RETURN TO MINGULAY

Progressive Rock is a genre of music that is split into myriad different sub-genres. Each sub-genre is both alike, and different from every other genre (if that makes any sense at all), but one I haven't heard a lot of is Progressive-Folk, and Andy John Bradford's Ocean 5 is just that. And their debut album, "Return To Mingulay" is the best example of the sub-genre that I have ever heard.

"The Mingulay Boatsong" opens the album, and this track is simple beautiful. Vocally and musically it is everything that you would expect from a folk song, but the electric guitar adds such an amazing layer to this tune, that it leaves me speechless. The vocals are beautiful, such breathtaking harmonies here. This is a tune that won't be leaving my head in a hurry. Great start to the album.

"The Whitby Smugglers Song" is up next, and it's another great one. It has a bit of a heavier feel to it, while keeping the folk sound that permeates the album. Once again, the heavier guitars really add to the atmosphere to the song. The bass guitars and acoustic guitars sound phenomenal here, and the vocals are once again beautiful.

"Empty Hands" starts as a bit of a departure from the first two songs. Less acoustic, and more rock, but it keeps that folksy feel to it. Some really cool instrumentation in this song. Every instrument is melding together perfectly, and the song writing is top notch. I love the vocals here, they add to the song as almost another instrument. Once you throw in some amazing keyboard work, my opinion of this song is elevated to perfect status.

"Five O'Clock Line" has such a cool vibe to it. Another beautiful tune. Some really amazing keyboard work here, as well as the guitar work that has been so exceptional on the entire album. Acoustic and electric guitar just work so beautifully together here, and the guitar solo on this one is jawdropping. The rhythm section are just perfect on this tune. And the vocals are, once again, astounding, with some beautiful harmonies.

"Invictus The Captain of My Soul" is a definite folksy tune. This another really cool tune. So much going on in this song, the instrumentation is really amazing here. I just love how well the electric guitar bits fit with the acoustic atmosphere of the song. This Irish-Man really loves this song. It may not be a rocker, but it fits well with the rest of the album.

"Sails Off the Bay" kicks off with some beautiful acoustic guitar work that really set the mood for this piece of music. Add in some perfectly placed electric bits, and once again you've got something really cool here. Some of the best vocals on the album are in this song. As I've come to expect with this album, there is so much great instrumentation in this song. This one is a definite foot tapper. Great song!

"Dancing With the Rhythm of the Shore" starts off with an intro that wouldn't sound out of place on a Frank Zappa record, a very cool intro. When the whole band kicks in, it's evident to me that this song is destined to be a classic. Once again the vocals are just amazing, and the guitar work so well together. I just love the way the electric guitar add a whole new dimension to these otherwise very acoustic pieces. They sound perfect. Some great keyboard work here, as well, and that is always a plus for me.

"6000 Friends" is something that all fans of Pink Floyd need to check out. For this tune, we get a guest appearance from Lorelei McBroom, who had performed with the post Roger Waters era Floyd. She sounds phenomenal on this tune. The song itself is a bit of an upbeat ballad tune, and a very satisfying one at that. Musically this is a phenomenal song (with some amazing guitar work, that even David Gilmour himself would have to love). Even without Lorelei, this song would have been perfect, as vocally it is just so beautiful. With the addition of Lorelei this song soars to legendary status.

"Fly Away" closes out this amazing album, and it is the song I would have chosen to close the album too. It just has that finale sort of vibe to it. Some amazingly beautiful acoustic guitar / piano work on this song, and the vocals on top of them sound just so perfect. This tune gives me goosebumps, with the vocal harmonies, and majestic instrumentation. Such a delicate song.

"Return To Mingulay" is a definite contender for album of the year in my eyes. This album is perfect for fans of folk, progressive rock, and anybody who loves a well crafted musical work of art. There is not a dull moment on this entire disc. And also, not to be missed, is the phenomenal artwork by the amazing Sonia Mota. The graphics are so incredible and fit the mood of the album just perfectly. I would be very surprised if I didn't include this album in my top ten of 2013.

I am a DJ for the online radio station www.shmusicmedia.com This review will be posted there soon.