ELECTRIC DREAMS

There was a time when the mention of jazz-rock meant much more than another prog-related branch of the tree. These guys were fighting their own battle, taking no prisoners. Later, history disavowed them, but not before they leave a legacy behind. I think this album is a significative part of it, that doesn't race with the advantage of being akin to, let's say, King Crimson, like Mahavishnu Orchestra does, but rather being a thoroughbred fusion creature, with no parts resembling the corpses where they come from. That is so much its virtue as its sin, the question is: there are people willing to forgive and listen?

The laconic but magnificent "Guardian Angels" shows John's acoustic side in full brightness. "Miles Davis" shows The One Truth Band in great form, moving confidently in a space visited also by the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty and Al Di Meola. In "Electric Dreams, Electric Sighs" there's plenty of room for subtle soloing by electric guitar, violin and keyboards. In "Love And Understanding" we find soul-tinged vocals in the style of, let's say, Stanley Clarke with Return To Forever, but with tons of symphonic atmosphere.

What else? Oh yes, the great David Sanborn for the finale.