SMPT:E

Transatlantic is like a dream team in almost any sport game. It consists of those considered among the best musicians in the progressive rock field -- Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and Pete Trewavas (Marillion). No wonder, they have been labeled as "supergroup".

But they successfully prove themselves to be more than just supergroup on paper -- they manage to actually deliver beautifully crafted music as if they have been playing together for years. This album is amazing effort regarding the fact that they put the session together rather quickly.

Yes, one may find that the influences of 1970s progressive bands as well as elements of each member's original band are too obvious. These impressions, however, should not overshadow the pivotal fact that as a group they manage to merge those influence and elements in such a way so that the result, the music they jointly crafted, sounds theirs - - even fresh.

Look no farther than the first track, a 30-plus-minute epic "All of the Above". Listen to it with open mind. Those who know each member's original band well would easily find, between its grandiose yet tight arrangement, Stolt guitar playing which has been among the trademarks of The Flower Kings, Morse voices and keyboard touch which was significant during his tenure with Spock's Beard, Portnoy's signature drumming as magical as in Dream Theater, and Trewavas insightful bass playing usually found in Marillion's work. One should also not disagree that it deserves to stand among the best progressive rock music ever written.

Three original compositions follow and guarantee to bring new level of excitement to the listeners' ears: the uplifting "We All Need Some Light", the imaginative "Mystery Train" and another epic "My New World". As if they are not enough, a cover of the Procol Harum material "In Held (Twas In I)" added as a fantastic closing enjoyment.

Surely, this album has the right to claim a place among the masterpieces.