IN SPE

I came across this recording by chance and I must admit I knew who Erkki was prior to realizing he was the mastermind behind this beautiful project. I came across Erkki's name while listening to a show here in the US called Hearts of Space. He is know primarily a classical composer but with definitive Estonian flavor. The In Spe album I am reviewing is the debut. Its filled with lovely dynamics, floating melodies and a classical renaissance flavor with its use of the recorder as a main melodic vessel. The music drifts along with nice supprt from all band members each one adding their own brushstrokes to the overall canvas of sound. There is a slight elememt of that classic late 1970's progressive rock sound in the Minimoog solos and tasteful use of electric guitar punctuations. I will point out this although people pigeonhole this as prog rock I think has more of a sound track feel and almost at time meditative quality as it is NOT as bombastic as many other bands in the genre. If you enjoy the lighter side of Jade Warrior, Renasisance,Terry Riley and early IQ without the lyric content then this is the album for you. Very well recorded with a good sense of dynamics and melodic structure.