Battle For The Earth, The

JAZZ FUSION
The group’s 27th album (!) is a terrific live recording made in 2014. Nine of 11 songs are from that year’s studio album, Worker. (“Tetherball Triumph” is from 2008’s Lil Tae, and “The Montage” is new I believe.) Instruments are grand piano, synth, melodica, keyboard bass, electric & lap steel guitars, drums. This is really good throughout: try it, you’ll like it.

All instrumental. No FCC issues.

1 ** Mid-fast. Big & majestic like an opening overture. Great piece. (4:49)
2 Mid-tempo. Somewhat campy and humorous. Gets crazy at times. (6:38)
3 ** Mid-fast. Pretty melodica; crunchy guitar; driving drums. (4:20)
4 * Mid-tempo. Alternating lines on electric and steel guitars. Compelling. (6:13)
5 * Mid-tempo. Bouncy & funky. Groovy distorted bass. Big piano midway. (4:03)
6 Slow. Ponderous and heavy. There’s a mysterious feel to this one. (5:09)
7 * Mid-tempo. Unsteady start. Finds its way as a hard, mostly guitar-led rocker. (5:05)
8 * Fast. High-energy tour-de-force on keyboards. Almost violent at times. Guitar & drums are gentle in comparison. (5:35)
9 Slow. A bit bluesy. Guitar and piano trade off fun, showy licks. (5:21)
10 Mid-slow. Repeated rhythmic circles on keyboards. Lead electric guitar. (6:28)
11 Mid-tempo. The big finale. Longish leads esp on piano. Exotic modal passages. Applause & speaking during last 15 seconds. (7:52)