Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis) by Praxis (Cassette, Sep-1992, Axiom Records)

I've given a bunch of CDs 5 out of 5 stars, but this one is WAY up there for "most deserving of a perfect score." I find this is a CD that you shouldn't just listen to snippets of; you should just sit back, relax and listen to the whole thing at once. It has perfect balance. Some CDs shift in style so dramatically from track to track that it doesn't matter if you pick a track at random. You could do that with this one, but it's much better to let it flow.

This album has something for everyone. If you like furious, though sometimes relaxing as well, guitar playing, it's there. If you like funky bass-lines, it's there. If you like tight, varied styles of drumming, it's there. If you like the sound of scratching vinyl, it's there. If you like organs, they're there (Bernie Worrell's playing is one of the most awesome elements of this album). Even if you don't like some of the styles just described, you will find that everything is tastefully done and you may be surprised that everything works together so well.

Great introduction for a new Buckethead fan as this features some of his most mature work, despite being so old, but it also prominently features Bernie Worrell's great organ playing and makes you want to hear more of his work, I find. Though they've tried, and failed, to recreate the magic of this album, I don't think we'll ever hear another one like it again, which is a real shame. 5/5 without a doubt!