SMPT:E

TRANSATLANTIC are a memorable supergroup formed in 1999 by ex-SPOCK'S BEARD main figure Neal Morse and DREAM THEATER's overcreative drummer Mike Portnoy,who recruited MARILLION's Peter Trewavas on bass and THE FLOWER KINGS'/KAIPA's leader Roine Stolt on guitars.''SMPTe'' was released a year later and it was what exactly progressive rock needed:A modern and fresh progressive rock album with qualitive musicianship,beautiful epics,killer individual performances,nice melodies and a vintage 70's like sound,especially in PROCOL HARUM's excellent cover version of ''In held (twas )in I''.The rest of the tracks (four that is) is a masterful combination of GENESIS' powerful softness,JETHRO TULL's energy,PINK FLOYD's atmosphere,YES' diversity and THE BEATLES' cleverness with nice moods,melodies and arrangements.A highly recommended work with classic prog inspiration,especially if you want to check out what progressive rock is all about.