TUNNELS

Labeling TUNNELS as a BRAND X almost side-project would'nt be too far from reality.They were formed by Swiss musician Marc Wagnon,a former graduate of Berkley College of Music,who had already released a solo album in 1988 (called ''Shadowlines'').He was helped by BRAND X founding and long-time member bassist Percy Jones along with Van Manakas on guitars and Frank Katz on drums,also a member of BRAND X.This quartet recorded their first album ''Tunnels with Percy Jones'' in 1994 on a small label,later re-issued by Wagnon's Buckyball Label (which is what we offer here).

About the album,this is almost 100% fusion/jazz/progressive rock filled with strange sounds such as vibraphones,fretless bass played by Jones and a midi-vibes player,which support the role of keyboards handled by Wagnon himself.Musically the compositions run through fast and furious rhythms paused by sudden breaks and sometimes long midi-vibes passages.The guitars are quite jazzy with good soloing,the drum work is very complex and there are also a couple of interesting melodies in here,but the overall result is a bit uneven,as some parts of it sound too modern or ''digitalized'' and there are even a few unnecessary quiet moments with ambient-like atmospheres.So if you're after some BRAND X-like fusion with a touch of modern technologies and players,this album should easily appeal to your tastes.Personally I don't expect to hear an album filled with fillers and boring solos by such a talented company of musicians...2 stars for me...