ILLUMINATIONS

4.5 stars. I'm so glad I have this record. I heard a couple of the songs from this record on Progrock Radio, and I would always check to see what band was playing because I liked the songs so much. So I decided it was time to search for and purchase this record "Illuminations". Check out the biography of this band, as their story is really interesting.

The first song "Overture" is one of the best on this record, a really melodic song with mellotron right off the bat ! Nice ! Light drums and hammond organ provide a beautiful, catchy soundscape.The next three songs are part of a section called "The Secret Life Of Aqua J. Long" a nickname for Jerry the drummer from their teens.This section starts with "Astral Transascension" that starts out very spacey with keys and synths that are eventually joined by bass, light drums and mellotron. Great tune ! "Isle Of Dyslexia" features Hugh Hopper from SOFT MACHINE playing fuzz bass with tape loop samples. Some keys are added as well in another spacey song. "Medicine Man" was originally going to be on Jerry's (the drummer) solo record and so it's no surprise that this song features some amazing drum work, with some spoken words and gong added to this vey good song.

The next section is called "Electronic Synaethesia" and consists of three ambient songs. Starting with "The Hidden Room" a very atmospheric, spacey tune with keys and piano strings providing the soundscape. This song blends into the next song "Crossing" a jazzy song consisting of grand piano, drums and samples. The last song of this section is "My Tantric Gatito" featuring an incredible bass solo throughout, along with some samples. The next section is called "Alchemy Of The World" consisting of six songs and starting with "Eclypse" a beautiful song not unlike "Overture" with lots of great hammond organ and some fantastic drumming. This song blends into "Wanderlust" with the same melody except grand piano is added. "Eternity" features hammond organ and waves of mellotron. Great ! "Reprise" is a reprise of "Wanderlust".

"Delirium" is a funky song with samplings of voice messages from answering machines. "Falling" has some amazing piano melodies ! The final two songs stand on their own, starting with "Slightly Behind All The Time" with Fender-Rhodes piano and synths in this uptempo song that is one of my favourites from this record. The final song "Gaia" features Richard Sinclair doing vocal melodies, and Phil Miller playing lead guitar, these two guys from CARAVAN add some diversity to this already amazing album. There is some fuzz bass in this song as well.

This is highly recommended and easily a four star record.