The answer is partly found in the latest CD from New England-based Electrum. Formed in 1996 by Gino Foti (bass) and Dave Kulju (guitar) and later joined by drummer Joe Musmanno, the band released their 1998 debut Frames Of Mind and now follow it up with their 2002 masterpiece.

On Standard Deviation, the group picks up from where groups such as Gentle Giant and Camel left off at the end of the '70s. Although Electrum's music is completely instrumental, their musical mastery speaks volumes. Both Foti and Kulju add in some fine synth keyboard passages making the music sound even more fully developed. The music on Standard Deviation falls under the instrumental prog-rock banner, but the trio's cutting edge performance and ingenious compositions will also impress jazz-rock fusion and New Age fans alike.