DECADENCE

3.5 stars. Three of the four members here played on GONG's "Expresso II" album, so they do have the right to call themselves GONG EXPRESSO. Those three would be American Hansford Rowe on bass, Benoit Moerlen on vibes and marimba and Francois Causse on drums. The last two I mentioned are from France. The wild card is Canadian jazz guitarist Julien Sandiford. So yes a multi-national band.

There was a PledgeMusic drive to finance this and it was interesting reading fans expectations and the excitement of it all. Of course fans are mentioning Pierre Moerlen's GONG and GONGZILLA, as far what GONG EXPRESSO would probably sound like. Expectations are a funny thing. I mentioned the guitarist as being the wild card because he's the main composer and this album is modern, minimalistic jazz all the way. Like ECM label stuff, very chilled music to say the least. Surprisingly so.

And for half the album I'm wondering where the guitar is, but he blends in a lot in that reserved traditional jazz way. He opens the album playing solo on the title track, and the man can play. Just not my thing. He's very intricate and laid back like the album. I enjoy the vibes and marimba but feel underwhelmed.

The half star is for those moments where Hansford's bass suddenly sounds louder and more upfront. Few and far between but the same for the drumming. He is such a good drummer but under utilized here. But when he does come to the fore like the bass, it really is a great contrast and leaves me wanting more. Check out the bass on Talisman" and "Eastern Platinum". As far as the drumming goes "Zephyr" is the song to hear.

Under 38 minutes, and I actually enjoyed playing this all of last week. It's like I live for any kind of breakout though when listening to this. It's just so well played it's hard not to be impressed.