SIXTY MINUTE ZOOM

That retro feeling lingers on.

UK's ZOLTAN conformed by keyboardist Andy Thompson, bassist/keyboardist/guitarist Matt Thompson and drummer Andrew Prestidge, released in 2014 "Sixty Minute Zoom". This trio announces proudly its connection to film oriented music rootings but for us prog electronic followers, long gone HELDON's like style will turn out to be a close to home best reference. In fact if such a thing as a French Progressive Electronic sub-genre existed in this PA's electronic archives, this release certainly will fit in. Kind of strange and funny that a UK's band sounds French.

Anyway, cinematic music, in my opinion, has got to have doses of drama, yet be enticing and imageless at the same time. Too much ado about nothing certainly adds nothing. So let me introduce you to this work, Zoltan's second release (not counting a previous EP).

Music composition wise, as they advertise, do not expect a unique or detached from influences, musical language. Its creative energy is focused into performing already done ideas and blending these influences into an entertaining, unpretentious, somewhat innocent Electronic Rock trio album.

The good news is that now you privileged reader will know before acquiring this work if you find joy in a revival of retro-like 70s, early 80s French Electronic Prog nowadays. The bad news is that this band is on the making and it still sounds like that more than once. Meaning they still are not focused enough, music composition wise. as to really take a more experimental and daring dive as those HELDON guys did in their own life span, for example.

Nevertheless some amusing and creative sounds are found here and there, yet far from essential, it still promises a better release in some way or another.

***3 PA stars.

This is the second full length album from ZOLTAN and like the first we get Matt Thompson founder of GUAPO and a fantastic bass player along with all the electronics and keyboards he adds. His brother Andy formerly of LITMUS and owner of Planet Mellotron adds a variety of anolog synths, mellotron and more while Andy Prestidge plays drums. The debut was absolutely incredible with an abundance of mellotron suiting my tastes perfectly. This was has a lot less of that ghostly instrument and for my tastes it's a full star less but still a solid 4 stars.

"Antonius Block" opens with mid paced sequencers as the mellotron rolls in. High pitched synths after a minute also join in then drums after 2 minutes. For me it sounds much better when the drums arrive. It's mostly drums and synths before 4 minutes as it settles back to the end. "Uzumaki" opens with drums but bass and synths join in quickly. The drums stop around 2 minutes as it turns somewhat haunting then the drums return. Deeper sounds join in after 3 1/2 minutes.

"Table Of Hours" features synths that slowly pulse as other synths come and go. It turns haunting 2 minutes in with sounds that could be from outer space. High pitched synths will also join in. This is melancholic and it will end with those sounds from outer space only. "The Ossuary" opens with keys before outbursts of drums and bass come and go. Soon growly synths also join in along with spacey synths over top. A steady beat 1 1/2 minutes in and I really like that prominent bass. It settles again 2 1/2 minutes in then sequencers kick in with drums and bass changing the sound. Synths are back then mellotron 3 1/2 minutes in.

"The Integral" is the side long closer at almost 21 minutes. Outer space sounds pulse before the synths join in. Deep sounds a minute in then spacey synths and keys take over. More deep sounds follow then sequencers and drums around 2 minutes. It all stops after 5 minutes as a new sound takes over of drums and bass and the bass is really upfront. Synths only before 8 1/2 minutes but the drums and bass return quickly along with mellotron. So good! Another calm after 10 minutes with growly and spacey synths.

This turns haunting then drums and sequencers take over after 13 minutes. Spacey synths too, great sound here. Love these beats then the mellotron returns after 17 minutes and this all sounds amazing with those relentless electronic and drum beats. A minute later the beats stop as it turns haunting once again with synths. The beats are back quickly though along with mellotron. Just a killer ending.

So another Electronic album I highly recommend but please check out their debut if your into mellotron.