Jazz Articles

District 97: Hybrid Child

by Glenn Astarita
May 6, 2011

The popular talent show, American Idol is often smothered with male Bob Segar wannabes or female divas striving to be the next Jennifer Lopez. But it's a welcome surprise when a talented finalist delves into a nouveau progressive-rock schema. Such is the case with vocalist Leslie Hunt, who broadcasts a formidable presence with District 97, a unit that aligns convention with inviting arrangements, spanning assorted rock and pop genres. A sample of the ensemble's artistic prowess is highlighted ...

The Aurora Project: Shadow Border

by Glenn Astarita
July 6, 2009

The band members of The Aurora Project started playing as a jamband during the '90s in their native Holland. Shadow Border is the group's second album, following several years of performing at European progressive rock festivals. This studio outing provides a bit of credence to the musicians' extensive affiliations as an entity. With memorable hooks embedded in strong compositions, this unit conveys noticeable synergy. And it's not all about technical calisthenics, although the soloists let it rip, largely during the ...

White Willow: Signal to Noise

by John Kelman
October 7, 2006

White Willow, a group of Norwegian progressive rockers, has long since given up its early folk-rock roots, moving towards a symphonic prog sound with an aggressive edge that has made the band popular on the Scandinavian circuit for the past few years. Signal to Noise is a logical progression from Storm Season (2004), continuing to forge an interesting blend of ethereal Goth and progressive rock that's more song-focused than this and earlier efforts on the Laser's Edge label.

Only guitarist ...

Secret Oyster: Sea Son

by John Kelman
May 9, 2006

For the second in a series of overdue CD reissues from the 1970s Danish progressive/fusion group Secret Oyster, The Laser's Edge has chosen 1975's Sea Son. In contrast to the through-composed approach of the 1976 ballet score of Vidunderlige Kælling, Sea Son accurately mirrors the unit's improvisation-centric live performances.

Sea Son, Secret Oyster's second release, featured a different rhythm section and consequently took on a harder rock edge than the group's 1974 debut, Furtive Pearl. While Secret Oyster didn't demonstrate ...

Secret Oyster: Vidunderlige Kaelling

by John Kelman
December 2, 2005

Secret Oyster--a supergroup in Denmark during its short lifespan in the mid-1970s, having emerged from the remnants of a number of other locally successful progressive rock bands--generally leaned more towards the fusion of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Nucleus, and Bitches Brew-era Miles. Still, when recruited to provide music for a Royal Danish Ballet project based on the erotic poetry of Jens August Schade, the quintet demonstrated surprising restraint, substituting detailed through-composition for the more solo-intensive approach manifested on albums like Sea Son ...

Indukti: S.U.S.A.R.

by John Kelman
September 13, 2005

Some people think of high-decibel head-banging when they hear the term “progressive metal, but there's often more to it than meets the eye--or the ear. Even a longstanding group like King Crimson has edged closer and closer to a metal mentality in its most recent incarnation, even describing its own music as “nuevo metal. Not surprisingly, Crimson's last album--The Power to Believe--appealed not just to existing fans; and by touring with dark-edged Tool, the group introduced a whole new audience ...

Volare: The Uncertainty Principle

by John W. Patterson
May 1, 1999

I don't often do this but here goes . . . BUY THIS. If you call yourself a prog rocker, Canterbury scene music lover, retro-art-rocker, avant-garde dabbler, jazzy fusionist, or just plain eclectically oriented as myself — quickly find this.Volar' '90s tribute to all that was cool in the open-ended experimentation of the '70s is pure finesse, polished, engaging and downright fun. Not a single track is weak. Patrick Strawser is a genius on keys and synth. Steve Hatch knows ...

Scott McGill's Hand Farm: Ripe

by John W. Patterson
May 1, 1999

Hand Farm, this incarnation, is McGill, (ex-Finneus Gauge), on electric and acoustic guitars, Chico Huff, (Mistaken Identities), on bass, Vic Stevens, (Gongzilla, Mistaken Identities), on drums, and Demetrios Pappas guesting keys on two tracks.This is McGill's second offering. It loses no momentum from the first fusion locomotive that monstered past with his self-titled debut Hand Farm. You'll find all the rockin' jazz fusion you dug in Hand Farm and more. There are two solo acoustic tracks and an ...