Advance spins of the forthcoming album by The Thing reveal that the Swedish power trio are actively incorporating a more explicitly electric jazz-rock element into their sound. Turn the clock back four decades and this aptly named Swedish unit were whipping up a similarly omnivorous fusion, drawing on some of the heaviest and most outré aesthetics available at the time. There are some preposterously muscular grooves in action here, providing high-velocity vehicles for blazing fret-board fireworks and some dizzyingly dextrous Fender Rhodes solos. The absence of brass, coupled with a penchant for complex, episodic mini-suites, suggests the jazzier end of prog: athletic key changes on ‘Subtle Forces’ and soft, alto vocals on ‘Metamorphosis/Impressions’ even bring to mind Yes’ Relayer, released the same year. Meanwhile, closing track ‘John’, with its creeping guitar arpeggios, soaring solos and lightning speed trick-riffs can only be a dedication to Mahavishnu McLaughlin himself.

Vinyl sold in April 2008 for $154 at ebay.com