OMINOX - CONTEMPORARY PAST

Swedish, 1974-born keyboardist, hailing from Malmo.Larsson grew up in a music family and learned to play the piano at an early age.At the age of 15 he had already played his first gig and in 1991 he moves to Vienna to complete his musical studies.Two years later he returns to Sweden and forms his first band Ominox.Several members have passed through the line-up, namely bassist Jerry Ericsson,guitarists Bo Eriksson, Krister Jonson and Jimmy Lou and drummer Bengt Johnson.Ominox reputedly released a cassette in 1994.Compositions from this work as well as material written between 1993-95 were released in 2004 in CD format as ''Ominox - contemporary past''.

Lalle Larsson's vision for innovative and original music is clear throughout this work.Remember, we are talking about early-90's here, Prog Rock had yet to return in a regular basis and even Prog Metal was taking its baby steps.But Larsson's choice with Ominox was to mix Jazz/Fusion with keyboard-led Progressive Rock and the result is often fascinating.Led by his impressive technical background and studies in composition, he displays mostly long and instrumental tracks with virtuosic solos, grandiose textures but also a strange sense of melody in the more laid-back moments.Some very complex moves on bass and drums with a jazzy background are to be found in the album, which still contains good guitar solos and runs, maybe in a very ALLAN HOLDSWORTH style, and is highlighted by massive intercations between Larsson's synthesizers and the electric guitars.The album holds kind of a LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT feeling as a whole.Nothing comes in excess, the balance between melodies, technical skills and atmospheric soundscapes is kept in a good level.Among the sharp work of Larrson on keyboards the listener will find also some nice piano breaks with a loose execution, strengthening the jazzy character of the work.

This one belongs among Lalle's more overlooked works.Very nice music, especially considrening the time it was composed.Essential album for all lovers of jazzy Prog with tons of keyboards...3.5 stars,