Record Reviews

CROSS ~ WAKE UP CALL PROGRESS 048 (Barcode: 7320470152096) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the tenth album by the veteran Swedish Prog band CrossFind albums by this artist, led by multi-instrumentalist / vocalist / composer Hansi CrossFind albums by this artist and including core members: bassist Lollo AndersonFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomas HjortFind albums by this artist. Several additional guest musicians also participate, adding their contributions and enriching the overall sound of the band. The album comprises of six compositions, five of which are new and one (added as a bonus track), written over a decade earlier by Hansi, was originally recorded by the group SpektrumFind albums by this artist and now gets a new treatment by Cross. Hansi composed almost all the music and wrote most of the lyrics, with just some slight cooperation by the other band members. The music is great example of contemporary Symphonic Prog, which amalgamates the legacy of the classic period of the genre with modern sound. Well defined melodic themes, expanded instrumental passages, tempo changes and multilayered soundscapes are all utilized here, with a surprisingly fresh effect, way superior to most contemporary Neo-Prog efforts. With eyes closed and total surrender to the music, this sounds like a lost 1970s album, recently discovered and remastered. Of course we are talking influences here, not an attempt to purposely reproduce anything, other than respect and gratitude to the forefathers of the genre. In my book creating an album, which sounds as if it was recorded in the 1970s is Progress encapsulated. The level of musicianship and professionalism involved with recording this album is quite remarkable. The sound is perfect for this kind of music, avoiding the shrillness of Prog Metal, which seems to dominate most contemporary releases. The mix enables all instruments to be perfectly audible and the vocal parts are kept on the same level as the instruments, which allow them to merge perfectly into a coherent and pleasurable whole. The melodic and harmonic content, although typical of the genre, is interesting enough to keep the listener alert, even on the tracks with epic length (over ten minutes), which again is quite rare nowadays. It is becoming more and more difficult to create any truly worthwhile Prog music, as the genre ages, stubbornly resisting change and absurdly progress itself, more than any other musical genre. Therefore staying within the somewhat outdated boundaries of the genre and still being able to create challenging, intelligent and uplifting music is quite remarkable. Hansi and his cohorts deserve kudos for a job well done indeed. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MAREK NOVOTNY CROSSOVER SEXTET ~ UPROSTRED CASU GALEN 24 244 (Barcode: 8594042902672) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album by Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Marek NovotnyFind albums by this artist, recorded with his CrossOver SextetFind albums by this artist, which also includes vocalist Josefina CermakovaFind albums by this artist, violinist Pavel HralaFind albums by this artist, cellist Anna KalhausovaFind albums by this artist, bassist Max MakagonovFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomas HobzekFind albums by this artist. Larger ensembles were also involved in the recording, like the CrossOver chamber choir, CrossOver chamber wind ensemble and the CrossOver string quintet, as well as guitarist Libor SmoldasFind albums by this artist on two tracks, which sheds light on the scope and complexity of this project. The album presents twelve tracks, all composed by Novotny, with lyrics (in Czech) by Lucie VojtkovaFind albums by this artist, except one track, which is a William ShakespeareFind albums by this artist sonnet and the final track, which is an instrumental. The album offers superb sound quality, despite the density of the vocal and instrumental contents. The entire project is obviously a song cycle, which combines elements of Jazz and Classical Music, as well as Folkloristic influences od Czech / East European lyricism and melancholy, which dominate both the melodic / harmonic framework of his compositions, and the aesthetics of the entire project. The music is exquisitely put together, arranged and performed by the excellent team of musicians and singers, so good in fact, that the Czech lyrics are not an obstacle to listeners not familiar with the language and are able to enjoy the album in full. Although the music is kept closer to the lighter, somewhat Pop oriented outline, it loses nothing of its depth and complexity, which proves the excellent arranging skills of Novotny, who manages to keep the music bouncy and uncluttered, despite its multilayered complexity and depth, and as such acceptable to a large audience. In many respects, the entire concept / production / recording work behind this album are a true school examples of the artistry behind recording industry, which could be studied by people, who intend to work in that area. Hats off! Overall, this is a delightful piece of music and a sublime album, which brings a smile to every listener, who is able to appreciate the talent and professionalism behind the album’s production. Congratulations to all the people involved and to the Czech GalenFind albums on this label Records, who are a true champion of great music originating in the Czech Republic.

Updated: 12/04/2025Posted: 12/04/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SHORT CROSS ~ ARISING GEAR FAB 119 (Barcode: 645270011921) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1972 Released: 1998 Only album by US (Virginia) band Short CrossFind albums by this artist which played a highly energetic and sophisticated Rock with lead guitar and heavy organ, beautifully produced and executed. A couple of tracks also feature brass arrangements, somewhat similar to Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and ChicagoFind albums by this artist and one has string arrangement. Excellent self-penned material, strong vocals and great instrumental work, especially the guitar. Although obscure, this album is as good as anything recorded at the time and deserves to be re-discovered. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

STICK MEN / DAVID CROSS ~ PANAMERICA – LIVE IN LATIN AMERICA STICK MAN 1911 (Barcode: 4260139121502) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This monumental Box Set presents recordings by the "Progressive Rock" trio Stick MenFind albums by this artist (American Chapman Stick player Tony LevinFind albums by this artist and drummer Pat MastelottoFind albums by this artist and German touch guitarist Markus ReuterFind albums by this artist), expanded for the occasion to a quartet with the addition of the British violinist David CrossFind albums by this artist (all four associated to some extent with the legendary King CrimsonFind albums by this artist of course), captured during the quartet´s Latin America tour in 2018 (sixteen concerts in ten countries). The Box Set consists of no less than five CDs, three of which present selections illustrating different aspects of the music created by the quartet, appropriately sub-titled "Improvs", "Suites" and "Soundscapes", and the remaining two present one of the concerts in its entirety. Although usually classified as Progressive Rock, the music of Stick Men and Cross has very little to do with what can be considered as classic Prog defined in the late 1960s / early 1970s. Over time is has become much closer affiliated with Avant-Garde Rock, Jazz, Ambient, Electronic and even contemporary Classical Music than Prog, so anybody expecting to hear something like the classic Prog stuff will be completely disenchanted. These musicians refused to stand still and perpetuate stale formulas (as most so called contemporary Prog bands do), moving ahead and embracing the possibilities opened up by new instruments, sound technology and the expansion of musical horizons and creating a completely new and original universe of musical expression. Rather than based on the conventional musical approach of melody, harmony and rhythm, this music is all about atmosphere, soundscapes, flux and associations, which are invoked in the listener´s brain while listening to this music. There are no rules and no limitations, other than the possibilities embedded in the instruments played. The music is mostly spontaneously improvised, like in the Jazz Improvised Music idiom, but distinctly different as a result of the Rock roots obviously present herein. However, this music comes with a price tag ;) It is definitely no for the weak hearted or for the superficial listeners. The two minutes long average attention span of today´s listeners won´t cut it in this case. This music develops slowly, sometimes painfully so, building up complex structures and convoluted relations, demanding unscrupulous concentration. Don’t try to play this music while driving! Overall this Box Set is a marvelous document not only of the actual tour and the music played while it lasted, but more importantly a document capturing the development of the Stick Men phenomenon and the process of the development of contemporary music in general. Beautifully conceived, performed, recorded, edited, packaged, photographed and finally released, this is a true gem and a must to all searching music lovers! Thanks to my buddy Leonardo PavkovicFind albums by this artist, the head of MoonJuneFind albums on this label Records, the person behind much of the ambitious music still created made these days, against all odds, for sending me this musical treat. I am much obliged Sir!

Updated: 24/09/2020Posted: 19/09/2020

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Slipcase Box Set Recommend To A Friend