Record Reviews

FLASH ~ FLASH (FEATURING RAY BENNETT & COLIN CARTER) PURPLE PYRAMID 0339 (Barcode: 741157033922) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2010 - 2012 Released: 2013 Of all the Progressive Rock bands that flourished in the early 1970s, British legends FlashFind albums by this artist were always among my favorites and the forty years that passed since basically changed nothing in that respect. I always claimed that Flash was what YesFind albums by this artist should have become: a gutsy, focused and multifaceted outfit which was able to write great music and cross genres elegantly rather than indulge in endless doodling and ego trips. No wander that Peter BanksFind albums by this artist left Yes after a couple of albums and formed Flash with vocalist Colin CarterFind albums by this artist, bassist Ray BennettFind albums by this artist and drummer Mike HoughFind albums by this artist (with another ex-Yes member, keyboardist Tony KayeFind albums by this artist featured on their first album). The band managed to record three classic Prog albums, which to this day sound absolutely brilliant and are prime examples of the genre. I´ve been aware of the effort to re-form Flash in the recent years, following the developments on the net, and finally the process that took several years came to fruition with this album being released almost exactly forty years after the original band folded. The band, which recorded this album, includes two founding Flesh members: vocalist Colin Carter and ex-bassist now guitarist Ray Bennett. They are supported by keyboardist Rick DaughertyFind albums by this artist, bassist Wayne CarverFind albums by this artist and drummers Mark PardyFind albums by this artist and Paul PaceFind albums by this artist. The album consists of nine tracks, eight of which are originals by Colin and Ray and one is a cover of a song by Nine Inch NailsFind albums by this artist. The original songs include two instrumentals and a new version of a song that was included on the original band´s last album. In the last years we have witnessed numerous attempts to re-unite and re-vitalize bands with a glorious past, most of which sadly ended up as miserable, at least artistically speaking, failures. This album is a classic example how such process can work and be successful. Most importantly the album presents almost entirely new material, written recently, rather that re-worked versions of old material, which makes little sense. The material in this case sounds really great, losing nothing of the original Flash vitality and preserving the original sound and ambience on one hand but being completely contemporary on the other. Therefore this album sounds as good to a die-hard Flash fan, who is familiar with the band´s recorded legacy, as to a new listener, for whom this is the first encounter with the group, hopefully leading to digging up the past as well. Time seems to have been merciful with Colin and Ray; Colin´s vocals are still confident, vigorous and energetic and he obviously has no trouble moving up and down the scales and Ray´s guitar work sounds really impressive and creative, cleverly eschewing needless fireworks. The entire album sounds superbly and is an ideal mixture of that nostalgic / retro ambience and modern sound possibilities. This is therefore a most proper addition to the legendary band´s legacy, which should satisfy old fans and bring new listeners into the enchanted phenomenon called Flash. Well done indeed gentlemen!

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