DBSilver: 06/26/2002 Wow.
An outstanding prog-fusion delivery from Flower Kings keyboard player Hasse Bruniusson. But be warned - if you are looking for Flower Kings music here you will find very little of it. This music does feature Roin Stolt on guitars and his playing - when featured - is outstanding. But his playing in support of the compositions is also to be highly admired for its' sensitivity and restraint. As important a figure that he is, Roin Stolt is not the focus of this CD. In fact, I am not sure that there is a focus on any musician - certainy it does not seem to focus musically on Hasse Bruniusson. Instead it is Bruniusson's compositions which receive the focus and rightfully so. There is not a bad song here! Listing to the music you might pull out segments that bring to mind a variety of artists and recordings. I have heard Zappa, the Flower Kings and Santana/McGlothinlin's Love Devotion, and Surrender at various times. I suppose the greatest similarities would have to lie with Zappa's more lucid and less zany moments but this music is rarely zany although I will have to give a large nod to MJBrady's use of the term quirky - especially as there are lots of moments that almost make this sound like circus music. This is fusion - but not normally of the hard-diving type (thought it does have it's moments). I would give the nod more over to prog-fusion and/or fusion-prog as an overall genre or sub-genre. Whatever the lable - this is a fine album and hopefully Bruniusson will find the time and support to continue with a solo side to augment his participation in the Flower Kings. We can never have enough of work of this quality.

MJBrady: 06/06/2002
This is yet another production from the prolific FlowerKings camp. And far different from most recordings that are associated with this bands members. Hasse Bruniussen, has been the bands longstanding percussionist, and also has his progressive roots going way back to Samla Mammas Manna . On Flying Food Circus, Hasse seems to have the hand on the style controls, and is also joined by the Flowerkings braintrust, Roine Stolt, who contributes on guitars, bass, and keyboards, also on keyboards is the prodigious Mats Oberg, who has been knocking out some incredible fusion music with Mats/Morgan. There are some other non-FK musicians that contribute as well, though admittedly, I am not familiar with them. Musically, FFC has a bit of a Zappa/Keneally vibe, very quirk filled, instrumental, well thought out songs, that are very enjoyable, and fun to listen to. This cd shows no signs of being a hastily put together, or as a project that would focus on individual talents. On the contrary, these songs all are very well composed, directed toward the kind of band interplay that emphasizes on technically challenging musicianship in a group setting. Bruniussens percussion work doesn't stop at striking blunt targets, with sticks and mallets, he shows to be a true musician in every sense of the word, this is most shown with his work on marimba and keyboards. Obviously this is where I can hear the Zappa comparisons, as his techniques sound on par with that of Ruth Underwood & Ed Mann. Another key ingredient on this cd that makes it so alluring to the ears, is the keen ability to draw so many different influences that were brought into the mix by Oberg, Stolt, and the other listed musicians. Getting Oberg to help on keys was a huge factor, as having FKs' Tomas Bodin, would have given the music the all to familiar FK sound. The FK sound does creep in on occasions, but very seldom, in fact there is some but not much music here that resembles the FKs in any way. I do in fact like the FKs, but I find this music has more energy and originality than they do. The predominant style/genres present here are of the instrumental Zappa vibe, but maybe more accessable, and less deranged of course. I highly recommend this cd to fans of the FK's as well as those that enjoy Zappa flavored fusion, and anything in between.