Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser, The Seven Ages of Starlight
By David Randall
(May 27, 2022) A self-confessed sucker for a bit of jazz rock/fusion, I couldn’t really resist the latest offering from Canadian bassist Art Griffin.
Ably assisted by his band including violinist Victoria Veh and Saga drummer Steve Negus, there are also some heavyweight guests such as Michael Sadler (Saga) on ‘Seventh Wave’ and the last time I heard guitarist Jamie Glaser was on the excellent Lenny White album ‘Streamline’ in 1978. He’s worked more recently with Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty, the latter another influence here.
‘Ride To Vahalla’ gets things off to a rattling, bass propelled start whilst ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ comes across as a supercharged Acoustic Alchemy until after the breakdown section when guitarist Kelly Kereliuk lets rip.
‘Total Eclipse’ is a pumping synth based workout with Veh’s violin again to the fore coming across as a hybrid of Jerry ‘Mahavishnu’ Goodman and Ann Marie Calhoun (Steve Vai).
Griffin also supplies all the keys on the album save the odd solo supplied by Sarah Westbrook (‘JLP’) and Frank Wyatt (‘Seventh Wave’).
The extensive use of electric violin colours this album and may grate with some who would prefer increased synth solo or guitar content but it’s all about taste and preference. And all the tunes have a purpose and an infectious momentum with the only exceptions being two acoustic-based pieces.
One of the standouts is ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ with a great song-based approach punctuated by Griffin’s bass and keyboard fills.
Anyone who has Roger Dean design their logo has confidence. And this album has that in abundance.