Back in the seventies I bought two outstanding albums made by the American multi-instrumentalist David Sancious. Namely Forest Of Feelings (1975) and Transformation (The Speed Of Love) (1976), which got many years later great reissues (see review) released by Esoteric Recordings. The latest title was done with his band Tone. Featuring drummer Ernest Carter and Gerald Carboy on bass. With Sancious taking care of the vocals, guitars and keyboards. I always found it strange that another strong album wasn't released after the first two albums. Well the reason was on hindsight very simple. The third album, Dance Of The Age Of Enlightenment, was recorded with the same line-up. However because of several reasons it was shelved. First Sancious found out that they did something with the original tape recordings. He noticed that the music's tempo didn't match the recording speed. Everything was faster than he wanted. He contacted the record company and complained. After a few weeks, he was informed that the LP wouldn't be released initially, but that he was welcome to record new, perhaps more catchy material for another album. Which became True Stories (1978). Secondly it seemed a dispute between Epic Records and Sancious' new record label Arista Records about the rights of ownership was the reason that it was not released until 2004. It briefly appeared as a Japanese bootleg. However in 2023 it got a proper official and legal release, the way it deserved to be thanks to the US label Iconoclassic Records. Normally we don't review albums which came out in 2023. But because of the hystorical facts of the album and I just now received a review copy you can read a review anyway. David Sancious recorded this album in 1976, accompanied by Tone. With special guests female singers Patti Scialfa (Overture) and Gail Moran (1st Movement). Conceived as a ballet in four movements. At the time of the recording, technology did not allow for synthesizers to play more than one note at a time. To create the sound of an orchestral ensemble every part of the orchestration had to be painstakingly overdubbed individually by Sancious on a Moog Synthesizer. Furthermore Dance On The Age Of Enlightenment is a concept album on which Sancious attempts to interpret the stages of life as dances. The result is symphonic jazz-prog that doesn't differ too much from the music on the two previous albums, but is even more keyboard-driven. With again many fast runs on the Minimoogs as on his previous two albums. Many classical performances on the piano. You can hear virtuoso playing on the many keyboards as well. There are also a few funk and soul touches. Even some Eastern, Latin and African musical influences are notable. I will not go through the songs separately. Mainly because there is so much to tell and on the other hand you should hear this album as one musical piece of music. A complete track lasting 40 minutes long, divided into several different musical parts. Different musical parts which takes you through an outstanding musical journey. A journey in which no musical influences and musical genre are forbidden. It is all there for you to enjoy. Sometimes going into the musical direction of Todd Rundgren's Utopia, sometimes even traces of Yes. Sometimes traces of playing which you also hear by keyboard players such as Patrick Moraz and Keith Emerson. Most of all the playing on the piano I am referring to. But also sometimes the excellent Minimoog parts. As for the compositions, I think Sancious didn't allow himself to come up with any weak compositions. Each piece is of a very high level music wise. No fillers or boring parts. adrenaline remains present throughout the entire playing time. Just as it always should be! It's easy to say that David Sancious walks a fine line between prog, funk, jazz, and soul on Dance Of The Age Of Enlightenment. He achieves a truly convincing blend of these styles. Therefore highly recommended to those who already own his early work and likes the works of Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Yes, Patrick Moraz and Keith Emerson. But in general if you like progressive rock with many influences from other musical genres this album is out there to discover! **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
