FREE FALL

3.5 stars.The DIXIE DREGS were from Georgia and these good old boys put their own Southern spin on Fusion back in the late seventies. Man these guys could play.The violin is too prominant for my tastes though, I wish Steve Morse (guitar) was more out front but so be it. I do like violin but here there is that Country flavour to it here just like with KANSAS which is a turn off to these ears.

"Free Fall" the title track is my favourite. How good does this sound ! Some nice bass before a minute then the violin takes over before the main melody returns. Piano comes in then synths after 2 1/2 minutes then back again to that great melody. "Holiday" has some excellent intricate guitar 2 1/2 minutes in then back to the violin.The drums and bass sound great as they come and go. "Hand Jig" opens with drums then it settles into a Fusiony vibe with drums, piano and violin standing out. "Moe Down" is a hoe down Country jig y'all. Violin leads all the way.

"Refried Funky Chicken" is surprisingly...ahem funky. Some good guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Sleep" features some intricate guitar and synths. "Cruise Control" is more powerful. Violin before 2 minutes with organ in tow.The drumming is relentless. A calm after 3 minutes. Great sound a minute later. The guys trade solos before 5 minutes. Nice. "Cosmopolitan Traveler" has some horn (I think) after a minute. Violin follows then guitar late. "Dig The Ditch" has more intricate sounds to start then the violin joins in. Keyboards before 2 1/2 minutes then guitar. "Wages Of Weirdness" starts out with violin, drums and keys. It settles as piano, drums and bass standout.Violin plays over top before 3 minutes. "Northern Lights" features classical guitar and violin.

A very good album but the next one "What If" is the one you should invest in first.