UNSETTLED

4.5 stars. After one listen I was pretty excited as I knew I had something here that was very special. Well here I am after many listens, and if anything I'm even more blown away by this album.There is such a depth to the sound here and the way everything is arranged and composed has really left me with my jaw hanging. I love the heaviness on this recording as well, I mean there's different moods and textures but certainly the heaviness is what i'm drawn to along with the atmosphere. Dean recently did an album under the name WHERE'S THE NINE with former CONEY HATCH drummer Barry Connors that I will get my hands on one day. I used to love CONEY HATCH back in the eighties. Anyway I digress.

"The Encounter" is uptempo with drums out front then the guitar comes in shaking things up as it turns heavy. It settles back some as the drums pound and the guitar solos. Riffs are back after 4 minutes, organ too. "The Push" has this funky rhythm as the guitar starts to solo over top.The keyboards after 1 1/2 minutes sound great. "Out Of The Mist" opens with gentle guitar and background synths.This sounds really cool. Some nice bass after 3 1/2 minutes.This is so moving. It turns heavy after 4 minutes. So much atmosphere. It kicks in at 6 1/2 minutes and i'd say he's out of the mist now. Killer sound ! "Sequence Of Events" has this almost galloping rhythm with synths. It doesn't last long as it turns heavy. It lightens after 2 1/2 minutes to end it.

"Dip" features drums and keyboards early on. The guitar comes and goes. This sounds so good. It's heavier before 2 minutes then the guitar starts to rip it up. Piano replaces the guitar then it settles. The guitar changes that 3 1/2 minutes in. Here we go ! It lightens 5 1/2 minutes in as the keyboards lead to the end. "The Departure" opens with the wind blowing as piano then drums join in.The atmosphere is deep as the guitar solos tastefully. Beautiful. A change 3 minutes in as we get a solid beat with organ, great sound. "Gray Matter" has this heavy rhythm with guitar and synths playing over top. Check out the guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. Piano after 3 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in then piano ends it. "Orb" opens with piano before a heavy soundscape with guitar takes over quickly. A heavy rhythm with synths comes in before 2 1/2 minutes and ends around 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. "11th Heaven Blues" is powerful and the guitar becomes the focus a minute in. Synths lead a minute later.The guitar is back 3 1/2 minutes in. "Still (Unsettled)" opens with light drums as acoustic guitar joins in. Drums, synths and piano eventually help out as well.

I am completely taken by this album. A must for Jazz / Fusion lovers. Only the programmed drumming is keeping me from giving this 5 stars.