DELICATE FLAME OF DESIRE

Formed in the late of the 90's, Karnataka has released two studio albums, "Karnataka" in 1998 and "The Storm" in 2000, previous to their third one, this "Delicate Flame Of Desire". With this album, Karnataka continued to presenting their uniquely British ethereal progressive rock without ever resorting to empty flash or needless instrumental noodling. Their music is different. Ethereal is the term I usually use to describe Karnataka's music. But, this is simply Karnataka.

So, "Delicate Flame Of Desire" is the third studio album of Karnataka and was released in 2003. It was the first album to feature the new member, Anne-Marie Helder. It was the final album by the classic line up. The band was disbanded in 2004 due to unforeseen circumstances. Rachel Jones decided to take time out from the music business and Jonathan Edwards, Anne-Marie Helder, Paul Davies and Gavin Griffiths formed Panic Room in 2006. Thus, only Ian Jones stayed.

So, the line up on the album is Rachel Jones (lead and backing vocals and percussion), Anne-Marie Helder (backing vocals, flutes and percussion), Paul Davies (lead and rhythm guitars), Jonathan Edwards (backing vocals and keyboards), Ian Jones (backing vocals, bass guitars, acoustic guitars and percussion) and Gavin Griffiths (drums and percussion). "Delicate Flame Of Desire" had also the participation of Heather Findlay of Mostly Autumn (baking vocals) and Steve Evans (programming).

"Delicate Flame Of Desire" has nine tracks. The first track "Karnataka" written by J. Edwards and I. Jones is a short instrumental track, a very interesting choice to begin the album. Decidedly, it has a Celtic musical influence, as much of the music of the band has, and acts beautifully as a prelude to the rest of the album. The second track "Time Stands Still" written by R. Jones, P. Davies, J. Edwards and I. Jones is a very beautiful track, and in my humble opinion, it's one of the best tracks on the album. It's a track that features some guest vocal participation of Heather Findlay of Mostly Autumn. This is undoubtedly a track with great harmony and where Ian Jones with his bass line does a very interesting work. The third track is the title track "Delicate Flame Of Desire" and was written by R. Jones, J. Edwards and I. Jones. It's a very melodic track with simple riffs and a very easy rhythm. It's very nice and beautiful to hear. This isn't properly a progressive music epic, but it's definitely a very nice and good song. The fourth track "After The Rain" written by R. Jones, J. Edwards and I. Jones is a very nice and simple song that sounds just great. It's a song that remains, for me, very close to the music of Renaissance. This is simply a very beautiful and pleasant song to hear, indeed. The fifth track "Strange Behaviour" written by R. Jones, J. Edwards and I. Jones is a track that opens with a very beautiful musical atmosphere. This is a very mellow and beautiful track, once more with a marvellous vocal performance by Rachel Jones. It has also a great guitar solo by Paul Davies in the second half of the song. The sixth track "The Right Time" written by R. Jones, P. Davies, J. Edwards and I. Jones represents another beautiful and mellow ballad with a very nice melody and an interesting guitar break. This is a song that reminds me Mostly Autumn, and this is probably one of the reasons that justify why Karnataka is sometimes compared with that group. The seventh track "One Breath Away" written by R. Jones and I. Jones is a track that opens with samples followed by a catchy and nice beat very well supported by the voice of Rachel Jones. Despite it's a nice track to hear, it represents, for me, the only weak musical moment on the album. The eighth track "Out Of Reach" written by R. Jones and I. Jones is another very beautiful and nice track that features some very interesting strummed guitar performance and a nice vocal performance. Despite be a very simple song it's very pleasant to hear too. The ninth and last track "Heart Of Stone" written by written by R. Jones, J. Edwards and I. Jones opens with a great musical atmosphere before the vocals join it. This is also a song with great work by all band's members and where the entire band shines very high. This is, in my humble opinion, one of the best tracks on the album and represents also the finest and most progressive moment on it. This is a nice end to the album.

Conclusion: Everything on this album is very well done. "Delicate Flame Of Desire" is a collection of wonderful and well crafted songs. The work of all band's members is great. It sounds magically driven by the beautiful, dynamic and evocative voice of Rachel Jones. Paul Davies supplies a beautiful and powerful guitar work that provides a tasteful and emotional guitar solos or folk acoustic guitar textures. Jonathan Edwards does a marvellous job creating the pastoral sonic landscape to the rest of the band. Ian Jones plays his bass, functioning in a perfect synchronization with the solid and precise drums of Gavin Griffiths. Add the mix back voice of the backing vocalist and flutist Anne-Marie Helder and we have the complete picture. Karnataka is an original prog band with their sound oscillating between the symphonic and folk. I'm convinced that "Delicate Flame Of Desire" is a great album and represents something they can be proud.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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