BLUE

I feel like i've been reviewing a lot of 2 and 3 star albums of late so this is a pleasure to review something of this quality and sophistication. FINNEGANS WAKE originated in Belgium and while I haven't heard their earlier recordings I understand there is a strong Canterbury / Jazz flavour to them. This particular album has none of that really but fits perfectly in the Chamber Music school of music. UNIVERS ZERO would be a good reference, in fact Guy Segers from that band plays bass on the final track. Also on the same song Reginald Trigaux from PRESENT guests on guitar. The only negative for me are the female operatic vocals that appear on a few tracks, but thankfully there's not a lot of them. They do suit the music though I must admit.

"Honfleur La Jolie" opens with piano playing slowly as gentle guitar joins in. A full sound before 2 minutes then violin joins in. It settles again before kicking back in more powerful than ever. Nice. Violin is back before 5 minutes. "Die Geste Von Kreuzlingen" features those operatic female vocals early on with piano. It's dark as sounds come and go. Piano is back. Love the angular guitar. "Mida" opens with slicing violin as dark piano melodies and drums join in. The guitar is great after a minute. An intricate Chamber music soundscape takes over. Violin and drums change that 4 minutes in followed by horns. Guitar, violin and drums lead the rest of the way. "Luftspiel" is classical sounding with those operatic vocals.

"Blue" is led by violins early as aboe and bass help out. Organ follows along with percussion. This sounds so good after 2 1/2 minutes. A fuller sound arrives before 4 1/2 minutes. Great tune. "Ents And Things" is led by piano, drums and bass early .A nice dark sound with lots of bottom end is the result. It picks up. Guitar after 1 1/2 minutes. Aboe before 2 1/2 minutes as it settles right down. It picks up again with piano leading then turns heavy before 4 minutes. "Magical Cave" is one of my favourites. Piano, flute, horns, violin and aboe all come and go. Very intricate. Heavy guitar comes and goes as the sound builds. "The Battle Of Novgorod" is lead by piano, violin and drums to start. The tempo keeps shifting on this one. "Vulnavia" is dark and eerie to begin with. Vocals join in along with the odd metered drumming. Dissonant horns too.Amazing ! It brightens somewhat then turns dark again before 3 1/2 minutes to end it. "Agakuk" has a distinct UNIVERS ZERO flavour to it. I like the keyboards and the pulsating rhythm. Segers is prominant on bass. Trigaux comes in later. Just a great sounding track.

Easily 4 stars.