PHENOMENA

ESP PROJECT is Tony LOWE's solo project which started in 2015 and which is releasing his 5th CD here. Well, I just knew by name but hadn't made the effort to listen to it yet. It was therefore with a clear mind that I put an attentive ear, knowing that originally we could meet members of KING CRIMSON, GTR, LANDMARQ or LIFESIGNS. Imaginary, captivating, exhilarating and symphonic atmosphere with a touch of dark dramatic nostalgia for the 70's? while giving by its breaks a note of hope, this is a bit what Tony's music gives; original melodic rock mix all tinted with symphonic typed breaks, pieces flowing gracefully over the voice and instruments, this is what we can find through these 7 different pieces.

"First Flight" begins the album with a characteristic sound mixing between PINK FLOYD and BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, slow tune, fine melodic chord and enhancement of the soaring guitar, worthy of a soundtrack for a mysterious side then a musical break atmospheric, progressive bordering on science fiction, which puts the ear on the alert before a melodic return and mixed aerial voices. "Before Saturn Turned Away" is more melodic, still reminding me of the layers of Stuart John Wolstenholme or those of APSARAS, that is to say the hovering side that emerges from them; slow mid-term synth section returning to nostalgic tunes bordering on religious if a voice was integrated, a more complex piece than it seems. "Telethesia" denotes a stronger, more energetic rhythm, always melodic however, it's halfway that it becomes enjoyable with a hovering side, almost ethereal voices then bam the good old church organ that makes you shiver ; then combat of mellotron and synths before a classic recovery. "Fear Of Flying" does more in the conventional, monolithic rhythmic tune that still seems to serve as a heating for the progressive digression with a meaty synth forward, well in the notes of BANKS of the 80s. "Living In The Sunrise" surely has the most beautiful spleen and meditative intro of the album and leads us to a sound in the lineage of a RIVERSIDE, then the chorus is more ambient, more on RADIOHEAD, syncopated and mysterious; beware, the riff is latent and repetitive, the well-placed synths providing significant musical coverage; the end starts with Genesisian atmospheres like "Burning Rope" all in finesse. "Sleeping Giants" is coming darker, slower, a little bit of ESP there! From the middle we wait for an orchestral break a bit jazzy then it becomes again very fruity, melodic, basic then more progressive with a friendly battle between the keyboard and the guitar, I perceive a little of ALAN PARSONS and the meteorological finale. comfort. "Seven Billion Tiny Sparks" ends this album with the longest track GENESIS could have released before "Duke": there is still emotion with the emphasis on keyboards; then a typical Crimsonian break on the "Discipline" period guitar; It is not until 2/3 that Alison takes the voice for a calm, bewitching and spatial part, a beautiful ballad followed after by one of the most beautiful guitar solo filled with spleen and nostalgia. A piece that melts and leaves a musical void, the white after which is still there.

ESP Project releases a pure progressive rock album in the lineage of a MANFRED MANN with song then orchestral drawer in the second step; full of creative energy with the ethereal Damien voice counterbalanced by Tony's varied, progressive, symphonic, melodic and nostalgic musical chords. A very pleasant surprise that reminds us that progressive rock is definitely not buried and risks our happiness to live for a long time with musicians of this talent.