THE REBEL WHEEL

Multi-instrumentalist and composer David Campbell is the main figure behind this Canadian act.He was part of a couple of jam bands of the Toronto area during the 90's, when he decided to form his own midi-based Fusion ensemble alongside bassist Pelle Vadim.Thus The Rebel Wheel were born and Campbell recruited sax player Christopher Plock, drummer Cab Lind and keyboardist Nils Bell in a line-up where midi technology met the sound of natural instruments.The band released a self-produced album in 2004 carrying the name of the band as a title.

From the first tracks the aim of the group to combine modern technology with physical instrumentation and influences from Prog Rock and Jazz are more than clear.The 9-min. opener ''1oz'' sounds like the dark side of KING CRIMSON visiting the Latin roots of AL DI MEOLA and the experimentation of HERMETIC SCIENCE, offering smooth acoustic textures and powerful grooves.Next come three short instrumental tracks, where the gears are up and running over a Fusion enviroment filled with changing tempos and atmospheres, delivering echoes from KING CRIMSON, BILL BRUDFORD and RUSH in an amalgam of jazzy, rhythmic and heavier explorations.The ideas are pretty nice and the complexity of the compositions is good enough, but the mass of digital sounds, especially the drumming, is rather disturbing.The last track, ''Crystal rain suite'', is the most ambitious attempt by Campbell to offer contemporary music with old-school roots.Clocking at 28 minutes, this is a piece largely based on keyboards, sampled effects and ambiences with a deep, experimental edge and often a bizarre, almost chaotic atmosphere.The opening minutes sound like a more modern version of PINK FLOYD with vocals, orchestral segments and mellow guitars in evidence, before an explosion towards a Heavy/Fusion style occurs, based on angular electric guitars and layered synthesizers.Again KING CRIMSON and RUSH are good references at this point.A cinematic orchestration at the middle will open the doors for a Jazz/Fusion orgasm of synths, samplers and jazzy guitars, an acoustic part with Campbell vocals in evidence and a finale featuring more or less the atmosphere of the opening section.

Definitely the least known work of The Rebel Wheel, a deep trip into a Fusion world with progressive flashes from past and present and plenty of synthetic vibes.Not very cohesive as a whole, this will please fans of the jazzier and more experimental side of Progressive Rock...2.5 stars.