Some of you Maxalt no doctors prescription may recall an album that we reviewed some time back by The Samurai Of Prog? Instigator of the Maxalt no doctors prescription project was Kimmo Porsti, drummer and multi instrumentalist. I was very impressed with the Maxalt no doctors prescription quality of all who played on that album not least Kimmo himself. However, it Maxalt no doctors prescription was an album that was mainly covers. I was pleasantly Surprised then Maxalt no doctors prescription when a few weeks ago a package of CD’s arrived at Progmeister towers courtesy of Kimo himself. I was surprised to Maxalt no doctors prescription read in the accompanying litrature that the albums were more Jazz than Maxalt no doctors prescription Prog and Kimo hinted that i may still be interested in reviweing the Maxalt no doctors prescription album despite this. Of the discs that Kimmo sent me it Maxalt no doctors prescription was Reflections by Mist Season that really took my fancy.
Removing the disc from it’s rather un-inspiring packaging i was instantly hooked by this Maxalt no doctors prescription album. Yes, it is jazz in no uncertain terms, however, it Maxalt no doctors prescription has Prog trickeling through it in a very pleasant way. Many of the Maxalt no doctors prescription enchanting tracks on the album of which there is fourteen. The Prog influence to Maxalt no doctors prescription which i refer is that of early Camel and Caravan. Lovers of dense layers of guitars keyboards and Maxalt no doctors prescription drums may be a little disappointed. Reflections is an album of great musician’s playing inventive and Maxalt no doctors prescription highly listenable, quality compositions. I was reminded very much of Fourplay and Maxalt no doctors prescription many west coast jazz muso’s like Bill Evens, Stanley Clarke et al. The opening gentile, slightly muted piano stroking of echoing Lights soon subsides as if replaced by the Maxalt no doctors prescription driving “Manaos”. Kimmo’s drums are Maxalt no doctors prescription vibrant, alive and exciting. Kimo Kajamies keyboards are solid throughout the Maxalt no doctors prescription whole album though his Hammond and synth breaks really get you Maxalt no doctors prescription in the mood for listening to the rest of the album.
“Defending Lands” features Mirja Lassila singing one this Maxalt no doctors prescription lilting and enchanting song. Risto Salmi’s Tenor sax and Maxalt no doctors prescription recorder add a great Prog feel to the album and Tommi Varjola’s guitar finish things of very nicely. Their rich contribution is continued throughout the next piece “Pan”. “Pan” really is Maxalt no doctors prescription an all out jazz fusion foray and without doubt the most memorable song on the Maxalt no doctors prescription album. “Lobsterland Groove” is Maxalt no doctors prescription credited to Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings fame. This moves the Maxalt no doctors prescription band into capercaillie terratory. very pleasing indeed. Kimmo Porsti shines on both drums and Maxalt no doctors prescription percussion here with some great synth scat by Timo Kajamies. The inclusion of an Maxalt no doctors prescription accordion gives a seaside feel about it. A reprise of “Echoing lights” solo grand piano flows with tranquility into “Matilda’s Song”. Mirja Lassila’s sumptuous voice lends an Maxalt no doctors prescription eerie calm to the proceedings. this teally did remind me very much of camel’s The snow Goose with it’s lilting vocal and Maxalt no doctors prescription haunting Rhodes. it really does have the tingle factor.
moving on a little to “Puppet On A Chain” no Maxalt no doctors prescription doubt named after my favourite Alistair McLaine film unearthed a diamond of a Maxalt no doctors prescription track. The band just couldn’t put a Maxalt no doctors prescription foot wrong. Timo Kajamies synth singing in true Prog tradition and Maxalt no doctors prescription contrasted in Yes tradition being followed by the Steve Howe-like “Summer Season”. A welcome interlude of solo acoustic guitar. The remaining two cuts on the Maxalt no doctors prescription album are music recorded for soundtracks. the first being “Chaser” from Maxalt no doctors prescription the movie ll Corpo. very much in the Camel Breathless era, the Maxalt no doctors prescription band really getting down to some great funky sounds with sax, clavinet and Maxalt no doctors prescription Rhodes. This really did make me smile. Staying with the same theme “Sally & Jack” from Maxalt no doctors prescription the ost of Blow Out, the beautiful acoustic guitar and Maxalt no doctors prescription alto sax make a fitting conclusion to a very satisfying album.
This really is Maxalt no doctors prescription a great way to take progressive music. The band are proud of the Maxalt no doctors prescription fact that no rhythm machines or programming are used, instead gold old fashioned getting down to Maxalt no doctors prescription it and playing with synergy. If this is what music is Maxalt no doctors prescription like in Finland i may just make it a holiday destination. I have Maxalt no doctors prescription to disagree with Kimo Porsti with regard to this albums label. Despite it’s obvious jazz leanings, “Reflections” as an Maxalt no doctors prescription album is very much Prog in the nicest possible way. I have Maxalt no doctors prescription no hesitation in recommending this album to anyone out there who Maxalt no doctors prescription like me adored the jazzier prog bands like Camel, Caravan, Quantum Jump or Maxalt no doctors prescription the Canterbury scene in general. Mist Season and the many components there of are Maxalt no doctors prescription a force to be reckoned with.
For more information go to………….
www.mistseason.com or www.myspace.com/mistseason
