Reflections from the Firepool

Reflections From the Firepool was Djam Karet's first CD and first release to reach fans outside the West Coast. All the elements that would constitute the band's sound for the next ten years are present, although their assembling is a bit more crude. This may be best exemplified by "The Sky Opens Twice," a song in two disjointed parts (hard and soft) coming from different improvisations and rather inelegantly pasted together. This album is not as hard-driving as the follow-up Burning the Hard City, but "Run Cerberus Run" and "The Red Monk" have crunchy guitar riffs that will please the fan. The trippier side of the band is also represented with tracks like "All Doors Look Alike" and "Reflections From the Firepool." The playing was already at the top level that would make the band's reputation: Gayle Ellett and Mike Henderson trade guitar solos and shift from acoustic to 12-string and electric (often in the same song), while Henry J. Osborne provides contagious bass motifs backed by Chuck Owen's adept drumming (although the occasional electronic percussion can sound outdated at times). Fans of space rock and guitar-driven instrumental rock would be better off starting with Burning the Hard City or The Devouring, but the Djam Karet fan will surely appreciate this earlier title. ~ François Couture, Rovi