NATURAL SELECTION

Sorry for my low rating, but this time - in comparison to the impact of their best Studio album "Progressivity", I'm a bit perplexed about it!! Don't get me wrong, the product is good, the music well mixed and performed in a remarkable way (epecially regarding of their exploration concerning the sound of their synths), but the style is radically changed, as it looks like a kind of psichedelic genre, which sounds a bit strange for my ears... apart from this feature, sometimes their music is odd and very busy, but often resembling some passages of another similar band - Brand X - in their most meditative moments, and for me such important elements could be enough to make this album worth checking out at least!! This is "alternative music" and "relaxed fusion jazz" in the same time, which is very interesting at the end, so after burning this cd one more time I could give the product another half star...make your own choice anyway!!

Tunnels take on a refreshing new sound on this album. I had pretty much written off Tunnels as one of those bands who sound the same on every album, but you like the sound so you tolerate it kind of band. Luckily I'm wrong as usually with my assumptions. Their sound on Natural Selection is more diverse and rockier whereas other albums were basically straight up jazz. As often happens when bands make a sound change, this is their best album to date.

Two things really make this album successful. First, John O'Riely Jr. takes over behind the drum kit. He's hands down the best drummer the band has had. He's style is less jazzy than the others and more rock oriented. This brings an important energy that I always felt was somewhat lacking in the percussion department. The difference will strike you from the first beat. He takes all the sophistication that we love from jazz but unlike their previous drummers he really brings a rock energy into the concoction. Secondly, Wagnon focuses more on atmosphere than he does on providing melodic lines. Again, the difference is immediately noticeable. It's as if the band goes from being 2-D to 3-D. He still contributes a good bit of his fantastic lead work, but his added role really adds new depth to the music.

As mentioned before this album is much less jazzy than previous efforts of typical albums in the genre (In fact I when I hear "Io's Dream" jazz is one of the last ideas that comes to me). However, I don't want to scare off those reading these reviews for a fine Fusion album to invest in. Believe me this will certainly give you your jazz fix, but it also has more to offer than simply that. I was strongly tempted to give this 5 stars as it nearly deserves it, but the inclusion of "Green Eyes" angers me enough to bump it down. This piece is obviously a throw away. The rest of the album excretes energy and inspiration yet this track just meanders around the same theme for 5 mins without any real purpose. 4.5 stars

Swiss born Berkley graduated Marc Wagnon's project "Tunnels" from very beginning was based on great vibes/bass/drums interplay. No wonder - other co-founder is ex-Brand-X bassist Percy Jones, demonstarting there his excellent fretless bass abilities.

As a bit unusual fusion trio, they play great music - modern jazz fusion, with some roots, but sounding very fresh. With strong contemporary jazz element. Being in fact minimalistic trio, they sound as real full-body sounded band.

I believe most important element of their music on this albums is perfectly balanced proportions of all components. Their fusion sounds fresh, but remembering its roots, never screaming, in moments even soft, but never too safe or cheesy. You can hear plenty of electronic sounds in album's music, but at the same time bass is on the first plan, and all electronics are used very tastefully.

In whole - great contemporary fusion album.