KERI

4.5 stars. Man this band has released three incredible albums in a row now although this is studio album number five for them as I haven't heard the first two. They've been making music now for over 15 years and they are from that obscure country called Estonia. No I don't like the album cover. They are a five piece band of drums, guitar, keyboards, bass and sax. We get five guests adding vocals, violin, accordion and an exotic instrument I've never heard of. This is Jazz/ Fusion but with some avant flourishes throughout making this a really interesting listen. The Fender Rhodes is all over this and that's in part why I rate this so highly.

"Mahlad" opens with distortion galore. Hello! The guitar starts to rise out of this followed by drums then the sax as it honks madly. Like my drive to work(kidding). We get this repetitive groove as the sax and violin start to play over top. Bass after 2 minutes along with Fender Rhodes. Check it out after 3 minutes as we get mayhem as the violin shreds over top. So good! It settles with sax before 4 1/2 minutes but soon the sax is dissonant as the music becomes more powerful. Another calm after 5 minutes with Fender Rhodes, drums and sax. Love the drumming here. Guitar to the fore after 6 1/2 minutes. The final calm arrives a minute later and continues to the end with sax and bass.

"Rotwang" opens with drums and some other-worldy growling sounds. Sax comes in as the sounds from the beast come and go. The tempo picks up after 2 minutes as the Fender Rhodes and bass join in. Nice. Some inventive guitar after 3 minutes. A calm with electric piano 5 minutes in to end it. Oh, the beast gets the last growl here. "Kasi" is a minute long piece with absolutley insane sounding sax and sounds with vocals to match.

"Plindon Tuindoind" opens with electric piano as synths play a melody that is copied by the Fender Rhodes, drums and bass. Soon this heavy, mechanical sound pulses loudly. Experimental is the word. Check it out around 2 minutes, this is so interesting and experimental. I have no idea what all these sounds are. There must be samples here too. The music kicks in after 3 1/2 minutes with electric piano and drums followed by bass then sax after 4 minutes to the end. So good!

"Itk" opens with Fender Rhodes as we get this great sound as a beat joins in. Bass and guitar follow then the sax comes in over top. Love that Zeuhlish rhythm before 2 minutes with demented vocals. Surprising. The sax is back along with that previous soundscape after 2 1/2 minutes. More crazy vocals after 3 1/2 minutes with some insane instrumental work.

"Betoonpurjed" is surprisingly catchy with electric piano, cymbals and guitar. The bass joins in too then sax. I like when it settles back after 1 1/2 minutes with electric piano, drums and bass. Really good! Distorted keys around 2 minutes. The sax is back then it picks up before 3 minutes as the tempo continues to shift. It picks up again before 4 1/2 minutes with guitar soloing over top. The sax replaces the guitar before 5 minutes.

"750" opens with relaxed guitar melodies as Fender Rhodes then sax joins in. This is melancholic then we get a calm before 1 1/2 minutes before drums, bass and more take over, but that guitar melody returns along with electric piano and sax like before. Sad music. A change though before 2 1/2 minutes as the sax becomes more melodic and we get some accordion too as the bass and drums support. A chilled out tune but a beautiful one.

"Puu Taga Ilves" ends it and I like the space as we get that exotic instrument as other sounds start to come and go including sax. The guitar is atmospheric when it joins in crying out in the background. So cool. The drums and bass help create a base here. A fuller sound 2 1/2 minutes in with the sax continuing over top. The guitar starts to light it up 3 1/2 minutes in then it all settles back 4 minutes in and the sax returns. Great sound 5 minutes in as it turns powerful with electric piano over top. A calm late with sax to end it.

This will be included on my 2017 best of list for sure. Just an entertaining album that features plenty of Fender Rhodes and outstanding playing throughout while being inventive and interesting. My kind of music.