Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser is a vehicle for the instrumental compositions of Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Art Griffin. The third album, Approaching Translucence, has recently been released and is another wonderful merging of modern jazz fusion and progressive rock, following on from 2022’s impressive The Seven Ages of Starlight and the 2016 debut, Visions From The Present. The music is as expressive, dynamic, inventive and diverse on the new album as it was on the previous one and is highly recommended for those listeners who like their instrumental prog rock infused with modern jazz rock elements.
Art plays bass guitar, keyboards and guitars, but is once again supported by the Canadian guitar virtuoso, Kelly Kereliuk, and the classically trained violinist, Victoria Yeh. However, an impressive roster of guest musicians also join Art on this album. Todd Sucherman (of Styx) and Marco Minneman (of The Aristocrats) share the drumming duties, with guitarist Randy McStine (of Steven Wilson), and keyboardists Derek Sherinian and Marco Luciani, contributing some lovely solos as well.
Victoria’s violin provides a beautiful echo of the violin-led modern jazz of Jean-Luc Ponty and his band, but the spirit of Allan Holdsworth and the polyrhythms of Bill Bruford are to the fore, as are the rich, sweeping keyboard soundscapes from Art, with a nod to the likes of Yes, UK and Genesis. The mix of jazz fusion, rock and prog is even reminiscent of Dixie Dregs. It is an effervescent concoction of sound that takes you on a truly immersive and twisting journey of discovery.
Regarding the title, Art tells me: “First off, I liked the sound of the two words together. I like the idea of translucence. Light passing through and you can see shapes, but all is not revealed. With our third album it feels like we are approaching translucence, but we are not quite there yet. More to reveal, but not totally. The air of mystery is a good thing.”
The album opens, thoughtfully, with In The Grand Scheme of Things and is Art’s personal homage to Steve Hackett and the Wind and Wuthering era of Genesis. He plays all instruments on this one, including the delicate acoustic guitar patterns over the lush, background keyboard wash, and later the uplifting Mike Oldfield-like electric guitar-led finale. However, the band’s signature style is shown on the energetic and undulating title track, Approaching Translucence. Victoria’s violin and Kelly’s guitar float over Art’s keyboards, while Marco Minnemann’s flowing drumming accompany the wonderfully fresh and balanced ensemble playing throughout. Marco Luciani adds some jazzy Rhodes piano earlier on as well as the vibrant synth-led ending.
There is more of a cantering rock feel to much of So Fine, led by Marco Minnemann’s propulsive rhythms. Victoria adds the main riff and some soaring violin lines over Art’s keyboards, with Randy supplies some sliding guitar soloing, followed by a rich, classic rock-sounding B3 Hammond organ solo from Derek Sherinian. Victoria and Kelly then play some dynamic violin and guitar lines in unison to great effect, through to the end.
Your Personal Panacea is a confident slice of jazz fusion, with some gorgeous interplay between the musicians. Randy’s early guitar solo sets the scene, but it is once again the playing of Victoria and Kelly, whether soloing or in unison, that delights. Marco Luciani’s synth solos add sparkle, including some nice trade-offs with Victoria, and it is all supported by some lovely resonant bass from Art himself, along with Todd’s expressive and driving drum patterns.
Atmospheric Morse code sounds (“we are not alone”) introduces The Universe Has Its Way. Although it has a smoother and dreamier feel at first, the delicate percussive nuances, sleepy keyboard chords and acoustic guitar gradually change to a more dynamic, and almost funky tempo, with powerful bass and busy drumming. Kelly’s guitar, and more swaying violin lines from Victoria, provide a tapestry of engaging complexity, before synths take us through to the close.
Stormbringer, is an epic track that starts vigorously with classical music-tinged staccato sounds from the violin (and a touch of Holst’s Mars mixed with Kashmir to my ears), with guitar, violin and keyboards all intertwining and depicting the ominous feel of an approaching storm. Drums and stormy sound effects are a prelude to a wonderful and lyrical grand piano solo midway from Marco Luciani (it contains a lovely homage to Art’s favourite Yes song, South Side Of The Sky, as well.) Dark, brooding bass lines and more virtuosic guitar soloing from Kelly take us into the more serene closing section depicting the riding out of the storm, with synths and violin rising as you imagine the skies starting to clear high above. There is so much going on instrumentally, so my words cannot convey the quality of the performances here. I love Marco Minnemann’s satisfied cry of ‘Yeah’ at the end of this epic!
Approaching Translucence 2 is a shorter, atmospheric instrumental track allowing Kelly’s electric guitar to fly, over an acoustic guitar rhythm. It takes us nicely into exuberant jazz fusion of The Yin And The Yang, which has suitably changing and contrasting styles and tempos. It is based on two pieces of music that Art wrote on consecutive nights, which he tells me he always knew were meant to be together – hence the title. Bass, violin and organ have an infectious swagger to them, with Todd’s attractive syncopation supporting it all. Guitar and keyboards have their leading moment in the spotlight later on, with Kelly in full shredding mode by the end.
The album ends with another epic, but also a refreshing change of style. Chordal Mover Parts 1 & 2, is a mix of danceable electronica providing the modern, pop-like rhythm, over which Art’s astral keyboards and synths take flight – creating a sort of contemporary rave/trance feel. Part 1 (Mechanical Resonance) switches to Part 2 (Organically Grown) with Marco Minnemann’s driving drums, and they signal a rise in intensity, with the ethereal violin floating high above. Bass and guitar add to the dance floor vibe, with the return of Victoria’s violin and then sumptuous guitar soloing from Randy to seal the deal at the end. An exhilarating and unexpected end to the album.
With their third album, Approaching Translucence, Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser have successfully built upon the promise of the first two albums and produced a highly enjoyable amalgam of instrumental progressive rock and violin-led jazz fusion, with elements of rock, classical music, pop and electronica. Intricate and complex, and yet melodic and accessible, with dazzling musicianship weaving magic through the diverse compositions. Virtuosity is never allowed to dominate the music, and guitar, keyboard and violin solos are always succinct and wonderfully integrated. For discerning listeners who like their instrumental progressive rock with an organic jazz fusion character and bite, this release is thoroughly recommended.
TRACK LISTING
01. In The Grand Scheme Of Things (4:10)
02. Approaching Translucence (4:09)
03. So Fine (4:57)
04. Your Personal Panacea (5:58)
05. The Universe Has Its Ways (4:44)
06. Stormbringer (10:35)
07. Approaching Translucence 2 (2:15)
08. The Yin And the Yang (7:36)
09. Chordal Mover Parts 1 & 2 (10:03)
Total Time – 54:27
MUSICIANS
Art Griffin – Bass, Keyboards, Guitars
Kelly Kereliuk – Guitars (2-9)
Victoria Yeh – Violin (2,3,4,5,6,8 & 9)
~ With:
Marco Minnemann – Drums (2,3,5,6 & 9)
Todd Sucherman – Drums (4 & 8)
Randy McStine – Guitar Solos (3,4 & 9)
Marco Luciani – Synth & Rhodes Piano Solos (2,4 & 6), Grand Piano (6)
Derek Sherinian – Hammond B3 Solo (3)
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Canada
Released: 21st November 2025
