CURRENT EVENTS

During the mid-nineteen eighties, ECM was focusing on light, but usually interesting electric jazz. Think Pat Metheny for a reference point for what they were looking for. This album is exactly in that Metheny zone. Light, but mostly unmemorable guitar based fusion.

The opening track, Clint, could actually be a nice prog song if it had a stronger arrangement. Here, Abercrombie's guitar synth remains light (damn, that work keeps coming up) and bouncy throughout. Notable on this track is Erskine's energetic drumming. Alice In Wonderland, and Lisa are all primarily guitar solo pieces, with some acoustic bass soloing as well, so soft that you hardly notice them. Abercrombie is a great player, but some more dynamics would be nice.

Hippityville picks things up, just a bit, with Abercrombie back on the guitar synth, and Erskine's drums pushing the beat up a notch. Killing Time is a nice, free form guitar synth solo piece. Still is moody and atmospheric.

So the main description for the album: you guessed it, light!

2.5 stars, Erskine's drums rounds it up.