Cosmic Alley
Echo Orange, 2019
8/10
Multi-instrumentalist Johnny Young has had his hand in many outfits, including The Mick Taylor Band and The Artimus Pyle Band, and here The Stellar Dogs (Jernej Bervar, Akos Forgacs, Milos Branisavljevic) help him flesh out this fusion listen.
“Starship” starts the listen with gentle jazz ideas in a synth friendly, almost prog-rock like fashion, and “Seven Wonders” follows with playful rhythm in the cinematic and adventurous setting.
The back half of the listen offers the restrained “Across The Tracks”, where guitar solos highlight the affair, while “The Vampire’s Lair” recruits a tense atmosphere of keys and strong riffs. “The Seventh Day” exits the listen on a duet between Johnny and Jernej, as keys and guitar intertwine with much grace and beauty.
With all songs being 6+ minutes, Young and company spread their wings into several genres, as their electric jazz formula finds an innovative and extremely skilled place to reside.
Travels well with: Edgar Winter Group- Jasmine Nightdreams; Weather Report- Procession