JURASSIC SHIFT

Ozric Tentacles is a unique band that until now I cannot find any band in similar vein as this band. My venture with the band started long time ago when I purchased "Vulgar Unicorn" album that did not blow me away at all at first listen. But when I got the CD of "Hidden Step" by accident when I was visiting local CD store some years ago, I started to enjoy the music. I had not tracked the band for couple of years, about 5 to 7 years, I think until I found "Hidden Step". I was impressed with the album. Yes, there is obvious disco or house music style in this album but it's more than that, especially when I observe the drumming and guitar work. On top of the musical part, the album was produced excellently. Sonic quality of the CD is top- notch, especially when I play it loud. The detailed soundscape can be heard clearly.

I find the band is a band of sets its own category. Yes, there are influences of other bands, probably, by PINK FLOYD or GONG or HAWKWIND or even YANNI (the new age guy) or ROBERT MILES, probably. But it is not a real or direct influence, I believe, as their music is original. There are lots of sampling or programming techniques used in their music. If you fail to enjoy at first spin, give another chance of at least 2 spins, it will grow dramatically!

"Sun Hair" (5:43) opens the album in a dynamic style with keyboards and guitar as solos during musical interlude. The music flows beautifully with constant style but in every journey through many segments, the textures are different - using sound effects or flute sounds. It continues wonderfully with next track "Stretchy" (6:51). Ed Wynne gives his stunning guitar solos throughout the song augmented with Joie Hinton's keyboard solo. All are performed in the corridors of beat keepers provided by Roly Wynne's bass, Marcus Ethnic's percussion and Merv Pepler's drums.

"Feng Shui" (10:24) starts ambient with flute work and keyboard effects in spacey mood. This is good music for a soundtrack film, I believe. The music then moves in crescendo , marked with drum work - it flows naturally in constant beat augmented with sound effects from keyboard. The sound effects that really make up this song enjoyable - especially when it's augmented with flute as soloist. The song contains rocking style at the end part, exploring guitar solo and keyboard work. It's really an excellent track.

"Half Light in Thillai" (5:35) is a mellow track with excellent flute work, performed in the vein of space music like Jean Michelle Jarre's. The album title track "Jurassic Shift" (11:05) is a dynamic composition delivered with tight bass lines. The sound effects provide the melody augmented with flute solo and guitar fills. The song contains rich of textures from start to beginning. The tempo also changes into faster one at the end of the track. It rocks!

Well, I don't need to explore on track by track basis. What I can say is that even though most of the tracks contained here in this album are instrumental in the same vein but I do not find the compositions are boring at all. The band provides sufficient textures that prevent you to get bored with it. Keep on proggin' ..!

"Do not affraid of growing slöwly - be affraid of only standing still."

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