TALU

PHLOX are a Jazz Rock / Fusion band out of Estonia of all places. I've been waiting for the followup to their last album which was pretty close to being 5 stars for me. "Talu" continues in the same style although there's not as much distortion. Cool cover art and when you open up the cover you see the same girl only her eyes are sewn shut. Yikes !

"Voib-Olla Dresiiniga" is so impressive to start with the electric piano and amazing drumming. Vibes too and it's uptempo. It settles some after 1 1/2 minutes with sax standing out. It settles even more 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice drum work as it picks back up. Sax is back. Great tune. "Hullelu" opens with drums,bass and electric piano. Sax joins in. This is so good. Lots of horns. Guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice. It settles after 3 minutes then builds. "Monokkel" opens with electric piano as sax then violin join in. It kicks in around a minute. Nice drumming once again. The guitar is incredible after 2 minutes as it goes on and on. Violin takes it's place before 4 minutes. Keyboards lead as it settles 5 1/2 minutes in, they get crazy around 7 minutes. Sax is back.

"Ooode" is catchy with some good bass. Sax joins in then the tempo picks up. Piano 3 minutes. "Loomaaed" is kind of experimental early. Check out the guitar 2 1/2 minutes in as it grinds away. A calm a minute later with piano and sax. It starts to build 5 minutes in. "In The Wood" features piano and light drums. Horns join in then the sound gets fuller. Guitar around 2 1/2 minutes. Distorted keys after 4 1/2 minutes. "Siil" is uptempo with keys, drums, bass and horns. The keys become distorted after the drums get heavier. Oh my ! Incredible section. It settles back after 5 minutes then picks up a minute later. "Istu. Viis" opens with drums as bass then piano join in. Sax too. Synths before 4 minutes as the bass throbs and drums pound. "Augstin'" opens with electric piano as gentle guitar joins in then a full sound. The sax plays over top of the rather heavy rhythm section. It settles with electric piano only as contrasts continue. Cool tune. "Binokkel" is the one minute closer. It's mellow with violin later on.

I miss that Canterbury flavour with all the fuzz but man this is good. A solid 4 stars without a doubt.