SHAPESHIFTER

I like post-Allen jazz fusion Gong very much, and I like Allen's Trilogy as well. I even like some side projects, as Planet Gong or NY Gong, even if they often are more prog-punk or space- psycho in my opinion.

From that album you are waiting something ...let say what is connected with classic Allen's Gong. Will you find it here? Yes and no.

Yes, there is Allen's voice ,and he's in good form. Loose structure, plenty of speaking voice and musical short interruptions. Common freaky atmosphere. Many different rhythms in unusual combinations. Very dread album structure.

No - no Gilli's voice there. Plenty of very interesting, but not characteristic for earlier Gong Indian influences in rhythms, winds and even vocal. Terrible drum machines in few places. Soft, very polished and in places openly pop-oriented sound.

It total - mixed bag. I like some remained old-Gong feeling, I like new direction of African drumming and plenty of Indian music influences. I like few pieces of complex drumming and dread musicianship. I like this electric violin sound filling almost all songs. But all these sweet soft pieces are just too much pop for me! And I hate that drumming machine sound!

Whenever all album is a strange combination of some nice things and some not so attractive moments heavily mixed in one unfocused work, final feeling is something in the middle. Let say around 3,5. What in details means 4 for Gong heavy fans and three for regular listener.

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