LOOKING IN THE EYE OF THE WORLD (AS OBLIVION EXPRESS)

A steady performer, elder statesman of the British Jazz-Rock scene, AUGER has been delivering quality material for decades. Indeed, he is so steady that his predictable approach to the Hammond organ has become repetitive and somewhat tedious.

So, what's new here? Well, there is a bit and that's not always a plus. This release appears to have been designed to promote his very talented children while daddy provides a familiar background.

Daughter SAVANNAH has a sweet, endearing voice and sings in the finest tradition of female Jazz vocal. Son KARMA AUGER on drums is on his way to challenge PIERRE MOERLEN, or BILL BRUFORD when it comes to sharp, tight delivery on the skins.

So, what's wrong with this album? Nothing much really, but nothing much right, either. A family promotion designed not to offend, but to appeal to the masses in a compromised way. Some of the tunes are little more than elevator music and when it comes to the horns, it appears that AUGER had sacrificed his identity in order to gain recognition by the US music market. Such attempt by many have failed "big time" before and AUGER's approach is but another casualty.

Enjoyable, but hardly essential work. .

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