POINTS OF LIBRATION

"Points of Libration" is the third full-length studio album by French/Turkish progressive rock act Asia Minor. The album was released through the Belle Antique label in Japan and through AMS Records in Europe in December 2020/January 2021. Asia Minor formed in 1973 when Turkish students Setrak Bakirel (vocals, guitar) and Eril Tekeli (flute, guitar) settled in France and met drummer/percussionist Lionel Beltrami. After releasing "Crossing The Line" (1979) and "Between Flesh And Divine" (1980) Asia Minor disbanded. However fan demand and support made a 2013 reunion possible although Beltrami didn´t return. Instead Bakirel and Tekeli recruited Julien Tekeyan (drums), Evelyne Kandel (bass), and Micha Rousseau (keyboards).

Stylistically the material on "Points of Libration" continues the progressive rock style of the two preceding albums, almost as if 40 years haven´t gone by since the release of "Between Flesh And Divine". The flute is still an important element of the band´s sound and the vocals are as anonymous as they were on the earlier releases. They are decent but nothing out of the ordinary. There are a few musical nods toward the two main men´s Turkish origins but it´s not a dominant musical element. It´s still the mellow, melodic, and at times slightly more epic and atmospheric music of Camel (and to a lesser extent Jethro Tull) that I´m mostly reminded of.

Asia Minor are a well playing unit and "Points of Libration" is not one of those tired and unneccesary comeback releases, that you often encounter. It doesn´t quite reach the heights of the two albums released during Asia Minor´s original run, but it´s a pretty strong comeback release and a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

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