Alessandro Bertoni

When Jazz and Rock and Metal come together the result can be a god-awful mess unless the band are completely on the money and this is completely ‘on it’ – brilliant.

Mainly keyboards driven, there is a definite sense of throwback to an earlier age but the music is modern and the playing is bloody fine with a real feeling of space and and almost symphonic soundstage. When the music is at its peak there is a definite fusion feel to it but Bertoni’s classical training shows through in the breadth and scale of the music.
I am a great fan of strong Satriani-like guitar when it is integral to the music and not just widdling for its own sake – Mahavishnu and Al Di Meola rather than Yngwie Malmsteen – and the guitar – Brett Garsed - on this album brings the music on without disappearing in a welter of notes and riffs while Bertoni’s keys have a great majesty to the playing. In all fusion music the bass and percussion are crucial elements to the structure and rhythmic play of the music and Virgil Donati’s drumming is dynamic and punchy while Ric Fierbracci’s bass is sinuous and almost sexy.

It seems odd to say that the music soul when we are talking about a highly technical and intellectual form but the emotive content is definitely a large part of the enjoyment of this album. Derek Sherinian has to take some credit for putting the whole package together without losing the guts in the music.

Bottom line is that the album seems to reward the listener from repeated exposure but it doesn’t work as background music – play it loud enough to block out all other distractions and envelop yourself in it.