AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
GRANT MOON has a rummage down the back of the Prog sofa for the ones that nearly got away…
Oslo sextet Tip The Scales bring together a wealth of jazz and classical music training and a passion for prog. Released on Haerverk Industrier, their self-titled album offers hippie rock with moody marimbas, vibraphones and cello up front. Pieces like Vegetable, Soldat and 7/8-time Space Train are packed with interesting tones and dynamics making the most of their unusual instrumental make-up. Their interest in Crimson, Zappa, Gong and Steve Reich are clear to hear on a high-brow, high-protein record that explores every dimension of sound to deliver something genuinely different and progressive.
Tom Cawley is professor of jazz piano at the Royal Academy Of Music, regular leader of the house band at Ronnie Scott’s and sideman for Peter Gabriel, among others. Catenaccio (Ubuntu) is one for fans of Weather Report, Return To Forever, even Jacob Collier. Magical retro synths and flutes joyously combine, and Fini Bearman’s scatlike vocalisations add a human dimension, but do get a bit much after 45 minutes. Nevertheless, there’s funky jubilation (Jabulani, Rabona) and synthy sadness (Left Peg, Row Z) to be had on this masterly record.
Xilla are a quintet from Birmingham fronted by former Order Of Voices vocalist Leigh Oates. He’s a compelling presence throughout their self-released album Distant Voices, a strong, unabashedly on-the-nose salvo of potent rock (Heroes), melodic hooks (You Crawl), with occasional nods to prog metal structures (12-minuter Left To Burn).
Costa Rican guitarist/keyboardist Juan Pablo Calvo heads up Will Of The Mountain, and their second, self-released album The Third Silence is an engaging concept about life and death. These modern prog tunes are accessible, crunchy and melodic, with the revolvingdoor band’s prog leanings more Kingcrow than Haken. The sheer enthusiasm of certain guest vocalists might outstrip their ability at times, but Elizabeth Naranjo’s angelic voice is a real find.
Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have achieved remarkable success with their metal-informed flamenco guitar act. Their latest album Mettavolution (Rubyworks/BMG) explores spiritual matters and human history on some pretty sublime, atmospheric pieces with proggy titles like Krotona Days and Terracentric. The real gold is their extraordinary twin-guitar take on Pink Floyd’s Echoes, honed over a year of shows and recorded live in one take. The pair shine loving new light on this 19-minute classic.
Finally, modern cosmic rockers Sontaag blended sci-fi, space rock and punky attitude on their well-received 2014 debut album, so they’re on home ground with their excellent version of Hawkwind’s Silver Machine (Cleopatra). That band’s sax player Nik Turner and Killing Joke bassist Youth contribute to this beautifully recorded take. Thanks to the production and Ian Fortnam’s clear diction I finally know what Lemmy’s been going on about all these years – going sideways through time on the other side of the sky. Obvious, really…