TWILIGHT OF THE MAGICIANS

As progressive rock listeners, many of us love challenging and complex music. However, once in a while, it's nice to discover an album that still has plenty of progressive qualities that is actually easy to unwind to, adventurous but not necessarily demanding, and `The Winter Tree's `Twilight of the Magicians' may just be one of those! Entirely composed by The Magus' multi-instrumentalist Andrew Laitres with some guest contributions, this is the third release to appear under the Winter Tree title. Inspired by the writings of the late Rudolf Steiner about the lost continent of Atlantis, you don't need to know that work to enjoy what is simply a lavish and colourful progressive music journey. It's a predominately instrumental album with elements of the progressive electronic, new-age and ambient genres, some dance music and lush symphonic prog drama too. All of these styles coming together in the manner of Mike Oldfield, modern Tangerine Dream and Jean Michel Jarre, to name just a few.

`The Lumerians' opens the album in the manner of those pleasing instrumentals on the old Alan Parsons Project albums. Glistening electric piano with an upbeat smoothness, even a subtle modern Tangerine Dream influence, but full of wonder. Not surprisingly, `Dolphin' has gently symphonic synth washes with soft pulses and a twinkling delicate touch. The infectious and positive title track `Twilight of the Magicians' is a nice psychedelic chill-out, full of sitar, shimmering electric piano and wisps of Mellotron all given flight by cool grooving beats. `Angels and Demons' sees evil - thick hot Hammond organ, pounding aggressive beats and heavy riffs - dueling with good - breezy Ozric Tentacles-like synth ripples and a catchy dance melody. There's a precious Rick Wright quality to guest Eugene Uman's piano throughout `Cosmic Sea', full of a blissful soothing ambience. After an introductory narration and drifting wavering synths, a victorious theme delivered by dreamy piano over a softly slinking beat floats by in an unhurried fashion, with some nicely trilling symphonic Moogs for the finale.

`The Last Morning' is a spellbinding electronic interlude similar to Steve Roach's music, with serene waves of lulling synths both sheltering and completely enveloping. The sense of tranquility is disturbed by `Sinking Island!' (yes, with the exclamation mark!), a sense of panic and urgency powered by skittering dance beats, a wild mix of swirling synths full of movement and rupturing electric guitar before a restrained ethereal climax. `A New Atlantis' is the only vocal piece on the album, an upbeat slice of psychedelic pop with a catchy melody charmingly sung by guest Baiba Kranate. `Lightworker' is a peaceful and wondrous New Age drone, once again similar to Steve Roach or even Jean Michel Jarre. Full of fragility and a tranquil peace, it truly is the soundtrack to a new world being created. It would be wonderful to hear an entire album from Mr. Laitres in this style.

With an exquisite fantasy cover by talented artist Laura Siadak (do yourself a favour and explore her enchanting work further), `Twilight of the Magicians' is a pleasing collection of a variety of progressive and ambient related styles, all delivered in very melodic and uncomplicated arrangements. It works perfectly well as either a pleasing background listen or as a source of relaxation for those who wish to enjoy well played progressive music without it being a distraction. Andrew Laitres is a man of many musical talents, and on this work he constantly displays great musical taste and sophisticated skill. Hopefully there's more Winter Tree albums in the near future, or even a fully ambient/New Age/electronic release - hint hint, Mr Laitres!

Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.