KILIMANJARO SECRET BREW

What drew me to this album was the fact that Roine Stolt, Jonas Reingold and former FLOWER KINGS drummer Zoltan Csorsz were involved in making this Jazz / Fusion album.These guys are such good players I thought it would probably be a very good record, and besides it would be interesting to hear them play in this style.The album cover sort of visualizes what we hear on this album. It's like a street party with so many sounds involved including percussion and congas. The closest reference might be WEATHER REPORT's "Heavy Weather" album. While this is a good album it's too light for my tastes. I wish there was some fuzz or atmosphere or experimentation. It's just too smooth, especially the sax that does nothing for me here and hence the "Heavy Weather" reference. "Waterfront Migration" is light with a beat and sax standing out.This is catchy but not my thing. "Ode To Joe" is where they slow things down. Lots of sax leads. It does pick up some before 3 minutes. "Capetown Traffic" is much better as it has more of a Fusion vibe. And yes There is Fender Rhodes too. Sax, bass and percussion then start to lead as it lightens unfortunately. It's still good though.

"Downbeat Dakar" turns funky with sax, percussion, drums and a collage of sounds.This recalls Herbie Hancock. "The Lava Juggler" has lots of bass, drums and percussion as sax plays over top. Keyboards lead after 2 minutes. Great sound a minute later then the guitar comes in around 4 minutes. "Kilimanjaro Secret Brew" is really good because they at least add some atmosphere. "The Can Robots" is catchy with some great sounding guitar finally. It's funky after 3 minutes. "Children Of The Future" opens with piano as it builds. Piano only a minute in then it builds again. Guitar and drums lead 5 minutes in then it's time for the sax to lead.

I wish they had been more daring. I feel that this album is just too safe.