TEE "The Earth Explorer"

TEE is a five piece flute front progressive rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Their so-called 'European' sound is unique considering their far-east origin. The imaginative tunes with complex ensembles and rhythms will definitely catch the attention of prog lovers all over the world. Their sound will remind you bands like Camel, King Crimson, Asia Minor or even Frank Zappa on some parts. The band was formed in 2004 when... more

Kevin BARTLETT

You may not know his name but you have definitely heard his music more than once or twice in your life. Maybe on HBO, or on MTV, or on VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel. Doesn't ring the bell? How about American Idol Rewind, or Dr. 90210? We had interviewed Kevin Bartlett a couple of years ago when his second solo album GLOW IN THE DARK was released. Bartlett has been quiet since that time but but he has been secretly brewing new projects. A few months ago he had put a new song...more

Peter Hammill, founding member of Van Der Graaf Generator, released his 28th solo album " nearly 3 months ago. He recently got back home from a short tour covering North America, Canada and Italy. In the 70's when bands like...more

FRIGHT PIG Barque At The Lune *** REVERSAL OF GRAVITY Scuba Gear ***

NARROW PASS / A ROOM OF THE FAIRY QUEEN'S

Narrow Pass is the project of Italian multi-instrumentalist Mauro Montobbio’s, and joining him on this CD, another multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Valeria Caucino. Their music is a mixture of rock/ambient/celtic and new age. Mostly sounds like a fusion of Marillion, Camel, Pink Floyd and Irish folk songs.

The CD starts with the song “Earth”, with a smooth sax intro in an ambient environment, then comes the voice speaking in French (I am searching for life, it hides in the dreams…time will help find it etc. were the words I was able to catch). The sound of harp mixed with percussions builds up a more medieval sound. Which is pretty cool. The Irish atmosphere intensifies with “A Room of the Fairy Queen’s”, and Valeria’s vocals really fit that.

A switch in genre begins with “The Lord of the Headline”; with Alessandro CORVAGLIA’s (I am assuming that is him on vocals because I was not able to find detailed information about the other musicians involved) vocals. His voice is pretty interesting, somewhere between Phil Collins (Genesis) and Fish (Marillion / The Company). The song reminds me of Marillion’s albums in the 80’s, but then again it also has strong Camel influences.

Going back to Celtic lands with “The Lake” with the sounds of the pipes and flute, and you can almost smell the rain falling on the lake. This instrumental piece ends with the thunder. Another instrumental song follows it with a more Marillion-like sound. This is a very short one, only 1:47 minutes long, and has a sudden, unexpected ending. Next two songs carry traces of early Genesis, Camel and Marillion, especially “Wake Up”, sounds very much like it could have been on “Misplaced Childhood”.

The CD ends with a beautiful duet. It is called “Into The Light”. The parts sang by Corvaglia are like soft, slow rock ballad while Valeria’s parts are new age/folk. The musicianship is great, and although English is not their mother language, I think the lyrics they wrote are pretty neat too. You can purchase this album at:www.narrowpass.net

STEPHANIE BUTLER