SPECIAL PROVIDENCE

SPECIAL PROVIDENCE are a four piece Jazz/Metal band out of Hungary and this is album number three from 2011. I have the first two studio albums as well and I would highly recommend their debut "Space Cafe", a solid 4 star record. The next one and this one called "Soul Alert" are both 3.5 star albums in my opinion but the second one I rated at three stars and this one I'm bumping up to 4 stars as it is a step better than the last one they did. It's interesting that the band has brought in a singer for one track on each of the first three albums, kind of like what LONG DISTANCE CALLING were doing early in their careers.

These are virtuoso players, all going to music schools to improve their skills and it shows. The sound quality is perfect and man this is complex but they never lose sight of melody on here. The drummer really stands out for me but all four are amazing. I love how jazzy this is and seeing people refer to them as a Jazz band is pretty cool given how heavy these guys can get when they switch to Prog-Metal, and often this happens on a dime. My biggest issue with this record is the sounds of the synths and how prominent they are, but there's no way I can dismiss what incredible compositions and playing is going on here.

Ten tracks worth 60 minutes and right from the first spin this had my undivided attention. It just seems like a while that I've listened to such heavy and complex music, but that is the minority on here as this really is Jazz/Fusion for the most part. The opener "Babel Confusion" is a great example of this as it opens with heavy outbursts with screaming sounds in there too before settling into a Jazz mood with piano, bass and drums. Some beautiful music before 3 minutes but also we get synths and guitar scorching the soundscape at times on this one.

"K2" is interesting the way they use the synths to pulse and we drift kind of close to someone like myself pulling out some dance moves here. This is far from a perfect album in my world and it's the synths that make this somewhat defective sounding at times. I would also suggest that these sections would go over well in a live setting, and this band plays at festivals and other live events quite often, at least they did back in the late 00's early 10's. The vocal track is okay but the one thing I liked about LONG DISTANCE CALLING is that it always felt like the one vocal track they added was the best song on the record or at least a top three, not like on here.

Instrumentally this is a lights-out recording but unless you like Metal and Jazz this might not be for you. A low 4 stars.

3.5 stars. In my opinion this is a step down from the debut but it's actually a really good album. Again this is a four piece out of Hungary who play mostly Jazz Fusion but they add Metal which I don't mind except when they hit us with those annoying riffs out of the blue. I just find that they did a better job on the debut "Space Cafe" in contrasting the heavy metallic sections with the lighter jazzy passages and songs. On both albums I have to give these guys credit for creating memorable melodies on some of those lighter jazz tunes. Such a stark contrast and I must admit this one wasn't as easy to digest when it comes to the "in your face" riffs. By the way the band calls their music Progjazzrockmetalturbochill music. And how about that Pac Man album cover. What?! I found myself enjoying the jazzier tunes to my surprise more than the heavier ones. So "Deep Smile" is a top three and a special tune that is so pretty and memorable. I like the catchy melody that comes and goes on "Green Sun" and the bass solo in atmosphere. The other top three is "Sajkod" which is a beautiful song with shuffling drums, piano and bass. I do recommend this album and the debut, such a talented band.

SPECIAL PROVIDENCE are a Jazz Fusion band out of Hungary and this is their debut from 2007. They are a four piece, no horns. All have had musical training and it shows. I can't get over how much I like this band and album. A long one at over 72 minutes, the followup the only other album by them that I own is under 50 minutes but clearly these guys had a lot to say on this their debut to the World. Great title too in "Space Cafe". This is classy and jazzy all the way with some sparse heaviness but no this is not Prog-Metal in the least, at least their first two albums aren't.

Some really cool sounding 70's Funk too on "Mosquito" the shortest track at 5 minutes. So cool and this continues with the next song "Momsterdam" a top five track for me. Sure sounds like clavinet and also one of the more heavier tunes, at least it has some heavier sections. The opener, the title track is a top five and like a few of the other songs it opens with piano only before it builds and picks up in tempo. A feel good sound to this one along with memorable melodies. I'm impressed. A lot of beauty in "Childhood" and the next track "End Of Childhood" is a top five. Atmosphere and piano along with beats. Kind of haunting and suspense is brimming at the surface. This changes as the tempo picks up and we get some power that comes and goes. I like the the synths that lead over the bass and drums. Great sound! Atmosphere and guitar at 6 minutes then they amp it up again. "Lava" is a top five with an interesting start. Almost sounds like vibes as the drums roll in with bass in tow, guitar follows soloing over top. Themes are repeated. Bass solo later. The closer "Falling Angels" ends it and this one sure has it's share of beautiful moments.

A very solid 4 stars. Such a talented band!

These Hungarian lads are first of very gifted and capable instrumental players. Secondly, they can paint a relaxed, accessible yet complex musical spectrum of sounds. Compositional skills, at least on this album, are average but guys compensate it with melodic and creative playing. It's hard to classify the album as being jazz fusion or progressive metal. Stylistically but not sonically, it could be compare to acts like Planet X. More playful and open than progressive metal yet farther from jazz than a typical jazz fusion band. The band can play it complex but also calm down to create more prog-rock numbers like "The incredible player" with keyboards ruling the game. "Standing still" bears rhythmic similarity to Dream Theater. The most memorable track, correctly acknowledge by the band and played live, is the second track "Lazy Boy" that has two quite melodic motives. I must highlight in the work of the keyboardist in particular due to competent and creative piano, synth playing. Drummer and bass player incline much closer to rock/metal than jazz.

Nice and refreshing album to listen to! k'sz'n'm!

3,5 stars !!! The second album from the Hungarian band SPECIAL PROVIDENCE "Labyrinth" is a is very well done combination from two progressive rock style's almost so antagonistic as a straight line and zigzag, the prog-metal and prog-jazz But, the music and the climate from the album is far from causing a "shock wave" when they make a sequence between the tracks with more heavy approach with the more jazzy flavor, due to in all tracks the mix are present. I cannot detach any track, but I can say... if you are fan of bands like KENSO and RETURN TO FOREVER, this a album deserves at least one audition.The only censure is the vocal version in the bonus track "Nitro-Gain" ( I don't like so much !) .My rate is 3 stars , with the reservation that this album figures in my collection !!!

'Soul Alert' - Special Providence (8/10)

Although I'm sure there's a band out there that screws it up somehow, I don't think I've ever heard a band that made the fusion of jazz and metal sound bad. Hungary's Special Providence does not tend to break this lucky streak I've had with this style; in fact, this quartet has produced some of the best metal fusion I've heard in a while. Being both without favouring one or the other, jazz and metal aficionados may find themselves debating what to arbitrarily label this music as from dusk 'til dawn, but they won't be disappointed; 'Soul Alert' is an early 2012 highly for both styles.

Depending on who you ask, metal fusion could either sound light and only occasionally heavy- as per the case of more recent bands like Germany's Relocator- or it could be a more 'extreme' form, as was true for the style's origins in death metal. Special Providence have more in common with Pat Metheny than Cynic or Atheist, and though much of the band's sound on 'Soul Alert' is geared towards laid-back, guitar-oriented chemistry, there is enough riff-heavy kick to give metalheads their fix. Genres aside, Special Providence's music is (mostly) instrumental, and surprisingly varied. Kertész Márton's guitar leads are the most immediate aspect of the album, but a prog-canon synthesizer also gets a fair chunk of the 'solo' kudos.

The first thing to strike me while listening to 'Soul Alert' was the refined skill of the band. Although the often open-ended instrumentation takes several listens to warm up to, Special Providence hits a nice middle ground between technical showmanship and emotional energy. Think Dream Theater when they're not trying to level a small city with speed, and there's a good impression of what Special Providence is going for in their music. Pair that with a crisp sense of production, and 'Soul Alert' sounds as professional as any album you might hear in progressive music nowadays.

Barring the two main ingredients that Special Providence make use of in their sound, there was also a slight dimension of electronica that made for a catchy add-on. Although most of the album focuses on the musicianship and arrangement over melody, the standout track 'Lazy Boy' has a ridiculously catchy theme; a simple melody made memorable by a clever use of electronic sounds and pseudo-dance rhythms. Although 'Soul Alert' at times feels a little longwinded for its often indulgent musicianship, hearing that catchy motif reprise on the album's last track makes for an incredibly effective finale. As a final surprise, Special Providence wait until the last track to offer some vocals; a higher-register singing that emphasizes the melody. Although it feels a little awkward to hear vocals after an hour of instrumental wandering, it makes for a pretty interesting, albeit brief twist in the band's sound.

Of course, if you're not a fan of the exploratory, 'wandering' experience that jazz of this style offers, 'Soul Alert' may appear inaccessible. For its most-part scarcity of standout melody, 'Soul Alert' does take a while to enjoy, but if they had not already; Special Providence demonstrate here that they are one of the most promising bands in metal fusion today.

Is this a metal or a jazz album ?

Honestly, I cannot answer that question. Special Providence took a very long step towards jazz on their previous album Labyrinth. And I do not know what they were on their debut album though. But on Soul Alert, or should that be Jazz Alert ?...... Special Providence has at least one leg in the fusion landscape. And we are talking Mahavishnu Orchestra here. Big time. Then some very strong Dream Theater influences comes smashing through this party. Not to make my job any easier, but there is also a very strong electronica element on Soul Alert. That also stirrs things up too.

Most of the music is instrumental and driven by both keyboards and guitars. No issues there.

This album, which I have been listening to for a while, is really interesting. It combines my strong interest for fusion and my admiration for Dream Theater. This album leaves a happy chappy in me. The quality is also very good throughout. I am most happy about the fusion stuff and is not sure of the band still should have a foot in the metal camp. I normally hate electronica. But this is cleverly applied to this album and has made it stronger. Strong enough to elevate it up from three and three quarters to a fully blown four stars album. I only wish we had more bands like Special Providence. Their concept is really great and will unite the Dream Theater and the Mahavishnu Orchestra fans under one roof. And as this album prove: What is the difference between these two bands ? Well, find out yourself by purchasing this album.

4 stars

The first ever review of a Special Providence album here in PA and following on from the interview.

This is the second album from Special Providence. Which makes me wonder why this band has been lumped into the Prog Metal genre. This album is not metal at all so I guess they got the label based on their first album. The music on this album is fusion with a lot of jazz too. Mahavishnu Orchestra springs to mind. And so is a lot of other straight fusion bands too.

Talking of Mahavishnu Orchestra. Labyrinth though is a lot more laid back and does not have the cascades of guitars. But it is in this slightly laid back landscape you will find this album. There is plenty of guitar solos on Labyrinth though.

This is a very enjoyable listen, this album. Some really killer tracks would had been fine though. But I have really enjoyed this album and do recommend it and the band to all fusion fans out there.

3.5 stars