THIRSTY MOON

Rich and warm first entry from a helluva band though it may take a few tries to get into this generous record, prog-jazz-space orchestra Thirsty Moon definitely came to play. Seemingly a jam album but that appearance fades as we begin to notice the clear vision, musicianship, taste, and subtle German precision. The band is given life by leader Norbert Drogies' hungry performance on drums and brother/co-leader Jurgen's support on guitar. No waiting here, the energy kicks right in for 'Morning Sun', pumping muscle turning into a smooth respite, Michael Kobs' cool electric piano, great layers of brass from Willi Pape and a bit of Krautrock trance. Strange and playful psych tune 'Love Me' is built with care, and 'Rooms Behind Your Mind' explodes with progressive energy, wild squawking from Pape, Hans Werner Ranwig's beautiful organ and Jurgen's black riffs. And 'Big City' lives up to its name, a sprawling nine-minute urban dig that smells of heat, fumes, food, people and life as it bustles forward. Twenty minute dirge 'Yellow Sunshine' is an ambitious opera that unravels gradually, only giving up its treasure to those who listen in full, packed with horn arrangements, killer organ, wailing space odysseys and amazing moments.

Like a shy but deep and brilliant person, Thirsty Moon is something you must invest some time into to benefit from, only later returning with stories of adventures in the night.