WAY OF THE SUN

This is the final Jade Warrior work in the Island Records tetralogy recorded between 1974-8, and newly remastered by Esoteric. As usual the packaging is beautiful and helps emphasise the very visual aspect of the music within, as well as the beautiful continuity of the four albums. It is perhaps the livliest, most focused of their works, relying less on textural effect and dynamics and more on strong, easy melodies.

It is a sunny optimistic music, with African and Amazonian textures perfect for a summer's day. There are nine pieces here which move delicately from section to section whilst never interupting the singular mood, although `Carnival' is easily the most uptempo piece they ever recorded, almost sounding like Santana. The sleevenotes tell us that the music was worked on in the order in which it finally appears, and there is a great resultant cohesion here, with particular textures running like golden threads through an ancient tapestry. There is some sun- kissed flute work throughout from Jon Field, alongside airy acoustic guitar and percussion and Tony Duhig's electric guitar playing and sound has been honed to an all time peak of perfection. This album is the pinnacle of the Jade Warrior catalogue and the close of 4 years' dedicated work on a singular vision across all 4 Island albums.

In many ways the beautiful and stand out closing piece `Death Of Ra' also symbolises the death of the Jade Warrior dream, and indeed (this being 1978) the end of albums conceived on such a grand scale. Time would not be kind to them as the Eighties closed in, but for many their '70's catalogue remains up there with Mike Oldfield's finest work, albeit criminally unrecognised by comparison.