PJ Rasmussen: Another Adventure

There are many different ways to travel. While most people travel geographically, guitarist PJ Rasmussen likes to travel in sound. Another Adventure is the title of his second album and finds him, as the title implies, in an musically adventurous mood.

"Full Speed Ahead" begins the journey with a larger than life guitar anthem that moves through different phases, ranging from a fast and heavily distorted guitar riff to adroit brass breaks, abstract avant- garde screeching and silky funk, complete with wah wah guitar.

"Love Birds," on the other hand, finds Rasmussen in a more traditionally swinging mood, with a nod to saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker and the unison lines of bop. It is a tune where trumpeter Ben Hankle and trombonist Steve Davis are effectively put in the solo spotlight.

Pianist Jim Reidl is a joy to listen to as he follows the leaps from rock to funk, swing and ballads. His lush harmonies add an extra touch of sophistication to the blue ballad "Under a Wave" where saxophonist Nate Giroux also shines.

The nine compositions on Another Adventure show PJ Rasmussen as a diverse guitarist who isn't satisfied to stay in one generic bag. It is possible to hear influences from jazz, soul, blues and rock and somehow Rasmussen is able to combine all the different sounds. If anything, Another Adventure proves that jazz isn't just one sound, but many sounds and it almost seems like Rasmussen has caught them all on this fine album.