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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Kevin Kastning & Laszlo Gardony Levitation I Review by Gary Hill This is an intriguing release. It's an instrumental set featuring piano (Laszlo Gardony) and 36-String Double Gontraguitar (Kevin Kastning). This is not progressive rock in any traditional sense. It is, however, experimental, artistic music that runs along a line that has jazz, classical and soundtrack music at its heart. It's not for everyone, but it is unique. This isn't the kind of stuff that lends itself to individual track reviews, but I've done my best attempt at it. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review

Levitation Opus I Intriguing piano work brings this into being. It has a classical meets freeform jazz and soundtrack vibe to it. Guitar joins as this drives into even more experimental free-form zones.

Levitation Opus II Less "out there," this is no less interesting. This is also nowhere near mainstream. It's very classy stuff. This is more melodic than the opener. It's fairly mellow, but also more song-like.

Levitation Opus III I really love some of the piano on this track. The number is more experimental. It also has some world music built into it.

Levitation Opus IV Very freeform in nature, there is plenty of classical music angle here. Yet, there is a lot more, too. This gets pretty crazed and involved before it's over. Still, it also has respites.

Levitation Opus V As this gets underway with piano, it seems to me that the open space is every bit as integral as the notes are. This grows and evolves pretty heavily as it drives forward. It does get pretty fiery before it's over.

Levitation Opus VI Coming in fiery with almost clashing lines of sound, this is the most bombastic piece here. It's all relative, as this would be a mellower number on many albums. It reminds me in some ways of early King Crimson. It shifts into more classical meets freeform jazz zones further down the road. It gets quite frantic and has some really dramatic moments.

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