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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Quinn Sternberg

Pleasant Returns

Review by Gary Hill

This is the third set from Quinn Sternberg that I’ve reviewed. Like the other two, this one lands under prog because of the fusion connection. That said, I think this probably fits closer under mainstream jazz. It still manages enough challenging passages to get it close to the fusion zone. That said, if this were the first album from this artist I had heard, I don’t think it would be put under prog. However you classify this, though, it’s strong jazz music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Feedback Loop

Frantic jazz jamming is on the menu here. This feels fairly traditional and mainstream in its stylings.

Ponchatoula Strawberry

coming in slower, this has more of that melodic jazz vibe at play.

Stretch

The mellower movement mid-track, with its stripped back arrangement brings some more exploratory things to bear. The piano really gets to shine when the track drives back out later.

Any Day Now

Now, this one is on fire. It definitely moves into more fusion-like territory at times. It’s a real powerhouse that might be my favorite of the whole disc.

Regal Duties

There is some great jazz exploration built into this thing. It’s another standout cut. It has some intriguing changes and section that allow various musicians to stand out.

The Penultimate

Another powered up and intriguing piece of jazz, this still has plenty of fusion leanings in the mix. It’s another standout.

Barry

A mellower cut, this starts with piano and works out from there. It gets somewhat exploratory as it continues It does power up before it’s over, but not as much as some of the other music here does.

 
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