KUMINA.ORG

These words might prepare the listener for a half-baked work that doesn't even fully believe in itself. No need for that! In fact it's hard to believe how just one jam session - after several years of playing together - can produce such enjoyable music. Naturally the role of post-production becomes crucial too, but I think the jam-based nature can be heard mostly in a positive way. The music really breathes and radiates that lovely carefree spirit, when the creative locks and brakes are broken down to let everything happen here and now. Pure musical communication between keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. Yes, I'm aware how idealized way this is to see music borne from jamming, and that the risk of becoming unfocused, pointless and plain boring is constantly lurking somewhere near. Perhaps it's safe to say that the reception of such music is very personal, not only up to the individual listeners but also up to the mood you're in. Anyway, from that starting point this is a wonderful album.

Some notes on chosen tracks. The opener 'Re:Union' is delicious, jazzier cousin of spacey acid rock à la early 70's PINK FLOYD. On 'Obligatory Blues Jam' the groove is coloured by a superb Moog solo among other things. Reggae-ish beat and the soloing guitar are on focus on the 3rd one. No. 5 gets funky; the hilarious communication especially between electric piano and bass paves way for a gorgeous guitar solo. The slow and soft title track is euphoric indeed; you can imagine flying in the brightness above the clouds. In the end piano citates briefly 'My Way' (the song made famous by Frank Sinatra).

The next track is at first a bit annoying with the angular "takita takadi tadikitato" repetition. At this point the running order is not the best possible... To some degree it's also true that towards the end the album loses some of its happy charm. But this hour contains musical joy and unique personality enough for four stars. Warmly recommended for Fusion lovers!

First off, the worst thing of this album is surely its dull cover design. But the music is far from being dull! It's full of energy, musical joy, colour, melody and groove. Each track has a personality of its own while the entity stays completely coherent. The ninth, 48-second fast and crazy interlude is rather pointless, but maybe it serves as an additional twist. The very lively opening track (the title means 'Another Seven Days') begins as a playground for nearly Wakemanesque keyboard work before turning into hectic and slightly monotonous part that's more or less a drum solo. 'Etydi' has Bach-like melodies and reminds occasionally of JEAN JACQUES LOUSSIER's classical music jazzifications, but expands from that into colourful Fusion.

On each track all the used instruments are named in the order of appearance, giving thus extra pleasure for listeners approaching music from a technical point of view, such as keyboard enthusiasts. Perhaps the album at times gets too technically oriented and intelligent at the cost of emotion (that's one of my favourite words about music reception if you haven't noticed!), but there's always enough accessible melodicism too to maintain the feelings of happiness and good spirit. One might think of Canterbury prog / jazz (e.g. NATIONAL HEALTH and GILGAMESH), even though Kumina.org doesn't have a notable retro feel. They themselves have mentioned NIACIN and MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD as references.

This is very energetic, entertaining and happy Fusion of high technical level. Easily four stars, and if there just were some truly memorable moments of "wow...!" it would be five stars.

Tight rhythms are a constant feature throughout, and the bass line tends to serve as the foundation for the proceedings rather often. The proceeding being wandering piano themes, various forms of guitar excursions as well as (mostly) vintage sounding keyboards and an organ that more often than not seems to be caught in a serious asthma attack. And for those with language concerns: It is an instrumental effort, so no worries.

The compositions are of good quality too, whether the band are exploring typical fusion territories, flirting with Deep Purple or approaching Floydian universes. A few moments of pure brilliance is found too, in the shape of Etydi and Tahdon Asiaa. A strong effort overall, recommended to those who'd like good quality, instrumental art rock with fusion tendencies.