When Steve Howe left Asia again a few years ago, Sam Coulson took over as the guitarist in that band. This is his first solo album. It’s made up of Coulson’s interpretations of classical pieces. Much of this lands very clearly in the territory of classical music. There is enough rock here, though, and just the concept of this lends some progginess, to put it under progressive rock. If that wasn’t enough, Coulson’s membership in Asia solidifies this. This is a cool disc. Personally, I think I would have liked for it to take a few more chances and move a bit further beyond that classical end of the spectrum. The songs that do that a bit seem to work the best. All that said, though, it’s still quite a good release.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2016  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

This arrangement, with waves of sound over the top of an intricate picked guitar is so classy. It does a great job of merging the original classical textures with a more modern tapestry.