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Jadis - Fanatic
Jarra - Test of Faith
Rob Johnson - s/t

Jadis - Fanatic
InsideOut
(2003)

Jadis is a veteran neo-progressive rock band from United Kingdom has been playing since 1980's. As well as Pendragon, Marillion and Arena, Jadis has great amounts of atmospheric and melodic keyboard sounds by Martin Orford of IQ and lyrical guitar sounds. They do not go to radically technical or intricate ensemble most time, but they put emphasis on great melodies and nice atmosphere over comlexity. At first, I thought their music was really light weight. The more I listen to it, the more I get drawn to melo-dramatic and English sensibilites. Somewhat, their music also reminds me of bits of Enchant, even though the style of both Jadis and Enchant is very different. If you are not familiar with neo-prog sounds or British prog band, you might take time to apprecate the songs and atmospheres of Fanatic. However, the music arrangements are well-organized and cooked really well, so eventually you find great enjoyment. In fact, I spun Fanatic several times to digest this beautiful soundscape and the world of Jadis fully. After all, I get into the music. I think neo-prog music is sometimes difficult to enjoy instantly, but neo-prog has lots of mellow and nice sensibilites for pure enjoyments. It gives relaxation and refreshing to your exausted hearts and minds. Fanatic has pure and beautiful melodies.

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Jarra - Test of Faith
Lion Music

Arizona based American Act, Jarra is four piece powerful metal band featuring female lead vocals/guitars, Kathiy Jarra. Mostly, they focus on playing American Power Metal reminds me of Metal Church, Toranaga, Warlock, late era of Chastain influences a bit, and Doro (but only her heavy metal era, excluding AOR-ness Doro used to have). At first, surprisingly JARRA signed virtuoso guitarists dominant label, Lion Music. It shows that Lion Music seems to be keen to any kind of band striving their own music with confidence in their strategy, probably. Ok, go back to my impression about Jarra. Mostly, mid-tempo tunes are evident, but up-tempo tunes like "Eternal Love" and "Too Many Lies" did quite good to draw interests from listeners, and some songs entertain power metal fans who like mid/up-tempo tunes. Sharp and heavy guitar attacks and solid bass/drums are heard in relatively good independent production. Each musician seems to be performing confidently (according to the notes from LION MUSIC, JARRA seem to have been recognized decently in European Metal magazines and local papers). If you are into Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, or complex power metal band...you might not get intrigued as possible. If female fronted midium power metal music with heavier edge are your favorite music style, then Jarra - Test of Faith fit in your tastes hopefully. Authentic and power on their music is their main concern. Fairly keeping tempo and rhythm steady and solid. Unlikely other typical metal bands, they pay tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan on "Always, All Ways", and pay respects to native Americans on "Indian War Love Song (Deliver Me)".

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Rob Johnson-S/T
Independent Release

Many prog metal fans have already known fantastic band called Magnitude 9 and agressive powerful metal unit called Saddleback Shark. Of course, Rob Johnson is the main composer and band leader of Magnitude 9 and Saddleback Shark.This self-titled debut album has been released from independent record company <Screaming Geetar Co.> in Ohio. His solo album contains typical and unique aggressive instrumetal materials, such as Soul Chuckles, Swing Machine, Alminum Pudding, and so on. His guitar performances are kind of reminicents of John Petrucci, Steve Vai, and Richie Kotzen to my ears on this self titled debut album. His guitar tones are crunchy, yet lead tones are melodic. Of course, this album was made within his affordable budget. So I can not say that sound quiality is superb. Yet sounds on this album is pretty intence and more than average quality guitar instrumental albums, when I compare to the sound quiality on the albums on Darren Householder and other independent shred guitar players.Overall, his guitar performance will attract fanatics of guitar and heavy instrumental music. However, I am not sure that this album will attract ordinary music fans who like Magnitude 9. Unlike Vinnie Moore, Joey Taffola, and Tony MacAlpine albums, there does not offer many Neo-Classical flavor melodic phrases. However, if you can enjoy many guitar solos and technical guitar performance with aggressive tones and crunchy riffs, then this is good for you. Moreover, people who can enjoy Steve Vai, Ritchie Kotzen, and Liquid Tension Experiment will like this album. Unfortunately, I can not find any keyboard sounds except for last track which was not my favorite though.In any way, this was first try from Rob Johnson. After this album, he has been releasing many albums including terrific effort of Chaos To Control <Magnitude 9>. Therefore, stay tuned in his activity. Rob Johnson has been known as friendly and very respected musician. I would like to give his album 84 points out of 100 points. Keep good work, Rob!!

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