EMKOG SAMPLER

This special compilation represents Dan Britton's involvement in several bands in a rather compact way. I must admit I'm completely new here, never had listened to his compositions before. When starting to get into this the first conclusion was quickly obvious for me: he seems to be a restless contemporary, based on a well thought out schedule, seemingly living with and for music, mainly progressive rock music to be exact. Concerning the nine tracks included (some are excerpts or mastered differently) we have a time window starting around the year 2005 and ending in 2015 or so. Which means this also comprises demos and early versions of forthcoming music.

Two or three listening sessions are surely not enough to digest this tricky stuff which stylistically unites symphonic, folk and jazz rock elements, to call up the main ingredients. Where Dan Britton cares for keyboards and some guitars all the way through you will also find Patrick Gaffney (drums) and Brett d'Anon (bass) frequently listed when checking the line-up of the diverse productions from which the tracks were picked up. The musical trip starts off with two uptempo songs. Deluge Grander's The Solitude Of Miranda is provided with a solid symphonic fundament (Steve Howe reminiscent guitars included) and some ethno coloured folk elements, presented in a rather eclectic way.

Taken from Birds And Buildings' highly acclaimed 'Bantam To Behemoth' Birds Flying Into Buildings makes up the album's fireworks so to say - a captivating, energetic one, turns and breaks en masse, brimful of life. In order to facilitate some time to relax furtheron the next one Art Of the Earth comes from a new project called All Over Everywhere, basically a dreamy psych/folk song decorated with nice female vocals. Nine Against Ten appears as a pleasant heavy fusion thing really, recorded by the band Cerebus Effect. High speed performance guaranteed - but also decorated with a floating inner part where bassist Mike Galway shows his talent.

Not promoted as that but 'Emkog' could probably be treated as a best of compilation ... even despite the fact that you will stumble across twenty minutes of forthcoming music, seemingly inspired by classical music, recorded for a new Deluge Grander album and another collaboration named Elevator Machine Room. Overall this is a successful promotion with a blend of relaxed and highly energetic tunes, however not for everyone's taste because short of common catchy moments - an adventure for a prog aficionado though and ideally suited when you intend to get closer to the aforementioned bands.