Two years ago I made a deep bow to Ron Lammers. Because at the time he pulled it off on his own, to fulfil his dream to create an excellent album. He asked other musicians to help him out to do something I only wished I could have done on my own as well. He had the guts to do it no matter what it cost and the time it took to make it. It resulted in the debut album of The Foundation, titled Mask (A Fairy Tale Of Real Life) (2023, see review). An album which is highly recommended to fans of Knight Area and retro prog rockers in general! Their first album (a concept album about the struggles in life and some Divine choices ) gave a lot of positive reviews and likes. This gave them the inspiration for a brand-new album with the title Relations. Like its predecessor, this album also has a special theme. As the title Relations already indicates it is all about relations A theme that was created by Ron Lammers. On their website you can read the following message according to this concept: "Music soothes your soul when it storms. This is a thematic album about relationships from us as a human to all kinds of partners and environments. A relationship to other people starts with you. If you don't love yourself, it is impossible to love and care for other humans. How do we stand towards the world and nature surrounding us. And, important is, how do we stand to our Creator. All those kinds of relations are processed in this new album! Be patient, be gentle, be humble, be loving ( Ephesians 4: 2,3 )". So, as you can read it is not only about the relationship with your partner, family and friends. The theme of relationships is much more comprehensive than we generally think. Ron (Keyboards) and his musical friends Mark Smit (Vocals, Keyboards), Rinie Huigen (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals), Jens van der Valk (Electric Guitars),Gijs Koopman (Bass, Taurus Pedals, Keyboards), Masaki "Makkie" Shimakawa (Violin), Judith van der Valk (Low Whistle, Flute, Tin Whistle) and Jan Grijpstra (Drums) came up with eight excellent compositions to go deeper into this theme. As you can see on the list of names, little has changed in the composition of the musicians who have once again ensured that an album has been released that remains captivating from beginning to end. This time I'm not going to delve into each composition individually. I did that with the previous album and that's why I'm approaching the new album in a different way. The eight songs form one beautiful musical whole in which the sound we heard on the debut album is reminiscent. This means that the musical influences coming from the well-known progressive bands from the seventies are often used. Bands like Genesis, Camel and Yes. But also, the sound which we can hear on the first albums released by the well-known Dutch prog act Knight Area is present again. That the latter band is mentioned again is not so strange. Because many people who contributed to the creation of this album used to play in this band. Mark Smit, Rinie Huigen and Gijs Koopman were all involved in the recordings of these excellent progressive rock albums. The best in the genre ever released in the Netherlands. This new album will again delight fans of retro prog in particular. Just like on their debut, the listener is treated to instrumental pieces that are a treat thanks to the use of so-called vintage sounds. Once again, the sounds of the Mellotron and Taurus bass pedals are used extensively. Again, the strong bass parts sounds like only the late Chris Squire could do. Many times, we are treated to great guitar and synthesizer solos that are finger-licking good. The use of different composers has also created more diversity among the songs. The most beautiful example is Ses Lunettes Noires (His Dark Glasses), a composition written by Smit which is sung in French. Also, Backbone written by Huigen is a good example, because of the beautiful acoustic guitar parts at the beginning of the track. However, the use of Tin- and Low Whistles this time around moves the album several times towards a more progfolk sound, reminding me of band such as Iona. Just listen to the earlier mentioned Backbone and Beauty Of Nature and you will know what I mean. Again finally, some words about the fantastic artwork which we always want to see on our progressive rock concept albums. Also, for this second album, Ron didn't need to ask the famous Ed Unitsky for the cover and booklet art work. Again, it was his own friend Douwe Fledderus from Blissy Design who was responsible for the beautiful creative design. The cover very well represents the title of the album. We see a young (married) couple walking on the railway tracks on their way to their shared journey in life, facing their beautiful but uncertain future together. Which is what Relations is all about. Also, inside the booklet you see the relationships between people and those with nature that we have to be so careful with that we do not destroy it for ourselves but especially for our children and those who are yet to be born. This is all very beautifully depicted and gives the beautiful music even more imagination! For those who own the debut album, this new album is a wonderful sequel. It is the next step that this musical project has taken and of which they can once again be very proud. So again, a deep bow to Ron Lammers and his fellow musicians for creating an album which has no weak songs and is as a whole of a very high musical level that many prog lovers will enjoy. Especially for people who enjoy the music of Genesis, Camel, Yes, Knight Area and retro prog rockers in general! For me, this is progressive rock as it should sound and therefore once again a big contender to end up in my 2025 annual list! **** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
