JET LAG

This excellent album saw PFM breaking new ground, with the inclusion of fretless bass (the first time I heard that instrument), and a jazzier feel overall. Four of the five tracks with vocals are sung in English, but the Pete Sinfield (ex Crimson) lyrics of earlier English language releases (like "The World Became the World") are missing this time out. If the words don't soar to Sinfield's poetic heights, however, they still do a serviceable job.

Poetry aside, the music is center-stage here, and it is superb music indeed! The opening track, "Peninsula," is a beautiful piece of classical guitar work (sort of like Genesis - "Horizons") that serves as a lovely prelude to the title track. At over 9 minutes, "Jet Lag" is the longest track on the album, and it's also the finest: in the best traditions of classic Prog it changes musical direction more than once, offering both power and beauty. Alone worth the cost of the disc (then some!), this masterful and highly original 'suite' is one of the best blends of jazz and rock that I've ever had the pleasure to hear. The rest of the album doesn't quite measure up to "Jet Lag," but is still very good, and diverse in flavour. There are soaring violins, great guitars and keyboards (lots of electric piano) and solid bass and drums. The final cut, "Traveller," is particularly good, and brings the set to a memorable close.

Though it represents a departure from the band's earlier sound, I liked this disc in '77, and I love it now!