Bring Back Pluto is a progressive rock fusion instrumental trio that has fun when it plays its complex arrangements. Guitarist Mark Jodice, bassist Jerry Wilfong, and drummer Sai Ghose recorded these ten tracks on this CD titled Underneath. It makes sense that the trio named their CD after its birthplace, Underneath Recording Studios in Acton, Massachusetts, as the studio got a first rate recording of these fine musical documents.
From the first track, “Underneath,” this CD will have hooked even the most demanding listeners of complex music. This trio loves to lay it down in odd time signatures. A sophisticated rhythm section plays crisscrossing beats underneath a guitar line that does whatever it want to whenever it wants to. The bass come in funky and solid, but in places where one would not expect. There is nothing predictable here.
“It’s About Time” is all about time, timing of when each player will come back in and at which tempo. The trio plays different phrases with this piece with different accents. Each instrument takes turns leading the action, and the other two must come in on time with appropriate emphasis. This particular track sounds like it was recorded as an improve, with each player trying to trick the others but each always manage to hold his own and play their parts just right. Jodice’s guitar ends it with a razor thin guitar phrase that wraps the piece neatly together.
A light workout, “Silver Surfer,” features the boys gently sculpting this piece out of thin air. A guitar synthesizer creates an exotic sound that speeds up without losing its quiet sensibility. The rhythm section moves along at cruise control pace but while adding complex subtle nuances in accent. Bass player Wilfong doesn’t just lay the foundation. He takes the lead here, playing counter melodies and just plain lead-bass.
“Abi Yo Yo” is where Bring Back Pluto sound most like an ordinary rock trio. Yet, the traditional rock techniques get stretched out and run through a jungle gym and obstacle course. One would never guess that drummer Sai Ghose would be so accomplished on the drum set when he’s so well known as a jazz pianist. Perhaps Ghose’s knowledge of complex treble clef lines and sophisticated bass lines allow him to find his place among Jodice’s melodic phrases and Wilfong’s bass riffing. Ghose wrote seven of these ten compositions, so he must be one smart cookie.
“Secret Spies” showcases more of Jodice’s complex lead phrases. They come flying out of the stereo speakers with unique brightness. “Fingers And Toes” finds Jodice again paying out snazzy lead phrases while the rhythm section builds its algebraic structure with a sound that reminds of modern King Crimson.
A composition Ghose co-wrote with Eric Hansen, “Road Kill,” has an element of funk. From the moveable beat, the guitar and bass form a thick wall of riffage and rumble. The arc of this song builds and builds but just before it reaches its potential height, it swiftly moves back to the bottom to start over again, a feat accomplished only by a trio who know how to do their thing on a high level of talent. This kind of music has to be heard to be understood.
The last three tracks are best at making the listener picture images and stories. “Fully Recharged” is prog-rock with attitude and another great guitar phrase. “Pick Up Line” is as clever and sly as its title implies. It also has a punctuation in its grooves that makes you picture a pick up artist walking his new friend to his car. “They’ve landed” is rhythm guided fun that makes you wonder if Ghose actually saw something land and something getting out of whatever landed. Hip, sophisticated guitar phrases mark this tune with a guitar synth line that sounds inspired by otherworldly composers.
