John Ashford

This was the album that broke me into the music of Allan Holdsworth, in the late eighties. Just when I required a new musical form beyond my diet of prog-rock, new jazz and neo-folk, … there he was with his energised and complex chord passages, cutting fresh swathes into the musical palette. Mercifully, he took a talented cohort of musicians with him for the ride. This material forms rich commentary on the human condition, forcing one to stretch out … or simply sit back and revel in the excellence.

The driving intensity of this music is captured well in live performances. Musicianship of a high order is brought to bear on quality compositions, and it is a pleasure to listen to players who grab the common directions.

Great energy levels support good songwriting here, with songs that are well put together … good if spare instrumentation, nice vocal delivery with some tight harmonies, The material is fresh and vital, the final sound has plenty of clean top end, carefully managed effects including nice space and reverb.