OHM

Poland has carried on that Jeff Beckian fusion era in riffage phrasing, voicings of his axe, and overall feel. You will also hear the heaviness of Leslie West's Mountain in places. Compositions are relatively unique and engaging and oddly enuff for what I was expecting (after his Chasing the Sun) -- Poland doesn't dominate the arena. His solos are evenly balanced, layered in nicely with the compositions, in fusion unison lines, great rhythm crunch and chordal flow, with only medium length explosions of soloing.

The album is very unified in feel with essentially no filler cuts. Each song offers a treat here and there. You will hear Beck, West, Hendrix outbursts, nods to E. Johnson and echoes of Lukather, (but he's a Jeff Beck type axeman too). When Poland uses whacked-out effects, ring modulators, and Henderson-like, (Rocket Science era), crazy-axe, weirdisms that more modern 21st century fusion feel breaks through.

If one thing is clear the real WOW factor and star of this release is bassist Robertino Pagliari on 6-string fretless --WHOA! Sweet stuff, really came outta nowhere this guy. I believe it's his fluidly structural and lively punch-n-groove textures that hold OHM together so impressively. David Eagle's percussive excellence cannot be ignored either. Put Poland in the mix with his unpredictable pyrotechnics, many change-ups, and OHM is a winner. (This is new fusion that challenges expected borders and is actually an enjoyable listen vs. an obtusely meandering avant garde blow-fest.)

My fav tracks in order of overall excellence in order of "personal taste" were: "Mountain", "Peanut Buddah", "Brandenberg Gate" and "Orange". OHM's debut is a recommended listen for all fusion fans and a must-have for fusion bassists!