ELECTRIC SILENCE

Dzyan's third and ultimate album is the perfect follow up to the excellent predecessor "Time Machine". The electric freak-out moments have been toned down in favor of a more acoustic approach with a greater emphasis on the world music aspects. The result is very cosmic, relaxing as well as unsettling. It's a more consistent album then the "Time Machine", although I slightly prefer that one for it's sizzling electricity.

The band's line-up remained unchanged, which clearly shows in the improved fluency in interplay between all members. The sitar, saz and ethnic percussion have a larger part in the sound and feature in almost all pieces. The electric guitars provide spacey accents, rather then the frantic Mahavishnu solos of "Time Machine". Also the mellotron makes an appearance. The free-jazz element is still there in places, especially during the lengthy "For Earthly Thinking", a track that I find slightly less appealing then the remainder of the pieces.

Dzyan's "Electric Silence" is one of the obscure gems from the 70s. It's a jazz/raga album rather then a kraut one for me, but regardless, a recommended one for listeners with an eclectic taste for psychedelic free-from jazz-rock with Indian world music influences. Unique and intriguing!