In 1998, former Cynic bassist Sean Malone, released the self-titled debut album from his Gordian Knot project. For that record, he teamed up with luminaries like Sean Reinert (Cynic), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower) and John Myung (Dream Theater). Now in 2003, Gordian Knot is ready to present a second release “Emergent”. Similar to the debut, “Emergent” is what Sean describes as “instrumental music written from a vocal perspective. There is structure similar to vocal music where you expect verses and choruses, though the verses are through-composed solo sections, and choruses retain an integrated melodic framework. In other words it’s not just jamming”.
The first time you listen to this album, the feeling of jamming comes to your mind. But the more you listen to this record, the more you feel what Sean Malone means. These are real songs, with choruses and verses, maybe a bit hidden at first, but all instrumental. And what a line-up of musicians he has got together!!!
It’s very practical to find the exact times from second to second who’s playing which solo, in the booklet. With a lot of musicians as on this record, it’s often difficult to keep them apart. And they are all really brilliant. Especially Bill Bruford is doing some wonderful stuff. He must be the best around for the moment. And of course Sean Malone himself, who’s doing some great stuff on the bass, but also on the Chapman Stick. The different guitar players play their solos but I can’t really put one of them in front, they are all amazing.
A lot of different styles are put together on this album, and yet they all fit in very well. From jazzy to groovy, from quiet to heavy, from progressive rock to progmetal, from complex to simple, everything comes around.

The first little track “Arsis” is a short solo from Sean, which should please bass players. The second song “Muttersprache” is one of the best of the album. Very good drumming by Sean Reinert, some great guitar solos, two by Steve Hackett and one by Jason Göbel and a first piece on Stick by Sean make a powerful, rhythmic song.
”A Shaman’s Whisper” is a lot heavier with a lot faster solos. Especially the solo on Stick by Sean is marvellous. This is a beautiful progmetal track. The middle piece has a jazzy feeling but the second half is again more complex and heavy.
”Fischer’s Gambit” starts very groovy with a piano. The whole song is dominated by the nylon and steel string guitar solos of Jim Matheos of Fates Warning. Or to say it in plain English, some splendid, relaxing, acoustic guitar music.
”Grace (live)” is a song from the first Gordian Knot album. It is played by Sean Malone alone with his Chapman Stick and an Echoplex, which is a module to make some loops. It’s unbelievable he’s doing this alone, although I don’t know what he’s really playing an what’s coming out of the machine. It’s a quiet song, with an acoustic guitar sound, but the stick makes it sound as if several guitars are playing together. Especially the combination between the acoustic bass sound and the higher notes is wonderfully played. Further down the track, the sound gets more electric and stronger. Great song.
”Some Brighter Thing” is some brighter thing. It’s a heavier track with a beautiful duel between piano and drums (Bill Bruford), and fast well-played guitar solos, even Steve Hackett really freaks out on this track. It’s hard to review this, there’s so much happening if you get to know the song.
In “The Brook The Ocean” there’s some real solo space for the musicians. A bass solo, a long drum solo, but not really a song.
Guitar time again during the final track “Singing Deep Mountain”. Every guitarist gets his chance to do his solo, with some vocals in the background. This song has a little bit too much of a jam feeling to it.

Normally I have a hard time to listen to a complete instrumental album in one time, but with this Gordian Knot, there’s enough variation to get to the end. It’s rather complex and it’s a bit hard to get into, but once you know the songs, it’s a very strong album. You don’t have to be Alexander the Great to understand this Gordian Knot (as in the legend), just untie and enjoy it.