SOMERSAULT

JADIS "Somersault" I purchased it in April 1, 1999. I do agree that the music is in a way has some similarity with IQ but when I look in to deep, it's basically different in style and nature. While IQ is basically a keyboard-based music in terms of rhythm and basic structure with add on of guitar solo and keyboard solo, melodic singing line. JADIS' style revolves around guitar solo by the band's leader Gary Chandler. While the music of IQ is practically fluent and fluid in nature in terms of flow, the music of Jadis has basically lacked melody that flows naturally from one segment to another - it tends to be flat. It does not necessary mean than the music of JADIS is bad at all - in fact, if the mood is right, I can enjoy the music of JADIS quite well.

Having parked this CD for such a long time and very rare occasions that I spun the CD, it's now the right time for me to listen to this CD again and write my thoughts about the music. Oh yeas, I can find that there are interesting pieces / segments where I can find the guitar solo by Gary Chandler is stunning and enjoyable. He delivers his mastery in creating notes through his guitar with his, sometimes, aggressive style. Take example on the opening track "Live This Life" where basically he screams about a life where no one actually listen to him, his guitar solo is quite interesting especially during chorus of interlude, like the one in minute 4:32. This kind of guitar playing style is quite obvious throughout the album.

On some occasions he also delivers a guitar work that combines blues style and howling guitar work like Steve Hackett. A good example is the intro of track 5 "Tomorrow Always Arrives" where it's quite obvious. But during accompanying the vocal, he turns the guitar into acoustic style to create a rhythm section with keyboard.

As I said, there are many interesting and stunning guitar solo you can find in this album. The only concern I have is that there are some disjointed segments that do not seem to connect smoothly from one to another and it sounds like they are being forced like that. The result is basically a flow of music that does not seem to be natural. However, this does not mean that this is a bad album, in fact, I still consider it as good. Do not expect something melodic is coming out from this album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW