JET LAG

On this album PFM tossed most of its symphonic influences and concentrated on jazz-rock and fusion. The album has many long one chords improvisations, as well as fusion chord progressions. There also many good melodies to be found, but the atmosphere seems to be more important. The recording of the album is acceptable, but somehow the sound is a bit indifferent; some liveliness would not have hurt at all. The fret-less bass is very strong, but the Rhodes piano and the always good guitar-lines of PFM are also very rewarding. The vocals stand out as perhaps the weakest element of the music; Bernardo Lanzetti wants to sound like early-Genesis Gabriel. In reality, he sounds like a goat or a vocalist recorded under water. To bad. The song-writing (a miner aspect of the music) is relatively strong, with different other vocalist it could have been much more effective. I myself like the artistic vibe of the record and the good violin and guitar solo's. The fretless bass is great. The album has many flaws, like some of the dated synth leads, the vocals and the lack of enthusiasm overall. Three stars seems to be a good rating. Recommended to fans of the jazz-rock/fusion genre and fans of PFM. Fans of symphonic prog should approach this album with care.