TIME MACHINE

In this sophomore studio effort by German, Mannheim-based krautrock/jazz-rock band DZYAN, the group are a trio, with original bassist/keyboard player Reinhard Karwatky and former VITA NOVA guitarist Eddy Marron, and Swiss drummer/percussionist Peter Giger. Time Machine is the first DZYAN record I ever heard, and I feel it is their best, and most striking effort, and remains as dynamic and fresh as when I first heard it in 1989 on a quad vinyl release from Bellaphon Records.

This record is a fascinating excursion into jazz-rock improvisational jams and ethnic experimentation that crosses that line between being merely good, into absolute fantastic, brilliant territory. Yes, Time Machine has that perfect sense of combining jazz-rock prowess with ethnic and krautrock experimental abandonment in just the right fit.

Kabisrain opens the album in a free flowing experimental fashion with quite an abstract feel to it. Next, is Magika, one of the best heavy fusion jams, with Eddy Marron leading things with some guitar that leaves you literally breathless in it's unbridled emotion. And Giger is no slouch, either, with some inventive drumming/percussion complex in it's driving intensity. Bassist Karwatky is competently in the midst of it all! Light Shining Out Of Darkness then shows off some beautiful acoustic guitar from Eddy, with Giger's flowery percussion, and Reinhard Karwatky's probing bass lines.

Side Two offers up a more than 16 minute jam the title track of Time Machine. Not one second of this incredible music trip is wasted on the listener, and I am enthralled by it all upon every listen; it is real travelling music, led by Eddy Marron's wild guitar freakouts-full of 16th notes-along with Peter Giger's relentless percussive attacks and Reinhard Karwatky's integral bass work. It all fits together in a brilliant way, leaving the listener fulfilled, but never worn out.

Time Machine is one of my Top 10 albums of all time, and not surprisingly so, as for me, it is the epitome of exceptional, spirited, and great music, and it is wonderful to be surrounded by the greatness of it all; yes, it is that good. Essential listening-5 stars.