POINTS OF LIBRATION

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, even prog groups that had attained some level of success - ie made a living from their releases and live performances - were leaving the industry, dispatched in a fit of expletives by the arena rock, punk and new wave movements while reflexive critics hailed the long overdue demise of the genre. Well, history has been lenient in the intervening decades and many of those artists have reformed for at least an album or two if not a more extended run. Even more miraculous is the return of groups who, by combination of poor timing and lack of promotion, never even managed cult status at the time. Such is the case with ASIA MINOR, a France based Turkish act, who issued two albums around the turn of the 1980s, and sadly had to leave this dream behind in favor of a proper career.

Their 1981 production, "Between Flesh and Divine", has gained well deserved minor classic status with its artful blend of CAMEL, JADE WARRIOR, KING CRIMSON and middle eastern influences, and probably sold far more as a CD reissue than it ever did in its initial run. Still, after nearly 40 years of recorded silence, reformation in 2014 notwithstanding, only the most optimistic could have even uttered hope of anything new, but love of music is still love, and this devotion has gifted us "Points of Libration" in 2021. Setrak Bakirel and Eril Tekeli are back, with their distinctive voices, guitars and flute still defining the ASIA MINOR sound and yet updating it in meaningful ways. This is apparent from the opening segment of the thoughtful "Deadline of a Lifetime" with its heavenly fretless bass and only gathers pace from there.

Incorporating aspects of both of their prior productions, "Points of Libration" is shaded towards ASIA MINOR's mellower side, conveying a dreamy ambiance to many of the pieces, directed by melodic lead guitar and flute soloing but filled out with keys including mellotron strings, at their best on the self referential "Crossing in Between". Tunes like "Urban Silk" and "Oriental Game" are bathed in a jazzy arrangement, while others like "Twister" and "Melancholia's Kingdom" manage to generate a suave swing which drives the diversity, fully compensating for the complete lack of hard rock interludes. The vocals may not be in perfectly accented English or supporting a wide technical range but they do consummate the arrangements and vice versa. The final number is the breathlessly accomplished "Radio Hatirasi", which is the only one sung in Turkish and accentuates the group's roots musically as well.

I cannot over emphasize how impossibly good this sounds, as triumphant a reunion as can be hoped for let alone imagined, and proof of the irrepressible spirit of prog. Take that, critics.

"Points of Libration" is the third full-length studio album by French/Turkish progressive rock act Asia Minor. The album was released through the Belle Antique label in Japan and through AMS Records in Europe in December 2020/January 2021. Asia Minor formed in 1973 when Turkish students Setrak Bakirel (vocals, guitar) and Eril Tekeli (flute, guitar) settled in France and met drummer/percussionist Lionel Beltrami. After releasing "Crossing The Line" (1979) and "Between Flesh And Divine" (1980) Asia Minor disbanded. However fan demand and support made a 2013 reunion possible although Beltrami didn´t return. Instead Bakirel and Tekeli recruited Julien Tekeyan (drums), Evelyne Kandel (bass), and Micha Rousseau (keyboards).

Stylistically the material on "Points of Libration" continues the progressive rock style of the two preceding albums, almost as if 40 years haven´t gone by since the release of "Between Flesh And Divine". The flute is still an important element of the band´s sound and the vocals are as anonymous as they were on the earlier releases. They are decent but nothing out of the ordinary. There are a few musical nods toward the two main men´s Turkish origins but it´s not a dominant musical element. It´s still the mellow, melodic, and at times slightly more epic and atmospheric music of Camel (and to a lesser extent Jethro Tull) that I´m mostly reminded of.

Asia Minor are a well playing unit and "Points of Libration" is not one of those tired and unneccesary comeback releases, that you often encounter. It doesn´t quite reach the heights of the two albums released during Asia Minor´s original run, but it´s a pretty strong comeback release and a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.