Search - Pfm :: Jet Lag

More fully in the jazz rock realm with proggy undertones

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 02/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released in 1977, Jet Lag marked the full blown adoption of a more jazz rock sound, suggestions of which can be heard on the excellent Chocolate Kings (1976). Although there are proggier PFM-like aspects to the music on Jet Lag, the balance was shifted somewhat to favor the jazz-rock side of the equation. The pieces range from the 2'10" Peninsula to the 9'10" title track and each boasts the awesome group ensemble work and individual virtuosity that is characteristic of PFM. Although the performances by all of the musicians are superb, poor Bernardo Lanzetti had a hard time working with the jazzier keys (lots of flats and sharps) in addition to the unusual time signatures and his vocal performance (in English) is correspondingly strained. A lot of folks are turned off by his vocal style and attempts to sing over this complex, jazzy material did not help him much at all - in fact this album might have been better if it was all instrumental. Keyboardist Flavio Premoli generates wonderfully atmospheric sounds on the micro-moog synthesizer along with overwhelmingly virtuosic organ/electric piano playing; Franco Mussida is an absolute master on the electric/acoustic guitar (his acoustic guitar solo piece Peninsula is incredible); and I also enjoyed Patrick Djivas fretless bass playing on this album - he was obviously influenced by Weather Report bassist extraordinaire Jaco Pastorius. Violinist Gregory Bloch also turned in a great performance here and really adds quite a lot to each piece. The remastered, digipak CD does not do much for me - although the sound quality is excellent, there are no lyrics or photos. Overall, I would say that this is a decent release by PFM although I suspect it would disappoint hardcore fans of the more classically oriented Storia di un Minuto (1972) - The World became the World (1974) period of PFM. As a huge, raving fan of PFM, prog and jazz rock, this album works for me on a number of levels and is certainly their last highly virtuosic proggy release before diving headlong into pop territory starting with Passpartu (1978). Recommended to folks that like jazz rock as much as prog rock."

Some will love it, some should leave it alone

GJ | Philadelphia area | 05/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PFM was like a chameleon. Listen to "Photos of Ghosts" and then this album and you'd be surprised it was same band. It wasn't just due to changes in the musicians; these guys were pioneers of progressive rock and then of their own music. Anyway, it's understandable that even some who like "Chocolate Kings" may not like this album.



But I love it. While it doesn't have the rich, thematic treatments found in much of their other stuff, the writing and musicianship are still awesome. There's more of an improvisational feel, and while it's not "jazz" per se, there's certainly a strong jazz influence in "Jet Lag" and "Left-Handed Theory."



And sure, Lanzetti's voice is not for everyone, I guess, but I think that he sings with great passion and capability. It's a key element in PFM's unique sound while he was with them.



Anyone who compares his voice to a goat's ought to spend a little time at a petting zoo and get a reality check. (Would a goat sound like Lanzetti? Gee, it would scare away the kids!)"