Stella Polaris
Tim Jones and co. are back under yet another name and have never sounded better. This (mostly) all instrumental CD starts off with a great Pink Floyd inspired groove with Dave Hendry (Ohead) setting the scene on keyboards and Tim unleashing some of the best guitar licks I've heard from him. Dave Gilmour take note! The rest of the band play their part of course with Paddi in the drumstool on the 9 minutes of 'Off With Their Heads'. The rest of the drumming is supplied by Kevin Thompson and wisely 'Stella Polaris' is no succession of guitar solos and Dave Hendry's presence helps greatly to build a heady atmospheric vibe on curiously entitled tracks like 'So What If They've Got Tee Shirts in Denmark'. 'Retroglide' gives some indication of some of Tim's influences while more unexpected is the acerbic 'distant' vocal on 'Givin' It Large' to the accompaniment of some nice jazz-like chords and tabla. 'Stella Polaris' is quite simply a guitar fest and more - what's not to like?
(Phil Jackson for Acid Dragon)