SUNHEAD

"Sunhead" is Plini's latest release, as of this review, and a foray into the jazzy side of Fusion. As a result, it is quite different from his previous efforts and, in particular, less centered on the guitar, but excellent nonetheless. All told, "Sunhead" demonstrates Plini is as versatile a composer as he is a guitarist.

"Kind" foreshadows what the listener is about to witness: unexpected alternations between laidback sections and intense bursts of sound and an emphasis in an impeccable and unpredictable rhytm section, and the creative melodies and playing Plini usually offers. All of that in four minutes!

"Salt + Charcoal" is my favourite and absolutely unrelenting. The intro is quick paced, but subdued; about thirty seconds in, Simon Grove bursts into it with a tone as sharp as a knife. Both he and Chris Allison then pull off meticulously tight offbeats to great effect; meanwhile, Plini returns to the fold and leads to the next section with a blazing fast scale. After a brief climax, without missing a beat, the song becomes quieter and Plini presents the listener with a brief (and of course great) solo. After that, Simon Grove once again takes charge, lush keyboards join him to wrap the song in an orgasmic conclusion. (For some reason the last thirty seconds are filled with what appears to be a rehearsal recording.)

The second and jazzier half of the EP begins with "Flâneur". It kicks off with a slow groove and acoustic piano, which might surprise those familiar with Plini's previous releases. Soon enough, however, Plini enters and another quick, unexpected swell takes place. In another surprising twist, the song slows down and a synth solo - with a vague resemblance to Weather Report - follows and segues into a sax solo. Both work very well, even though they might, once again, sound a bit jarring to a Plini fan listening to "Sunhead" for the first time. At any rate, Plini returns with great fanfare to deliver an intense solo. It surprises the listener for a last time with another sudden dynamic change, this time into a laidback sax and piano section followed by a whimsical end.

At last, the title track starts off like a Wes Montgomery tune, with a solitary guitar playing the theme - a sequence of tasty, jazzy chords; drums and other instruments soon follow; then everything bursts into a wall of sound, and the theme is stated more aggressively. Sudenly, it becomes gentle again; Simon Grove, who was providing the bold, synchopated rhytm in the previous tracks, plays a surprisingly lyrical bass solo; Tim Miller's solo, in turn, is reminiscent of the late Allan Holdsworth. At last, the song builds once again into a wailing coda.

I do not believe my description did enough justice to this EP - indeed, words fail me. What I can do is strongly recommend "Sunhead" to Fusion fans and whoever enjoys well crafted songwriting combined with great musicianship.