THE KNIGHT AND THE GHOST

They say timing is everything. It can also cause a fair amount of last-minute stress, when you FINALLY receive a long-awaited album, delayed by the current global discord, compounded by the late integration on your top prog album of the year lists, having to refurbish your choices at the last minute (thank you January!). Such is the case for The Guildmaster and its album "the Knight & the Ghost". I landed on this per chance on another site and then saw the angst that troubled our colleague Matti in getting this included on PA, a not always effortless request, in the best of times. But a little nod and wink got everything done, almost by synchronicity in the last few weeks.

Well, it was certainly worth the wait, especially for fans of medieval-folk prog, a sub-genre where a heady mixture of instrumentation, stylistics and atmosphere merge together to delight and enthrall those who seek sonic adventure. The presence of Ton Scherpenzeel (of Camel and Kayak fame), whose 2013 solo album "the Lion's Dream "was an ear-opening foray into the Middle ages that I found very tasty. Together with gifted multi-instrumentalist Rafael Pacha from Spain and the ultra-prolific Kimmo Porsti , as well as guest (and my friend) Alessandro di Bennedetti (of Mad Crayon and Inner Prospekt) on piano and composition, this package is one of the finest progressive albums of 2020 , as it has everything going for it to be a huge moment in this kind of music style. From the beautiful artwork from the incredible Ed Unitsky, the magical compositions, and the overall mood of the sounds, to the crisp production, this is quite a whopper. While definitely inspired by the Middle Ages, the instrumentation relies on modern accoutrements, where electric guitars mingle with delicate synthesizers, deft drumming that provides meat (and the odd potato) as well as the traditional flutes and violins. In many ways, this work draws itself close to Minimum Vital's style, very Renaissance/ Baroque and muscled along by strong rhythmic assault. The themes wander around medieval Europe, from Spain, to Scotland, then to Finland and back down to Italy. Polyrhythmics abound with even a 6/5 tempo (the track "Six and Five"), clever movements including a dash of polka with occasional female vocals that really hit the spot.

All the tracks flow from one to another, much like a 15th century banquet, where the jongleurs, the raconteurs and the troubadours share the stage with the musicians, torch-lit delightful entertainment, goblets full and a hardy time had by all. Fans of Gryphon, Gentle Giant, Blackmore's Night. Afforested, Amazing Blondel, Asgard , Avaric, Malicorne, Tri Yann, Dan Ar Braz, Bededeum, Gian Castello, The Morrigan, Colin Masson and Mike Oldfield, etc ... will find this much to their liking. I am particularly fond of this music because it can also serve as urgent background music that can set quite the mood, instead of all the other lackluster possibilities out there (ambient can actually be a distraction at times!)

For technical fans, here is a list of other instruments played: baroque flutes and recorders, Venezuelan cuatro, psaltery, bouzouki, mandolin, viol de gamba, darbouka, bodhran, tin whistles, tenor banjo metallophone & penaparda drums, with maybe an odd Robin Hood kitchen sink!

Thank you Matti and Kennethlevine

4.5 Spectral Jousters