REVIEW: ERIC MERTENS - WHITE WORKER

 

ERIC MERTENS - WHITE WORKER (Carbon 7 Recs. - 2001): This a really interesting record for people who like experimentation with lots of melodies. In fact the work of Eric Mertens and his band (that has in the lineup extremely good musicians) made me remember records of the seventies like for example those of great bands like Return To Forever or in some cases Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra. Plus the band has a more modern sound and feeling like something more modern. The mix of jazz, fusion and contmeporaneous classical music along with some eastern influences and the use of not so characteristic orchestrations and unsusual instruments (as tuba, doublebass, french horn and bassoon) gives this recording a unique feeling. What I would like to remark on this CD and that I think that gives a special touch to the music are the superb vocals by Anne Mertens. In songs like "Watchman" she does a harmonie with Eric´s voice that is very delicate and interesting, and on "Soylent Red" she chooses to follow some keyboard lines in order to accentuate the feeling that the whole band is bringing to the listener. Eric Mertens has made a really good job with this record demonstrating that he is a great composer and creating this album that would not be out of place as a soundtrack of a movie. Great quality musicianship!. My favorite tracks: "Belgiques", "Watchman", "Explosion by Sympathy" and "Soylent red". Email: carbon7records@compuserve.com