TUNNELS

Fretless bass master of Brand X fame Percy Jones returns with another fusion group; Offering a very unique brand of jazz fusion with Frank Katz, of the second Brand X carnation, Van Manakas who providing the very little guitar on the album, and Marc Wagnon on the Mellokat, a Midi Vibe instrument.

Marc Wagnon provides most of the material on the disk and is undoubtedly the most important to achieving the bands overall sound. His quirky electronic effects will dazzle you as Jones and Katz hold it down with the tightest rhythm section one could imagine. I was first introduced to the band when I saw them as a three piece without Manakas open for Porcupine Tree. They completely blew me away, especially Percy Jones upon who my eyes were fixated the entire show as his hand gracefully danced up and down the bass. They really stand apart from other Fusion bands, and the wide variety of sounds and atmosphere that they can explore is really amazing for a primarily three piece band. This is no doubt due to Wagnon's rather unusual instrument and it's sound effects.

The entire album carries a great feel of spontaneity and never feels contrived or calculated. The band contains a certain spastic energy that leaps out at the listener and really gives this band a unique voice in the Fusion genre. Sometimes though the band gets lost in it's jamming and loses the listener too.