The Sea To the North is Garth Hudson's first and so far only solo studio album (not counting a cassette-only 1980 soundtrack release and a live album with his wife Maud on vocals). Having been both organ player, keyboard maestro, saxophone player and arranger for folk rockers The Band, it is no surprise that this album is a pretty eclectic set that will broaden your musical horizon if you give it a chance. Though there are some vocals on this album, most notably by Garth's wife Maud Hudson on the Eric Andersen co-write The Breakers, on the chorus of the Saga of Cyrus And Mulgrew and by Maud and even a gnarling Garth himself on a cover of the Grateful Dead's Dark Star with help from Professor Louie's Crowmatix, this disc shines in its instrumental parts. Whether it's Larry Packer's violin opening the title track, the classical Indian instrumentation and Levon Helm playing a drum solo on Third Order, or Garth's solo piano on the final cut, Little Island, this album is nothing short of astonishing.