The name of Colin Bass is for most people who love progressive rock a well known name. Since 1979, he has been a member of the British progressive rock band Camel. In 1998 he released his highly acclaimed solo album An Outcast Of The Islands. But if you mention the name of Daniel Biro many people will look at you and ask who? Well he is a keyboard player who has released over 25 albums as a solo artist or with his bands Mysteries Of The Revolution (jazz-rock/fusion prog) and Echo Engine (ambient/electronica/improv). Biro was 14 years old when he attended a music Summer-camp in the French Alps and met Bass, who was leading some of the workshops there and had just joined Camel. They kept in touch over the years and their long-term friendship resulted in recording an album together in 2020, their debut named Still (see review). Now the both of them return with a follow up album titled More. The album was recorded in London and Wales and features Biro on keyboards and Bass on vocals, bass, guitar and percussion. Two special guests helped them out for the nice guitar parts on the album. You can hear Steve Swift on I Wish. The other guitar player is none other than Andrew Latimer who also contributed on flute as well. The well known Camel members can be heard on New Words, Dinner In Delphi, Ghost Of A Flea, Deep Fake and Smile Of Smiles. As on the earlier mentioned An Outcast Of The Islands, he certainly enriched the music with his excellent playing. Listen to his beautiful flute and guitar playing on Deep Fake and you know what I mean. Or his great guitar parts on Dinner In Delphi and Smile Of Smiles. Andy's contributions certainly lifted the music to a higher level without any doubt. But don't expect much music on this release which is related to the band in which both Latimer and Bass are in together. The songs are all rather laidback and mellow. Even sometimes sounding like real singer/songwriter tunes. The earlier mentioned Dinner In Delphi and Deep Fake come closest to the music of Camel if you should ask me! Although Smile Of Smiles (closing tune of the album) might also be considered going into that musical direction. And are therefore the musical highlights on More. The songs are well illustrated in the booklet by pictures taken by both musicians. They cover a wide range of topics. They deal about childhood memories and the passage of time. As on Back Again, Smile Of Smiles, Sailor's Lament and I Wish. But also political themes are an issue as on Hunting Game and Deep Fake. Believe it or not but there is also a tale of infamous ghosts on Ghost Of A Flea, which is a reference to William Blake and his otherworldly visions. Finally I'll have to mention that the beautiful cover design was done by Daniel Biro and Lenya Bass. Just as their debut Still, More has not some much in common with progressive rock. However with the three earlier mentioned tracks in mind you have here an album which can be enjoyed by lovers of our beloved genre as well. I certainly did! *** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
