Sepia And White (Abel Ganz, 2020)

The readers of my blog already know I like Abel Ganz very much. The first reason of this is that these Scottish musicians always improve and their music sounds richer and more interesting each time they release a new album. 2020's "The Life Of The Honey Bee and Other Moments Of Clarity" is another turning point in such a progress. This song, the longest one from the album (virtually a suite), is possibly the brightest gem of a brilliant collection. It displays charming arrangements, many time changes and beautiful melodies. 

A splendid cover art, isn't it?

The (electric) piano adds here and there a moving touch, while David King offers a beautiful guitar solo, Mick MacFarlane sings putting all his soul in each and every word from beautiful lyrics about passing time and new horizons. Of course, the keyboards duo provide the usual amount of magic and the rythm section keeps it up. This is exactly that kind of song I recommend to those who distrust neo-prog bands. They usually change their mind.

Obsolescence (Abel Ganz, 2014)

This is one of my favourite suites released during the '10s and surely is a most interesting piece of music. Divided into five different but perfectly matching parts, "Obsolescence" represents the Scottish band's new deal at its best. The folk and acoustic elements come with a modern and brilliant prog sound and the final result is worth the greatest attention. Not only there are excellent melodies and beautiful vocal harmonies, but the listener is overwhelmed by the flushing instrumental parts, bright and delicate, that's true, but also dense and colourful.

This self-titled album was the band's sixth studio work.

The different moods and the diversified rythmic solutions add a special value to the song, also enriched by graceful lyrics depicting the inner echoes suggested by the most intimate moments of a day, from dawn to dawn,. Close Your Eyes is the title of one of these song sections and I actually think one should close the eyes and follow the pure streaming of such a charming suite. The album including this pearl was released thanks to an Internet fundraising campaign... a very good reason to be grateful to the net, I daresay.

Looking for A Platform (Abel Ganz, 2008)

When Abel Ganz came back in 2008 with their "Shooting Albatross" CD, I was simply amazed. I knew their '80s and '90s music, a fine neo-prog specimen, but this time there was something more. Take this opening epic, for example. It's a 15 minute suite based on beautiful riffs and themes and always movins, changing, weaving, diversifying.

The way we were... Abel Ganz in their '80s line up!

 

The first extra feature is the abundant use of acoustic instruments, so well merged with the rock outfit. Another winning point is the effective musical architecture, lining up gentle and lively sections, theme variations and reprises, slightly folk influences, solos and instrumental drawings. It sounds like Genesis meet Mostly Autumn... and that's saying something! Yes, I admit I like this track very much and I heartily hope Abel Ganz will come back again with another prog gift.