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From the early 80's onward Jeff Cannata's name has been
synonymous with well polished keyboard driven AOR with a twist
of pomp. Some of his albums are regarded by those in the know
as true classics of the genre with probably his ArcAngel album
from 1983 being one of the undoubted highlights. With this
release Jeff has changed tack somewhat and moved slightly
away from the AOR sound to a more progressive sound and the
keyboard washes of old although still present are held in
restraint somewhat. In fact I suppose you could now call this
Pomp with a twist of AOR, the crafty chap has turned the tables
on us. I have to say I like this new approach a lot as it
seems to let his wonderful music breathe more and this is
well on it's way to potentially being my favourite of all
his albums. ***
"Spirit of the Four Winds" gets things started and has
all the usual Cannata trademarks, solid guitar, nice fluid
keyboards and great harmonies. Kali Allah continues in a similar
fashion but has a strong rhythm pattern with drums leading
the song and a killer keyboard solo in the middle. Next up
is my favourite track on the album "Somewhere Beyond the Sun".
This song has a real epic feel about it and in parts reminds
me of the band Transatlantic, but most of all it has a structure
and sound similar to his earliest band Jasper Wrath. The song
employs the flute to great atmospheric effect which gives
the song an extra dimension and for me takes it to another
level. This is probably the most "progressive" song on the
album with plenty of odd time changes.***
The gentle guitar lilt of "4:17 (California)" is next
and is a song that just grabs you. I found myself humming
and singing it to myself after only a couple of listens. "King
of the Mountain" is a reworking of a song originally found
on the ArcAngel album as is "Wanted: Dead or Alive" later
on. Both are superb songs but I think I prefer the originals,
having said that I've practically grown up with the originals
so the new versions may have that stacked against them on
my part, they are great songs though. ***
The following tunes follow the usual Cannata style except
more proggy than you would expect, all are really fantastic
songs with choruses and harmonies that just stick with you.
"Life:101" is another song that kicks off with an acoustic
guitar and has another great great chorus that again I found
had embedded itself hook, line and sinker into my psyche.
"French" is a bit of an oddball track, almost a dance track
which has a feel of a band like The Future Sound of London
or Ozric Tentacles somewhat, all ambient keyboard touches
and beats. Initially I wasn't overkeen on the song (despite
my liking of the two bands mentioned), but now I find it pretty
enjoyable, it just seems to be an odd song to put on the album.
"Reason to Live" gets things right back on course before the
closer "Reprise: Kali Allah" ends the album with a kind of
Eastern feel (again see Ozrics Pyramdion or Hidden Step for
a sound reference).***
So that's it! All in all I think it's a pretty fantastic
album and I really think that this one might become my favourite
of all Cannata's works. A gem.***
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