Listening to a brand new album of The Samurai Of Prog is always a big pleasure for me. Also again with The Time Machine. Again Marco Bernard (Shuker basses) and Kimmo Pörsti (drums & percussion) are forming an incredible musical team with Marco Grieco (keyboards). It is already the third collaboration between them together. And they did not disappoint me. Probably more important than all the musical content is that all proceeds from the album will be donated to the FCA (Finnish Church Aid), which will use it to support suffering Ukrainian children instead of rockets. So both thumbs up for this great action, where they did not think about their own income but were prepared to make it available to a good cause. This is another concept album. When I became aware of the title The Time Machine, the first thing that comes to mind is the book by H.G. Wells from 1895. But it does not have anything to do with this great sci-fi book. Even though it would have been interesting to see how the musicians would have come up with a progressive rock version of this great story. But they chose to come up with a concept of their own instead. Here each song illuminates a chapter of world history, starting with the apes, from whom we are known to have descended, and ending with a dark future. Music wise the musicians tell about a suspenseful story from the beginnings of humanity to historical figures such as Einstein, da Vinci and Mandela and events such as the moon landing. The three musicians did not do everything by themselves to accomplish this excellent musical journey in their time machine. People such as Serge Tiagniryadno / vocals- Tony Riveryman / electric guitars- Maria Kovalenko / violin- Giovanni Mazzotti / flute- Roine Stolt / electric guitar- Bo-Anders Sandström / vocals- Marc Papeghin / French horn- Balàzs Winkler / trumpet- Daniel Fäldt / vocals- Roberto Bucci / electric guitar- Clive Nolan / vocals- Marcel Singor / electric guitar- Peter Matuchniak / electric guitar- and Christina Booth / vocals enrich the eight compositions with their outstanding contributions without any doubt. Together they made an album that contains music that is so warm and inviting, so powerful and detailed, so melodic and playful, as harmonious as it is atmospheric. And together with nuances from the jazz, folk and classical areas you can say that symphonic prog rules all over the album. I will not go into much detail what happens in each song, because there is so much happening music wise. As a lover of great parts performed on the synthesizers and electric guitars there is so much to enjoy. Grieco and the many guest musicians give us so much joy with their solos and strong musical passages. However I must admit that I have to tell you about the great ending of the album with the two excellent pieces Madiba's Life and Future. The first title is a great short classic instrumental, played exclusively on the grand piano. You have to know that Madiba was Nelson Mandela's nickname. The great ending with Future is all about daring to look into the future. And the past of course in which much has been destroyed, but hope has not yet died. The song is wonderfully sung by Magenta singer Christina Booth. She is accompanied by some outstanding performances of the musicians on guitar and synthesizer and mixed with strong orchestral elements. What a way to end an excellent album. After the album ends there is only one thing to do. Play it again. Over and over again and step one more time on the horse and carriage to take you in the time machine and bring you back to all the historical moments on our blue planet. This journey is highly recommended to undertake. A musical journey that is never boring because there is enough to experience music wise for everyone, Presented by musicians who bring out the best in themselves and come up with the best progressive rock possible. I guess I don't have to say anymore. Highly recommended for sure. Most of all if you are into retro rock and enjoyed all the albums of The Samurai Of Prog so far! And you support the people from Ukraine for sure! One of the musical highlights of 2024! **** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
