LUNATIC SOUL II

Lunatic Soul , is a solo/side project from Riverside frontman Duda, with the help of Maciej Szelenbaum mostly on flutes (Chinese Guzheng !! on one track) and Indukti drummer Wawrzyniec Dramowicz. Riverside keyboard player Michał Łapaj is no longer with the band.

I have not got Lunatic Soul I, so I cannot compare this album with the debut.

Besides the distinct sound of Duda's vocals, this is as far from Riverside Prog-Metal, as he could possible move. The project features an Ambient inspired music, in the line of what we know from David Sylvian, Mike Oldfield, later No-Man albums, and sometimes moving in the direction of ethnic inspired music like Kitaro or Brian Eno. But In a very unique way, that makes it an album, very much its own.

Building on a palette of repetitive patterns, ethnic tribal rhythms, and beautiful vocals. Very intelligent and delightful, combining the ingredients. Sometimes very discreet and dreamy, other times more intense percussions and a very filled sound picture.

In my personal taste it's a full blown 5 star masterpiece, that I really enjoy. But I will give 4 stars, because its not actually a prog. masterpiece that is a must have for everyone into prog. You have to like this kind of music, with next to no "rock" and a lot of relaxing sounds. Then it's a true masterpiece.