PASSION - MUSIC FROM THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

Even if the music from the album The Passion by Peter Gabriel cannot be labeled as prog, it's so stunningly revolutionary that it will easily rest among the pillars of prog music. This OST was conceived as a music of ancient times and modern times. Of far away and somehow near. The secret of how Gabriel accomplished this is as easy as it is complicated. Mr. G took world rhythms, African and Middle Eastern melodies and combined these with modern ambient drones and soundscapes using all maner of modern and ancient instruments and voices. Including samples from a Fairlight sampler, Akai S900 and an Emulator, as well as his trusty Roland, Prophet and Fairlight synths, which helps the music to keep one foot firmly in the 20th century and adds a dose of Gabriel's then current musical DNA to the sound mix. Featuring his own hypnotic near chanting vocals coupled with world music chants from the likes of Youssou N'Dour and the quawwali style vocals of the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, almost by default we have a memorizing musical mix that could only be sublime. Other players of note include the great Shankar on his one and only 10 string double necked violin and David Sancious on keyboards and vocals.

Adding exotic instruments such as Armenian doudouks as well as North African and South American percussion almost puts the music into the realm of the other worldly. Which is exactly what the music was supposed to do for this fantastic film that explores the human side of the Christ figure and the movie's many parallel philosophical themes.

The standout tracks include "The Feeling Begins" , "Of These, Hope", "A Different Drum" (which features Billy Cobham on drums) and the absolutely stunning 7 minute mediation titled "The Passion" which features a truly ethereal Nasrat Fateh Ali Khan.

No song from The Passion is similar to "Roundabout", "Suppers Ready" or "21st Century Schizoid Man." They are also not similar to anything else available at the time, be it prog or not. And that makes this jewel of a musical adventure even more precious. 5 stars.