I'd been looking forward to another Ozone Quartet album since hearing their first, Fresh Blood, last March. With that album, I'd found a band whose sound embodied many of the odd time signatures, and eclectic influences of progressive rock married with fluid freeform jazz. With their second full length release, Nocturne, I found many of the elements which attracted me to their music, and a little bit more. Their music had taken a funky groove in some places and an ethnic flavor in others. The disc also shows a new subtlety and refinement to the arrangement and selection of songs.

Nocturne is a subtle feast of eclectic sounds; it makes the listener take the time to savor the multilayered nuances of each instrument. Overall this is a CD that one can't get tired of listening to- something new is heard and learned with repeated playing. If you're merely looking for a generic lovemaking soundtrack, you may be wasting your time and the music is likely to be lost on you. This is muse music by which that alpha state is reached, and creative neurons are sparked. It is music that is evocative and emotional as well as technically accomplished. If you are a fan of instrumental prog-jazz-funk fusion with an ethnic flavor featuring violin and Chapman Stick, this release belongs in your collection. Ozone Quartet is an all instrumental fusion band from North Carolina. Formed in 1992, the present lineup is Hollis Brown (electric violin), Kenny Thompson (acoustic/electric guitar), Wayne Leechford (Chapman Stick) and Francis Dyer (percussion, drums). Check out the band's site at www.ozonequartet.com.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 2 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years.