Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

300 Waves (Rock The Pier) is a DVD release with some excellent wave footage of the Central Coast of California. The film contains some new material from Los Jets, new versions of older tracks, and some tracks that were previously issued. This soundtrack of the film is loaded with good listening. Enter a water world.

Picks: Take Five, The Flight Of The Bumble Bee, Driftin', Husky Team, The Valiant, Voyage Around The Moon, Venus, Bombora, Waiting For The Train, Buda's Tavern, Jezebel, So What, Diamonds, Surf Samba, Sandusky Trail, Gonzales, Chariot, Splash

Surf (Instrumental)

Wow, is this ever great! This is just about the most liquidy cool version of Paul Desmond's glorious "Take Five" ever cut. It has great delicacy. Los Jets use guitar as the melody voice in an original arrangement with pleasing sound and an emotional connection to the Dave Bruebeck Quartet original. Great percussion! Simply superb!

Rock (Instrumental)

Rimsky-Korsakov's fanciful "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee" is just superb. Precision guitar, with many more notes adapted to guitar than anyone else's cover except for The Surf Coasters. Liquid whammy, and a very good sound. The arrangement is fresh and engaging.

Soft Near Surf (Instrumental)

This is an interesting track. It may be the closest Los Jets get to surf, with dry damped rhythm guitar, an AABA format not unlike classic surf, and a sultry playful sense of the beach. Quite nice.

Rock (Instrumental)

The Saints' very cool "Husky Team" is slithered and twanged and reverbed for a much fuller and more emotionally connecting rendition than the original. Quite nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Valiants' wonderful song "The Valiant" is so-o-o-o nicely done here. it sparkles with fluid tone and muted rhythm. Gentler than the original, but very infectious. This is a splendid track that bears multiple listenings.

Rock (Instrumental)

Oceanic blues in the key of gentle rock, with a modern sound and feel. "Suspension" is a melodic soaring rock instro. It has a coastal feel, but none of the elements that make surf what it is. That said, it would sit well between modern surf instros while driving along the coast.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Saturns' "Voyage Around The Moon" appeared only in the soundtrack to That Thing You Do. Three other bands have covered it, that I know of. This is a splendid version with great respect for the original, and very inviting tone.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a splendid surfish treatment of Shocking Blue's "Venus." It is very cool! This top forty hit sports a great melody for a guitar instro cover, and Los Jets make is fluid and warm in a cool aural environment. Excellent!

Surf (Instrumental)

The Atlantics' superb "Bombora" is very reverently arranged, right down to the muted choke-string grit in the opening. Excellent glissandos and energy. Less intense than that original, but damn cool!

Rock (Instrumental)

"Waiting For The Train" is a blues-rock number with a Memphis feel and a rich highway ambiance. There's a definite sense of open space and afternoon breezes.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great bass and guitar interplay, along with horn-like keyboards, rhythmically drive a rock sound with a coastal feel. "Buda's Tavern" is very enjoyable!

Surf (Instrumental)

Wayne Shanklin's wonderful melody is done with a gentle approach and rhythmic muted chords. This softer approach is very original. Very cool!

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

Miles Davis' "So What" is sped up and turned into a twang fest. The arrangement is spectacular in terms of its transformation of this jazz classic into a rockin' stomper. Very cool!

Rock (Instrumental)

A bit of a lounge/soft disco treatment of Jerry Lordan's beautiful "Diamonds." It is completely unlike the classic Jet Harris and Tony Meehan or Mark Brodie and the Beaver Patrol versions. Soft and silken, with glissandos and soft keys, it's quite a unique blend of surf, rock, MOR, and exotic dinner music. I am usually put off by tracks like this, but I must admit enjoying it.

Surf (Instrumental)

Miles Corbin's lovely "Surf Samba" is very nicely reinvented here. With clear reverence for the writing and playing style of the Aqua Velvets, Los Jets deliver a sultry and smooth rendering of this lovely song. The ocean lapping over parts of the song add to its coastal mystique.

Rock (Instrumental)

Double picked guitar and art bass along with exotic percussion creates a playful, slightly Spanish theme. "Sandusky Trail" is a very fine track with a warm sound. There are times when it dances on the sunset, and others when it grins.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Bohabdill" is Spanish guitar dramatic and, at times, heavy. The keys and guitar, along with Syndrums, create a spatial eighties feeling.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great rhythm and infectious energy drive this version of The Shadows' "Gonzales." I think this is particularly engaging and fun. Its surfier than other versions of this instro. Exceptional guitar licks and a rock solid arrangement.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Chariot" is a pretty and bouncy song with a semi-cowboy rhythm. Gentle with a traveling feel.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Splash" moves with an adventure on the road kind of theme. Its imagery is slightly bluesy, and quite groovy. The guitar's sustain and tone are quite pleasing.