Spaced Out - same (Unicorn Records)

Oh joy, the return of great fusion. And no I'm not taking the piss. As one of those people whose love fusion was brought about by Billy Cobham and then regular meanderings through the world of John McLaughlin et al, this is an absolute peach!

Originally established in 1998, this group from Montreal comprises Martin Maheux (drums), Antoine Fafard (electric bass), Mathieu Bouchard (electric guitar) and Éric Saint-Jean (synths). Primarily driven along by the powerful, expressive bass of Antoine Fafard, who both composes music and assembles all band projects this is purely instrumental and chock full of experimentation and improvisation.

This, their most recent recording is an absolute dream and deserves a wide and appreciative audience. Influenced by, but never derivative of, Zappa, UK, Pastorius, Holdsworth and others, musically this is awesome.

Unicorn records, PO Box 95016, Lorraine, Quebec, Canada J6Z 4P1
http://www.unicornrecords.com