JACARANDA

Released in 2012, Jacaranda is Trevor Rabin's first solo album since 1989's Can't Look Away (though he has created a staggering amount of film soundtracks for many major films in the interim). What should be pointed out right from the start is that while Can't Look Away was an album very much in the style of 80's and 90's Yes (particularly the four albums to which Rabin contributed: 90125, Big Generator, Union, and Talk), Jacaranda is an all instrumental Jazz-Rock/Fusion album. What struck me immediately while hearing this album for the first time was how remarkably much it sounds like a Steve Morse album! Rabin has obviously picked up quite a lot of tricks from that guitarist of The Dixie Dregs and now of Deep Purple. This is not a criticism as such since I like Steve Morse and Rabin is one of few guitarists that are equally good, but it is not what I personally would have expected from him.

Jacaranda showcases Rabin's immense guitar playing skills very well, but his skills as a vocalist and songwriter are obviously left entirely out of the picture which is a shame. What made Can't Look Away into such a good album for me, and what made Rabin's contributions to the Yes albums that he played on so distinctive, was not just his impeccable guitar playing, but also his vocals and song writing. But Jacaranda is an album that focuses almost completely on Rabin as a guitar player. He is a great guitarist, but to my mind he is not "just" a great guitar player, and I for one would like to see more of his other sides as well.

If you are coming at Rabin's solo career from a Yes angle, expecting anything even remotely similar to 80's and 90's Yes, then Jacaranda is bound to let you down and come across as somewhat one-dimensional. If, however, Jazz-Rock/Fusion is your thing, and especially if you are a fan of the solo albums by Steve Morse, then this album is for you. Personally, I belong to the first group, but even so I can appreciate this album for what it is. I don't mind some good Jazz-Rock/Fusion like this, and Rabin does it very well, but I very much hope he one day will make another album more in the style of Can't Look Away utilizing not only his immense instrumental skills.