If only the sands of time were as endless as the dunes of Middle-Eastern plains...for there would be no bounds for new discoveries.

As we make our pilgrimages through the Metal lands we often come across earthy anomalies that stick out of the metallic landscape like those rare blades of grass that tear through slabs of concrete. And eclectic 'fusion' projects belong to that particular sort foliage that often finds itself floating above the heavy material that dominates this genre. Those peculiar, fresh leaves often become the necessary seasonal changes throughout the often-weathered offerings that are brought along by new winds. And "Roots And Roads" by the YOSSI SASSI BAND (from Yossi Sassi of ORPHAND LAND fame) is one such wayward growth that has sprung up amidst the cyclones of Heavy Metal to bring along rays of melody and grains of passion.

"Roots And Roads" is akin to an elaborate fresco etched in the Mesopotamian empire that recites to us the tales and fates of former generations. Filled with Greek and Arabic influences - which are implemented into the compositions with the highest level of skill - it is truly an ambitious Fusion record.

The album opens up with "Wings" and immediately soars with an airy traditional acoustic arrangement; which is unfortunately slightly marred by the unnecessary vocal passages towards the end. The vocals are indeed one of the elements on this record that I felt conflicted about. Whilst the vocal presence is not vast - the album being mostly an instrumental offering - the record would most like fare even better with its complete absence. Even though the vocals - featuring appearances from Diana Golbi and Zaher Zorgati (as well as the soulful voice of Yossi Sassi himself) - do sound passionate and fitting, their presence in the (lacking) mix often seems to interrupt the cabbalistic flow of the compositions.

The production could benefit from a bit more clarity, and the execution is not without fault. "Roots and Roads" has its sights set on reciting a Homeric poem, but it occasionally stumbles through the verses. What I mean by the latter statement is that whilst the compositions are phenomenal, the are moments when their execution becomes far too focused on fusing the two musical worlds together, thus leading the arrangements to loose some of the organic quality that encompasses this record. Nevertheless, it is still quite exceptional.

Unlike a lot of such forays into fusion, this record maintains a very solid Metal feel to it; like a shovel sticking out of the ground beside the tree of life. Although acoustic numbers such as "Mr. NoSoul", "Thundercloud" and "Bird Without a Tree" dominate the record and make it for a truly intimate and remarkable listening experience with their deep, lyrical melodies, exotic scales and eclectic instrumentation, the electrically charged blends of Byzantine Metal such as the groovy earth shakers "Winter" and "Madame TwoSoul", the rock-heavy "The Religion of Music" and the playful, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal-assisted showcase "Palm Dance" truly demonstrate the thoughtful musical magnificence of this album.

Yossi Sassi is indeed a compositional and instrumentation marvel; and "Roots And Roads" is a fantastic display of his skill and creativity. It has drive, control, and most of all, it is boundless in its appreciation of its origins. This record is an intricate yet beautiful exploration of soul, nature, and the state of being; it is a journey to the origin of man.<