REGINA ASTRIS [AKA: CLIVAGE]

An intriguing mixture of Indian classical music and jazz fusion, undercut with sinister synthesiser undertones. This one's a little less playful than Mixtus Orbis, nor does enjoy the orchestral backing that album did, so it's a leaner, meaner, somewhat sparser beast. Andre Fertier as bandleader offers up guitar and keyboards, though I have to say I find the keyboard work a bit more impressive, whilst the rest of the band do a credible job of keeping up. "Regina Astris" means "Queen of the Stars", and there's certainly a spacey side to the band's sound here which makes this an intriguing trip. Still, not sure I'm quite so fond of the album's tendency towards sitar for sitar's sake.