Synthesax ~ Germany

Grundlos (1981)

With a name like Synthesax, you may think this is one of those Party-Sax-And-Synthesizers, covering-your-favorite-tunes type of album. Nope. It's just an unfortunate choice of a name for a band. Perhaps had they gone with Mörder Böse, it would have generated a bit more excitement out there. So it's obvious that my accusations are groundless (hoho).

Synthesax are an instrumental group who play a fiery fusion with - yes - synthesizers and saxophone. As well as a very tight rhythm section, Fender Rhodes, and... some pretty mean electric guitar licks too. There are some really fine peak moments here when they get into the zone and rock out. The more introspective moments tend to drag and then I feel ready for a nap. And there is a little too much happy sax here for me (of course there is), but the melodies and compositions win the day. Fans of the fusion genre won't want to miss out on this one.

No reissues as of 3/27/25.

10/5/13 (review); 2/10/20 (update / new entry)