Higher Octave casts a spell with their opening track "YOUNG AGAIN", featuring Tom Scott (sax), Greg Carmichael (nylon guitar), Grant Geissman (electric guitar/sitar), Mile Gilderdale (of Acoustic Alchemy on guitar) and Rebecca Carlish ~ dish out smooth portions of creamy textured genre with hints of sensual spices.

This their sixth release ~ "Gentle Force", combines three talented musicians William
Aura(keyboard/bass/vox percussion), Craig Dobbin(piano/keboard/orchestral arrangements)
and Alain Eskinasi(keyboard/percussion/bass guitar) plus all three slip in a pinch of "Groove".

Special guests make their appearances known Greg Carmichael(guitar)~Craig
Chaquico(guitar)~Grant Giessman(guitar)~Brian Hughes(nylon guitar)~John O'Connor(slide guitar)~Bryan Savage(sax)~Tom Scott(sax)~Jimmy Sommers(sax), adding their reflective feelings within each distinctive style.

One cue stands above the rest ~ "JOURNEY TO NOW", captures the theme of Arabian Nights, haunting vibes flow endlessly through the night air giving you peace from within, but the highlight has to be "GRATEFUL FOR LOVE", with 3rd Force newest addition Rebecca Carlish on vocal is extra smooth, not to mention a soulful cry of inner feelings from Jimmy Sommers on a floating melodic sax.

Less we not forget other musicians that left their mark on this CD ~ Mitch Manker(flugel horn)~Richard Hardy(flute)~Gerlando Compilati(congas)~David Thomas(additional keyboard)~Douglas Spotted Eagle(native flute) ~ each incorporating ethnic tones that give this release a special place in our ever growing collection.

Would put this right up there with 3rd Force fourth album "Force Field"(1999) ~ if you enjoyed this, why not sample "Collective Force"(2000), also from Higher Octave and 3rd Force, both albums are certainly worthy of a good listen, gotta love it!

Total Time: 58:19 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCD-12087 ~ (2002)

Maybe I picked the wrong day to play this CD but these 10 down tempo tracks from one of my favorite groups just didn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, they sound beautiful, at times even exotic, but I like my 3rd Force with just a little more energy. Actually, I don't even think it's only about that. It's the fact the album doesn't change its mood. It just seems to get slower and slower, passing gentle and easing into tired. I might put it on another day and say, "Hey, how peaceful", or something but for today --- Yawn.

This truly is 3rd Force's most "gentle" album up to now. Although somewhat eclectic at times ("Journey to Now", for example), this album is quite pleasing. There are instances where I forget I'm listening to a 3rd Force CD, but the trumpet/piano chords bring me back to 3rd Force's usual masse with frequency. I find the change in their music progressive, innovative, and probably good for the future of the band. It's nice to hear Jimmy Sommers working with 3rd Force for a change (verses his recent efforts to sound hip with Genuine and Coolio... What gives, Jimmy???). As usual, you can expect a lot of tracks with Brian Hughes, which on previous albums I found repetetive and somewhat monotonous. However, Hughes' presence on "Gentle Force" is somewhat subdued and melancholy; a pleasant change for Brian. This is by far the most mellow of their albums. If you want a fun ride, try "Force Field."

I haven't reviewed the other 3rd Force albums I would give 5 stars to (all except one and I reviewed that one!) that already have them but in this case given the other feedback I wanted to. I love this album. Yes it's a little different from the other ones but the more I listened to it the more it grew on me until I loved it just as much as I love the other ones. 3rd force is great driving music when you're driving long distances. 3rd Force and Shahin and Sepehr are always on my long distance and commuting driving playlists. So give it a few listens and it just may grow on you!

Too gentle? Should have listened to the sample tracks before committing. Too bad too sad. Are all artists to remain the same with their compositions? The fact that 3rd Force remains committed to constant change is what makes them so outstanding!My opinion? This CD is a true mix of their original roots to where they have progressed to. The "Journey to Now" is the culmination - to this point. So cool that a group isn't afraid of committing to the Truth. Every being ever born and ever will be born is on this Journey. Love is all there Is!

Aloha