Truly an incredible album and one that I post for all to know about... go buy it !

This excellent stuff, concerning such Experimental fusion at its best, sometimes is Frank ZAPPA and DIXIE DREGS like; instead it's more personal in other circumstances. It seems there's a great array, regarding the whole range of fusion styles, within their improvisational stuff. That is, it's so difficult to label them within a specific "Fusion progressive genre", because the band is able to change radically route during the executions of the songs, thanks to such a valuable bass player like Percy Jones, Marc Wagnon on midi vibes and drummer Frank Katz. Besides the guest star John Goodsall (along with Percy Jones in the band BRAND X, a piece of history into the fusion world!!)and violinist Mark Feldman, have got as much talent as this CD requires... moreover on tracks such as "Wall to Wall Sunshine," the band lets Feldman and Goodsall lead the music session, through their talent, while Percy Jones really makes a great job on the track "Frank's Beard"! Instead the song "7,584,333,4440 Miles Away" is very long, as it's a 17 minutes track, where you can note all their influences, from DIXIE DREGS to Frank ZAPPA.

Of course this album requires a repetitive listening, but naturally it's worth checking out !!

Progressivity is an imposing 74 minute fusion album that covers a wide range of styles and moods. Not an easy listen as it will take time to absorb the compositions to their full extent. But it's absolutely deserving. Required listen for all lovers of Brand X and Mahavishnu. One of the best fusion albums I've heard so far.

Syzygy Incident, one of the most alluring pieces, opens the album. It is an up-tempo improvisation in a very weird key. Simply mesmerizing, I can't come up with any references really. Wall to Wall Sunshine is more traditional fusion, similar to Mahavishnu Orchestra, especially the interplay between the guitar and violins. Frank's Beard stays in Mahavishnu territory, be it that the fretless bass is very prominent and almost sounds atonal. It's another excellent composition, the ambience created is very moody, entrancing almost.

Diabollocks is a next gem in the chromatic tonalities of this band. Due to some jungle drum&bass effects and a nice melody on midi vibes (some electronic xylophone apparently) the band manages to give each track a unique identity. Upon first listen the non-melodic approach might wear you out, but this album is a grower and with each listen the number of songs that you appreciate will increase. Progressivity is made around a midi vibes solo. Again the bass and drum work is impressive, very subtle and enthralling here

After 33 minutes of dense music, the 20-minute Miles Away is not for the faint of heart, 20 minutes of abstract music, bordering on free-jazz, without melodies and only occasional accents or short solos by the soloists. Half-way through the players relax a bit and even get into something of a zeuhl mood. Most impressive piece.

55 minutes in and I'm already seeing 5 stars rising at the horizon, so everything that follows is a bonus: Some Things Must Last is more melodic. Complex as it is, it's a welcome rest point. Fusionauts is good on its own, but amidst all the excellence here I usually skip it. Orfeo's Demon adds vocals, experimental and non-melodic, and a laidback trip-hop groove: think Massive Attack goes free-fretless-bass-jazz or something similar... High Tea ends the album in due fashion with abstract sounds on a jagged rhythmic section.

Amazing album. 4.5 stars.

TUNNELS are a trio with Marc Wagnon on vibes, Percy Jones (BRAND X) on bass and Frank Katz on drums. We get some guest guitar from John Goodsall (BRAND X), violin from Mark Feldman (MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA) and some female vocals (Sarah Pillow).This is a band who loves and is greatly influenced by TONY WILLIAMS LIFETIME, MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and Miles Davis circa "Jack Johnson" and "Live Evil".

"Syzygy Incident" is my favourite because everything is intricate and the drums and bass are absolutely outstanding ! I love this stuff. "Wall To Wall Sunshine" is guitar led early as bass, drums and vibes fill out the sound. Violin replaces the guitar as they continue to trade off in this MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA flavoured track. "Frank's Beard" features these odd metered drum patterns as bass, vibes and violin help out.It gets pretty intense before 7 minutes. Drums only after 8 minutes. "Diabollocks" has this beat as sounds come and go. Nice. Bass a minute in. Not a lot of melody here and the vibes are prominant too. "Progressivity" has this full, rich sound with vibes over top.Violin takes a turn then the vibes are back around 3 minutes.Violin is back 4 1/2 minutes in.

"7,584,333,440 Miles Away" is a 20 1/2 minute studio jam. Intricate drumming early with bass as vibes come and go. Guitar helps out too. Check out the drumming after 2 1/2 minutes and before 5 1/2 minutes. Impressive ! The tempo does shift quite a bit.The guitar leads after 10 minutes. It gets pretty intense then it settles after 12 minutes and builds. It settles again with vibes as the guitar makes some noise. "Some Things Must Last" is a laid back tune as the violin comes and goes. "Fusionauts" has this base of drums and bass as the guitar plays over top.Vibes and guitar take turns on this one. "Orfeo's Demon" has these heavily treated female vocal expressions. Sarah is Marc's wife by the way. Intricate sounds come and go in this interesting track. "High Tea At 49th And 10th" features some more impressive drumming and jazzy bass lines.

These guys are gunslingers and they've delivered an interesting and complex recording that never gets tiring. Easily 4 stars and a must for Fusion fans.

If you call an album "Progressivity" you have to deliver. And it helps if you start with someone as talented as Percy Jones on bass. Throw in Frank Katz, who played drums with Jones in the 90's version of Brand X, and spectacular vibes player Marc Wagnon and this album comes through.

With Brand X guitarist John Goodsall sitting in for three of the ten tracks, there is certainly a Brand X feeling to the album. And it does come close. They are missing the blinding fast keyboard/guitar unison riffs, and that's bad. But they are also missing Phil Collins singing, so that more than makes up for it.

The songs vary between Brand X-like fusion fiestas and less structured free jamming. And it's all good.

My only complaint is the two tracks with "prepared voice" by Sarah Pillow. The odd treatment distracts from the music, and even gets a bit annoying at times.