HIGH STREET

Third album of this American jazz-rock quartet contains just four long compositions (the last one 30+ minutes long!). From very first sound I was attracted by freshly sounded guitar-led jazz fusion. Really nice opener, even if with few melodic guitar instrumental rock touches.

Unhappily things weren't so good when I continued listening. Second composition still is fusion/instrumental rock mix with some shredding (let say in 50/50 proportion). But even here you can hear that band's musicians have their story in a field of more commercial rock. Still not so bad instrumental though.

Third composition, " Dozer" ,starts with some heavy blues rock guitar chords and continues as heavy rock instrumental with occasional keyboards passages. Still melodic, but only with smell of jazz fusion.

Then, last and longest song is a 30+ minutes monster. With electric piano intro on the very beginning, it combines all elements musicians use in their music in one place. Melodic ,almost symphonic prog sound at the very beginning changes with jazzy keys passages and competent drumming, but soon become melodic, even slightly cheesy fusion. Many will remember Return To forever sound there, but to be honest Corea's team was much more professional. And composition's size is obviously too long - it could be easily divided in few shorter ones.

I like band's melodies and quite jazzy in moments rhythm section, but too many heavy guitar shredding in combination with often too pop-friendly tunes doesn't attract me too much. Still nice American prog fusion album.

My rating is 3+.