THE PROG COLLECTIVE: EPILOGUE

Even though many of the people who were involved in the first Prog Collective release return here for a second round, this sequel is rather different musically; less Symphonic and more Space Rock. I am reminded of bands like Nektar, Eloy, and Hawkwind which is perhaps not surprising given that Roye Albrighton from Nektar and Nik Turner from Hawkwind show up for the gathering. While listening to some of these songs one can easily imagine the "Prog collective" travelling through deep space on their way to colonize alien planets. Even William Shatner of Star Trek fame is involved!

Like on the first Prog Collective album lead vocals are by various people on different tracks. Returning vocalists include Colin Moulding, John Wetton, and Alan Parsons. New appearances include Fee Waybill who sings lead on Adding Fuel To The Fire which sounds like Lemmy-era Hawkwind (only much better!). Sonja Kristina from Curved Air provides vocals on Tomorrow Becomes Today while the aforementioned Roye Albrighton sings on Memory Tracks which is pure Nekar even though I find it too long for its own good and at least a minute could easily have been shaved off it with no loss of value. Billy Sherwood again acts as the creative leader of the whole project and he himself provides vocals to some tracks.

Impressively, Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, and Geoff Downes are all here, which means that every Yes keyboard player from the 1960's through the 1990's is here! In addition, Chris Squire and Peter Banks are again present bringing the total Yes members up to seven! Banks passed away not long after this recording which became one of his last. Mel Collins of King Crimson/21st Century Schizoid Band and Camel, contributes some nice sax and Nik Turner flute and sax which brings an element not present at all on the first Prog Collective record. No less than three guitar playing Steves are involved: Steve Hillage, Steve Morse, and Steve Stevens!

Like the first Prog Collective album, Epilogue is also somewhat disjointed. The songs are generally good but some of the songs don't really fit in among the others. Shining Diamonds sounds a bit like early Yes with some really cool keyboard work by Patrick Moraz. Just Another Day featuring Tony Kaye is in this category as well which doesn't fit so well with the general Space Rock orientation of the album. Nonetheless, this is a fun and enjoyable, although somewhat sprawling, album oozing with diverse talent.

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