TO ANOTHER HORIZON

(Tolkien's good wizard GANDALF seems to be very wanted name for a band: in the library database I get a Finnish heavy group and an American psychedelic group by it - but not this Austrian multi-instrumentalist New Age musician.) I was into this kind of instrumental music umpteen years ago. I liked this album, though some years later I removed it from my shelf when the genre began to wear out for me. But I still remember this music quite well (so well that there's indeed not much point to have the CD). Is that a good or a bad sign? I'm actually more convinced of the latter: it's too simple and easily digested to offer much on the long run. The good side is that it is beautiful and 'inner-cinematic' music fit for escaping your little worries.

The theme of global concern and love for nature can be felt in Gandalf's music. The titles naturally help that. 'Requiem for a Planet' is wonderful, nearly sacred track in which the majestic organ takes the lead gradually, while the most proggy, 'Natural Forces Getting Out of Control' tasted quite pretentious and overlong collache using some natural sounds. The opener 'March of No Reason' is a highlight; it comes near to TANGERINE DREAM of the time. The last two tracks have a sense of deep happiness in them, the other being a piano-based composition in a faster tempo and the other in a typical new Age tenderness.

A sort of 80's cousin to Bo HANSSON's albums from the 70's, though more on the New Age field than progrock. But it beats the more usual New Age with its richer set of instruments (Gandalf is also a gifted guitarist!).