by Backroads Music/HeartbeatsFrank Fischer takes a giant leap forward on his second album on the German I.C. label. Drawing dual inspiration from the tropical coastline and rugged outback of Australia and from the mighty deserts of the southwestern United States, Frank has created a marvelously relaxed work that conveys the unhurried freedom of the great wide-open spaces. The title track, which opens the album, sets the pace with a mid-tempo fluid rhythm built around a synthesized kalimba track and Fischer's supple bass guitar lines, embellished with flute (played by former Vollenweider sideman Büdi Siebert) and didjeridu accents. The melodies are simple, often in three- or four-chord circular progressions, and while several of them are quite catchy, they are used primarily to create a pleasantly laidback atmosphere. "Outback Railroad" rides along on pit-a-pattering hand drums, while a couple of tracks have an almost country-ish feel, notably "Rolling Hills" with its cowboy lope and syncopated shaker and hi-hat rhythms. Tales of Mullumbimby is like taking a wonderfully relaxed and relaxing instrumental journey when you are in no hurry to get anywhere and can simply enjoy the pleasant ride.