FLYING FOOD CIRCUS

Slowly flowing forwards, filled with humorous atmosphere, circus sounds (all of them, including drumming mockery and applause of audience) mixed together with something that escapes definitions. It's not your typical Avant artists, as this is simply optimistic. It's more homage to fun making than actual experimentation. And if they're successful in something, it would be atmosphere. Because ath. is really great here. Common, we all know circuses (even I never was in one, I'm not regretting it), I've seen it many times. In films, books, even in rock music (and The Simpsons once, where was Canadian Circus in Springfield). But never in prog music. Such a image, Circus Prog sounds and looks pretty insane, but aren't these things insane from beginning ?

I mean try to hear the music here, you somehow know that it fits to traveling band of artists (not musical ones, but acrobats), magicians, bearded ladies (you know I mean you ... you will know if you'll see this) and such things. There's certain style of music that accompanies it. And here, somehow, it's combined with prog that you can't almost tell the difference, but it fits, it works and it's interesting. Oh, except Kiss: Psycho circus game, there's also whole world (4 levels) in old DOS game Superfrog (I love this one) based on this theme.

4(-), frankly, I've been feeling like at jamming gig at times. And that's something I like, even prog lacks here a little bit. What can't we deny is the fact that it's original music, very intriguing and done in complex style, without clear structure. It is, well, it provides a lot, but also it's its fault that it therefore lacks advantages of more strict structures.

Or something like that.

The name Hasse Bruniusson should ring a bell for every Flower Kings enthusiast. Rising to some fame in the 70s with Swedish avant-garde / progressive-rock group Samla Mammas Manna (also Zamla Mammaz Manna), Hasse later joined The Flower Kings as a frequent guest-musician on the percussions, naturally adding his signature sound to their repertoire.

His compositions are mainly instrumental and tend to lean toward a more humorous and ironic character, yet remain very sophisticated musically and instrumentally, a description quite fitting to Frank Zappa's body of work as well. On this 2002 release Hasse is joined by his Flower Kings band-mate Roine Stolt on guitar/bass and Mats Öberg on synthesizer, each giving this record their personal touch. 'Flying Food Circus' is more focused than most of Hasse's other projects. The compositions are more elaborate and the flow of the entire album experiences fewer playful interruptions than one might come to expect from him.

Starting off with big applause from a fictitious audience 'The Instrument For A Good Dressage' kicks the record off with a simple melody over an upbeat polka rhythm. After this ironic start the song soon constructs it's path toward a more jazz-based temperament. Playful polyrhythmic and more complex harmonious progressions give way to a jam ending in the main theme. 'The Different Kind of Goodness' contrasts the opener quite well by introducing a softer side with a sweet, folkloric melody played on acoustic guitar, reducing the hurried pass established afore.

The record continues in this manner. Some parts strongly Polka and folklore infused, others leaning towards a more jazz-fusion oriented style. Roine Stolt's guitar playing sticks out and gives this record a collaborative sound, lending Hasse Bruniusson's compositions some The Flower Kings edge on the way. The vibraphone passages on 'Erfarenhelt Von Panopticon' and 'Collect Relapses' occur in unison with guitar and will surely spark a fire with every 'Inca Roads' devotee. On 'A Clown's Opinion' the long player presents itself at its most adventurous. Darker vibes underlay embellished synth passages with frantic melody and rhythm changes. It is here the fan of classic progressive rock will feel most at home.

The simple folkloric elements, even though beautifully executed, might dampen the enthusiasm of those who are looking to listen to a full blown progressive-rock journey. Fans of jazz-fusion break-outs on the other hand (think The Flower Kings 'Unfold The Future') will find plenty to enjoy on this candid release.

Expect highly accomplished musicianship, a great variety of approaches to composition and a good sense of humor.