CYMBALIC ENCOUNTERS

The moniker CYMBALIC ENCOUTERS represents a longer-term concept by drummer and composer Mark Murdock, who currently is residing in Japan. He already has worked with a lot of musicians respectively bands in his career, predominantly deriving from the progressive Jazz Fusion department. Apart from some solo albums this showcases the third effort for that music project, released in 2022. Further main contributors are Percy Jones (fretless bass) and guitarist John Goodsall, both also best known for being members of the band Brand X. Hence it's clear, here we have a highly experienced collective in charge, additionally supported by diverse guest musicians. Exemplarily to name Tim Pepper (The ID) while providing his excellent singing voice resembling Stanley Whitaker and Phil Collins a bit, or Hiroyuki Namba who will serve some considerable synthesizer stuff.

And so we are up to enjoy relaxed and tempered Jazz Fusion, here and there even tending to a Canterbury style. Not too complex, sometimes also offering some funky mainstream imprints. It grooves and swings a lot, room enough for solo explorations available anyhow. The opening title track deserves special attention due to Goodsall's tricky guitar presence. At the moment The Unwelcome Doormat turns out to be my favourite track, shines with some priceless synthesizer contributions. The song The Ending Film At The Endless Theater is faded out ... eh ... to be honest, in a rather careless sudden manner. But wait, probably with intent, when considering the track title? Who until yet missed out any connection to Mark Murdock's approach to produce music, should hurry up as soon as possible. The album 'Cerulean Cathedral' in any case shows a rather unique expression, definitely recommended as an addition to your sophisticated prog music collection.

After a very good first CD, here are the new interstellar adventures of "Captain" Mark Murdock (drummer leader Cymbalic Encounters) and his officers John Goodsall (BRAND X), Percy Jones (X BRAND, TUNNEL), Mick Stevens (BRANX , XPATRIATE), as well as musicians from the Japanese music scene (including Preston Murdock a future great guitarist and an impressive violinist named Junko Minobe). This CD offers us a superb journey into unexplored constellations. The result is beyond our expectations. The music is great, the compositions are strong, supported by the always impressive bass Percy Jones. To try to define the musical style, one could classify this cd in the "fusion- progressive" very high level. A highly recommended.