Publication:Improvijazzation Nation
Reviewer: Rotcod Zzaj
Date: November 2016
"It’s been a bit since I last reviewed Al’s fabulous works (issue # 132, to be exact)… this exciting new release from him is assuredly the best I’ve heard from him (yet)! Al is joined by some fabulous talents on this sonic adventure – Charlee Brooks (vocalist, David Arkenstone); Pamela Copus (Top Billboard duo 2002); Grammy Winner Ricky Kej and Award Winning Jeff Pearce – and together, they will transport you to another time – the far (and immediate) FUTURE! As you listen to the mysterious tones and percussives on “Trance“, you may think you’re walking through a Suq (market) somewhere in ancient times. I found the wonderful flute work on “Visions” to be totally engaging, and it’s the type of music that “haunts” your head… you’ll find yourself coming back to this one often. Per the one-sheet notes, Al says that the music took four years for his inspiration, based on the life 12th century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, together, and it’s clear from pieces like my personal favorite of the nine compositions on the album, “Contemplation“, with the beautiful harp intro, that he realized his dream on this fantastic musical journey. I give Al and all his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of a (perfect) 5.00 – meaning that it also gets the “PICK” of this issue for “most inspiring release”!