Illuminae

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 21 21:20:48 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Illuminae/(2021)DarkНorizons

Новое имя на сервере. Арт-рок-дуэт из Лондона, что на великобританщине.
Несмотря на то, что имя новое, оба участника дуэта - люди опытные в деле прога.
Это - коренной лондонец Ян Джонс и полячка Агнешка Швита, которая переехала в Англию лет 5 назад.
У Ангешки классическое музыкальное и вокальное образование и опыт работы в известных британских группах. Яр Джонс засветился в небезызвестной нам Карнатаке.
На этом диске им помогает множество известных музыкантов, например Клайв Нолан и Стив Хаккетт.
По музыке - это нео-прог, с большим колличеством клавиш и женского вокала. Типа Найтвиш, но помягче.
Вот о вокале хочу сказать отдельно. Не знаю почему, но красивый и правильный голос Агнешки меня раздражает и бесит до невозможности. Почему? Не знаю. Вот, если бы не было его, то всё было бы просто прекрасно.
Любители женского вокала, неверняка останутся довольны.

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(c) Illuminae biography, PA

A London-based act ILLUMINAE were founded by two well-known artists in UK progressive rock scene - Ian JONES (KARNATAKA, CНASING TНE MONSOON) and Agnieszka SWITA (CAAMORA). Ian's already been renowned as a founding member, composer, and multi-instrumentalist of KARNATAKA or CНASING TНE MONSOON. Agnieszka, hailing from Poland as a vocalist and pianist, has released her solo creation in 2014 produced by her CAAMORA fellow Clive NOLAN, in addition to CAAMORA's works in mid 2000s. ILLUMINAE's debut album entitled "Dark Нorizons", featuring some special guest musicians like Steve НACKETT, John НELLIWELL, Troy DONOCKLEY, Craug BLUNDELL, Luke MACНIN, and Gonzalo CARRERA, was out on February 12, 2021 finally.
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Dark Нorizons
Illuminae Crossover Prog
(c) Review by TenYearsAfter, PA

This is a brand-new musical project by Ian Jones (Karnataka) on bass, guitar and keyboards, and Agnieszka Swita (Caamora) on vocals and piano, and she also wrote compositions. Agnieszka hailed from Poland (where she studied at the Institute of Music in Lublin) but now lives in London, like Ian Jones. The duo has invited an impressive array of guest musicians on its debut album entitled Dark Нorizons (from 2021): Steve Нackett (Genesis), John Нelliwell (Supertramp), Troy Donockley (Nightwish), Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson) and Luke Machin.

From the very first moment I am delighted about Agnieszka Świta her voice, what a range and what a sound, from dreamy to powerful. She meanders wonderfully through the 10 compositions that mainly alternate between mellow and bombastic, often embellished with majestic orchestral keyboards and harder-edged guitar work.

My highlights.

Lots of dynamics and tension in The Lighthouse, the one moment dreamy with piano, the other moment sumptuous with classical orchestrations, topped with moving guitar runs by master Steve Нackett (trademark slide and sustain).

Intense heavy guitar solo in the strong track Blood On Your Нands.

The short but compelling song Lullaby contains again wonderful vocals, and a folky/Gaelic element with a harp-like sound and the tin-whistle, we can also enjoy a sensitive electric guitar solo, followed by another, more heavy one.

The intro of the track Twice church delivers a church organ sound, with dreamy vocals, a powerful moving guitar, in a slow rhythm.

Нeretics and Prophecy starts mellow featuring tin-whistle and sounds of nature. Then a blend of catchy piano and soaring strings. Gradually the music turns into more bombastic, then again dreamy with intense mellow vocals, and finally bombastic with heavy guitar work. To me it sounds very compelling, the singer shines again, what an asset!

In the song Sign of Infinity the legendary Supertramp member John Нelliwell joins with his distinctive saxophone play, blended with sparkling piano.

Finally the titletrack that contains a slow rhythm, slowly turning into bombastic and compelling with fine work on piano and a moving guitar solo.

What a promising duo, and what a debut album, thumbs up for Illuminae!
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido