Album review: FRACTAL SEXTET
Alchemy Records [Release date 16.09.22]
It would be easy to dismiss Fractal Sextet as a muso-based-up-their-own-backside combo. In fact the press release might have you believe that. But no. Muso – yes – but damned accessible with it.
The whole album is totally compulsive and is essentially progressive jazz fusion. The modus operandus is great groove with repeated motifs, requisite amount of urgency, and fine musicianship.
Swiss mainman Stephan Thelen has collaborated with the likes of Kronos Quartet but together with his sparring partner Jon Durant he has melded a work of great infectiousness. Colin Edwin (sometime bassist with Porcupine Tree) injects the wonderfully fluid rhythm with drummer Yogev Gabay and percussionist Andi Pupato.
‘Fractal 5.7′ is a great taster, a hypnotic groove with Fabio Anile’s lovely keyboard textures dancing around Durant’s guitar. At times soundling like Marillion at their instrumental best. At other times even Mike Oldfield gets a look-in and ‘Planet Nine’ recalls a rather harder version of the John Williams fronted Sky. Remember them?
On ‘Mise En Abyme’ there is a showcase for Thielen’s delayed guitar (inspiring the band’s name) which is like David Gilmour on steroids.
The pieces here have been developed from previous offerings including ‘Crossings’ (2021) which featured Thelen and Durant and demonstrate that it is possible to have an organic feel from disparate file sharing in socially challenged times.
Truly great stuff. *****
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
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 2 March 2025.
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 on 4 March 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025
HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections