SLOW GIN

This is the third album from the Canadian instrumental jazz rockers, and while bassist/keyboard player Antoine Fafard is still very much the leader of the outfit, he is assisted this time not only by drummer Martin Maheuc and pianist Éric St-Jean but also by new member, guitarist Mark Tremblay. This has added another layer to an already complex band, and has given them even more room in which to explore. After an introduction, the next number up is the title track and it shows the band locked in and moving at incredible speed. The use of fretless bass allows Antoine to slide between notes and combined with the extra attack of Mark this has some extremely heavy moments indeed.

For a musical reference, then it would probably be best to compare them with Colosseum II, although always with more of an emphasis on the bass. The guy has immense skill, of that there is no doubt, but he never lets it get too overblown. There is always room for one of the others to come in and take over so that the music never has time enough to get boring, which it well might if the bass was the lead instrument all of the time.

This is an extremely enjoyable album that not only will be enjoyed by lovers of jazz-rock but also by those that like their prog to be a little more adventurous than may be the norm while at all times be extremely listenable and enjoyable.

Originally appeared in Feedback #74, Jun 03