MESSAGES FROM AFAR: THE WORKING TAPES

Antony Kalugin also releases this companion album at the same time as 'Messages from Afar: Second Nature' which includes unreleased material and alternative versions contained in 'Second Nature'. An interesting flipside to the abovementioned album.

This begins with 'The Gnome of Imagination (Uvertura) which is pure symphonic rock that sounds very like a movie theme. A dramatic and mysterious touch to introduce this collection.

'Hymn of Hope' follows evoking a renaissance sound giving an atmosphere of hope. A glorious gamut of high ambience is the impression this piece brings.

What comes next are shorter alternative tracks from 'Second Nature' being 'Second Nature Intermezzo', 'Bond of Love', 'Agora' and 'Searching for Mr. Kite'. You find my opinion in the full review of 'Second Nature' also provided on this site.

'Faces (First Contact Tapes)' is an epic track lasting a healthy 21.14 minutes. As Antony mentions on the inside cover, this comes from the 'First Contact' sessions of that album. It consists of familiar sections from that album and I have to say there is some outstanding drumming from Konstantin Shepelenko. In a way this takes you on a transient view and memory of 'First Contact'. I would say the shining gem is this track and I am glad that the album provides an avenue to present this version.

'Summer Dream' is the last track which has a sublime, mellow touch which closes this extended perspective of 'Messages from Afar: Second Nature'.

The album may not be a necessity but I believe this is icing on the most moist and rich of cakes. I urge you to buy this CD because bonus tracks exist by extraordinary guitarist Max Velychko.

Last week I reviewed Messages From Afar: Second Nature, here are my words about the other 2024 release entitled Messages From Afar: The Working Tapes by the Ukrainian multi-instrumentalist Antony Kalugin and his band Karfagen. This effort (featuring recordings between 2017 - 2023) also sounds very tastefully arranged, harmonic, melodic, accessible, alternating between dreamy climates, mid-tempo beats and bombastic atmospheres, with the focus on a pleasant colouring featuring a variety of keyboards and acoustic - and electric guitars, with a wide range of guest musicians. My highlights.

The Game Of Imagination (Uvertura) opens with delicate piano play, then classical keyboard orchestrations, blended with Mellotron and synthesizers, the climates contain obvious classical overtones, between dreamy and bombastic, halfway an eruption with piano and choirs, how impressive, dynamic and compelling, what a start!

Hymn Of Hope contains a wonderful piano and classical guitar duet, then the organ joins, culminating in a catchy mid- tempo, tight beat, with sensitive electric guitar and a flashy synthesizer solo, trademark Karfagen.

High pitched female vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar in Bond Of Love, then a sumptuous outburst with heavy guitar riffs, halfway synthesizer flights, finally again mellow with female vocals.

Searching For Mr. Kite delivers electric piano and soaring strings, in a slow rhythm, then heavy guitar work with a tight beat, embellished with another sensational synthesizer solo, concluded with the unsurpassed Mellotron sound, a strong and varied composition.

And finally, the epic composition Faces (First Contact Tapes). It starts bombastic with a lush synthesizer sound, and a spectacular wah-wah drenched guitar, then a mid-tempo featuring freaky synthesizer runs and heavy guitar, halfway a mellow climate with tender piano, and finally Mellotrons, fiery guitar and spacey synthesizer, wow, top notch Karfagen!

My CD version contains 4 exclusively bonus tracks featuring music of guitarist Max Velychko. The first two tracks are acoustic pieces: Alone In The Field with dreamy twanging guitar, and a beautiful, intense acoustic guitar solo, and Snow with soaring keyboards and tender guitar. The other two tracks sound like ambient electronic music: Red Moon with halfway moving electric guitar and Morning View with atmospheric work on guitar and keyboards.

"The Game of Imagination (Uvertura)" for the symphonic intro which flirts for a moment with the sounds of TANGERINE DREAM; Ushuaïa flute and a solemn air with percussion in front, the synths bringing the sidereal musical beauty, a magnificent rise; great from the start and the why of my choice to talk about these 'work failures'. "Hymn of Hope" begins with Steve HOWE, yes, it's said; playful piece, fruity prog folk, delicate, like a sweet and fresh peach; the synth takes pride of place and sends you into a bucolic world where war is absent; distant reminiscence of Mike OLDFIELD; the guitar sounds on The EDGE, a nectar. "Second Nature Intermezzo" for this solemn aerial entrechat; a delicate touch with its classical orchestration, piano, harpsichord, finesse of sound. "Bond of Love" with Maria and the first of three tracks played on 'Second Nature'; shorter title with this divine intro quickly cut off by this riot of sounds: heavy riff, fat keyboards which fill the musical spectrum, ah for a moment I think of the fabulous 'Merlin will' by AYREON; short but nervous, fluid, air that flows like a sheet of water in Eden; a few notes from a BANKS in the distance, the dry guitar ends this intense moment; piece without the jazzy preamble with synth and sax which suits me better sending the watts, the slap. "Agora" second track without the night and the pompous synth rise of 'Second nature', yes I listened to it too; on an acoustic guitar, not a 'Horizons' but an unfolding on 'Forbidden Games'. "Searching for Mr. Kite" whose title I recommend on 'Second Nature' for a more expressive, punchier intro I would say; we are on a modern progressive sound; yes the guitar, the drums, the various keyboards alternate ambient tunes of our century; reminiscences to an active melody; its melodies are catchy, astounding with musical beauty; there is not a moment when the melody settles, it is swirling, twirling. Make way for the synth on a festive tune; final military drum with a Genesisian sound vibrating with memories before gradually fading away, great moment.

"Faces (First Contact Tapes)" for my choice to chronicle these 'vulgurus tapes': a bucolic, dithyrambic and hypnotic flight, an instrumental madness, an energetic progressive symphony, a space where feelings juggle with sound waves, where notes surf languorous, festive, intimate climates; an epic title that you just have to listen to, indescribable in words. The finale returns to the typical sound but it must be admitted that we have here a pure product of Antony de KARFAGEN, my opinion to chronicle these falls. "Summer Dream" to settle down with a melancholic piano-keyboard melody, a moment to imagine hearing Antony playing close to you.

The bonus CD, featuring the music of Max VELYCHKO: "Alone in the Field" arpeggio dark guitar flowing over embers, vibrant bass accentuating the effect of a Scandinavian folk melody, perhaps from the Balkans; cover yourself the wind is coming over and "Snow" the snow will fall; you have these flakes before you with this crystalline title, reverberation of the icy stars intertwining and forming this soft immaculate felted landscape; the air is more ambient, intimate and relaxing; close your eyes and "Red Moon" appears at the bend of a range; its electro, glacial, we have gone beyond the atmosphere; tune with high percussion to ramble a little more on this dark prog bonus; piano and choirs come to chat for the icy finale. "Morning View" as a cinematic space, spatial BOF, slow cold and dark melody which brightens your brain after this journey out of time and these delicate sounds full of sensitivity; the real or sampled Cello adding a more intimate note.

KARFAGEN, symbol of glory and wisdom which offers symphonic rock art, often orchestral.