DOUG WOODS & COLIN POWELL

Doug Woods & Colin Powell's ways to compose at distance could well become a big issue, but at the end of the day, as always, results speak louder than methods, so I would not dwell in theirs.

More in tune with the contemporary Progressive Electronic tagging than the Symphonic/Prog one, this very well accomplished release, has in its backbone those "aerial atmospheres" directly related with that first prog sub-genre and underlining contemporary due to its all inclusive, sampled acoustic/electronic instrumentation, opposite to the "only synths" of earlier prog/electronic works.

"Seven Days", 2016, they promise, seven days they deliver. Seven 10+- minutes compositions named after each day of the week. Each day owns its sonic identity to floating, ethereal, drone like melody lines which construct an up front abstract mood according to these musician's taste and skills for each collaboration.

Music wise, its underlying subtleness and elegance, could hardly appeal to fast -paced hard heads, therefore do not expect such a thing.

Vibrant, creative, heartfelt, even minimalistic most of the times, its brainstorm of ideas never ceases to explore its own possibilities, therefore surprises are abundant in each song. Its daring nature is shown all way through in its very personal low-keyed, contemplative approach more than in its unexistent and always expected symphonic/prog "fireworks".

Elegant, hypnotic and sober yet non-stop creative, this release is well worth its acquisition and better yet a place in my collection. What else? As mentioned, do not expect Symphonic Prog like music nor any kind of relation to this sub-genre's bands or solo artists and by far,.... really far!

****4 PA stars.