WAVES

Like the tide, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes boisterous, sometimes peaceful, this album possesses much variation despite maintaining an almost eternal steadiness. Musically, expect generous quantities of symphonic, jazz, and psychedelic progressive rock, making this a wondrously eclectic album. Guest musician Steve Winwood adds quite a bit of flair to Waves with the keyboard instruments. To be fair, the pieces don't flow as united works of music; that is to say, this could have safely been divided into eight or so tracks. For an alternative, more avant-garde experience, try playing both parts simultaneously!

"Waves (part I)" Usually tumultuous music is loud and energetic, but the first five minutes of Jade Warrior's 1975 album is quiet though unsettled. A quarter of the way in, a dominant piano leads into a more structured jazz passage, complete with easy percussion and moaning bass slides. Swirling flute dazzles during perhaps the most satisfying section of the album. The next section focuses on a gentle acoustic guitar. Gentle woodwinds carry the listener away in a reverie of sound.

"Waves (part II)" As with part one, the first five minutes consist of quiet, rolling sounds, this time almost pastoral. Chiming tones and distant electric guitar enter thereafter. The funkiest (and loudest) section of the album features a repetitive groove and a blistering guitar solo, followed by whimsical woodwinds and a gritty keyboard jam. After all that, there is a return to the soothing pastoral music, culminating in a the album's most triumphant passage. The final moments, almost a musical epilogue, offers mellow washes of sound, like a musical cocoon.