EVE

The term "Progressive Rock" is far too limiting for the UK based Karda Estra. Their latest album entitled "Eve" is an album firmly rooted in the classical/chamber music genre, yet encapsulates all that was wonderful about the 70's progressive rock scene.

Karda Estra is essentially a one man project, that being Richard Wileman who plays Classical, Electric and Bass Guitars, Keyboards and Percussion. He is joined by 5 ladies on the album. Ileesha Bailey on vocals, Helen Dearnley, Violin, Caron Hansford, Oboe, Zoe King, Flute, Alto Saxophone and Clarinet and Rachel Larkins, Viola and Violin.

Eve is inspired by a novel called "The Future Eve." It was written in 1886 by Villiers de L'Isle Adam. The album is not an adaptation of the book, rather an exploration of the overall feelings contained in the story.

I find the album to be as inspired and massive as the story suggests. With the intricacy of Renaissance's "Song Of Scheherazade," the album is one of the most emotionally stirring, atmospheric pieces of music I have heard in a very long time.

For those of you who enjoy straight Prog Rock with lots of keyboards and complex time signatures, you better pass this one up. But for those of us who realize that some of the finest in Prog stems from the Classical masters of old, pick up Karda Estra, a new album for a new era of Progressive Music.

We are all very pleased to have Karda Estra featured on the Progressive Music Society CD, "Portals, Movements & Structures."

"The door to good music is unlocked once more......."

Thanks for your time,

Lew Fisher