TO SEE IT MADE REAL

Multi-instrumentalist Steve COCHRANE's second album is a step forward compared to his debut album. The reason is that this album contains some non-midi sound sources such as acoustic- and electric guitar, bass guitar and vocals on the epic title track. The music is mostly electronic, but he's such a good guitarist that I can't really understand why he isn't giving his guitar playing a bigger role in it.

Steve's music is a mix between symphonic progressive rock, Celtic, classical music, folk, jazz and New Age with lots of melody. It's rather straightforward but has some intricate moments as well as dreamy, relaxing and romantic ones. If you're imagining a mix between EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, Edgar FROESE, KITARO, MARILLION, Mike OLDFIELD, PINK FLOYD, Klaus SCHULZE and TANGERINE DREAM, you'll get a picture of what it sounds like. The highlights are the opening masterpiece "Reason is the Rising Sun", "Mount Fearless", "Makes Me Want to Sing", the 11+ minute epic title track that is the only track with vocals, "The Enlightened Forest" and the beautiful "String of Emeralds".

Recommended if you're into electronic symphonic progressive rock.