ACROSS THE WATER

''More Than Meets the Eye'' was received warmly worldwide, followed by triumphant reviews and radio airplay, and Jadis strengthened their existence with some superb gigs in Germany, Holland and France.In 1993 their live scheduled was a bit lowered with the band working intensively in studio, releasing the EP ''Once Upon a Time'' at the fall of the year, containing three early Jadis tracks.From January to March 94' Jadis completed the works of their upcoming album ''Across the Water'' at Parkland Stusdios in the Denmead village, released in May on Giant Electric Pea.

What marked Jadis internationally as a great Neo Prog act were the shining melodies and the twisted guitar lines of Gary Chandler and with ''Across the Water'' the man just prooves who is the leading force of Jadis.The second CD of the group includes powerful yet melodic compositions with warm vocals, growing rhythmic parts, memorable melodies and passionate atmospheres.The overall style remains fairly accesible, though it seems there is a bit more room for Orford to deliver some additional keyboard textures.Speaking of Orford, many moments of ''Across the Water'' are characterized by the epic sound of IQ with slightly more demanding instrumental themes in some tracks and an excellent production supporting Jadis' sound.What the album lacks is the pair of unmet, striking melodies of ''More Than Meets the Eye'', but even so this work is far from betraying the listener.No weak moments, mo empty places, just dynamic and elaborate Neo Prog in the old-fashioned way.

Guitar-led Neo Prog with a strong melodic content is the style better suited for Jadis and ''Across the Water'' is just that: Well-composed, accesible and melodic Neo Prog with some very sensitive instrumental and vocal parts.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.