The Song Within is the 2007 release from Asaf Sirkis & the Inner Noise, once again featuring the extremely capable skills of drummer Asaf Sirkis (Mark Wingfield, Dwiki Dharmawan, Marcus Reuter), church organist/keyboard player Steve Lodder, and guitarist Mike Outram. This time around, Lodder contributes much more than just the church organ, which is only featured on three tracks, his array of additional keyboards lending some different flavors to The Song Within.
Kicking off with the title track, the trio take on more of a modern jazz feel, intricate rhythms boiling underneath some pleasant guitar & keyboard melodies, which leads into the menacing tones of "Nothingness First (Part one, Nothingness)", a frantic slice of fusion featuring some nimble flights from Outram that will instantly appeal to any fan of Allan Holdsworth, John Etheridge, or Frank Gambale. He's at it again in the atmospheric "When You Ask Why", dropping in a lengthy, acrobatic solo, eventually giving way to Lodder and a floating keyboard solo. It's all Lodder and his church organ on the lovely "Nothingness First (Part 2, Love)", while the more ethereal "Hymn" contains simmering keys, Sirkis' rumbling drum fills and an explosive solo from Outram that brings to mind vintage John McLaughlin. The church organ is back for "Theme for Gary", which is dedicated to Gary Husband, and "The Shadow" is mostly Sirkis & Lodder, a quirky little drum/keyboard number with haunting melodies.
Though sounding less of a 'band' effort than the Inner Noise release due to the full trio not playing together on a handful of tracks, there are still some very strong compositions here that allow these talented musicians' skills to shine. The Song Within is well worth seeking out for any fan of jazz-fusion.
Track Listing
1.
The Song Within 07:14
2.
Nothingness First (Part one, Nothingness) 07:25
3.
When You Ask Why 09:07
4.
Nothingness First (Part 2, Love) 02:53
5.
Miniature 05:48
6.
Hymn 07:40
7.
Theme For Gary 04:18
8.
The Shadow 05:29
9.
Sweet Song 01:56