MESSAGES FROM AFAR: SECOND NATURE

Thanks Antony , for the privilege to hear and enjoy some demos long before the album comes. To see it rise and transform. What I can say , it's one of the well balanced sounding album in AKP discography to date. It has this depth and clarity. It's not a dragon island or Birds - this album is more like a Amonia Avenue by Alan Parsons . The same high level of production on one hand and nice melodic structure.

It's 100 recognisable AKP album but I clearly understand what Antony said, that he wanted to create an album of dedication to the art rock artists he likes.

Probably the highlight of the album is the epic " Searching for Mr. Kite". This track is like a lost amazing gem from Rick Wakeman's discography when he did produce some cool magical stuff (unfortunately not anymore..) to me " mr Kite" is even more spectacular and imaginative than 90% of the latest Wakemans opus..

It was an amazing surprise to hear mr. Colin Bass on a "Bright Little Star " another highlight of the album- it was released as a single on Christmas and has fantastic festive video on YouTube which can be surely enjoyed by not only Prog fans.

Antony states that music is his "second nature " . I must admit that it's mine either!

I like the ebbs and flows on Karfagen albums- sometimes it's a concept symphonic suite , sometimes it's more into shorter stories . This time it's even more into jazz rock - Canterbury territory at places , think of late 70s Camel and Happy the Man. "Agora by Night" is an acoustic masterpiece delivered by Max Velychko on acoustic guitar.

All other tracks were recorded by Dmytro Ignatov in Lviv , and it's very lush and energetic.

This album is highly recommended to all Prog lovers and if you're new to Anton's music, "Second Nature " is a good choice for the beginner guide through AKP soundscape depth .