Jupiter Fungus are a Greek studio project that offers classically-inspired Progressive Rock sounds with the band’s modern and personal touch. The debut album “Garden Electric” is due for release on November 01, 2024 via Sound Effect Records and contains four long tracks ranging from almost 10 to over 13 minutes in length. A solid rhythm section opens “Underdog,” characterised by a deep, load-bearing bass line and elaborate drumming full of continuous tempo changes. Interesting keyboard and guitar work, to which the flute is added, takes the sound to another level. The retro inspiration is evident, bringing the sounds and atmospheres of the past into a fresh and modern context, enhancing the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. The vocals give a funky touch to the sound, interweaving sung parts with extended instrumental sections full of ideas and solo cues from guitar, keyboards and flute. “Circles” is the longest track on the album, a 13:07-minute apic that opens with a fine Folk Prog with flute and keyboards in evidence. References to historical bands of the genre are evident, but always managing to add their own distinctly personal touch and ideas. The tempo changes are an added value to the song, allowing the long instrumental textures to develop with solo interlacing of flute, guitar and keyboards in a continuous succession of emotions, using the entire duration to evolve the central theme of the song with refined passages. Keeping the intensity always very high, the song pleasantly explores the different facets that characterise the band’s sound, between Progressive Rock, forays into Folk Prog a la Jethro Tull, Symphonic openings and more Heavy passages. Atmospheric sounds with the flute as the protagonist open “Past Ground,’ another long track over 11 minutes long. A long introductory section of over 2:30 minutes and then an elaborate Prog track with a change. The intensity increases as the minutes go by, with the band developing the track through long instrumental textures with the flute in evidence. It alternates more Experimental, Progressive Rock passages with electric guitar-flute-keyboard interlacing and some vocal stanzas closer to Classic Rock. A good mixture of genres and styles with a retro imprint, brought into a fresh and modern context by the band. The album ends with the epic track “Thoughts Of Revenge,” over 13 minutes in length. Melodies and keyboard layering characterize the intro, and then with the entry of the vocals develop the track on classic Prog sounds and style in line with the bands of the early 1970s. The vocals are warm and expressive, while the style of the piece is reminiscent of Pink Floyd in some sections, offering interesting phrasing between guitar and keyboards in the instrumental sections. In a succession of tempo changes and quality ideas and passages the track is developed with a very engaging instrumental that explores and enhances ttall facets that characterize the band’s original style. A band that offers a top-notch debut album, offering 4 lengthy tracks that explore Progressive Rock between Symphonic and Folk. Long instrumental textures in which the band offers interesting keyboard-flute-guitar phrasing, solid and elaborate rhythm sections and in a couple of passages dynamic vocal parts that fit well into the context of the sound. A recommended listen for lovers of Progressive Rock sounds embellished by flute, with long instrumental textures, managing to bring the atmospheres of the early 70s into a fresh and modern context.
Tracklist
01. Underdog (09:53)
02. Circles (13:07)
03. Past Ground (11:31)
04. Thoughts Of Revenge (13:03)
Lineup
Ares Papatriantafillou / Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar (Ear Intro)
Fotis Xenikoudakis / Flute, Tin Whistle
George Papageorgiou / Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Glockenspiel
George Emmanuel / Electric Guitar
Nick Vell / Drums
