Paul Stranahan's Insomnia June 28, 2008

He's a tenacious jazz drummer, instructor and the rhythmic anchor for local acts Rare Blend and Broadview Collective. He's Paul Stranahan and he's got a flair for jazz fusion and King Crimsonesque progressive rock; in this new collection of tunes on PSI, he synthesizes all of it in a wakeful bit of melodic prowess. From the thrilling opening cut "Blue" -- with some exceptional Chris Bober guitar leads and space-rock nods -- the sonics suggest you leave that Ambien in the medicine cabinet. That energy informs/powers "Free Form Freak Out" (with its shades of Zappa), "Sojurn," "Mann, wo ist mein Auto?" and "You're Getting on My Nerves," which clearly owes a cup of espresso to Robert Fripp and the 80s "quartet Crimson" lineup.

Does PSI abbreviate the band's name or stand for pound per square inch? This 11-track disc is compelling and forceful enough to suggest the latter in some parts. Fans of prog and fusion will love the peaks, valleys and iconoclastic shading -- not to mention the fact that each member of the virtuoso band manages to avoid stepping on the others' toes. With experimental jazz acts like John Scofield, the Bad Plus, Alex Skolnick Trio, Charlie Hunter, Esbjörn Svensson Trio and Medeski Martin & Wood hitting their collective strides, it's hard not to think of PSI and Stranahan's offbeat angles. Whoever's booking him locally should be losing sleep... looking for an opening slot on an upcoming tour for one of those acts, that is.

-- Cool Cleveland

Official Website: http://www.paulstranahan.com/Pages/Schedule.htm