SUDDEN DUSK

Do not get fooled by the year of this album release,as anyone who will be willimg to seek this album will face a unique progressive experience.Virginia-based US group HOWEVER got together around 1977 under the forces of Bill Kotapish,Peter Princiotto and Bobby Read in McLean,who had met together a few years ago,being members of other local groups.Don Berkemeyer and Pete's brother Joe would soon join and the band performed its first concert at the McLean Community Center a year later.From that point HOWEVER played in several shows and in 1981 they recorded their debut ''Sudden dusk'' ,with various former members and guests helpin out, and released it in December on Random Radar.The album was re-issued about 12 years later on CD by Kinesis with an extra track.

This a true obscurity regarding its style and overall performance,but the album is highly original,inventive and adventuruous.HOWEVER are sitting on the borderline between an eclectic jazzy music and dark RIO/Chamber Rock.Instruments come and go from track to track,thus the listener will meet changing styles all the time.Add to this weird approach tons of GENTLE GIANT-ish multi-vocal parts to close the band's debut profile.

Tracks are rather short,but this won't prevent HOWEVER to blend strong saxes,clarinets,flutes and even some glockenspiel with light pianos and atmospheric synths in an inventive music adventure.Guitars are very distinctive,on the other side though the bass work is really strong and heavy throughout the whole album.Some good melodies are present as well,guided by piano,saxes and a few electric solos to soften things up.But this is just an exception you will figure out,once you face some really dark,almost cosmic introductions,for which the wind section,the synths and the heavy basses are responsible.The most energetic parts of the album come like a cross between Canterbury-Fusion and HAPPY THE MAN's influence,with a super-solid rhythm section covering Bobby Read's multi-work and Peter Princiotto's keys.What is of great surprise is how the hell these guys deliver so many ever-changing ideas in a so limited time,as most of the tracks' running times are under 5 or six minutes.Really impressive and fantastic.

Seems that God shared a huge amount of talent with more than generosity with this band.What you should really do is seek for this album and then sit on a chair and listen to their magnificent debut with all your senses.Among the best US releases ever and a lot more than a Progressive/Jazz Rock release.This is pure art my friends.