FOREST OF FEELINGS

I had heard David Sancious on album for years before I found out that he was a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band originally. I knew him for his fiery playing with Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Jack Bruce and of course, his own albums. And this is one of his best.

This album was his first solo endeavor. And it was produced by the great drummer Billy Cobham (who also plays tympani on a few of the tracks here). The album ranks up there with some of the best of the mid- seventies symphonic fusion greats.

The best tracks are the Mahavishnu-like Suite Cassandra and The Forest Of Feelings. Both of these are complex and lush fusion pieces, with symphonic prog sections driving them along. Another highlight is the two-part Dixie, a minor key warping of the classic song, which descends into some wild electronic experimentation.

It's a shame that Sony has allowed this gem to go out of print, as it should rank high in their fusion catalog.