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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Asaf Sirkis

Solar Flash

Review by Gary Hill

This new album from percussionist Asaf Sirkis is a cool exercise in fusion. There is a good range here, and some positively exceptional pieces. He is accompanied by Kevin Glasgow on bass and Gary Husband on keys throughout the set. Mark Wingfield provides guitar on three tracks. Sylvia Bialas' vocals grace three tracks.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021  Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.

Track by Track Review
Kinship
A frantic drum showing brings this in, but the cut modulates to a more measured melodic fusion jam from there. The focus shifts and changes as various instruments take the lead on this powerhouse piece.
Under The Ice
While this is less intense and driving than the opener was, it's no less effective. There is a real subtle passion to the track. I am particularly fond of the cool bass work on the tune.
Aquila
There is almost an otherworldly, dreamy, trippy vibe to a lot of this piece. It creates a lot of drama and magic. That makes this one of my favorites here.
Polish Suite - Part 1
This piece features piano and vocals. It is artistic with unique melodic passages and unexpected junctures of sound, despite the minimalist arrangement.
Polish Suite - Part 2
As this comes out of the first section some percussion is added to the mix and the vocals start to really soar. While it's nothing close to a full rethinking, this does have an added intensity and really does grow upward from the other portion. It drops to just percussion around the two-minute-mark. From there other elements join gradually in a rather trippy arrangement. Guitar eventually takes it in some unusual directions.
For Eric
More of a melodic fusion concept is on the menu as this gets underway. The track works to some high energy jamming from there. There is a spoken piece that enters after a while. The music turns more atmospheric and otherworldly in keeping with the words. I gets into some pretty freaky territory after the voice goes away.
Solar Flash
Keyboard elements bring this in and carry it forward. The track shifts toward noisy chaos after a time. This is quite a powerhouse fusion jam.
Polish Suite - Part 3
This is another that has some great melodies at its core. It's more of a pure fusion piece, but there are hints of things like Joe Satriani in the mix.

 

  
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