ILLUSION

This is some of the best Jazz these ears have ever heard. I'm still shocked at how amazing this album is, as it seems to be one of those records that was made specifically for my tastes. I have to thank tszirmay who's constant praise of this album finally made me go out and get it. This is one of those recordings where I can't even point out one or two people as being the stars because all four of these guys impress me to no end.

"Illusion" features these intricate sounding drum patterns with lots of fuzz from Hopper in support. Nice. Guitar from Boyle before 3 minutes and a great sound follows. So much going on here, it's fantastic ! "Rangoon Creeper" has this catchy rhythm as Hopper's fuzzed out deep bass lines keep it from sounding anything close to being labeled commercial.The fuzz stops 3 minutes in and now I can hear the others. Haha.The intricate guitar melodies are outstanding. "Spanish Sun" is the longest track at almost 8 minutes. A Spanish atmosphere to this one for the first 3 minutes. Liquid keys 4 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up. Nice bass and drum work here as the guitar lays down some fire. "Edorian" is a Hopper composition and is very fuzzy and uptempo. "Frog" is such a great track with the fiery guitar and the fuzzed out bass lines. The keyboard work shines and the drumming is killer. This song was originally the first track on the second side of the LP.

"Sliding Dogs / Lion Sandwich" is darker to begin with. Nice. The tempo picks up after 2 minutes. The keys sound incredible,the guitar too. Ok they all do. What a song ! "Golden Section" sounds so good for the first 1 1/2 minutes and then it gets better. Haha. "Marin Country Girl" opens with intricate guitar and piano, but then it gets darker and more to my liking. Very cool. "Lily Kong" builds until they're cooking 1 1/2 minutes in. "Temper Tantrum" opens with a bass / keys combo that comes and goes until guitar and drums join in. The guitar starts to lead the way 1 1/2 minutes in and then Boyle hits us with a blistering attack a minute later. Incredible.

Without a doubt this will join my other Jazz favourites on that special place on the shelf.