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: : Kinections - The ProgDay
Support CD : : |
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Band/Artist
Kinections
Title:
The ProgDay Support CD
2005
Label
Progday |
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Track List
1. The Strawbs - Riviera Dei Fiori - Under A Cloudless Sky
02 Djam Karet - Pentimento
03 Nathan Mahl - The Place We Call Home
04 Trettioariga Kriget - Lang Historia
05 Wobbler - Leprechaun Behind The Door (Demo)
06 Sonus Umbra - Self Erosion
07 Gert Emmens - The Warlock Returns
08 The Muffins - They Come On Unkown Nights
09 Manning, Guy - Top Of The Mountain |
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: : Kinections : :
There are two great things about this release. First of it, it’s for a
charitable cause. Second, it is truly great music. Lew Fisher (on behalf
of the ProgDay foundation) is the mastermind behind this project. What I
like best about the album is the diversity of his selections. No two are
alike and none of them consecutively follow the same mood. We are
presented with an assortment of instrumentals, epics, and even
song-oriented numbers.
Ed Unitsky is the featured artist. He is best known for his artwork on
The Tangent albums. However, I must ask, why did he choose to feature a
naked man on the cover and why is his flying nude on the inner artwork?
His designs are cool, but I can’t help from shielding my eyes each time
I reached for the disc.
In any case, here is a glimpse of the kinetic pieces found on Kinections:
Strawbs: Riviera Dei Fiori/Under a Cloudless Sky – I’ve heard of this
group, but never heard any of their music. This will probably change. I
really enjoyed this opening piece. It sways like freshly blooming trees
under a cloudless sky. The budding flowers smell fresh in the blissful
spring day. The acoustic guitars are utilized proficiently. This is a
mix of Yes, David Bowie, and Talking Heads.
Djam Karet: Pentimento – This is the dark, dreamy, and spacey
soundscapes used in many seventies sci-fi action flicks. I found it
compares to Gordian Knot, yet it is slightly avant-garde like Birdsongs
from the Mesozoic.
Nathan Mahl: The Place We Call Home – It is great to see this
compilation being used to expose fans to new talent. Nathan’s style
reminds me a lot of Kevin Gilbert. There is also a hint of Platypus. The
song is flashy, upbeat, and tight. It’s a real entertaining piece that
has great interplay between all the instruments.
Trettioargia Kriget: Lang Historia – This has the flair of a Flower
Kings jam. The music is melodic and moody. They hale from Sweden, so
maybe there is a connection.
Wobbler: Leprechaun Behind the Door – Again, Lew introduces us to a
lesser known artist with superior talent. This might very well be the
highlight of the disc. This is one of the longer pieces and it’s
completely instrumental, but it doesn’t really let up for one minute. I
really enjoy this piece. It’s cheerful, energetic, and sometimes
mysterious. By this point in the album, you’re sure to be thoroughly
impressed and there’s still much more remaining.
Sonus Umbra: Self Erosion – I became familiar with this band at ROSFest
‘04. Due to extraneous circumstances I missed their set. Shortly
thereafter, I picked up one of their albums and was disappointed in
myself for this absence. Do yourself a favor and don’t make the same
mistake as me if they happen to roll into town. They are innovating and
unique as well as technically sound. Integration of Latin influences
into the music is their own distinct trademark. They incorporate
acoustic and electric guitars seamlessly into a mix that’s both
accessible and yet truly progressive. There is more where this came from
on their album Spiritual Vertigo.
Gert Emmens: The Warlock Returns –The visual that comes to mind is a
loaded arena, partial darkness, spotlights on the court, and
larger-than-life athletes charging out from their locker rooms. I also
picture Richard Roundtree as a cool, confident, and cocky detective
walking the mean streets, having his way with the informants, and
ultimately taking down the criminals. In other words, this song is
similar to Sirus from Alan Parsons Project along with a touch of Shaft’s
theme song. It’s a bad mother, shut your mouth. Here’s your Chicago
Bulls! Can you dig it?
The Muffins: They Come on Unknown Nights – First we get the sinister
piano that plays throughout the chase scenes in the movie Tron. Later
the music gets outrageously crazy to the point of schizophrenia. While
this is fun and entertaining, it’s a tad unsettling. On an album that
has been mostly organized, methodically upbeat, and mainly optimistic,
the wackiness and weirdness is almost welcome.
Guy Manning: Top of the Mountain – I must give Guy a lot of credit for
this one. He really donated a valuable piece of music. It’s a demo and
it’s unreleased, but don’t hold these two traits against it. This is one
of the best songs I’ve heard from him. It’s the longest song on the
album and like Wobbler’s contribution; it too doesn’t lose the listener
during its duration. It is symphonic and melodic and provides us with a
ton of great instrumentals and vocal passages. For an album with a big
heart, the finish leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The only
thing that could have improved this release was an appropriately placed
pair of shorts. Aside from that, I am quite enamored with Kinections
contents and give much praise for all the generous gestures that led to
its creation.
8.5/10
Review by: Josh Turner
Special Note*
It is the recommendation of Prog4you.com and the Rites Of
Spring Festival to support Progday become successful. Purchase this
wonderful CD and you will be helping progressive rock in the long run.
Purchase this CD at
http://home.mchsi.com/~progprinter2/
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