FUTURE

I consider this album as a straight hard rock music (with some prog elements) featuring Asif as mastermind of the band, as well as guitar player of trio band. Other band members include: Tony Norton (bass and vocals), and Robert Lowe (drums and percussion). Even though the musical concept is different, the trio reminds me to the early Grand Funk Railroad or Jimi Hendrix band.

The opening track "The Owl" (3:30) is an energetic song with relatively fast tempo. It continues with blues-based song "Future" (7:10) with stunning guitar solo and nice melody. I like the bass guitar work which gives good rhythm as well as melody for the song. Even though completely different in composition, this song reminds me to a blues song "Blue Breeze" by The Livin' Blues. I'm not saying that "Future" is following "Blue Breeze" but if I want to create a blues compilation CD, I would put both at one volume - they are pretty similar in style.

"Medusa" (3:25) is another upbeat track with classic rock guitar riffs. "Workshop" is a track with reggae beat and excellent guitar solo. The music immediately turns into different style in the middle of the track (hmmm.. Is this why we can say that this is prog? It's probably). This track is not bad at all. "Arabic Sales Market" (3:11) is a unique song with narration singing style - it reminds me to operatic style. "Wild Ones" (7:00) is in similar vein with previous track with more ambient in nature. The guitar solo is truly stunning. The mixing of guitar sound is also great. "Wishsong" (3:45) is an unplugged based rhythm section using acoustic guitar with energetic vocal. "Wake Up" (3:30) is another unique song with various styles. Bass guitar is quite dominant. "Mama Don't Send Me" (1:55) is another straight hard rock with unique structure and style. "Capture A Dream" (3:45) is another blues song in the vein of Trapeze. What interesting is that the music interlude brings the music into upbeat style and returns back to blues style. Nice composition. "Wizard" (9:35) is a Led Zeppelin influenced track. It's so good - especially on guitar solo / effects and bass guitar.

For those of you who like hard rock music with bluesy touch and classic rock influenced music, this is definitely yours. All songs are good, backed up with good musicianship on bass and guitar. If the drum section plays like Neil Peart, this must be a wonderful record! Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

ABBFINOOSTY at their best represents a pretty potent marriage of hard edged new wave with prog. But even there, competency is more the term I would use. Little here is truly exciting or memorable, and the "group" would actually improve for the subsequent release.

Probably the best thing here is "Wishsong" which justifies their early reputation for paganism. Elsewhere, Assaf's guitar licks help highlight the title cut, "Drink with the Devil" and "Wild Ones", but it's nothing you really need, and in fact sometimes those leads seem a bit clumsy relative to a perceived subtle intent. The man seems angry but I'm not convinced of the authenticity of that sentiment or at least of his success in conveying it with conviction. As for "Arabic Sales Market", "Meduse", and "The Wizard", haphazard and ham-handed come to mind.

If you are curious, start with "Comes the Storm" and then approach the "Future" with caution.

The UK band with one of the most bizzare names ever came to life in 1985 led by guitarist/singer Asif Ali.Bassist Tony Norton and drummer Robert Lowe completed a music trio full of energy and passion for dynamic compositions and Abbfinoosty were reputedly a live beast already from their early days, even performing at the Marquee Club.However it wasn't until 1994 when they signed a contract deal with Cyclops and released their debut ''Future'' with Alan Dickerson on keyboards.

Ali, Norton and Lowe were influenced by numerous bands and ''Future'' shows that they just did not want to be unfaithful to any of these.Under these circumstances the album includes 12 tracks of varied moods and different approaches ranging from Melodic to Hard Rock and everything in between.However their work manages to remain very tight from the very first to the last note only because two words characterize all compositions: Atmosphere and energy.Ali's guitar work delivers from Hard Rockin' riffs to melodic solos and his vocals are passionate all the way despite his limited range.Norton and Lowe provide a strong and powerful rhythm section and Dickerson appears when needed with his district keyboard parts.Inspiration and styles are endless, from the RUSH-like power moments to the MARILLION-esque atmospheric passages and from the LED ZEPPELIN-like pure dynamics to the PINK FLOYD-ian psychedelia, Abbfinoosty seem like a band born to satisfy the whole range of dedicated rock fans.

Completely unfocused album with series of decent compositions and memorable monents.So if you are a fan of a crossover of the aforementioned bands and styles, Abbfinoosty are a great choice.I liked this one a lot so, definitely a recommended effort.