STOMU YAMASH'TA, STEVE WINWOOD & MICHAEL SHRIEVE: GO

The first thought is: what a fricking lineup. Yamashta is powerful enough to pull in disparate luminaries like Klaus Schulze, Michael Shrieve, Al Di Meola, AND Steve Winwood. It sounds like a band from someone's dreams.

Sometimes collaborations fail to coalesce and reflect negatively on all involved. After many listens this is not the case for me - from a prog perspective I'll dole out the highest rating possible. This is forward thinking symphonic/chamber/space/fusion/jazzrock/pop/classical music that doesn't sound like anything else out there. Frank Zappa said on an interview with his daughter on MTV progressive rock is rock that doesn't sound like anything else, so I'll use that definition to rate this a masterpiece.

If I had to pick a highlight, it would be the cherry on top of the sundae role Steve Winwood plays in the proceedings. He makes a very good album great. This will be in my rotation forever.