Absolute Elsewhere is a project of multi-instrumentalist Paul Fishman who released an album in 1976 with Bruford on drums and steeped in second-era 1970s Progressive Rock. May 03, 2024 saw the release of “Playgroud,” the second album produced by Jambo Records and containing 8 tracks ranging from 2 to over 10 minutes in length. Andrew McCulloch, known for playing in bands such as Greenslade, Fields and others, takes part in the album on drums, as well as John Savannah as a guest on vocals and sax. The album opens with “Relax,” the longest in duration, an epic of over 10 minutes that immediately immerses us in a sound strongly imbued with the Progressive Rock that characterised the second half of the 1970s. A solid and elaborate rhythm section, enriched by tempo changes, characterises the structure of the track, with interweaving guitar and keyboards that take us back to the magical atmospheres of that era. The vocal parts are intense, melodic and enveloping, fitting perfectly into the musical context. The song’s long duration allows the band to develop and evolve the song’s theme with intense and elaborate keyboard phrasing and solo inserts. Keyboards and a melodic vocal open “Time To Change,” before developing into an intense, technical track that combines 70s Progressive Rock with a modern twist. The rhythm section is intricate, with continuous tempo changes that allow the band to range between genres, exploring the different sonic facets that characterise their style. Between atmospheric openings, jazzy stretches and fine keyboard work, the track once again makes us relive the emotions of music from the past with a more modern and fresh edge. “Talk To Me” has a more rock feel, energetic and rhythmic with an engaging vocal and a sound enriched by horns. An album passage that softens the tone amidst the more intricate and elaborate tracks on the track list. The guitar takes centre stage in “The 7 Year Itch,” which traces the sounds of the previous one, developed over a duration of more than five minutes. Energetic Rock blends with the band’s prog traits, with engaging choral vocals and more sophisticated instrumental passages, with a middle section in which an atmospheric section develops. With the return to the central theme, the guitar offers an interesting solo insert that takes us to the conclusion. We return to the band’s classic sounds with “Elementary Fools,” characterised by melodic, passionate singing and fine retro-sounding prog melodies. A good alternation of sung parts and instrumental sections where the flute offers a loving touch to the melodies that once again take us back in time, to the delight of fans of 70s music. The album’s most intricate track “It Doesn’t Take A Burglar Long To Fall In Love,” is a short two-minute passage that shows the band’s more experimental side. The textures are more complex, with phrasing between the solid rhythm section and keyboard work. The singing is enhanced in “The Nine Other Worst Dressed Men,” a softer track where the songwriting stands out. Funky rhythmics with a deep, driving bassline permeate the structure, developing melodies and soft, delicate vocals without losing intensity and depth. The album ends with “Tides” where the band again experiments with sounds and offers instrumental passages that combine Prog with Fusion. A killer bassline characterises the rhythm section, while the guitar, saxophone and keyboards dabble in virtuosities and technical intricacies that leave us with good feelings and the desire to listen to the album again in the future. a good job for this prpgect that succeeds in bringing late 70s music with prog traits but not only into a fresh and modern context. The musicians involved enhance their personal technique through the tracklist, offering 8 tracks that explore different genres and styles, always starting from a retro progressive Rock base. A good listen for lovers of the sounds of the second wave of 70s Prog, in line with what we enjoyed on the first album.
Tracklist
01. Relax (10:59)
02. Time To Change (7:49)
03. Talk To Me (3:52)
04. The 7 Year Itch (5:59)
05. Elementary Fools (6:26)
06. It Doesn’t Take A Burglar Long To Fall In Love (2:01)
07. The Nine Other Worst Dressed Men (3:22)
08. Tides (5:06)
Lineup
Paul Fishman / Keyboards, Vocals, Flute
Jon Astrop / Bass, Vocals, Trombone, Glockenspiel
Phil Saatchi / Guitar, Vocals, Vibes
Andrew McCulloch / Drums
With:
John Savannah / Vocals, Sax (3)
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