SOMERSAULT

''Across the water'' was definitely among the succesful albums of Jadis, selling 3,000 copies within days of its release.After participating in Geoff Mann's tribute album ''Mannerisms'', Jadis entered a period of changes with John Jowitt and later Martin Orford quiting to focus on their work with IQ.Gone with them was the collaboration with the Giant Electric Pea label.The separation was friendly and their replacements were Steve Hunt and Mike Torr respectively.The new line-up made a brief introduction in the 96' EP ''Once or twice'', containing one live track and three reworkings of old songs, before a new album was launched in 1997 under the title ''Somersault''.It was released on Steve Rothery's short-lived Dorian label.

Stylistically not much has changed for Jadis, the style remains a melodic Neo Prog with focus on catchy songs, lyrical passages and atmospheric textures, highlighted by the guitar work and vocals of Gary Chandler.The new members were talented enough to provide solid bass work and some fine keyboard backgrounds in a few pieces.What this album lacks though are some of the striking melodies and memorable parts of the previous works, although ''Somersault'' is yet another album performed with energy and passion.Additionally the sound of the band appears to become less progressive with each release, even if some nice guitar breaks and tricky keyboards are thrown in this release as well.With such a guitar-based style, everything seems to start and finish around Chandler's mood, but this time his performance and compositions are less efficient compared to the nice past pearls of Jadis.Not a bad album by any means, the production is absolutely great, some melodic parts and rhythmic guitars are nice and even Torr appears to be a very good replacement over the talents of Ordford.But it's not all about offering a clean sound and atmospheric pieces in Prog Rock, Jadis' effort in here is less inspired and somewhat saturated with absence of fresh ideas.

Mediocre work by a band, which could do much better.Less proggy than any of Jadis' previous albums, heavily relying on atmospheric and melodic moments, which are not fully convincing.Recommended mainly to Neo Prog followers...2.5 stars.