“Adelante’s” instrumentation consists primarily of Guitar/Chapman Stick/Warr Touch-Style Guitar and Loops, Saxophones/Flutes and Drums/Percussion and they collectively produce an ethereal form of jazz that seems to have originated on a different planet. The cd features 3 compositions/improvisations, 2 “short” ones(both over 7minutes) and “Travellers Suite”, an extended piece of a half-hour that evolves slowly through a variety of sonic territories, from jazz to Tangerine Dream like space bubbles and a wonderful atmospheric groove that almost reminds me of Michael Brooks “Hybrid” cd. It also features some very tasty Warr Guitar solos. Its worth mentioning that the production has a fascinatingly live quality to it. What you hear is the music in its raw, live form without the studio trickery usually associated with this type of music….WILLIAM BAJZEK-Editor, “Tap Reviews”.
The seamless combination of Dan Oasterweil’s alto sax, J.Jody Janetta’s percussion and Paul Mimlitsch’s guitar relaxes you like a good George Winston piano solo or the lush vocals of Enya. The first song, the almost 10 minute “Tapestry” is reminiscent of the eerie soundtrack to the movie “Blade Runner” done by new age artist Vangelis. In fact the entire cd, which only features 3 songs, will remind you of background music for a movie soundtrack…The highlight of the cd is the 28 minute “Travelers Suite”. Divided into 4 distinct sections, the song hits on each member’s strengths…if you’re looking to kick-back and relax after a long day, this might be your answer. These guys can definitely play, and don’t be surprised someday if you see them scoring a movie soundtrack themselves…MARK MELHORN-Editor, The Press/At The Shore.
“Adelante” put me exactly where I needed to be. “For S.P.” in particular…with Paul Mimlitsch’s rolling, drone-like loops, Dan Osterweils’s faraway flutes and J.Jody Janetta’s spare percussive riffs building slowly into a warm, meditative, nearly orchestral mix…filled my head with comforting sonics to replace the clatter of my busy life. My consciousness was informed by the music and my mood was altered for the better. The 28 minute “Travellers Suite” came off like the perfect soundtrack to a wacky day at home. Again the music informed(and was informed) by the actions surrounding it. What more could one ask of ambient music than to have it expand ones state of mind and help one to appreciate the present moment.
“Adelante” draws from a grab bag of influences that include improvisational jazz, contemporary classical, world/folk traditions and trance music. Yet the members achieve their own sound, which comes off as remarkably natural and not over produced.
“Adelante” should be a welcomed addition to any music library. Its masterful musicianship, superb sound quality and earnest, free-form approach will take you places you’ve never been. It will expand your mind and heart…
