WAY OF THE SUN

After having conquered Asia (or at least attempted to do so) on previous releases, Jade Warrior took on South America with their fourth and final album for Island Records (their seventh release overall). This turned out to be a successful move and the result is a fitting finale of the group's Island years. The previous two albums had been weaker and showed clear signs of the group's inspiration running dry. Way Of The Sun once again finds Jade Warrior sounding fresh and interesting. The symphonic elements that dominated the previous Kites album are here effectively combined with the jazzy elements of Waves as well as the rockier aspects of Floating World and the early albums. The ever present World Music influences that are part of the group's trademark are still here of course, but there naturally is a shift from Asian sounds and melodies toward Latin American ones.

Like the previous three albums, Way Of The Sun is wholly instrumental. Many different instruments are utilized and the instrumental attack is far removed from the traditional one in Rock music. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, it is hard to categorize the music of Jade Warrior - they certainly have a musical identity all of their own. One noteworthy thing about the present album is the sound of the bass guitar which occasionally reminds me of that of Chris Squire.

While I don't consider Jade Warrior to be an essential band, a few of their albums are worth listening to. Way Of The Sun is one of these albums together with Floating World and Last Autumn's Dream.

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