CHRONOSTHESIA

This 2019 album is the debut release from German outfit Time Shift Accident, comprising David Mola (guitars), Günter W. Schmuck (keyboards), Michael Schetter (bass) and Paul Ettl (drums). I was somewhat surprised to discover it is the rhythm section with Mola only joining in 2017 and Schmuck at the beginning of 2019, whereas the others have been there since 2014. What is interesting is this band are a true fusion outfit, in that while three of them are from a jazz background, Mola is much more of a rocker and can also be found in the prog metal act Effloresce. Consequently, his approach is quite different to the others, but instead of clashing, here the two musical cultures work well together.

A Hammond organ, jazz drums and bass, with a rock guitar over the top, what isn't there to love? But Schmuck has also brought in other elements as he also works in Latin styles, and song such as "Boonar Eclipse" are all over the place with Cuban, metal, progressive and jazz elements somehow all coming together and creating a fine mix. Some of Mola's rock sensibilities have rubbed off on Schmuck, who does provide rock keyboard lead lines at times, while Mola also closely follows jazz and Latin on songs such as "Ignalia Forest". There are times when it sounds almost like Vai, others Holdsworth, others Metheny, but not really. This is a fascinating mix and blend which is enjoyable throughout, and any fan of JRF or crossover styles should check this out.