Jeff Martin has never been able to shake the Led Zeppelin/Doors tag that has hung around his neck for years with The Tea Party. Instead, Martin embraces the influence for his first solo outing, Exile and the Kingdom.

Recorded in Ireland, where Martin now resides, Exile and the Kingdom is plush with ringing acoustic guitars, hand drums, strings and sitar. Vocals and lyrics resound with sensual mysticism, as a tapestry of exotic melodies is woven from first track to last. Haunting at times, playful on occasion, this is the work that Martin has been aching to make for too long. In shedding his skins, he has grown a new coat that is warm and gorgeous and leaves him plenty of room to move in the future.
Rating: 4 stars