Music Street Journal - Music News & Reviews

Christian Welde Illuminate Review by Gary Hill This is a good fit under progressive rock, but it’s got plenty of things like classical and jazz in the mix. One of the vocalists who guests on this disc has been featured on Pink Floyd albums. That would make this of interest to fans of Pink Floyd. I’d say the music itself would, too. There are connections to that sound for sure. This is quite a strong set that leans toward the theatrical side at times. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

Intro Electronic and symphonic in texture and tone, classical musical elements merge with powerful instrumental prog on this piece.

Cloudburst Although not a huge change, this has more rock in the mix. The saxophone adds a lot to it, too.

When Night Falls feat. Durga McBroom-Hudson This is very theatrical and dramatic. There is a lot of classical music built into it. The vocals are powerful. I would consider this the very essence of powerful and dynamic art rock. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the disc. Given the quality throughout, that says a lot.

Through the Dark feat. Ole Jacob Hystad Seeming to combine jazz and classical, this is such a powerful piece of music. It’s dramatic and quite intense.

First Steps This is less than a minute long. It’s quite pretty, but definitely more of a connecting piece than anything else.

Stratocumulus feat. Roger Pedersen/Ole Jacob Hystad Although not a big change, this is another satisfying piece of instrumental prog. It has a lot of jazz and some space music built into it.

Air This keyboard piece reminds me a lot of something Vangelis might do. It’s quite pretty and also a bit on the dramatic side.

Illuminate (feat Durga McBroom-Hudson) There is definitely a dreamy vibe here. The vocals really soar. The sax weaves magic, too. This is another highlight for sure. It does call to mind Pink Floyd quite a bit, really.

You Will See Winter Turn to Spring This is a very short and pretty instrumental. It continues the same basic combination of sounds we’ve heard throughout.

Does It Really Matter Anymore? This is one of my favorite pieces of the whole set. It has some evocative musical passages. It also has great guitar soloing. It is particularly powerful instrumental prog.

Cumulus Atmospheric and textural, this is pretty. It calls to mind Phillip Glass and also Vangelis.

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