JADIS „Fantastic”

Jadis are a progressive/classic rock quartet from the south of England, and they have actually been around in various forms since the mid-80s playing throughout Britain, England, at the Hammersmith and Marquee Clubs. Throughout the years this is actually their 10th release, but Fantastic (2003) from Inside Out Music just might prove as their breakthrough. Combining the classic band of Gary Chandler (vocals/Guitar), Steve Christey (Drums/Percussion), Martin Orford (Keyboards/Backing Vocals) and John Jowitt (Bass), Jadis span through nine songs on Fantastic beginning with ‘The Great Outside’. Melodic, acoustic and bird chirps open the song, I’ve heard this opening style on songs before, most recently with Nazca, but once the song nears the minute mark a kaleidoscope of guitar chords and drum hits emulate the classic Jadis sound, very melodic, clean, sharp and crisp. Gary Chandler’s singing voice is precise with a simple tone that could belong on a Boston or Kansas CD, although it’s very different in many ways. ‘Into Temptation’, the second track, has a similar feel to the opener, although there is probably a heavier emphasis on the keyboards and there are more acoustic guitar interludes. The guitar/keyboard solo on this song reminds me of Ayreon or Star One, but the songs are softer similar to what can be found on the Ayreon CD The Dream Sequencer, Universal Migrator Part 1.

I find the standout track is number 4, ‘I Never Noticed’ which recaptures the electric guitar, classic rock element of ‘The Great Outside’ before retreating to the keyboard heavy solo as found on ‘Into Temptation’. The title-track ‘Fantastic’ is simply an instrumental that leads directly out from ‘I Never Noticed’ and is, in extension, a longer ending to the previous song. The track has a piano tinged opener before heading into a sci-fi sounding keyboard passage and into some soothing electric guitar pageantry. Once again, when the song is over it directly leads into ‘Yourself Alone’.

The main thing throughout that you will notice are the uplifting lyrics found on Fantastic. Also, none of the songs are fairly long, reaching around 6 minutes for the most part, but none sorter than 4 minutes. However, ‘What Kind Of Reason’ does stretch the eight-minute mark, and gladly it’s never really dull. Jadis manage to create technical, crafty, and beautiful music, and they seem to have the ability to do it at the flip of a coin. Clearly, Fantastic is a fine example of taking basic classic rock elements and expanding the sounds into different, flexible regions.

http://www.jadis-net.co.uk/

Tracklist

1. The Great Outside
2. Into Temptation
3. Each & Everyday
4. I Never Noticed
5. Fantastic
6. Yourself Alone
7. Take These Words
8. What Kind Of Reason
9. Who Can We Be Sure Of