ANTONY KALUGIN

As with Marshmallow Moondust, released the previous year, Stellar Gardener is structured around two epic tracks, each lasting twenty minutes and forming the heart of the album. The cover, with its space-themed aesthetic, hints at a deeply atmospheric musical journey. In this work, keyboards take center stage, while guitars play a more complementary role, creating a sophisticated sonic texture. Kalugin's ability to compose melodies that transition between introspective and dense moments remains one of his greatest virtues.

The album also carries a profound emotional layer. Dedicated to the memory of his mother, Irina Kalugina, who passed away in December 2020, Stellar Gardener is a heartfelt tribute. In the liner notes, Kalugin writes: "In memory of my mother, Irina Kalugina (July 15, 1958 ? December 11, 2020). You will always be my stellar gardener." This dedication imbues the album with an emotional resonance that permeates it from beginning to end.

The first epic, "Stellar," begins with Kalugin's signature touch: a grand plunge into symphonic music. Over the course of its twenty minutes, the musician guides us through a rich and varied soundscape, alternating between meditative atmospheres and more intense, dense passages. Echoes of Camel and Mike Oldfield are unmistakable but always reinterpreted uniquely by Kalugin. On this album, the keyboards dominate more than in its predecessor, offering an impeccable and cohesive piece marked by a subtler and less grandiose approach ? a detail that only enhances its sophistication.

"Gardener" is equally atmospheric but carries greater overall intensity. The opening chords evoke Rick Wakeman's style, while the synthesizers adopt a more dynamic tone, and the guitars take on a more prominent presence. The track masterfully balances moments of energy and softness, incorporating vocal harmonies that add a touch of melancholy and sweetness. There is also the use of violin (simulated through keyboards), which elevates the music's emotional depth. The central section surprises with a jazzy twist before gradually building in intensity, culminating in a robust and impactful symphonic progressive rock climax. This crescendo fully satisfies listeners seeking more weight in the album. The closing then returns to the serenity that marks the beginning of the work.

Stellar Gardener is undoubtedly an emotional and musical rollercoaster that never loses its symphonic essence. The album also includes four bonus tracks that condense the two main epics into shorter versions. However, for those who dive fully into the work, the complete epics are essential to experiencing the full magic Kalugin is capable of creating. In the end, Stellar Gardener is not just another album; it is a deeply personal work and a celebration of Irina Kalugina's memory.

On this new solo album Kalugin played on the keyboards and synthesizer and he does the drum programming and percussion. Guest musician is Max Velychko on electric guitar, his sound has strong hints from David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). The 10 compositions are in general pretty laidback, lots of atmospheres between dreamy and slow rhythms with mellow climates, the focus is on colouring the music with pleasant work on keyboards and guitar, it all sounds very melodic and harmonic. My highlights.

First piano and spacey keyboards, then a slow rhythm, in a beautiful dreamy atmosphere, embellished with Mellotron choirs, moving guitar runs, jazzy piano solo and a fluent synthesizer solo in Rebirth.

This track entitled White Castle features an ethnic flavour with the guitars, blended with Mellotron choirs, very tasteful and captivating.

In Night Visions a tight beat, in a mid-tempo, with strong and varied guitar play, from tender to heavy.

A dreamy climate that contains lots of Floydian guitar, and finally a howling guitar solo in Broken Promises.

The final composition Coming Home starts with tender piano, then a sensitive electric guitar, in a slow rhythm, gradually the sound turns into more lush sound and powerful guitar, then again mellow and finally a build up to slow and compelling with moving guitar.

A wonderful laidback album that sounds as a pleasant dream, made in a nightmarish situation.

My rating: 3,5.

Well he's done it again. Only this time, for some reason, for me its even more boring. Tracks like 'Planets' you wouldn't be surprised to hear in the channel directory on an old hotel TV, or hold music while you're 47th in the queue on the phone to your bank. Some others could easily be copyright free stock corporate presentation jingles. Its incredibly frustrating, because it could be so much better.

Judging by the ratings and reviews on Kalugin & Karfagen's albums there are a core of fans who clearly see something more than I do.

If you want bland and inoffensive, listen to his other albums. If you fancy a bit of offensively bland, give this a listen.

The second track 'Journey to a Shrine' is the long track clocking near 11 minutes. As anyone who has read my previous reviews knows I love the journey of music, which is what this is. Flowing through many subtleties, this track winds and traverses a road that is a true pleasure to be lost in. There is a middle-east flavour in this chapter. Approximately 5 minutes in, the most intricate and subtle guitar is played until the full bodied electric chords with heartfelt vigor ensues. Finishing off with Olga's ethereal vocals and a crescendo of keyboards.

The third track 'Hymn of Hope' is a positive and endearing track starting with piano and mandolin style guitar. The music mirrors the title perfectly. Antony and Max are a perfect match, complimenting and expanding each other. So good to hear Olga singing again with her angelic voice enhancing the already fulfilling composition.

This release was a surprise coming out not long after 'Rebirth'. Yes, my only complaint is that it is not a full album. As this is a preview of what will be a full album, it gives a great indication of what it will be coming. An intriguing taster to wet your appetite.

Antony handles keyboards, synth guitars and programming while the electric guitar is played by Max Velychko. That's a rewarding deal indeed: Max has added organic strength that would perhaps be lacking if Antony had done everything by himself. Compared to the albums with the epic structure of 20-minute suites, Rebirth that consists of ten tracks (only 7:34 at longest) understandably doesn't attempt to be as symphonic. This approach covered the half of the preceding album Chameleon Shapeshifter (2021) in which the shorter pieces were somewhat inferior to the gorgeous epic piece. In that sense I feel Antony has now succeeded better as a composer of regular length pieces.

I enjoy the bright keyboard sounds on the opening track 'Rebirth', and the fine melody is nicely bouncing between keys and electric guitar. 'Planets' -- as the album as a whole -- makes me think of some post-80's MIKE OLDFIELD albums such as Songs from Distant Earth. 'Days of Joy' is, as the title suggests, among the most light-hearted pieces and pretty enjoyable. 'White Castle' features sounds that lead your imagination to bygone times and exotic places like Alhambra. A bit of BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, a bit of LOREENA McKENNITT (without vocals).

The entire album is very accessible and melodic, which shouldn't be seen as a weakness per se -- not even on a prog site. The melodies are beautiful in their sincerity, for example on the nocturnally sensual 'Night Visions' and the laid back 'Sky Lines'. 'Broken Promises' has a bit darker mood, but the album is finished by 'Coming Home' that radiates hope. Rebirth is a balanced and coherent album of light instrumental prog, easily worth four stars in my opinion. It manages to have a distinctive, warm and positive personality among Antony Kalugin's ever-expanding discography.

The first track, 'Rebirth' introduces us to this new change. It jumps straight in and you get the vibe straight away where this music is heading. It would not be a Antony Kalugin album if there wasn't a track that included Space. Hence that is what we have with the second track, 'Planets' which opens with this percussion that reminds me of composer Gustav Holst's 'Mars'. Of course we get that empty feeling that there is a sea of space in between our planets. 'Days of Joy' is a sprightly piece, the name says it all. 'White Castle' is a true joy. A medieval theme, maybe something you would hear from Steve Howe or Rick Wakeman. 'Solstice' is an uplifting tune that reminds me of a festival, a tune for celebration. 'Night Visions' gives you that feeling of overlooking a city at night watching all the lights, the busy nightlife flourishing. 'Skylines' is a happy tune with a hint of medieval through the wonderful acoustic guitar of Max Velychko. 'Broken Promises' is to me probably the most prog track on this album. It has slight hints of Pink Floyd. Please note, 'slight'. This has a nice moody atmosphere where I am a little reminded of 'Echoes'. A truly chill out tune that builds to a nice crescendo. 'Nights of Wonder' could be a second chapter to 'Night Visions'. Maybe it is a reminder of those magical nights with friends that live with you forever. 'Coming Home', the final track I hope would be the anthem for all the displaced victims from Ukraine for when they finally come home to their country in peace and prosperity. This track has a feeling of triumph and overcoming adversity.

As with every album of Antony's, each has it's own themes and character whether it is Karfagen, Sunchild or his own solo works. If I was to describe this album in one word, I would choose 'Effervescent'. Considering the horrific events that Antony and his family have had to endure, this album is a surprise because after such, you would think a darker mood of an album would occur. However that is not the case here. Antony I think has such a positive spirit, he is above the darkness that has enveloped his country.

That said, this review is not about that. It is about his new record "Rebirth". I will be giving my opinion about the music solely.

Labelled here as symphonic prog, I find it all a bit slick. And not very surprising. It found inspiration in groups like Pink Floyd, but then the 80s and 90s Gilmour dominated sound. Especially the guitar is almost as if Gilmour himself is playing. The accompanying synths do the rest to give that Floyd feel. And sometimes I also hear a bit of Focus and Akkerman. For instance with a day of joy.

It sounds pleasant, though it is not my favourite type of prog, which I really like to be a bit edgier and more adventurous. That said, it is a good listen. For fans of this particular genre. I rate it 2 stars.

One cd in particular was proving very popular with our Caerllysi customers, which musically lit a flame that burned brightly for both of us. Antony's pre "The Water" days is a vast Aladdin's cave of delicious melodic pieces that, when revisited, we both felt had the sound foundations would make great music for 2022.

Antony, with time weighing heavily, trapped in a sort of groundhog day existence, duly sorted out the tracks he would use for the album from these vaults and asked his great friend Max Velychko to play guitar on the album, he would add additional keyboards plus other sounds and expand musically, where required, plus mix and master using his production skills to look to create a dynamic uplifting melodic instrumental album fit for today's listener.

From the moment we heard the demo of the opening section to the title track we both knew it was an amazing musical success and exactly what the doctor ordered to lift our spirits and carry on his fight for freedom and to live again in peace.

The second disc the "Land of Gold and Green" bonus disk has been incredibly popular and available for some time now digitally. We have always assured folk that, when the time allowed, it we would make it available on disc as well for the multitude out there. As always we keep our promises to you, our faithful supporters, and hope that long may that relationship prosper and grow.

Antony and his family are now safely in Poland for the time being so share his happiness via his music hope you enjoy lots of love and peace.

Will Caerllysi Music