Momentum, USA-Florida

Introducing Brad Carlton.1980 J.B.C. Records

(5/29/14 update): We now have a copy of Momentum's debut. And it becomes clearer why these albums have such a strong guitar presence. Brad Carlton is indeed that player, and he is also a guitar teacher (in fact he has a nice set of instructional videos on YouTube that budding guitarists can learn from). I personally really appreciate Carlton's tones, giving both of Momentum's albums a strong mid 70s feel. Once again, there is some dated early 80s styled funk jazz to sit through, but one is never too far away from another cool biting fuzz guitar solo. There's some nice piano work too. Both come highly recommended for fusion fans.

Scintillation. 1983 J.B.C. Records

Scintillation is the second instrumental album from Sarasota, Florida based Momentum, and is, in my estimation, a pleasant surprise given the late date. On first blush, the keyboards have that early 80s New Wave sound, and sounds somewhat typical of the era. But then suddenly out of nowhere thrusts this excellent guitar fronted jazz rock. A type of fusion with loud, almost psychedelic guitar leads - very much at odds with most recordings from 1983. The title track could almost be considered hard rock given its intensity. There's also one beautiful flute driven piece ('Breakfast in the Afternoon'). Synthesizers go wild on 'The Spirited Lady', a track that sounds like it had been lifted off Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy. Sure, there's a couple of funky sax laden tracks to sit through ('Add it Up', 'Goosby Strut'), but both contain fine melodies and blazin' guitar midsections to offset the trendiness (well no guitar madness on 'Goosby Strut' actually, and it does sound like a bar crowd pleaser). 1983 is not typically a year one seeks out fiery fusion, but Momentum provides the counter argument.

Priority: 2

7/23/10; 5/29/14