OUT OF THE WOODS

Part of Paul Winter's Consort continue flying on their own without their sixth studio album release since 1971. The band's acoustic direction of Jazz-Rock Fusion continues to preview an entire movement of what will become known as World Music or World Fusion.

1. "Yellow Bell" (7:03) Ralph Towner playing some beautiful piano with Glen Moore's simple yet double bass accompaniment supports Paul McCandless on some beautiful oboe play while Colin Walcott supports on congas and cymbals. Gorgeous melodies make for quite a beautiful and introspective listening experience. There is quite a little Chick Corea feel to the melody lines created throughout this piece. (13.5/15) 2. "Fall 77" (4:27) a song that insists on sounding like the introductory motif to WEATHER REPORT's massive hit, "Birdland." (8.75/10)

3. "Reprise" (1:02) a little bluesy jazz piano solo from Ralph. (4.375/5)

4. "Cane Fields" (4:37) Colin Walcott's tabla with Paul's Cor Anglais are supported by Ralph's 12-string guitar chords and Glen's interesting bass note choices. (8.75/10)

5. "Dance To The Morning Star" (5:36) Colin on kalimba with Glen's rhythmic bass propelling the song forward so that Paul's oboe and Ralph's Django/banjo-like guitar can solo, the former more melodically while the latter is more in line with Glen's and now-Colin's galloping and gallumphing. Interesting. (8.75/10)

6. "Vision Of A Dancer" (4:03) sitar and cor anglais are acompanied by melodic Scott-LaFaro-like bass with Ralph's Chick Corea-like piano. A shining, crystalline example of the direction John McLaughlin has turned at the same time as these guys. (8.875/10)

7. "Story Telling" (1:03) Colin's Indian percussion solo.

8. "Waterwheel" (6:27) opening like a classical music guitar piece, tabla, sitar, and droning bowed bass join in before Pau McCandless' oboe enters to supply the exotic lead. Hypnotic and beautiful, the music takes a little detour at the end of the second minute before coming back to full Christmas weave for Paul and Ralph's now this is what one has to call East-West World Fusion! (9/10)

9. "Witchi-Tai-To" (8:21) sitar and guitar open this one as a gentle duet with Colin's sitar play being at times more exploratory and experimental. The descending chord-and-melody line Ralph and Glen use here in support of Colin's sitar is quite similar to that of The Beatles' "Blackbird/Dear Prudence" as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Helpless." The players switch instruments halfway in to drums/percussion for Colin, piano for Ralph, and cor anglais for Paul. Nice song. More of a jam than a mathematically-composed jazz tune. (17.5/20)

Total time 42:39

Though the recording and performances are all stellar, the music is not always as full or jazzy as I was expecting and/or hoping for. (I guess that would be attributable to the absence of drums, right?) Still, this is, without a doubt, very enjoyable and impressive song-crafting.

B/four stars; an excellent display of skilled acoustic jazz fusion giving the listener plenty of glimpses of the nascent World Music and World Fusion scenes.