AT THE EDGE OF LIGHT

The album title illustrates the idea that the world is on the edge of falling in a dark place or that we can discover a way out where conflicts, war could leave the place to peace and love. Steve is trying to bring with his music light into this world that contains elements of shadow and light. First off, the production is perfect from the first note, this not amateur recording. Again, Steve is joined by a group of musicians from all over the world. He praised their greatness in the booklet and in the documentary on the DVD. It's not often that we can hear in prog rock music instruments like tar, sitar, and didgeridoo. I just learn that last word yesterday... It's no surprise that we find some world music but never for too long. Apart from Steve's great guitar playing what strikes me is the methodical work of Roger King on all the orchestral arrangements. Here, the machine has helped a lot the human bringing that atmospheric vibe, the perfect soundtrack for a movie that takes you in a different place in a different time. There is a variety of songs. "Hungry Years" is a pop song. "Those Golden Wings" is the love song and there are some vocal and protest songs. At the end of the album, we have a trilogy of songs starting with a copy of Ravel "Bolero" with the song "Descent" and ending with the vocal and peaceful song that gives hope to the future of the world. The first 2 tracks are linked to each other and show a great and heavy start that continues until the short didgeridoo break in the track "Under the Eye of the Sun". The longest track "Those Golden Wings" is a beautiful love song where the gospel choir arrangements and the romantic intro add to the emotion. "Conflict" shows again the great orchestral arrangements of Roger King. This is not a perfect album, some will not love to hear the same Hackett style, but for me, I can take the same Hackett each year and in surround, it's even better.