SKYWHALE

The big knock on this Skywhale album is that when you step back, this is nothing more than a nice fusion album. Okay, think if Yes had a ton more jazz in their sound and you've got the idea of Skywhale. It's all nice and uplifting, but not one song really makes any strong statement. There's no real strong dynamics; it's just there.

There's still nothing horrifically awful about this work, and the synth lines at the beginning of ''Epicure'' really stand out here. If you love everything that is jazz fusion, find the time for WORLD AT MIND'S END.

This was their only album and it's a melodic blend of entirely instrumental music comprising six tracks in total, all but one of which exceed the seven-minute mark. In addition to the ubiquitous guitar, keys, bass and drums Skywhale featured an additional percussionist and two wind players so there's always plenty going on and the music has something of a Latin feel. There's no real need to try to describe the music further so I'll just let it speak for itself.

In spite of its many qualities this album is probably destined to remain an obscurity and while it's never likely to challenge for a place in the top 100 prog albums it deserves at least some attention. Your first port of call should now be YouTube where you can listen to the album in its entirety (just ignore the vinyl crackles on the recordings), followed by a visit to Amazon where the MP3 is currently available to download for less than a five-spot. If you're a fan of Jazz Rock/Fusion you're in for a rare treat!

Probably the greatest thing about this album, aside from the exceptionally creative songwriting/arrangements and gifted musicians, is the energy they create as a band. In every song the tempo rises and they'll soar to a height that even revered veterans of the music world would be envious of.

The songwriting itself has an atmosphere and creativity that you just don't see very often in music. The music is consistent and thematic, and the arranging of different instruments to take hold of the melodies, often simultaneously, keeps the melodies interesting throughout every song of every album. Sporadically placed are spots in between these melodies in which the musicians are given chances to improvise, giving them a healthy chance to showcase their talents. And indeed they do, all the improvisation is highly inspired and consistent with the music, fitting in seamlessly.

This masterpiece will certainly remain one of my all-time favorites. I'm very fortunate I was able to hear about this one thanks to the internet, now that they're on ProgArchives hopefully many others will get a chance to hear it. Get this one just in case it vanishes into obscurity again folks! You won't regret it.