KITES

How much do you need your progressive rock to, y'know, rock? That's the key to whether you'll enjoy Jade Warrior's Kites. Since their debut, there'd always been this softer, more mellow side to the band's sound - and for my money, it's what they do best - and by Kites they had refined that to a fine art, with their Island Records albums all largely focusing on that aspect of their music. Once again, we're in a realm blending New Age music, Asian textures, and the more mellow end of jazz fusion. It's all quite atmospheric, but it's not going to hit the spot if you are after something more lively from your listening.