Lazuli, a French prog rock band whose first album was released back in 1999, wrote and performed excellent music, including many complex and unpredictable songs (even if they don't like long tracks), but - will they excuse me? - I'm definitely in love with this song: an intense, fascinating ballad. It comes from their 2023 album simply titled "11".
Celeste doesn't need any introduction: Ciro Perrino's brainchild has its own place in Italian prog scene and since their reunion back in 2019 they never abandoned their melodic, fairy, charming sound. That said, some of the songs in "Echi di un futuro passato" 2024 album (meaning Past Future's Echoes) open up to some exciting new landscapes. That's the case with the opening track "Pigmenti" (Pigments),where Maestro Perrino and his friends successfully merge the band's traditional melodies with jazz-rock passages.
Manfred Mann and his Earth Band are among the most underrated acts in rock (and prog rock) history. Nevertheless, they released awesome albums and evergreen tracks, like this "Earth Hymn", part of "The Good Earth" album (1974). This is a Chris Slade and Manfred Mann's song, a majestic ballad including some stunning guitar solos and beautiful lyrics about the musical and spiritual sound of our planet.
The ecological inspiration of the album grows into a metaphysical approach in "Earth Hymn", even if nothing here sounds like tricky of sophisticated. On the contrary, you'll find a fluid, natural hymn suspended between psychedelia and prog, peace and strength. Even if the sung theme is simple and catchy, the arrangement is an ever changing one, full of beautiful surprises. In a word, a highly original and enjoyable piece of (progressive) music.
"Sykofant" is the self titled debut album of a Norwergian band I immediately appreciated for their perfect balance between classic and innovative prog rock. "Between Air And Water" is their leading single and also a beautiful way to get into their musical world. On first listen, one falls in love with Emil Moen's and Per Semb's guitars, undoubtedly two skilled and sensitive performers reminding me the early Pink Floyd's mood and Wishbone Ash's double guitar work, all with a modern, eclectic twist.
Sycofant's debut album cover art.
Then a more careful listening unfolds the stunning work provided by the rythm section, namely drummer Melvin Treider and bass player Sindre Haugen. Not only they supply an accurate but never repetitive background, but they also prepare the amazing tempo changes giving to the track an even more progressive texture. Please note that prog rock acts without keyboards are not so common and it's always a daring job, but Sykofant perfectly worked it out!
Each time I listen to a Sky's track, their rich melting pot comes to me like a surprise. Pop, rock, funk, classical music... everything's there, including that unmistakeble warm atmosphere from the late '70s. Of course, John William's guitars are a treat for everyone and all the musicians here are so skilled, but in this 20 minutes (or so) epic written by keyboardist Francis Monkman there's more. First of all, an awesome collection of good musical themes, a well found series of mood changes and a polished, brilliant sound.
As Sky was their name...
The somewhat esoteric inspiration the song title implies perfeclty fits in the light, measured and nonetheless surprising plot of this track. We breathe the end of the prog era and the beginning of the lighter '80s scene through the classical hints and the electric, dynamic, even essential rythmic carpet of the suite. All in all, this is a highly enjoyable piece of music I'm glad to add to my blog.
