DRIFFT

'Drifft' has also just been released by Iosis, but the copyright on all these songs are marked as being from 2016, so is obviously a newer recording than 'The Age of Innocence', which had a copyright of 2013. The line-up has stayed the same between the two albums, and as soon as it is put on the player one is surprised as opening number "One Step From You" features Tatyana Serikbeyeva on lead vocals, as opposed to Igor Savich. Given that Flight 09 have always been his band, this is quite a statement in itself. Working through the album there is no doubt that she has been involved a great deal more, with lead vocals on other songs plus a lot more in the way of harmonies. Musically this album is even deeper into the neo prog area than the previous one, but what lets it down this time is a seeming lack of pace. There are some strong songs on here, but they just feel too slow, and the urge is there to grab the drummer and shake some more speed into him. Not lots, but it feels like the band are dragging or dawdling as opposed to taking matters firmly under their own control.

Flight 09 are rightly seen as one of the leaders of the progressive scene in their native Uzbekistan, but unless there are some changes in their approach, I can't see them making much of an impact outside their own country. Of the two recent releases (I still don't know if they are re-issues of already available albums), this is the stronger with lots of solid riffing combining with strident keyboard lines, but given this is their sixth album possibly we should be expecting more by now?

Uzbekistan band FLIGHT 09 have a history that goes back to 1986, and are veterans of their local music scene. Six of their albums have been made available to a western audience. The most recent of these is called "Drifft", and was initially released in 2016 through Uzbekistan label Iosis.

As with the previous album by Flight 09, I experience the band as off 2016 to be something of a hit and miss band, where the strongest assets are the guitar and keyboard combinations as well as the keyboards in general, with some songs being of a high quality and others not managing to impress on a consistent basis. This most recent album is also a step up in the production department, so while I do not find this latest one to be any better as a whole, the details that are improved should make this album one with a stronger potential reach as far as the buying audience is concerned. If a band that combine melodic rock with neo-progressive rock tendencies appeals to you, it may be worth lending this album an ear at some point, especially if you are a dedicated fan of this specific combination of genres.