js Mahogany Frog is a modern instrumental group that often gets lumped in with the contemporary prog rock crowd, but there is so much more to their music than what a simple genre label like that can describe. The Frogsters describe their music as a meeting of today’s electronica with 70s progressive rock, 60s psychedelia and 50s exotica. This isn’t too bad a description, especially if you add in movie soundtracks, particularly of the Italian persuasion. As far as the prog rock influence goes, we are not talking about the heavy-handed clichés that took hold post 1972, but more about all that great experimental music that ran from 1966 to 1972. Frog's latest outing, “In the Electric Universe”, took much longer to conceive than their previous albums and this shows in the very careful sound sculpting that takes place on here. Sounds, noises and sonic textures play a big part on this new one, and whether or not you think that emphasis has weakened their melodic content would probably be a matter of individual taste.

The opening track, “Theme from P.D.”, is like a suite with its many themes and developing sections. The next two tracks feature Frog's interest in late 60s psychedlic progressive rock filtered through an electronica lens. Follow up number, “CUBe”, is a heavy trip-hop/rock groove with a phat synth bass line. "Octavio" has a grand sound as it moves from modern RnB to cinematic glory rock. Album closer, “Sun Dog”, has a beautiful ambient melody that is slowly engulfed in noise only to finally emerge again. Much more than just a ‘rock band’, fans of electronic jam bands, classic exotica and movie soundtracks should give Mahogany Frog a chance. These guys are creating instrumental monuments that are hard to equal.

js Although sometimes mistakenly categorized as a ‘jazz-rock’ band, Mahogany Frog is actually a very original and creative instrumental rock band that may use some jazz and fusion in their broad choice of influences, but they forge a sound that is all their own. “Senna”, their new album for 2012, shows a band on the verge of greatness with a solid set of songs that contain a few real gems. Frog lists some of their influences as 50s exotica, 60s psychedelia, 70s prog-rock and today’s electronica. All of that comes together on this CD to make some highly ambitious energetic modern art-rock.

“Senna” opens with Frog channeling about four different classic early Pink Floyd song intros before a wicked drumnbass beat kicks in and the band veers into Squarepusher styled frantic cartoon rock. After this the band charges into a section with a building odd-metered chorus that sounds like an electronic version of Don Ellis’ 60s big band experiments. This opening cut sets the mood for the rest of the album with plenty of rapid fire changes and exhilarating chorus buildups that sound like a cross between The Cardiacs, George Martin’s exotic pop extravagances, early Soft Machine, spaghetti western themes and Mr Bungle, with some early Devo thrown in too. Another top cut is “Flossing with Buddha”, which channels the spiraling optimistic chords of the early jazzy version of Yes, and mixes that with more electronic faux big band buildups.

This is a great CD and recommended for people who are looking for some original modern instrumental rock. "Senna" could also have cross appeal to fans of 60s/70s exotic big band arrangers such as Tartaglia, Don Ellis, Gil Evans and George Martin. Mahogany Frog has a great knack for melodies and arrangements that continue to climb and change without a trace of cliché.

kev rowland More and more I seem to be coming across albums that appear to have more sonic connection with my teenage years than the current day, but as that isn’t an issue all I can say is “bring it on!” This is Senna’s sixth album, but somehow is a band that I have managed to miss altogether but I see that I am going to have to rectify the omissions. The four-piece comprise Graham Epp (electric guitars, MicroMoog, Farfisa Organ, Farf Muff, ARP String Ensemble, Korg MS2000, electric & acoustic pianos), Jesse Warkentin (electric guitars, MicroMoog, Farfisa Organ, Farf Muff, ARP String Ensemble, Korg MS2000, electric & acoustic pianos), Scott Ellenberger (electric & acoustic bass, Briscoe organ, percussion) and Andy Rudolph (drums, percussion & electronics) yet are a far more in your face rock band than you may imagine from the impressive list of keyboards.

This is progressive rock mixed with krautrock mixed with post rock mixed with jazz, all thrown into a melting pot and allowed to brew and take on a life all of it’s own. Imagine Can playing with Tortoise with Soft Machine on the sidelines while someone decides to thrown in some filthy guitar riffs to tie it all together. This is early Seventies sweat and long hair combined certain drugs and the music being played at incredibly high volumes. They combine to provide tight melodies and controlled chaos while at others there seems to be no control at all and they ride the thick basslines a la Chris Squire until it all starts to make sense again. This is not music to be gently listened to on headphones, but to be played at parties where alcohol is in abundance and everyone is having the time of their lives. I mean, there are times it sounds as if Dik Mik is playing with his audio generator.

Filthy, rough and raw, this is great. www.moonjune.com