HOURGLASS

Third album (and third review) for master keyboardist Ben Bell, a seasoned player who has graced a multitude of fabulous albums from artists such as Drifting Sun, Kashgar, Gandalf's Fist, Broken Parachute, Tom Slatter and Fusion Orchestra. His previous recording, 2016's "Five of Cups" was an excellent work which garnered high praise on many sites, accentuating not only his superlative ivory tickling technique on piano, organ and synthesizers but also a rather skillful vocalist to boot. "Hourglass" is therefore 7 years in the making, and it has all the requirements for surpassing his previous efforts, as tasty as those already were. Ben is ably assisted by drummer James Chapman on 4 tracks as well as featuring the current wunderkind of Prog, the incredible Pat Sanders of Drifting Sun (we are all pals allegedly) doing a Moog solo on one piece. The album is tentatively to be released on May 1, 2024, but I got an advance copy to review. Ah, connections, connections.

"Wake Up "could very easily be a dawn's early light etude on piano, a gentle awakening from the torpor of rest, ready to face a new day with all its intricacies, even in routine. A fitting segue into the first of three epic tracks, "Carpe Diem", seizing the day in Latin, where the gleaming ivories resonate with new found vigor, the athletic drums in full support, the solo voice ably assisted by choir manifestations, even daring to hit those very high notes with apparent ability. Clanging guitars blend well with the tingling piano, staying true to the intense arrangement that exudes awareness, with dreamy transitions that remind the listener that the clock is ticking. Ben's vocal skills are seriously on par with his talent on multiple instruments, the man can play like the wind, but the voice is quite impressive.

The first of two short "Promenade" pieces provide moments of reflective introspection, the piano setting the stage for "Blind Faith", the second 10 minute+ rocking extravaganza, where the wicked Hammond organ now takes the spotlight, Ben is regarded as one of the finest in Progland, and the raging arrangement is the ideal platform for an initial synthesizer flurry from Sanders, setting up his pal on the churning beast with a series of wandering bursts. Ben tosses in some grittier vocal lines, electric guitar ablaze, as the pace subtly morphs into another choir fantasy, symphonic in its melodic bearing before collapsing into a dissonant vapor. The disillusionment of failed trust.

The childlike piano on "My Home Is Tomorrow" is hopefully positive 'as the road stretches onwards', but the voice becomes agonizingly intense, the tempestuous organ blast even more incendiary, the glowing Moog embers billowing like ashes falling from the skies. The sizzling guitar scorches mercilessly, the drums pounding in unabashed fury. Once again, saner minds prevail as the dust settles, the ornate piano and the voice now delicately in acceptant submission. The cymbals thrash as if to say goodbye to today.

"Promenade 2" is quite different, gently insistent chaos, perhaps inspiring some kind of maritime accident, as the third epic "Castaway" kicks into gear. The delirious electric guitar splashes onto the cosmic beach, a bruising bass undertow and drum concussions, like coconuts dropping from the sky. This is the longest track, a vivid solitary musical adventure, 'drifting into serenity', letting the axe lead the way, as the raising vocal growl implies a certain finality, perhaps even anxiety. A gust of sonic wind and the ambient piano waltzes over the electronic orchestrations, a bright disposition that still carries a sense of impending consequence. The elegant keyboard spins its soothing magic remarkably until it gets shoved aside by the organ tormenter, obstinate and ominous, as the stormy arrangement transitions back into density and courage in the face of despair. A furious guitar swerve sets the sun back in its hiding place, as "Wake Up (reprise)" recalls the infallible notion that night has once again arrived and perhaps, the time has come to rest those bones beside the fire.

4.5 flowing sands