Max Middleton's Land of Secrets
by R.U. Homeson
Max Middleton was the keyboard player in the Jeff Beck Group during the most musically inventive years of that band which featured Cozy Powell on drums, Clive Chaman on bass, Bob Tench on vocals, and, of course, Jeff Beck on guitar. As a player and writer, Max was the catalyst responsible for the improvisational departures that made listening to this lineup so interesting. Max's unique tonal lexicon and harmonic asymmetry combine with his superb technical skills and phrasing to adroitly weave a rich and unpredictable musical fabric. On 'Land of Secrets', this musical journey is even more personal and reveals musical depths and flavors only hinted at by previous collaborative works. This album is Max doing what he seems to do best - taking the listener on an aural adventure full of surprise twists and turns while never completely leaving the sonic comfort and pulse of familiar musical places. There is a timeless characteristic to the song offerings: songs that are simultaneously melodically suggestive but elusive to the ear, familiar but unplaceable. Enjoy!
