POWERED BY LIGHT

Kinetic Element is a four piece formation from the USA that was founded in 2006 in order to support Mike Visaggio's solo CD entitled Starship Universe, released in 2006. The band performed at several festivals, did a lot of gigs and was the support-act of progrock bands like Circa, IZZ and Nektar. Their repertoire contained Mike's album plus classic rock and prog covers and new material, this led to the release of Kinetic Element's debut CD Powered By Light in 2009.

Listening to the music on this album I quickly come to the conclusion that the music is "a vintage keyboard fan's wet dream"! Apart from the instrumental Meditation with beautiful work on the acoustic guitar (rhythm, solo and overdubs), all other six tracks are loaded with bombastic Hammond organ and Minimoog synthesizer. Along glorious violin ? and choir-Mellotron, swinging Grand piano and some delicate harpsichord (Rinding In Time). The music delivers a lot of shifting moods.

Fluent rhythms with bombastic keyboards and harder-edged guitar in Riding In Time, The Ascent and Now And Forever.

Wonderful build-ups with compelling final parts in the long tracks Peace Of Mind, Peace Of Heart (mindblowing howling guitar with choir-Mellotron in the end) and Reconciliation (exciting interplay between powerful electric guitar and sparkling Grand piano).

The final composition See The Children evokes 76-77 Genesis and contains many interesting musical ideas.

First volume pedal guitar with violin-Mellotron and heavy propulsive guitar with a Hammond organ solo.

This is followed by a jaw dropping conclusion featuring moving guitar with violin-Mellotron.

Then a fat Minimoog synthesizer solo with propulsive guitar and drums.

And finally a blend of Hammond organ, choir-Mellotron and fiery electric guitar, wow!

If you like Seventies Progrock (ELP, Yes, Genesis) with the focus on vintage keyboards (like Triumvirat and early Le Orme), this is an album to check out. And I read that in 2015 this band finally released a highly acclaimed successor entitled Travelog.

My rating: 3,5 star.