Here it is, the latest Unicorn Records release. What can I say. Talisma is nearly as good as Unicorn Records best selling band Mystery. This Canadian progressive art rock trio has been around since 1993, although the current line up was formed in 1999.

Corpus is the third release and is very difficult to describe. This overal instrumental album touches almost every possible style of music. From gentle mediaeval melodies to progressive metal, from classical music to scat style vocals. It definitely is an art to melt all these different influences into fifteen great tracks. Talisma have succeeded big time. Their success is probably based on the fact that every single experimental theme is carried by strong but seemingly simple rhythms.

There’s an important role for bass player Donald Fleurent, whose jazzy melodies always form a solid base. Talisma’s experiments with a female scat-like vocals on “Samba Tappings” and “Freezone” have great potential. The latter track is one of my favourites on the disc.

This is probably the best instrumental album of 2003. Due to its restricted length and the short tracks, averaging from one to just over four minutes, this albums stays interesting from beginning to end. MP3 files are available at www.unicornrecords.com.