MATHEMATICIANS

US short-lived Prog/Fusion band which released only two album during the 90's.They were formed in 1988 by drummer Kevin Kouts and guitarist Larry McCullough. Mathematicians were majorly a studio band and played live only in rare occasions.Their debut ''Irrational Numbers'' was released in 1994 on Aljabr Records.

The overall style is fiery guitar-based Fusion with melodic touches.Larry McCullough prooves to be a talented guitarist,his playing is very energetic,aggresive and powerful but also it turns right after into melodic or atmospheric lines.Kevin Kouts is also a very gifted drummer,the drumming is solid and dynamic all the way.Keyboard work by Bob Fields is somewhat incosistent.Most of the time his keys deliver dreamy background soundscapes,but some of the synth work is quite ''plastic'',a typical sound of the era.All tracks change from groovy,furious Fusion to virtuosic but balanced solos and,without being anything trully captivating,manage to grab your attention till the end.Nevertheless the album is too short regarding the time of its release,clocking at less than 35 minutes.

''Irrational Numbers'' is a quite enjoyable listening,anyone after bands like UZEB,4 FRONT or HELMET OF GNATS will know exactly what to expect.A warmly recommended effort by a a lost in time and certainly forgotten quintet.

This rather unknown but still active US band deserve a bit more credit than given so far.

This is their second album. It is a fusion album in a wider context. Not only does it fuse rock and jazz. It also fuse prog metal (Read: Dream Theater), heavy prog (Read: Rush) and Canterbury (Read: Caravan). Inbetween, we also visit the likes of Gentle Giant. Nothing of this is directly copies. Just a gentle wink and nod throughout.

For those of you which is more into jazz than rock, this album is too much rock. It also has this US TV series title and soundtrack feel too and that for me is my biggest gripe with this album. The music is too slick for my liking. But this album is still a very good album and should have given this band a higher profile in the business.

A slick, but still a good fusion album is my verdict.

3.5 stars

A decent,polite and well done album of jazz rock fusion and nothing more than another prove that talented musicians can do a good album having a solid bag of technical capacities!It's an album with personality and diversity ,all the songs are played at an uptempo rhythm and the authors seem to have a great time when they recorded it!It's a shame thet after 2 good albums it hasn't been released a third one to see in what direction they will go?!?!Especially the rhytmic section of THE MATHEMATICIANS is impressive KEVIN KOUTS,the drumer is a pure groove machine!The sound of the bass guitar is very good and all the guitar solos are very inspired and catchy,fans of Scofield and Benson will be delighted!Some Jeff Beck influences sometimes,but overall a pure jazz fusion direction for this album!No particular song to mention,all have the same degree of attractivity and in the end the feeling of a very pleasant and nice audition made!!!A mention for RED DESERT the final song,a very complex one ,full of changes,chops and diverse rhythms , cleverly divided in 3 parts,trully an ambitious track ,perfectly well placed to the end of the album especially to give the listeners the feeling that the perspectives are great!!But...I am afraid the band doesn't exist anymore... and there will be no other albums in the future with THE MATHEMATICIANS! 3 STARS for something very correct and decent !

I finally got a hold of another copy of this album!! The Mathematicians are a great fusion band from the midwest that were shortlived, but did manage to put out 2 albums. I have yet to hear the 2nd album, but the 1st one, IRRATIONAL NUMBERS is brimming with great fusion ideas from the opening track SPANISH MAIN and even the 2nd track, DANCE OF THE NILE, you get the idea that this is a confident group of fusion musicians with tools to express their ideas. But for me the jewel of this album is the track RAIN. I love this tune and can't get enough of it. What I like about it mostly is the focus on Eddie Humphrey's bass playing which seems to be heavily influenced by Berrie Oakley of Allman Brothers fame. When I listen to this track I feel the same way I do when I space out to the Allman Brothers MOUNTAIN JAM, I feel like I'm in a car going for an extended drive on some route somewhere off the beaten path. I highly recommend this album for prog fusioners who like a hint of alllman brothers in their fusion.