Artsounds Music [Release date 08.04.22]

A self-confessed sucker for a bit of jazz rock/fusion, I couldn’t really resist the latest offering from Canadian bassist Art Griffin.

Ably assisted by his band including violinist Victoria Veh and Saga drummer Steve Negus, there are also some heavyweight guests such as Michael Sadler (Saga) on ‘Seventh Wave’ and the last time I heard guitarist Jamie Glaser was on the excellent Lenny White album ‘Streamline’ in 1978.  He’s worked more recently with Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty, the latter another influence here.

‘Ride To Vahalla’ gets things off to a rattling, bass propelled start whilst ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ comes across as a supercharged Acoustic Alchemy until after the breakdown section when guitarist Kelly Kereliuk lets rip.

‘Total Eclipse’ is a pumping synth based workout with Veh’s violin again to the fore coming across as a hybrid of Jerry ‘Mahavishnu’ Goodman and Ann Marie Calhoun (Steve Vai).

Griffin also supplies all the keys on the album save the odd solo supplied by Sarah Westbrook (‘JLP’) and Frank Wyatt (‘Seventh Wave’).

The extensive use of electric violin colours this album and may grate with some who would prefer increased synth solo or guitar content but it’s all about taste and preference.  And all the tunes have a purpose and an infectious momentum with the only exceptions being two acoustic-based pieces.

One of the standouts is ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ with a great song-based approach punctuated by Griffin’s bass and keyboard fills.

Anyone who has Roger Dean design their logo has confidence.  And this album has that in abundance.  ****

Review by David Randall

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In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 8 September 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 16 September 2024

THE NOW Special Kind Of Stupid (indie)
NEW MONARCH Paper Noose (indie)
AD INFINITUM Surrender (Napalm Records)
KROOKED TONGUE Nothing Ever Grows (indie)
TRUCKER DIABLO Show Me The Way (Big Unit Records)

Featured Albums w/c 16 September 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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