Record Reviews
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  | DJAM KARET ~ A SKY FULL OF STARS FOR A ROOF
HC PRODUCTIONS 019A (Barcode: 747014631423) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2017 - 2019 Released: 2019
This is the nineteenth album by the American Prog group Djam KaretFind albums by this artist, which marks the group´s thirty-fifth Anniversary. The group still includes the four founding members: guitarists Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist and Mike HendersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Henry J. OsborneFind albums by this artist and drummer Chuck Oken, Jr.Find albums by this artist Several guest players appear on selected tracks. The album presents eight original compositions, collectively credited to the group.
Musically this album expands the ambient influences that dominated the previous album "Sonic CelluloidFind albums with this title" and moves even further away from the "classic" Prog idiom into the field of sonic explorations with a tad of World Music influences and Minimal Music aesthetics, which adds up to what might be described as soundtrack material for imaginary movies. There are many wonderfully melodic moments and the relaxed, laid back atmosphere of the proceedings set a dreamy "out of time" mood.
I have been following Djam Karet over the years since their inception and it´s really great to see that they make a continuous effort to stay apart from the Prog "mainstream" from day one. This consistency is as important as the group´s musical inventiveness. In fact for listeners for whom this might be the first encounter with Djam Karet, most would probably not associate the group with their Prog roots at all.
Personally I have enjoyed this music very much and had a most enjoyable listening experience, simply by letting myself to become completely immersed in the music. It is a kind of music that would probably sound differently every time, depending of the mindset of the listener, which of course does not happen too often.
Overall this is another successful step in the long history of one of the most unique American bands, which is one of the very few who still have something meaningful to say. Well done Gentlemen!
| | Updated: 12/07/2019Posted: 12/07/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | DJAM KARET ~ SONIC CELLULOID
HC PRODUCTIONS 019 (Barcode: 747014626825) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017
This is the eighteenth album by American Prog group Djam KaretFind albums by this artist, founded in 1984, which still manages to produce meaningful music within the genre that is mostly obsolete today, following the second phase of its existence. The lineup on this album features all four founding members of the group: guitarist / keyboardist Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist (who plays on all tracks), guitarist Mike HendersonFind albums by this artist (who plays only on a couple of tracks), bassist Henry J. OsborneFind albums by this artist (who plays on six tracks) and drummer Chuck Oken, Jr.Find albums by this artist (who plays on all tracks). Guitarist Mike MurrayFind albums by this artist and bassist Aaron KenyonFind albums by this artist play on selected tracks. The album presents ten relatively short pieces (surely by Prog standards), all co-credit to the entire group.
The music, as the title suggests, is more ambient oriented than the standard Prog ventures, following the quite popular concept of "soundtrack to an imaginary movie", which deals more with "impressionist sound painting" than with actual melody, harmony and rhythm approach, which appears here only occasionally. Not being committed to the usual conceptual limitations of Prog, the music can be interpreted quite freely, depending largely on the listener´s state of mind and his imagination.
There is enough diversity in this music to keep the listener interested and anticipating the next move, assuming the listener is a priori open to ambient music, which develops slowly and lacks catchy hooks, which most Prog listeners are expecting, being totally addicted to them. On the other hand it seems that after thirty-three years of playing and recording music, the group is showing early signs of lassitude, at least in comparison to their early days. One might wonder if this might be the final opus.
Overall this is definitely an album worth investigating, especially for ambient Prog lovers, which offers a musical journey of imagination. Fans expecting fiery endless guitar solos and other Prog nonsense will be disappointed.
| | Updated: 17/07/2017Posted: 17/07/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | DJAM KARET ~ THE RITUAL CONTINUES
HC PRODUCTIONS 007 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1982 - 1987 Released: 1993
2nd album by the US Prog band Djam KaretFind albums by this artist, which is undoubtedly one of the most innovative, creative and groundbreaking Prog outfits to emerge on the scene. Founded in 1984 and focused around two guitarists: Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist and Mike HendersonFind albums by this artist, with bassist Henry J. OsborneFind albums by this artist and drummer Chuck Oken, Jr.Find albums by this artist, all of whom remain in the band 20+ years later, the band also uses occasional guest musicians and as-hoc members. Their music includes a wide range of styles and influences – psychedelic, Prog, electronic and ambient, rock and blues – based on a framework of a jam band and shifting dramatically form one album to another. Their vast recorded output presents an entire universe of music, which requires attentive repeated listening, but is deeply rewarding. Djam Karet were one of the first bands to realize that shopping for recording contracts with the music moguls is pointless and contra-productive and they released their own music independently. Later on they started also to cooperate with CuneiformFind albums on this label Records to reissue and release some (but not all) of their music. The CD reissue of this album includes live material recorded in 1987, which was included on the original cassette / LP release of The Ritual ContinuesFind albums with this title, as well as a couple of tracks from a 1982 cassette release by pre-Djam Karet group called Happy CancerFind albums by this artist.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | GAYLE ELLETT & THE ELECTROMAGS ~ FRIENDS
PEACOCK SUNRISE 011 (Barcode: 195269260712) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023
This is the second solo album by American guitarist / keyboardist / composer Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist (of Djam KaretFind albums by this artist fame), recorded in the same trio format like the debut, with bassist Mark CookFind albums by this artist and drummer Craig KahnFind albums by this artist, collectively known as the ElectromagsFind albums by this artist. However, this time Ellett invited no less than twenty-two guest musicians, whom he encountered over the years as a member of Djam Karet, playing all over the globe, to play together as Friends and contribute to this album. The album presents thirteen tracks, all composed by Ellett.
Ellett decided to completely liberate his music from the largely outdated Prog concept and simply concentrates on playing what he likes, which is guitar oriented instrumental Rock. This album is much more focused and coherent than the debut, presenting a superb collection of great tunes, brilliantly performed by the trio and the invited guest musicians as a virtual ensemble.
All the tunes are perfect vehicles for the various guests, most of which are, not surprisingly, guitar players. The resulting music is an orgy of guitar licks, but a well-organized and controlled one (turns out orgies can be). There are no stylistic preferences, it is all Rock, like rock used to be at its prime, and the diversity of the individual approaches, styles and idiosyncrasies of the players makes this one of the most interesting guitar oriented Rock albums I have heard in a long time. In short, this music really Rocks!
Overall, this is a truly a great Rock album for all lovers of guitar oriented instrumental music, which offers some first class tunes and a plethora of Monster guitarists at their best. There is not one dull moment here and for true Rock fans this is a feast!
| | Updated: 03/02/2024Posted: 03/02/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | GAYLE ELLETT & THE ELECTROMAGS ~ SHINY SIDE UP
PEACOCK SUNRISE 009 (Barcode: 195269165697) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is an album by American guitarist / keyboardist / composer Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist (of Djam KaretFind albums by this artist fame), recorded in a classic trio setting with bassist Mark CookFind albums by this artist and drummer Craig KahnFind albums by this artist, collectively known as The ElectromagsFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original instrumental tracks, all composed by Ellett.
Contrary to any expectations, the music has absolutely nothing to do with Prog or Neo Prog, and is a straightforward instrumental guitar Rock album, sounding like something that might have been recorded well over five decades ago. Although the lineup suggests a classic “power trio”, the music is mostly laid back and under control, concentrating on Ellett’s guitar playing, amicably accompanied by the rhythm section.
The tunes are all OK, but not spectacular in any way, with solid melody lines but somewhat repetitive, which means that after hearing a couple of tracks the rest of the music sounds pretty alike. Ellett is a very experienced and talented musician, so obviously everything that happens on this album is completely intentional. I have no idea if he is simply completely disenchanted by the Neo- Prog idiom and is looking for some new excitement, coming back to the good old times, or just pissed off at the World in general and trying to find an escape from the grim reality, which of course if fine with me. His guitar playing is still as strong as ever, so not all is lost.
Overall, this is a nice, straightforward guitar oriented Rock album, deeply nostalgic and retro oriented, which proves that playing “old style” is unfortunately not enough to turn the clock backwards, and the World is still a shitty place to live in, as far as contemporary music is concerned. Wish you well, my Friend!
| | Updated: 11/10/2022Posted: 11/10/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | GAYLE ELLETT & THE ELECTROMAGS ~ THE PAINTED RIVER OF LIGHT
PEACOCK SUNRISE 015 (Barcode: 195269345112) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025
This is the 3rd solo album by American guitarist / keyboardist / composer Gayle EllettFind albums by this artist (of Djam KaretFind albums by this artist fame), recorded in the same trio format like the two previous albums, with bassist Mark CookFind albums by this artist and drummer Craig KahnFind albums by this artist, collectively known as the ElectromagsFind albums by this artist. This time Ellett returns to the strict trio format without any guests, and partly to the Progressive Rock genre. The album presents just four extended tracks, each over ten minutes in duration, all composed by Ellett.
The music does include some similarities to the Progressive Rock tradition, but luckily manages to escape the plague of prolonged doodling on moody themes, and keeps the listener on edge with constantly changing melodic threads, plethora of instrumentations and varying tempi, which together create an atmosphere of an unpredictable sound journey. A large array of keyboard instruments and synthesizers appears along with the guitars, which Ellett used almost exclusively on the two earlier albums, and which might be less attractive to his guitar-loving followers, but a musician must be allowed to do what his heart dictates. But the album offers a much wider musical scope and instrumental diversity, which of course are also very valuable.
Overall, this album is much different from the two previous offerings, with a dense synthesizer sound prevailing in parallel to the guitar led passages, which means that the listeners, who enjoyed the earlier albums might find this one somewhat more difficult to swallow. My suggestion would be to give the music a chance by listening to it without preconceptions and allowing one’s mind to get used to the new concept. Patience is definitely a virtue in this case. Personally, I loved the new concept, but I won’t be surprised if others find it somewhat difficult.
| | Updated: 27/05/2025Posted: 27/05/2025 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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