RENE ENGEL - Spheres of Samarkand - New Road Music (NRM 980203)

Dutch drummer Rene Engel's latest cd is a very fresh sounding fusion/world disc. Engel is a very talented drummer who is at home on jazz, fusion and Latin music and he mixes it up successfully here.

It helps to have a strong band and Engel does: Richie Hallebeek (ex-Generator) plays some impressive guitar and guitar synth in a style that recalls Scott Henderson and Holdsworth and bassist David de Marez Oyens keeps a very solid groove throughout.

The title track is a 7 minute tour de force which brings it all together in monumental style. Recommended. http://www.beatline.com/rene-engel/ Dave Dorkin