ALL CHILDREN HAVE SUPER POWERS

Sad how unnoticed Lauri Porra (b. 1977) is in this site. The only preceding review is mine, for a cd gathering together the orchestral works by this excellent bassist and composer from Finland. Porra's eponymous solo debut (2005) was a fine, slightly Pekka Pohjola influenced album of instrumental prog fusion with the bass guitar taking a central role. On his second album All Children Have Super Powers Porra continues improving his compositional skills working mostly with the same cast of co-musicians. And just like on the debut, vocalist Emma Salokoski (whose backing band is one of the numerous bands in Porra's diverse CV) is guesting on one song with lyrics.

Most pieces on this album are very spatial and slow- paced in a Floydian way. Guitarist Timo Kämäräinen's touch is at its most David Gilmour -like on the opener 'Released'. Peter Engberg's guitar playing is equally elegant on 'Changes in Memory' and 'Nocturnal' which, despite its title, is actually a bit livelier than many other, slower tracks.

On 'Epiphany' Kämäräinen's guitar has dark and moody passion reminiscent of 'Sorrow' on the 1987 Pink Floyd album. The title track featuring wordless female vocals has a stronger section in its dreamy serenity. The only track of a throwaway nature is the silly-titled 'Ananas Republik' (ananas is pineapple in Finnish).

The vocal song 'Iltatuuli' (= evening wind) is a mellow and pretty song sung in Finnish. Emma's bright voice is multi-layered. The album as a whole is recommendable to those who enjoy mellow instrumental rock and fine musicianship that stays more on the Floydian horizon painting instead of a more complex and self-indulgent showing off. Perhaps it lacks some power in the end, whatever the "super powers" in the title refer to.

But it's Porra's third solo album, partly orchestrated Flyover (2015) that truly convinces the prog listener with its more dynamic compositions. I'll probably return to that sometime later. 3,5 stars for this one, rounded up for soothingly beautiful sounds.