SUMMER SESSIONS VOL 1-3

Denmark's Causa Sui started out as a somewhat typical stoner rock band in the early 2000's, but came into their own with the release of the Summer Sessions. Following their second album, Free Ride, the band dropped their vocalist and changed direction in their sound. While they never completely lost their stoner rock roots, the band began to stretch out into new sonic territories for Volume 1. The album's opening track, "Visions of Summer," is my favorite piece from the band. It is a 24+ minute journey into an auditory summer paradise. Trippy Krautrock grooves, cool jazz guitar workouts, Kyuss worshiping riffage, Hendrix inspired guitar solos, and spacey atmospheric soundscapes float in and out, up and down. Stunning. The rest of Volume 1, as well as Volumes 2 and 3 continue to follow suit, which occasionally features stinging free-jazz saxophone blasts as well. The result is the best 3 album package of modern instrumental psychedelic rock in the past 10 years, at least. The Summer Sessions is when Causa Sui found its musical footing, and never looked back. If you dig this style of music you really should own the Summer Sessions - all three volumes. I consider this collection to be truly essential for lovers of all that is psychedelic. A solid 5 stars.