SYNCRISIS

SYNCRISIS were a Jazz Fusion band out of Germany who released two studio albums in the early eighties. This is the second one from 1982 and a big improvement on their debut that for me is a 3 star album. A four piece still with the guitarist and keyboardist leading the way. The keyboardist adds mini moog, church organ, electric piano, grand piano and clavinet. No horns which suits me fine and the drummer is very good. I wish the bass was more upfront. Oh and like on the debut we get a guest adding timbales and congas. That SANTANA vibe from the debut does not exist here.

Top three would include the opener for sure as we get clavinet to start that will shake you to the core. So nasty and upfront sounding, love it! Piano will take over as the clavinet continues but it's not nearly as upfront. Guitar then lights it up as the piano steps back. The second track isn't a top three but man if your into solos like me you'll like that one a lot. "Don't Cry! Shout!" is such a feel good track with a memorable melody that comes and goes. And the final top three would be "Darbangha" which opens with cymbals clashing over and over as deep sounds join in then drums replace the cymbals as the guitar lights it up. So good! Love that guitar style. Synths then lead as they cry out and check out the guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. Oh my!

Yes they upped the ante here and I would recommend this one to anyone into Jazz Fusion.

Short-lived German Jazz-Rock act with a light proggy flavor.Syncrisis were located somewhere in South Germany and led by drummer Uwe Holzwarth, guitarist Titus Köstler, bassist Peter Frodi and keyboardist Edgar Müller.Their first album ''Reflections in Musical Power'' was recorded at the so called Syncrisis-Studios (reputedly Holzwarth's basement) and released in 1981 as a private press.

The album is a very cool mix of fiery Prog/Fusion with tropical Jazz-Rock, always presented with a very positive and pleasant aura.The musicianship is all instrumental, including some superb guitar work by Köstler, somewhere between the styles of SANTANA and MARIO MILLO, filled with nice grooves and breezy solos.Edgar Müller, the man behind the keyboards, does a great job too.His electric piano lines have a strong CHICK COREA flavor, what are even more incredible are his breaking moog synths flights, which are really inspired.The rhythm section is quite strong as well and the album is characterized by the great number of interesting melodies, jazzy interplays and professional solos.

While not adding anything new to the endless list of Jazz/Fusion acts worldwide, Syncrisis' ''Reflections in Musical Power'' is an album full of nice surprises ans well-executed material, I think it definitely worths its money if a copy reaches your hands.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

Obscure progressive/jazz rock band from Germany with 2 albums under their belt with second one from 1982 named Sunny crisis being the most intresting one. Led by excellent guitarist Titus Kostler who has some amazing moments here, I really don't know why this musician is so unknown, really he has some fantastic guitar solos and arrangements , just to be checked Darbangha for example, superb piece that shows how great this band was and with all that totally unknown to larger public. Jazz rock melted very efficient with progressive moves, nice keybords and drums, overall a pretty decent even great release. Furious guitar parts but very intresting combined with keyboards and superb bass lines make from this album a little treasure in this field. Never realeased on CD so far, and is a damn shame because maybe that way they had a far more exposure. Very good album that needs to be discovered or re discovered by many listners as possible. The album doesn't have weak moments only highlights, the side B being the most intresting one with plenty of excellent passages that will please both progressive rock and jazz rock fans alike. 4 stars for sure, great under rated release. Intresting cover art aswell. Recommended.