This recording introduces a gentler Tull, more pop than rock, with Anderson on acoustic guitars and flutes and Andrew Giddings on keyboards, electronics and percussion. Long-time Tull members, drummer Gerry Conway and guitarist, Martin Barre appear on only a couple of tracks. The strength of Anderson's writing shines through on The Jasmine Corridor, Sanctuary and Circular Breathing. The Stormont Shuffle, Monserrat, Set Aside, Boris Dancing and the title track on the other hand are tracks you could almost call, Jethro Tull unplugged.

     As Anderson, himself sums it up, "the legacy of early Tull lingers on through the songs on this record. It is, at least, a personal document, free from the need to accommodate the heavier aspirations and tendencies of typical Tull members (including me!)." Two bonus tracks are also included on this release, one from Anderson's release "Divinities" and the opening song from "Thick as a Brick."

     Trumpeter, Nils Petter Molvar's aptly titled new recording Solid Ether, is the follow up to his successful first release on ECM, "Khmer." Molvar experiments with many new forms, breaking away from the more traditional jazz idioms, incorporating a wide variety of moods and expressions, which would have to be called more physical than cerebral. Heavy percussion, electronics, samples and tape loops give way to moments of silence, held together by Molvar's sensitive playing. Coming to jazz from a background in pop and rock, he has managed to incorporate these elements into his compositions to create a satisfying fusion. The opening track, "Dead Indeed" is inspired from the work of Brixton-based DJs and nu-house/new soul underground musicians the Basement Jaxx. Opening with the solo trumpet in a simple melody, distant and sad, before the addition of drums and electronics, similar to some of the work on Brian Eno's "Nerve Net," build the music to a feverish pitch. The trumpet, for Molvar, serves as a voice, where he is content only to state the minimum needed to get his point across. He say's his goal is to be "in my best moments, a singer." The beauty of his playing can be heard on "Kokonita," from the film "Frozen Heart," where he accompanies himself with only trumpet samples. His latest tour through Europe will be with the addition of a second turntable artist to the group, the Venezuelan/Norwegian DJ Darknorse.

     Another trumpeter who has been experimenting with new forms in music is Memphis born, Jon Hassell. Mostly known for his 1980 release "Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics" with Brian Eno, Hassell has always turned his back on more conventional directions. After receiving music degrees in the US, he received a grant to study with Karlheinz Stockhausen in Europe and then in 1972, studied classical Indian music of the Kirana tradition with the great vocal master, Pandit Pran Nath, from which he has tried to adapt these vocal techniques to his trumpet playing. This new style he describes as "Fourth World--a unified primitive/futuristic sound combining features of world ethnic styles with advanced electronic techniques." His new release Fascinoma, moves into new areas. With assistance from Ry Cooder (who also produced the CD), Jacky Terrasson and Ronu Majumdar, he states in the liner notes that "after twentysome years of recordings and performances, this is the first time I've ever played someone else's song." Long time fans will be somewhat taken back by the more traditional approach taken here, less experimental. However there is some fine playing, especially on those tracks with pianist, Terrason.

     A new remastered collection from Traffic, Feelin' Alright: The Very Best of Traffic, covers mostly the early years and includes the hits Paper Sun, Hole in My Shoe, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Feelin' Alright, John Barleycorn among others. Missing are such favorites as Coloured Rain, Smiling Phases, Medicated Goo, No Face, No Name, No Number, though. A good remastering job has removed a lot of the background hissing, prevalent on earlier compilations. A good collection of earlier work with good sound, but fans should still try to find the 2 CD collection "Smiling Phases," that seems to have been taken off the market.

by Peter Miles
pmiles@gol.com