TREVOR RABIN (ex YES) - Jacaranda (2012)

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It's been said that writing about music is a bit like dancing about architecture. When you're talking about one of the most accomplished musicians and composers working today, this observation is something of an understatement.
When discussing an artistic and challenging achievement like TREVOR RABIN's "Jacaranda" (released on May 8), a writer really has to strain for on-target adjectives and terms to describe this richly varied and multi-dimensional musical soundscape.

To begin, South African-born Trevor Rabin has worked with the likes of Paul Rodgers, Michael Jackson, Manfred Mann, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan.
He's best known for his award-winning tenure with YES during the '80s as guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He's composed film scores for Armageddon, Remember the Titans, National Treasure, Get Smart, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
For "Jacaranda", Rabin composed all 12 songs, arranged and produced the entire album, and with a few exceptions played all the multi-layered instruments himself.

While Rabin's world-class guitar work is the driving force of the album - his first studio release since 1989's 'Can't Look Away' - he shows off his considerable keyboard chops as well.
He does turn to some accomplished players to give him versatile rhythmic support, notably drummers Lou Molino III, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Rabin's son Ryan Rabin (on the appropriately titled "Me and My Boy").
Now for some architecture dancing, that is, attempting to describe the music of "Jacaranda".

For those listeners that after more than 20 years were waiting the sequel of the AORish 'Can't Look Away', let me tell you, "Jacaranda" is far from that style.
But don't be disappointed, this album is marvelous in its own right.
It has his signature rock top class playing & sound in places, but also some elements of Trevors's accomplished film score work plus exquesite new sonic territories.
There is also an eclecticism in "Jacaranda". The short "Spider Boogie" opener does blues mixing dobro with his trademark electric guitar playing.
"Market Street" is an intrincate guitar festival that reminds you the most proggy moments of YES' 90125. Monster drummer Vinnie Colaiuta shines here together with Rabin.
There are slower tempo numbers as well, for example, penultimate track "Zoo Lake" is like an old-time jazzy ballad, while album finisher "Gazania" is typical of the album's variety: a classical guitar skeleton, with bluegrass interludes and fabulous piano sections.

The album completely changes direction with track 6, the cinematic "Rescue", based on his work for the film 'The Guardian', an ethereal, in-the-air melody.
The next track, "Killarney 1 & 2", brings us back towards the style of the rest of the album in its arrangement, yet not in its instrumentation as this is a terrific, enchanting solo piano piece. It is worth noting that the keyboards throughout the album are strong.
Tracks like "Storks Bill Geranium Waltz" or "Anerley Road" may appeal to fans of the Steve Howe Trio or his solo album 'Time', while admirers of the late Kevin Gilbert will love the velvety "Freethought".
The rocking side is present as well, with the unbelieveable breaks of "Through the Tunnel" (awesome tune) and the aforemetioned "Me and My Boy", where a heavier rock sound echoes pieces of YES album 'Talk'.


"Jacaranda" may not be the album that late '80s Trevor Rabin fans were expecting, but let me tell you, this is a supreme piece of music.
There is a restless energy to the music, with arrangements and instrumentation rarely staying still for more than a few bars. Pieces that are four or five minutes long feel epic in terms of the ground they've covered.
The playing here is out of this World, but no only in terms of virtuosism, as Rabin adds to every note his unique touch of extremely refined class. He varies the instrumentation and arrangements all the time as he explores the core theme of each piece, producing some of the best work of his career.
"Jacaranda" is a superlative CD, delivered with finesse and class by one of the most consummate contemporary musicians out there; the incomparable Trevor Rabin.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrockz


01. Spider Boogie
02. Market Street [feat. Vinnie Colaiuta]
03. Anerley Road [feat. Tal Wilkenfeld]
04. Through the Tunnel [feat. Vinnie Colaiuta]
05. The Branch Office [feat. Ryan Rabin]
06. Rescue [wordless vocals by Liz Constintine]
07. Killarney 1 & 2
08. Storks Bill Geranium Waltz
09. Me and My Boy [feat. Ryan Rabin]
10. Freethought
11. Zoo Lake
12. Gazania


Trevor Rabin - guitars, bass and keyboards
Lou Molino III (ex-Yoso, Kim Mitchell) - drums
Vinnie Colaiuta (ex-Asia, Jeff Beck) - drums
Ryan Rabin - drums
Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck) - bass
Liz Constintine - vocals



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