SOLAR POWER

I first came across these guys somewhere around the time of the release of their official debut album, and it is quite hard to realise that 'Trajectories' came out some ten years ago while the original three members Vassili Soloviev, Andy Didorenko and Aleksander Akimov met more than 20 years ago at a music conservatory in Moscow. Over the years there have been a few line-up changes and since 2009's 'Sources' they have become a trio with Andy Didorenko taking on even more responsibility (violins, guitars, bass, keyboard, vocal as well as providing all of the songs) while Vassili Soloviev is still there on flute with new member Konstantin Shtirlitz on drums. The biggest problem with this album is working out how best to describe it, as while I could list influences (King Crimson, Miles Davis, Kansas, After Crying, KBB plus many more) it just doesn't do justice to what is a wonderful collection of music.

There are times when the music is in perfect harmony, at others in imperfect dischord, yet at all times making perfect musical sense and daring the listener to sit down and concentrate on something that is a perfect meld of prog rock and jazz while being beholden to neither, and instead creates something that is quite different. The classical training and influences also come through at times, with a resulting mix and morass that is multi-layered and complex yet is also easy to work through. If one sometimes feels that a song or album is just like a snack, over way too quickly and being okay but not really filling, then take it from me that this is a feast. If you are musically adventurous and want something to get your teeth into then this is it. www.lostworldband.com

Russian constellation LOST WORLD BAND, previously known as Lost World, has been around in one form or another since 1990, making their official debut as recording artists back in 2003. A total of 4 studio albums and one live production have been released by this band as of the time of writing, and "Solar Power" from 2013 is their most recent one.

The fourth studio album by this fine Russian band is an impressive one too. Extremely hard to categorize, and featuring short, tight compositions sporting enough alterations, shifts and thematic developments to keep even the very attentive listener busy for quite some time just trying to follow events. Keeping track of them as well a task I'll just note down as challenging. Not that this is a chaotic album by any means, as all the songs flow nicely and logically through the myriads of changes, alterations and revisits of previously explored themes and arrangements. It's just that there's quite a lot going on here.

There's often a folk music sheen to the proceedings here. The violin used extensively throughout, with occasional flute details adding a certain emphasis to this aspect. Occasionally with the band more or less briefly taking on a sound that invites to namedropping Jethro Tull as a likely influence. Metamorphoses a nice example of just that, once the initial movement shifts. At other times there's more of a Floydian tinge to the proceedings, and King Crimson can probably be added to the stew of not unlikely influences. Gnarly dark toned guitar riff constructions dueling with violin is another aspect of this bands repertoire, and fans of jazzrock and fusion is thrown the occasional bone as well. All of this subtly flavored with electronic effects, and with build ups to more or less majestic symphonic escapades as a central, recurring feature in just about all the compositions.

It'll take plenty of listen throughs before this album sits in your mind, as there's quite a lot going on here. As I experience this disc I'd say that it will take something of an eclectic taste in music to be able to fully enjoy this one, and most likely a taste for music somewhat unconventional as well. But if you can subscribe to such descriptions, "Solar Power" is an album that should be a rewarding and enticing experience for you.

A talented group of musicians whose songs can be quite proggy and sophisticated but often tend toward simple and syrupy--especially when vocals are involved. For example, while the opening song, an instrumental entitled "The Voyage" (5:58) (9/10) remains polished and sophisticated--very much an eclectic- or fusion-type of prog song--very much like a FROM.UZ or KOTEBEL song--the second song, "Metamorphoses" (3:42) (7/10) revolves around a very simple (and strangely recorded/effected) vocal with some very simply constructed support music--until the ending instrumental jam. Also, there is something about the recording/engineering of Lost World Band's albums that seems to feel unpolished or home-made. For example--especially around the mix of the differently effected individual instruments. (I find myself especially bothered by the recording effects used for the vocals and the internally microphoned 'acoustic' guitars.) This could be a masterpiece of progressive rock music were it not for a few recording and qualitative inconsistencies. Granted, these may be entirely personal, but I'm wondering if others will find such poppy songs as "Facing The Rain" (3:56) (7/10), "Nothing" (3:13) (8/10) and "Your Name" (4:04) (6/10) a bit too cheezy and less than up to the standards of the other instrumental songs.

Favorite songs: the Fripp-sounding guitar and 70s RETURN TO FOREVER-sounding, "Detached" (3:42) (except for the 'acoustic' guitar) (9/10); the COPELAND-ish "At The Waterfront" (3:09) (9/10) with its excellent interplay between violin and piano; "The Voyage," and; "Swept Off" (4:35) (8/10).

A 3.5 star effort rated up for the excellent instrumental work--especially violin and keyboards.