Ozric Tentacles - Jurassic Shift

I heard about this album off handedly 13 years after it was released. The sound is still very much fresh and alive. It is modern fusion, in a time when modern "jazz" is generally crap, unless it is made by non-jazz musicians (with some exceptions of course). This album is like really hyped up trancey Mahavishnu Orchestra in a way (thanks to Ed Wynne's amazing command of the guitar), but perhaps with a bit more of a mystical earthy element. In addition to being able to play well, the band members put a bit more "soul" into the music than the Mahavishnu Orchestra. The rhythm section is really tight and the synthesizer makes some really far out sounds (I believe an EMS vcs3 or synthi is used, but I may be mistaken). They combine world music, jazzy progressions, sort of trancey Berlin school synth lines, early drum n bass and dub. Then there are the heavy distorted guitars in parts and the crazy 360 degree guitar effects used in some places. Although alot of riffs are sort of clichéd, the Ozrics manage to remove the clichéd feeling and explore a world that is all their own. This album will take the listener to fantastic places if the listener is willing to let it.