BLACK SEPTEMBER

In 1992 keyboard player Michael West released his solo album "God Sex Money", produced by Bill Berends from USA 'power-progrock' band MASTERMIND. Two years later that collaboration between Bill and Michael led to the production and release from the eponymous debut CD by BLACK SEPTEMBER. This four piece formation featured Micheal West on keyboards, Jason Harper on violin, bass and lead vocals, Jon Wilson on drums and percussion and Freddy Lutz on saxophone, bass and backing vocals.

The music on the six compositions (between 6 and 13 minutes) is often bombastic featuring dazzling keyboard runs and a dynamic, very propulsive rhythm-section. My highlights on this CD are Floodgates (Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman inspired keyboard flights and a fiery saxophone solo) and Beast In Plain View (super-bombastic climate delivering swirling electric violin play and an ELP/Ars Nova atmosphere with amazing keyboard work). Despite the obvious hints from ELP and Ars Nova the sound from Black September is modern but at some moments a bit too much focussed on the sensational keyboards and power rhythm-section, I tend to loose my concentration during some parts. But in general this album contains lots of exciting, keyboard driven progrock. Unfortunately this album turned out to be their swansong, yet another good one shot band!

Black September is one of the lesser known acts from USA from beggining of the '90s in prog scene. They released only one album self titled in 1994 and was issued by italian label Mellow records same year. The band was formed by Micheal West on keyboards who had a solo album 2 years before with God sex and money. This is keyboard dominated release very much in ELP direction, but aswell there is a good amount of sax and violin passages. Also the producer is Bill Berends one of the brothers from Mastermind fame(who produce Micheal West album aswell), and in places Black September has that Mastermind atmosphere in some passages. The lowest point are the vocals, who are not entirely bad, but lack of energy and great range, as example on Forever winter the vocals are almost awful at best, while the instrumental sections are more then ok. Not very much to add just if you are into Mastermind, ELP and keyboard dominated albums , Black September I think worth to be investigated. A forgotten band for sure. I prefer solo album of Michael West then this one. 3 stars, good but nothing special.