Album review: CHASING THE MONSOON – No Ordinary World

[Release date 20.09.19]

Once upon a time, in a Galaxy far, far away – well, OK, maybe not a Galaxy far away, but Swansea isn’t a place most people could pinpoint on a map without the help of Google – Ian Jones (Karnataka bassist and songwriter) came up with the idea for a ‘fusion’ project melding strong rhythmic elements and ambient, experimental soundscapes with progressive rock, Celtic and world music influences.

And it’s been a long, long, long time in gestation – the tantalising trailer ‘Circles In Stone’ fronted by Lisa Fury, first surfacing 12 years ago. But some things, even in the year 2019, are worth the wait.

Featuring Jones on bass, keyboards, guitars, and programming, Steve Evans (vocals, keyboards, programming), Ian Simmons (guitars, programming), Lisa Fury (vocals), and with guest appearances from Troy Donockley and Karnataka guitarist Enrico Pinna, some might say No Ordinary World is too derivative, or contrived even.

But that would be overlooking the sheer melodic beauty that shrouds the album.

Yes, it’s impossible not to hear Yes/Jon Anderson in the latter section of ‘Dancing In The Afterglow’ and ‘Into The Light’, yes, Lisa Fury’s fabulous vocals sometime evoke images of Judie Tzuke (on ‘Love Will Find You’, in particular), yes, swirls of Wish You Were Here-era Floyd underpin the Fury showcase ‘Innocent Child’, yes, some of the world music guitar parts – in particular on the opening title track – doff a cap to Caravanserai-era Santana – and yes, the whole think is glued together in true Enigma fashion.

But it works. And as if to underline the fact, the title track – bringing pretty much all of those elements together – closes out the album in an outstanding 9 minute epic that fades away far, far too soon.

So if you like highly melodic/mildly ambient rock spiced with just a soupçon of World elements, and appreciate fine female vocals, then No Ordinary World is a brilliantly produced album you’ll want to revisit time, and time again.

An album of the year contender, for sure. *****

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)