ONCE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SPACE AND TIME WERE ONE

This is a more diverse mix of improvisational jams caught on tape than the previous studio album. Unfortunately, several of the songs fail to either engage me from the or else they fail to develop enough during their play to keep my interest (I can only listen to improvisational soloing for so long); the background grooves remain too static or else do too little of interest to gain my notice. (Even with close headphones listening.) The increased use of Mellotron is amazing wherever and whenever it is used, especially on "Garden of Delights," "Thomas Mera Gartz," and "Epilogue."

Song #2, "Song of Innocence, Part 1" opens wonderfully with a guitar sound like THE AMAZING or Jesse Colin Young's "Get Together"--which continues to wend and weave throughout the duration of the song. The drum play is quite enjoyable but the bass is very boring. This is unfortunately an example of both the strengths and weaknesses of this album: some great tracks are accompanied by some very boring parts. Favorite songs: the addictively groovin' "Epilogue" (4:19) 10/10; the hard-driving "Into The Cosmic Halo" (6:40) (9/10); "Song of Innocence, Parts 1 & 2" (8:10), and the title song.

A nice listen but nowhere as mind-blowing or engaging as I Wash My Soul in the Stream of Infinity. Three and a half stars. (A little disappointing.)