PROJECT: ACTIVATION EARTH

It is always a surprise on sporadic listens of Project: Activation Earth just how good a record it is. This tremendous group of Buffalonian instrumentalists rips its way through an exciting and super-tight string of self-composed wonders. Gamalon first released it as an LP, but the CD is especially good for highly accelerated highway driving.

Gamalon's incredible debut shows a rare combining of their patented and very recognizable guitar-driven sound with some wild sax soloing by Eddie Watts. There are no weak tunes on Project: Activation Earth and a few are real barnburners that really get the blood flowing. Things roll along like a thunderstorm, complete with occasional breaks in the weather.

The musicians must have worked very earnestly to create such a cool united sound so early in the bands existence. Every tune stands on its own, and there is little repetition in the licks or the hooks in the melodies. There is a very nice flow to the way the songs unfold, so it is suggested that it be experienced straight through.

Gamalon grows and grows with each succeeding year and album: it is a true diamond in a rough corner of New York State.

As good as saxophonist Ernie Watts may be, he really drags Gamalon down on this one. Where their other albums showcase tight musicianship and good arrangements, here they become just a backing band on what could be any old David Sanborn adult contemporary fusion album.

The great guitar solos of the other Gamalon albums are hard to find on this disc. Only Lift Off has any real spark, and that is before it settles into one of Watts' competent but bland sax solos. The rest of the album is completely forgattable, best only for background noise where you don't want the music to interfere with any conversation.