COSMIC MESSENGER

The fourth highly acclaimed fusion album in a row albeit sometimes taking it more safely than previously. There are simpler tracks, parts but the group still plays very tightly and pulls it off for a dynamic ride sometimes. The bass and drumming remains stable, original and loud. Guitar is a bit more timid than at Stuermer and Holdsworth times, also less adventureous. The sound is a bit updated to reflect modern more streamlined fusion - examples are the first track and "The art of happiness". The third track takes us back to the recent days of glory when frenetic fusion ruled the fusion world. Excellent keyboard soloing and dynamic drumming. The chord progression is actually closer to progressive rock/Canterbury than fusion for which it is too simple. "Puppet;s dance" has a crazy irregular rhythm, maybe 6/8 but things won't calm down during "Fake paradise" that is just a great rhythm switcher between 4/4 and more complex ones. It's actually these two tracks that level up the rating to 4. In the absence of a suite, the last track should suffice - ambitious from the start till the end, with killer drumming and bass playing.

Even if compositions are less memorable than before, playing saves the 4-star mark.