WHO'S THE BOSS IN THE FACTORY?

'Variety and musical ideas rule!'

I had never heard of Karmakanic, the solo project by The Flower Kings bass player Jonas Reingold, but that has to do with the fact that I am not really a TFK fan. Between 2002 and 2016 Jonas released five studio albums, this review is about his third CD entitled Who's The Boss In The Factory? (from 2008) that I consider as his best effort. He has invited fellow The Flower Kings members Tomas Bodin and Roine Stolt.

The long first composition Send A Message From The Heart (almost 20 minutes) delivers very dynamic and alternating (from mellow and slow rhythms to swinging and bombastic) modern sounding progressive rock. It contains splendid keyboard work: from majestic choir-Mellotron and powerful Hammond organ to sparkling Grand piano, and a mindblowing Minimoog synthesizer solo with pitchbend in the vein of Jan Hammer in his best days, awesome! The guitar work is also a strong element, from a jazzy solo to Gilmourian runs and a fiery solo supported by lush Hammond organ, what a start!

The other five compositions also succeed to generate a lot of excitement, due to the huge variety and many captivating musical ideas.

Swinging acoustic guitar, fat R&R inspired guitar and a spectacular synthesizer solo in the fluent Let In Hollywood.

Wonderful interplay between fretless bass and Grand piano, again a fantastic vintage keyboard sound (from another flashy Minimoog solo to lush Hammond and Mellotron) to fiery wah-wah guitar and a compelling final part in the title track.

Tasteful keyboards, guitar and saxophone in the pleasant Two Blocks From The Edge.

Very beautiful Grand piano in the short piece Eternally Part I.

And again beautiful interplay between Grand piano and fretless bass along intense accordion work (evoking the Argentine tango masters), the Malm' String Ensemble and a compelling grand finale with emotional vocals in the melancholical final song Eternally Part II.

What a great effort, so varied and dynamic and what a crafty musicians, highly recommended, also after 10 years!