LAND OF COCKAYNE

Another decent offering from a band who should've changed their name as soon as Mike Ratledge exited - (Jenkins-Marshall Project anyone ??). The music here is well performed by a host of great musicians from Jack Bruce (Bass), Allan Holdsworth (Guitar) to superb keyboardist John Taylor, who supports Karl Jenkins' background keys work wonderfully. One can discern the obvious Jazz vibe, a strong New-Age bent to some tracks (especially Lotus Groves), as well as light muzak. It really is an easy album to listen to, with high quality musicianship all-round, but Holdsworth's presence is relatively low-key, only shining on the excellent, complex track 'Sly Monkey', and the mellow 'Black Velvet Mountain'. 'Hot-Biscuit Slim' features some excellent Rhodes Electric Piano from Taylor, as does Panoramania, and the only weak point on the record would have to be the wistful and all-too-smooth opener 'Over and Above', but it's enjoyable regardless. 3 and-a-half-star effort.