SUMMER SESSIONS VOL. 1

Originally CAUSA SUI are more hailing from the stoner rock realm. They produced two studio albums until the decision came up to take a step to something more loose and experimental. They recorded hours and hours of free jams, less structured songs, quite different in style - however - besides several krautrock and jazz rock/fusion traces the preference on psychedelic/spacey sounds is obvious. The essence of this improvisational excursions was put on three different albums entitled 'Summer Sessions' up to now - each released by German Elektrohasch label on vinyl in a limited edition of 500 copies.

Occupying one LP side all alone Visions Of Summer is an incredible session. Initiated by a spacey intro reduced on synth and percussion this is mostly fusion oriented as for the rhythmic fundament but also provided with a special hypnotic/repetitive behaviour - little by little escalating to heavier stoner impressions. Even Jimi Hendrix reminiscences are shimmering through here and there. The fallback will come soon to a relaxed approach with a bunch of spacey guitar, organ, electronics - all skillfully played by Jonas Munk. This is partially rather warm, gently grooving - excellent!

And it's nearly the same with Red Sun In June, the first song of the flipside. The emphasis is more on multiple guitar layers though - really soaring when the jam is escalating in between. Twittering synths are leading over to the next song Portixeddu where the title seems to be derivated from a Sardinian origin. This obviously works in the vein of Soft Machine featuring Allan Holdsworth. Clearly an intensive jazz rock outfit - also reminding me of Santana's proggy times - later decorated with contributions by guest sax player Johan Riedenlow.

Soledad starts really dreamy spacey as for the contrary - nice guitar work once more. But then the band changes to a heavier stoner mood again which fashions the middle section of the song. Comprising different styles 'Summer Sessions Vol. 1' is a fantastic atmospheric album in it's entirety for someone who loves well-elaborated jam sessions - 4.5 stars.

This is CAUSA SUI's first fully instrumental album, based mostly on jams. It's good they gave up singing - it's not like they were lame in it, it was just quite another band when they had vocals. Now they sound much better, I tend to think.

CAUSA SUI delivers 48 minutes of pure eargasmic bliss on "Summer Sessions, vol.1". Imagine a cocktail from old Psychedelic Rock, Art Rock, Krautrock, Jazz Rock, Hard Rock, deeply rooted in jammy and improvised music, but never lacking structure or direction! Analog keyboards, fuzzy guitars, groovy rhythm-section - what can be better for anyone who is tired of regressive and pompous contemporary Prog? Begin your trip with vol.1 and don't forget to check vol.2 and 3 too - I don't know what to write about them, they are all the same way beautiful! Highly recommended