INDREK PATTE

Estonian composer and musician Indrek PATTE is a veteran of the Estonian rock movement, and a rather well-known figure in his national scene too, if what the newspaper stories I have seen up from various Estonian newspapers about him are anything to go by. Legendary ? a word that appears now and then in these. He's been a member of a number of different bands over the years, and has built a solid reputation as a studio engineer and producer as well. As a solo artist he made his debut in 2012 with the CD "Celebration". Two years later he returned with "Thank and Share", and, like his initial album, it was released through Strangiato Records, a subdivision of the Estonian label Hyper Records.

"Thank and Share" comes across as a well developed album by an artist secure in what kind of music he desires to create and how he is going about to create it. The material is accessible yet sophisticated, and bears similarities and tendencies to neo progressive rock, vintage symphonic progressive rock and AOR-ish hard rock all alike. I'd hazard a guess that those who love and treasure their Pendragon just as much as Neal Morse and the various incarnations of Yes should find this album to be a rather intriguing one.

Born in 1959 in Antsla, Estonia, Indrek Patte loved the sound of English Rock groups since the age of 7.However he had to wait for over 10 years to write his own material within the comfort of a band, forming Linnu Tee in late-70's.The 80's were prooved to be quite busy, besides his activity with Linnu Tee he was also involved briefly in the core of legendary Estonian Rockers Ruja, while working also as a recording engineer and producer at the Matrix Studios in Tallinn.He also wrote music for films, but his love for Prog Rock led him to the recordings of his first true Prog album in 2011, ''Celebration'', released on the local Strangiato label.He played keyboards, guitars and sung in the album, helped by a line-up of 10 musicians, among them his long-time bandmate on Linnu Tee, guitarist Raul Jaanson.

At the time Patte had declared himself as a Christian, so lyrically ''Celebration'' deals with religious themes and lyrics.Soundwise though this was a huge surprise, an unknown Estonian multi-instrumentalist produced a work along the best lines of NEAL MORSE and symphonic PENDRAGON, propelled by a tremendous production and an excellent supporting band.Patte's music is at least fascinating.His true love for 70's Prog Rock and his updated services with the current Rock scene led to an amazing set of tracks within the Neo/Symphonic Prog territory, containing impressive melodies, romantic passges, hard-hitting guitar moves and huge symphonic waves.He hadn't become the lead singer of Ruja by accident, his voice is flawless, warm and powerful when needed, while his composing skills are awesome.The tracks are not very long, but they are filled with superb keyboard flashing, beautiful guitar lines and elegant piano interludes, while he never forgets to rock a bit at moments.SPOCK'S BEARD's diversity also come to mind during the listening, although Patte's instrumentation lacks a vintage depth and shows a tendency towards a more modern keyboard-based sound.And yes, there are also some great tempo changes, electroacoustic fanfares and complex themes to be found, this was defibitely an unexpected gift from the Baltic lands.

Pretty awesome Neo/Symphonic Prog, created by an overlooked but talented composer.On par with the works of SPOCK'S BEARD, IQ, PENDRAGON, CHRIS and NEAL MORSE.Striking melodies, quirky guitar chops, fascinating keyboard lines.A great and highly recommended package of elaborate progressive offerings.

Estonian multi-instrumentalist Indrek Patte draws in a range of guest artists and friends to perform on this neo-prog album with hints of Genesis, Marillion, and Pendragon being the ain influences I hear - but given a unique twist thanks to Patte's keyboard work, which in places draws a lot on the style Tangerine Dream adopted by the early 1980s to add a range of textures not often heard in neo-prog material. You Stay With Me, with its mingling of heavy guitar, accessible power pop/AOR vocals, and neo-prog keyboard work, is perhaps the track which encapsulates the album's approach the best. Solid but not game-changing.

Patte lists many idols in prog: Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant, Marillion, Dream Theater and Neal Morse. And one really can hear them all in his music. There's not a single detail that would give away his nationality (Estonian). The production is excellent, and the arrangements (by Patte) are also sophisticated. Co-musicians play e.g. flute, cello and saxophone, while Patte himself plays keyboards, 12-string and percussion. this album almost feels like a tribute to his idols. The two first songs are very Genesis-like ('Learn to Live' even actually copies the arrangement ideas of 'A Trick of the Tail', but does so in a pleasant style), the third reminds me of IQ, and in 'One Way' he clearly nods to Gentle Giant, especially with multilayered vocals.

Towards the end there come some less interesting songs that feel like 80's commercial hard rock. Also Patte's pretentious voice (somewhere between Neal Morse and Little Steven) helps that association. Ther long title track in the end includes a section in the lyrics ("all that you...") very reminiscent of Floyd's 'Eclipse', otherwise the track has the ambitious pomposity of a Pendragon epic. So, as you guessed, not very original work, but quite enjoyable nevertheless, if you like Genesis-influenced neo-prog. There are some Christian overtones in the album but definitely not too emphasised.

Estonian composer and instrumentalist Indrek PATTE is apparently one of the veterans of the local Estonian rock scene, being a member of or involved with a number of bands dating all the way back to the 70's. "Celebration" marks his debut as a solo artist, and was released through the Estonian progressive rock oriented label Strangiato Records in 2011.

Indrek Patte's solo debut "Celebration" comes across as a production that celebrates 70's oriented progressive and pomp rock both, featuring compositions of a purebred symphonic art rock character just as much as numbers with more of a straightforward, AOR oriented expression. Fans of artists such as Spock's Beard and Ambrosia might be something of a key audience for this CD, although I'd imagine that quite a few with a soft spot for the likes of Genesis might find this one to be of interest too.

Do you like the band Genesis period 1971 - 1976's? If you like it, then this CD is for you. From the first notes we plunge into the atmosphere of Genesis: first key in the spirit of Tony Banks, then the powerful sound of the period Lamb Lies Down On Brodway.

Mature, sound and competent work to lovers sound of the seventies. Each song echoes that of Nursery Crime, then suddenly from Selling England By The Pound and absolutely as if not to the point of And Then There Were Three ..!! But! All of this is glued together very harmoniously and efficiently. Sometimes there is a feeling that you listen to your favorite brand new disk group GENESIS. Collected on one disc all the work group for the period of 1970-1980. No secondary and cloning. All the material is unique and of high grade. I am sure that fans of Genesis are very happy to have in their COLLECTIONS this wonderful masterpiece Symphonic Prog old school from England!