WAVES

"Waves" was released in 1975 and the theme of this album is the sea. This is the most peaceful and mellow album i've heard from the band so far. Steve Winwood who became a JADE WARRIOR fan after watching them open for his band TRAFFIC guests on piano and moog.There are two side long suites although clearly these two tracks are made up of shorter songs.

"Waves Part I" opens with barely audible sounds as the atmosphere slowly builds until it gets loud 2 1/2 minutes in. It settles back quickly with keys,flute as other sounds come and go. A change 5 1/2 minutes in as we get louder piano and a beat. Flute 7 1/2 minutes in makes this sound much better. Piano leads before 8 1/2 minutes then the guitar joins in. Flute returns then it settles back before 11 minutes. A calm 12 1/2 minutes in to until after 14 minutes. Another calm 16 minutes in then a new soundscape of acoustic guitar and other sounds to the end.

"Waves Part II" opens with nature sounds then the guitar comes in around 2 minutes. Flute a minute later as nature sounds return. A change in sound after 5 minutes. Guitar after 7 minutes. Some surprisingly aggressive guitar a minute later playing over top. Flute before 9 1/2 minutes then trumpet. It becomes kind of funky after 11 minutes. Great section. A calm 12 1/2 minutes in. I like when the flute comes in, it's so calming, pleasant and peaceful.The sound does get fuller before a calm arrives around 20 minutes. Whale sounds join in and continue pretty much to the end.

I enjoyed quite a bit of this album but overall I can't give it four stars. "Kites" remains my favourite from the band.This is a good album to veg out to.