MIND MAZE

This is studio album number six for this young duo out of Arizona. Both are multi-instrumentalists but they always have several musicians helping out. I have not heard the debut from 2017 but have the next five which were released in a little over 2 years. These five are all on Soul Jazz Records and man this band has been consistent. This is their latest called "Mind Maze" from 2023 and as usual we get a lot of short tracks and electronics really do standout over everything else but we get real drums and warmth from some of the other instruments. These guys have a formula that really does work for me.

I have them in my Electronic section but here they are under Krautrock which also makes sense. Motoric beats people! There is also German writing on the back cover and in the past they've had German song titles. Sixteen tracks and I have a top five. I must admit the electronics on "Mind Maze" the opener are a little too in my face but after that this album is all good to great.

"Sospetto" is track four and the first bright, feel good sounding piece. Subtle changes on this one and this is my first top five. "Illusions" follows that one and is also a top five and man I liked this maybe the most overall early on. So catchy! Next top five is "Rare Earth" which comes across as a TANGERINE DREAM meets PINK FLOYD session. And at 4 1/2 minutes the second longest tune which I'm glad for, I mean this one really does standout in various ways. That majestic ending, the beat-fest early, the way the atmosphere rises.

Next top five is "Pathways" and the floating organ early. Is that sampled birds chirping? Then heavy beats and atmosphere take over. A lone horn around 2 1/2 minutes then it builds. "Odyssey" is my final top five and this moves fairly slow but I like the upfront bass with flute, drums and electronics. Such a cool tune.

A solid 4 stars but in my opinion a step down from "Vertigo Of Flaws" their last one or even "PostHuman" and "Ohms". So yes maybe my fourth favourite at this point but man some competition here folks, like I said this band has been very consistent.