KIND OF RED

NOW!, this is a great RIO/AG album, daring, proposing, not trying to make any kind of statement, just impeccable, sensibly executed, original song-written music. More in the natural borderline of A.V. Jazz,, not merely because of the instruments, also composition-wise. Why it is not in the Prog-Jazz/Fusion section?, I suppose it has to do, with all the kind of stop-overs (Tangent-like) they cover, to their final route. RIO as such, it is not, understanding the need of tags, I will tag it, post-RIO/AG. The language is friendly, I suppose, considering their use of minor-chords, so close to the genre, but their conception is quiet a thrill. So, if you are looking for more RIO/AG- fireworks of " thumps and crashes and screams", there are some, but because music progression, not to impress or just for kicks, and not the whole of the album which is itself a relief. Also, no singing, that for me is a super-plus (no-preaching), just abstract voices flowing here and there, Sometimes you will be reminded of the Tull's early power -prog/ rock and just as a mere detail. I don't exactly remember the Tangent's tag, but "Kind of Red" sounds also, a bit like that, not musically, but in the multi-national approach . TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE - Kind of Red, has one of the most uncommon attributes one kind find, they are not scared to arrive to different musical-areas, that is why, I suppose, they are here in the quiet un-populated RIO/AG planet. Great songs which go different routes, without losing identity, and without fearing that sometimes, things may not turn strictly RIO or AG, but with that boldness that categorizes the RIO/AG crowd, they handle novelty but also beauty, if encountered, as they do with other musical fields. Thanks for this PA recommendation, my belief in the future of Rock in Opposition, has lightened up, again, for real. Therefore, if you like intelligent, not over the top musical structures, which sometimes are jazzy, others pure RIO, others AG, others pure prog-rock, without oversized pretentions, but talent alone, this is a very good project (as for it to be essential,.. Well, that is your pick!. For me, ****4 PA stars.