This is quite an unusual album, in that what we have here is progressive metal, yet is instrumental, not a pairing one normally comes across. Although this is debut, all four musicians have been involved in other projects prior to this, and comprise Hanspeter Hess (The Healing Road - keyboards, synths), Dominik Wimmer (Sweety Chicky Jam- drums, keyboards, guitar), Chris Grundmann (Cynity - keyboards, guitar, bass, synths) and Markus Roth (Marquette, Horizontal Ascension - keyboards, guitar, bass, synths). There are times when this album is incredible, with massive complexity and driving guitars, and others where the simplicity is what makes it work, with the piano taking the lead. Often, I found myself being reminded of Savatage, or Liquid Tension Experiment, but always being taken to a more extreme level.
But, and there just had to be a “but”, there are times when the band seem to lose their way and aren’t really sure of what they are trying to achieve, and I found my attention drifting away. That they are all incredible musicians is never in doubt, nor that they have some strong musical ideas, but they haven’t been able to carry all this through for a complete album. It will be interesting to hear if they are more focussed on the next one.
I was fortunate enough to hear Greg’s last album, ‘Organ Monk American Standard’, and was excited to see that he was releasing another, so was looking forward to hearing this, and I wasn’t disappointed. Inspired by the great Thelonious Monk, Greg Lewis has made the Hammond B-3 organ his very own in recent years, and for someone such as myself who listens to far more rock than jazz, it is interesting to hear what he is doing with it. Yes, he can be soulful, yes he can be mellow and reflective, but there is an angst throughout this album, a real edge, and when the band let loose they create something that is at least as powerful as anything from Jon Lord or Keith Emerson.
Each of the songs on the album are dedicated to an African American who had been killed during confrontations with police officers. By far the longest piece on the album is the first, which is dedicated to Michael Brown, who was fatally shot on August 9th, 2014 by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, after reportedly robbing a convenience store. This is nearly nineteen minutes long, and is full of passion and driving force, almost free jazz at times, and almost hard rock at others, as all the players combine to create a powerful message. By creating a suite in this manner, with a different name applied to each, it allows the listener to understand more of the message that is being portrayed. Some of the songs are performed by a trio, while others involve more musicians, but at the heart of it all is Greg, sometimes providing the backdrop for others to solo against, while at others he is in full flight. Special mention must also be made of the two drummers involved Nasheet Waits and Jeremy ‘BEAN’ Clemons – they are both kept high in the mix, and deservedly so, as their virtuosity and understanding adds to the overall effect.
This is yet another great jazz release from Greg, and if you have yet to come across his work then you owe it to yourself to do so. www.greglewismusic.com
