Intra: self-titled (CD, 71:52); Shroom Productions -SP98006, 1998
P.O. Box 130475
Houston, TX 77219-0475, USA
Phone: 415 327-6234
E-mail: shroom@trinicom.com & mato@i-n-t-r-a.com
Cyberhome(s): INTRA webhome
http://www.shroomangel.com

	Imagine the Yes album with a saxophone player injecting a jazzy feel and asking the 
keyboards to take a break for the first five songs. Replace Jon Anderson and find an ultra-
theatrical lead vocalist doing his best White Witch/ Gong-inspired warbling screech-sing. 
Instrumental portions are pleasingly Yes-ish and enjoyable but vocals are just a tad too space-
opera-pretentious and near-comic weird at times. I'd say the bass work leans more Finch then Yes 
but guitars are definitely Howe-ish. Perhaps a smidgen of early Wishbone Ash comes through in 
places. That was Intra's 1976 incarnation.
	Tracks 6-7 are circa 1984 and thankfully Mato Tomorowitz, Intra's driving force, creator 
and dreamer, added lead vocals to his rhythm guitar role. Keyboards are featured now but the sax 
and flute leave. Tomorowitz's voice is more than competent and a welcome relief from strained 
yelpings sprinkled throughout earlier tracks. He continues his vocal work on tracks 8-9 in Intra's 
1990 days. I'd say Intra gained more of their own identity or uniqueness by 1984 and it held fast 
right into 1990. Track 9, "Ritual" begins with the theme from spaghetti-western flick The Good, 
the Bad, and the Ugly and descends into very bizarre Jade Warrior territory with lotsa in-your-
face mean guitar lead breaks and fills. My favorite cut! Background melody and composition was 
Happy the Man meets King Crimson.
	Tracks 10-12 are live tracks from 1980. "Sea Bird" reminded me a lot of Nektar's 
Remember the Future. Experience that Samurai laidback groove on track 11, "The Projectionist". 
Prepare yourself for some Alfonso Johnson styled bass lead breaks. Intra outros in a storytelling 
mode on "Circle Kings" in a fine song that should really be redone, (someday),  in studio format 
as it showed great potential even in its raw, rough-edged live presentation. It was a dreamy yet 
driving cut recalling Happy the Man and Genesis. Overall, a strong sampling of a '70s-born, 
progressive Ohio band "lost in the shuffle" but revived for all by Mr. Shroom. Thanks Richard for 
yet another interesting listen. And thanks Mato, for sharing.	~ John W. Patterson



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