STILL DREAM

In 1987 Edhels performed the track ''Heart door'' for the Musea compilation ''Enchantement'' with an expanded five-piece line-up, featuring second keyboardist Jean-Marc Bastianelli.Although Bastianelli later became a stable member of the band, he did not appear on Edhels' ''Still dream'' album, the first and only work by the band to get parallel vinyl and CD issues by Musea.It was recorded at the Studio Les Mouchettes and released in 1988 with the regular Marc Ceccotti/Suzzoni/Damon/Rosati core.

This was another attempt by Edhels to combine different influences in a period amalgam, they sound like if CAMEL and KING CRIMSON shared some common members, but imagine all these elements created under an 80's production.In fact there is a certain feeling of confusion listening to this album, because Ceccotti's and Suzzoni's plays seem somewhat torn between jazzy and more melodic sources of inspiration, while Jacky Rosati seems undetermined on whether to use his keyboards in an orchestral or more quirky, Fusion-flavored way.The result has its own charm and ''Still dream'' sounds like a collection of pieces by two different bands, there are certain cuts with impressive electric solos and some acoustic pinches with PINK FLOYD and GENESIS influences, while the rest are in a jazzier/Fusion vein with a bit of HAPPY THE MAN/ALLAN HOLDSWORTH vibes, featuring nice instrumental breaks and shifting moods with semi-Classical piano and tricky work on guitars and keys, although performed in a much lighter style.''Still dream'' still suffers from the acoustics of the time, especially the drumming sounds very sterile, while there are a couple of minimalistic textures to be found in here (I hear some evident New Age-like echoes during these pieces), but the music is fine and executed with accuracy.

Not an album to like if you get sick about everything related to the 80's.But these guys definitely deserve some praise for keeping the Prog flame alive, especially after delivering material so close to Camel and King Crimson.Recommended with the above noted restrictions.