Rob Harrison- Overflow - Progressive Voyages Review
Rob Harrison is the Saxophone player for Welsh progressive Jazz Fusion band Z Machine. I reviewed his debut solo album Explode My Head for Progradar, So I was delighted to hear that he had another album coming out, it is called Overflow and consists of 8 tracks and runs for 44 minutes, it is out on the 1st May 2026 there is a link at the end of this review.
Rob has used the intervening time between the two albums together further hone his craft and make himself a more rounded player than before, On this album he provides Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synths, Sound Effects along with Saxophone, Flutes and Recorders, he certainly get to use those skills well here,
The album has a theme of flowing water and Rob uses the progression of the course of the river as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and gaining resilience in the process , it also allegorical for issues that we have in life. The river is set on a lost island in the ocean which we can deduce from the song title Azure Veins.
The music is dense and harsh at some points but also there are real moments of lightness and beauty within these tracks, 5 of which are vocal tracks and the other 3 are instrumental in nature one of those is a 2 part track Upstream and Downstream
Rob is not afraid to stir things up with dramatic shifts of tempo and using almost Zappaesque humour to get the point across overall I sense a great degree of intelligence in his music.
Let's delve a little deeper shall we?
The album begins with Tributaries which has an almost pastoral opening with Recorders and shimmering keyboards,before a sturdy bass line begins, this in turn is followed by a majestic passage where the bass is underpinning the Recorders, there is a glockenspiel part and also a xylophone in there somewhere, it really has an interesting sound palette that is on offer here, There is a subdued guitar line as well, that halway through becomes far more prominent as it gains traction within the track,
Mariposa Falls is next, This has a recurring guitar riff that is really strong and memorable, I really like this track it has lots happening during it’s time, I also like how Rob uses a variable rhythm speed in this track, Again to great effect.
Kudo’s to drummer Eliseo Silverri for his phenomenal playing not only on this track but across the whole album, He really is excellent throughout.
Bioluminescence is next the first of the instrumental track, this has some great Saxophone work and alongside a very strong bass line and some great guitar work, the melody is sprightly and effective here Robs guitar adding colour to the sound.
Upstream follows and again there is a recurring guitar riff or fill that repeats, and interacts with the Saxophone, both sparring and taking the lead at various points again all to great effect, I really like the freewheeling tone of this track it certainly has impressed me.
The track ends with a clicking effect that continues over to the opening part of Downstream which has some ferocious Saxophone playing and more wild guitar playing, again this track makes a positive impact as you listen.I think this could appeal to folks who like the jazzing period of King Crimson and also to Nektar fans or even anyone who likes a touch of Jazz Rock even.
After this track we return to the vocal tracks firstly with Pools Of Glass the lyrics reflect the island that the river is following across and how the river doesn't want to meet the sea where it will be overwhelmed and vanish, this song could be a metaphor for preferring a safe known environment rather than pushing out into an unknown ocean or life.
Azure Views follows This tracks has very a very expansive and wide open spaces feel to it with a moody Saxophone part and an almost eastern sound to it possibly evoking a sense of the exotic in its sounds with great guitar sounds and effects used here, I really like this track a lot its really speaks to me.
Final song is delirium which is a fine conclusion to what has been a most interesting and entertaining album of track and performances, Once again Rob uses a variable tempo to good effect, here Water Percussion is uses as are Glass bottles to make the soundscapes on offer here,
I Think this album could appeal to many here as its use of different instruments and moods is very effective and makes for a very entertaining listen.
I recommendnit highly.
Info here:Overflow | Rob Harrison https://share.google/PUVUg3jpK3ykLhW9m
Author John Wenlock-Smith Saturday 2nd May 2026.