SHAKARY 2006

The promising Swiss formation Shakary just released a 'limited double-CD editiondigipack' featuring a selection of tracks from their two studio albums Alya (2-CD from 2000) and The Last Summer (2002), re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered. Clepsydra singer Aluisio Maggine is replaced by Noel McCalla (Manfred Mann's Earth Band) and on one track Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and Steve Rothery (Marillion) deliver their distinctive guitar work.

CD1 entitled Alya 2006 contains nine songs, these sound as wonderful symphonic prog with hints from legendary neo-prog band early Marillion: melodic, harmonic and tasteful, from dreamy to compelling bombastic. The sound of the keyboards is very lush and I was carried away many times by very moving, often howling guitar soli. To me the vocals by Noel McCalla are a pleasant contribution to Shakary their music, the vocals remind me of the dramatic undertone of Damien Wilson. A strong point is the swirling violin work in some tracks, the Eddie Jobson fans will be delighted! A nice surprise is the track Sentence, halfway we hear a fiery and howling guitar solo by Arjen Lucassen and during the wonderful final part Steve Rothery delivers a sensitive guitar solo, it sounds like 'early Marillion time'! Another good track is Open Skies featuring dynamic prog with exciting keyboard work (including a violin-Mellotron sound), a howling guitar solo and pleasant play on trumpet and violin, what a beautiful and lush sound.

CD2 entitled The Last Summer 2006 contains seven compositions, again Shakary makes wonderful symphonic prog with echoes from early Marillion, like "symphonic prog meets neo-prog". It sounds very dynamic, from subdued and mellow to propulsive and bombastic with a lush instrumentation: beautiful interplay between harpsichord, vocals and violin in Dreaming In L.A., a spectacular synthesizer solo in Love Warchild Of 64, a swinging piano and compelling bombastic prog with howling guitar in The Play Of My Life, twanging acoustic guitar and warm vocals in Two Days Left and a child-choir and the sound of bagpipes in the strongly build-up final song Sparkles In The Dark. On CD2 Noel McCalla does a good job too, I love his voice.

In my opinion Shakary has released a wonderful, very melodic and tasteful 2-CD with plesant keyboards and often sensitive, very moving guitar soli. I think that Shakary 2006 will not only appeal to the Genesis and early Marillion fans but also to progheads and symphomaniacs who love the borders between melodic symphonic prog and neo-prog, RECOMMENDED!

For those of you who claim as neo prog or symphonic prog music, you should have this double CD Shakary 2006. You might have owned the band's previous albums "The Last Summer" or "Alya" but this one is packaged differently with new recording / mixing and different vocalist - plus guest appearance of Marillion's Steve Rothery and Ayreon's Arjen Lucassen.

A Bit of Background .

This Shakary 2006 2-CD arrived at my address when I got a stack of about 52 CDs and DVDs to enjoy plus some others that I was listening to. Of course, not all of 52 CDs I was listening to. In fact, only part of them (the new one to review) plus all other old collection that I have and already reviewed at this site or other. The CD that I was listening to while enjoying Shakary 2006 includes: Evergrey "Apocalypse Monday", Mastodon, God Bless (Indonesian famous rock band), Guruh Gypsy (Indonesian vintage prog band), Iron Maiden "A Matter of Life and Death", Angra "Temple of Shadows" and "Rebirth", IQ "Dark Matter", ELP "Beyond The Beginning" DVD, Pallas "The Dream of Men", Billy Cobham "Spectrum", Passport, Tool "Lateralus", Scorpions "Fly To The Rainbow" (1974) - the album that colored my childhood, and Explorers Club. You see, how diverse my musical taste is! This is important to mention as you may be able to draw a line why I put the review the way it is. Music is emotion - and giving a review is depending on the "mood". The kinds of music you are listening to at certain period of time will influence the way you view about particular album - so is the case with this Shakary 2006.

The Album Review

Shakary is to me a band that focuses on creating a well composed music combining various musical instruments from electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and acoustic equipment: violin, trumpet, flugelhorn. My story with the band started couple of years ago when my neo prog mate, Bowo, lent me "The Last Summer" CD which blew me away at my first spin. And then I tried the "Alya" album - enjoyed it as well. I was lucky that I could get in touch with the band's composer, Scandy, who sent me a copy of Shakary Live CD - thanks, Scandy!

As far as Shakary 2006 album, it did not really attract me at first spin as for me the music moves too slow and too soft (remember, by the time I was listening to this album I got Iron Maiden. Mastodon, ANgra, and Tool!) so I only got the two CDs spun for one time only and put it on the shelf. But then it grew on me as sometime I need to get a break from hard bashing heavy music into soft one with Shakary - and I kept playing it over and over. I started to see the value of this album at approx fourth spin as it might probably I got used to neo prog music.

Disc One: ALYA

CD one is a condensed version of original double-CD album Alya with only 9 tracks (vs 19 tracks of original version) but it represents the key characteristics of the double-CD version.

Sunset (3:08) kicks off the album in the kind of "Overture" music like you can hear from other neo prog band IQ "Subterranea" opening track. They share similar vein. The only different thing with original version is the opening violin part is cut-off but it does not destroy the song itself. This song is important to set the overall tone of the Disc One music. An instrumental piece that creates excellent nuance, delivered in symphonic style.

Lost Angels (6:19) continues the music with vocal line of Noel McCalla (replasing Clepsydra's lead singer). Piano introduces this song, followed with heavy and powerful voice of Noel McCalla. His voice is totally different than what I expected before because I imagined that he was going to sound like Mike Rutherford's "Smallcreep's Day" (1980). It does not mean that his voice is bad, it's just different. This time he sings in low register notes with powerful and transparent voice. Excellent! This track is brilliantly composed with excellent melody. I especially love the ending part that starts at approx min 5:10 where piano and guitar produce really wonderful melody.

Time Trap (5:58) continues seamlessly from previous track with excellent riffs (like a prog met riffs, performed softer) augmented wonderfully with violin! Oh man . if you like King Crimson when David Cross was there, you would love this part! It's really nice and it stirs my emotion! The music - if I'm referencing to IQ Subterranea - is somewhat in the vein of "Tunnel Vision" song. (Do you like IQ? If not, how dare you say that you love prog but do not like IQ? Come on!!! .. Buy "Subterranea" or "Ever"! It's masterpiece man!) Drums also play important part it is played dynamically - reminds me to Phil Collin's style. It's definitely an excellent track.

Alya(4:47). If you are in the right mood, I bet you would have tears in your eyes - not because of imagining the beauty of ALYA but listening to the sheer memorable and touchy melody this song offers! The opening part which starts with soft keyboard followed with acoustic guitar part and violin solo is really killing!!! You wanna bet? Of course, if you have quite sensitive sense about great melody! Because I know, some people would feel normal about it - but it's not for me. The melody is great! Bear with me, say that you don't like melodic song, you should observe this song from the perspective of its composition. It's cool babe .

The First Inquisition (6:06) kicks off with excellent combination of music riffs and dynamic drumming. I think Walter Calloni is one of the best prog drummers. I really enjoy his style. The song combines neo prog with straight hard rock during music interlude, guitar solo with nice breaks through excellent work of keyboard and violin. This song will favor those who love David Cross or Eddie Jobson (UK), or Robbie Steinhardt (Kansas). Giovanni Galfetti plays excellent keyboards.

Sentence (6:10). Well, this track is dedicated to those of you who like the guitar style of Marillion's Steve Rothery (guest appearance). Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon also appears here. It sounds to me like Early Marillion is alive right here with this track. I especially like the double guitar solo as music interlude in the middle of the track. It reminds me also old Genesis days where guitar fills and keyboard collaborate excellently to deliver beautiful composition. I'm sure for some of you this track would become key attraction point of this album. Even though when I compare with original ALYA album (track 2, Disc Two) Lele Hofmann also played wonderful guitar solo work, the appearance of Rothery gives another nuance - plus the double guitar with Arjen, of course!

The Last Drink (7:29) again brings the music style of "Time Trap" with heavy symphonic riffs augmented with dynamic drumming and stunning violin that makes this song become one of the best songs I've ever heard. Even though I'm a bit disappointed when vocal enters but it is then recovered by combination of guitar rhythm / riffs and dynamic keyboard punch. The song maintains its symphonic style from start to end.

Babylon (6:17) gives a music with medium tempo with continuous rhythm section and guitar fills augmented with keyboard punch. The opening part of this track does not really attract me but when it reaches the interlude part with excellent keyboard solo, it starts to attract me. Especially when it is followed with guitar work overlaid on top of keyboard symphonic style.

Open Skies (5:44) is basically a reprise of the album's tracks with keyboard work that reminds me to Rick Wakeman's work. Trumpet gives its contribution in part of the melody altogether with keyboard and guitar. This track is to me something like Genesis' "Los Endos" that summarizes the Disc One of this album.

Overall rating of Disc One: 4.5 out of 5

Disc Two: The Last Summer

Masks (7:03) starts slowly with a combined keyboard and soft violin work in Kitaro-like music. The music then turns into colossal style followed with nice piano backed with orchestra. Flute gives its work in touchy melody. The music then flows in relatively slow tempo using synthesizer as main rhythm section, augmented with piano. The music turns into total symphonic prog at the end part of the track. It's cool .

Dreaming in L.A. (10:00) has a powerful opening with a stream of music combining clavinet at background and keyboard solo with orchestral background - after first vocal verse. What follow is a short guitar solo backed with multi-layered synthesizer which accompany vocal line. Flute is now enters the scene backed nicely with clavinet just before Noel's high register notes. The music turns into a more complex stuff in heavy style. For those who love Hammond organ sound would love the ending part of this track which starts at approx min 8:00. just before the vocal reenters the song.

Love Warchild of 64 (6:24) opening with guitar riffs is somewhat like an ordinary straight music until the keyboard solo enters the scene. Yes, it reminds me again to Mr. Wakeman on the way keyboard is played on top of repetitive rhythm section. Keyboard aficionado would love this relatively long opening - approx 2 minutes. Noel enters with his high register notes. Guitar which interjects the music is also stunning.

Different Places (4:10) is one of my favorites especially with its dynamic opening where keyboard, drums, bass and guitar work together in upbeat tempo which suddenly turns into medium one with great keyboard and guitar solo. Wow! It's really great! Xylophone also gives its shot into this track and it enriches the textures of this track. The keyboard solo turns into organ just before Noel's vocal enters. It's really nice. The ending part is wonderful - especially the melody produced by keyboard augmented with stunning guitar rhythm.

The Play of My Life (4:49) comprises a combined keyboard and piano sound in medium tempo music with dynamic drumming. Guitar solo in the vein of Hackett continues after vocal part. The guitar solo enriches the music textures of this track.

Two Days Left (4:49) - the attraction point of this track lies on its powerful music interlude where guitar solo delivers its best, augmented with keyboard work and dynamic drumming. The music breaks with acoustic guitar fills are also nice parts of this track.

Sparkles in the Dark (5:48) concludes Disc Two with powerful low register notes of Noel in Peter Gabriel's vein accompanied by piano touch. It's a great opening part. The insertion of organ (reminds me to Procol Harum) and keyboard followed with melodic music interlude is really great. Nggeblak! - that's how I feel when I listen to this wonderfully-crafted music interlude with great keyboard work in truly neo progressive style! Even when Noel's voice backs to the music with "The guitar is played" it gives me ultimate satisfaction in terms of providing an excellent balance between great vocal and great melody. It's a great concluding track! I even go "nggeblak!" again when the closing part gives the Scotland's music style . Oh what a nice tune!

Overall rating of Disc Two: 4 out of 5

Conclusion

This album confirms that Shakary is one of the BIG thing in the movement of progressive music. Its music is very strong in terms of composition where it delivers excellent balance between multi-instruments used and touchy melodies in most segements of the music. There are many memorable melodies you can get from almost every song contained in this album. Even though its composition is not that complex and heavy, but it requires time to digest its music. An approximately 5 times spins of the CD is probably required to absorb their music. Once you got it, it's hard to forget about this album. One little problem that I personally have with this album is sometimes the music lacks its cohesiveness, especially on transitions where vocal starts to enter. But that's probably can be cured by the passage of time. May be. Overall, it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Highly recommended for those of you who love neo progressive bands similar to Pallas, IQ, Pendragon, Arena, Marillion, etc. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

PS: It seems this album is quite rare to many people as when I put it at my computer that connects to the net, the title is not listed as Media Player. So I input the title to the net (I'm the first one to enter? It might be.).

Swiss group Shakary hasn't had a high profile, at least is search results on the internet says something of a bands profile. Which is too bad. This double CD, containing remixed/rerecorded tracks from the bands first two releases, is excellent.

The band seems to be influenced by groups like Marillion, Eloy and Camel - and similar sounding bands. Lots of keyboards everywhere here, floating above, twirling in the middle and setting the mood in the back of the soundscapes. Sometimes restrained, but most often filling up every nook and cranny of the soundscape.

Add to the synths excellent musicianship from drums, bass and guitar , and the soulfull emotional vocals of Noel McCalla as well, and you've got a brilliant sounding release.

No masterpiece, but a strong release without any obvious weaknesses - as long as you like keyboard and synth dominated progressive rock.

3.5 stars

I liked this album a lot, but it didn't touch me emotionally. Vocals tend to be very serious and professional, lacking that intimavy and sincerety Neo-Prog MUST have in it very ground! The songs, rather short, are too complex for the genre. Then, you can say, this is probably a Symphonic Prog CD. No, I'll answer, this is still Neo - but bordering Symphoni in many aspects. One can even notice a violin's (a programmed one I believe) solos, very tasty and well-fit here. Unfortunately, the band doesn't concentrates on melodical and catchy moments Neo has always been proud with, and frequently rushes into long complex jams almost a-la DREAM THEATER or related contemporary bands. Not much MARILLION here, as I've been told. Anyway, this compilation definetely DESERVES TO BE HEARD !!! Recommended for all Neo/Sympho devotees - I hope, you'll like it more than me ;)

At last: Shakary ! At least, that was what I thought when I recently got hold of this CD. Quite some years ago someone had told me that Shakary sounded a lot like Clepsydra, one of my all time favourite bands. So I thought: let's add it to the collection. But Shakary wasn't really in the stores in Holland. So lately I read in our reviewssite that Shakary 2006 was actually the two albums combined only in a better production quality. That was exactly what I wanted but I still had no idea how good Shakary was.

First conclusion: Shakary is no Clepsydra ! Biggest difference is the vocal aspect. Noel mcCalla's voice is very dominant and is in the case of the Shakary-sound more than 50% which is unusual to me. On itself nothing wrong with that apart from the fact that vocals aren't too significant to me in general, but that's a very personal thing. I'm more interested in the instrumental aspect. And that's not an easy thing with dominant vocals. So in fact that's almost ruining the pleasure for me. The compositions and the instrumental aspect are both ok with Shakary but because of the before-mentioned it's not enough for me to get a good feeling about this (double)album. Noel mcCalla has a good strong voice, I'm not suggesting there's something wrong with it, it's just my personal problem with it.

But it overshadows all the other aspects of this bands music so much that it's all I have to say about it. And because of which I will have to cut it down to three stars. What a pity !

Shakary was a kind of personal project by ex Clepsydra guitarrist Lele Hofmann, bassist Scandy and Sandor Kwiatkowski (lyrics and artwork), plus assorted musicians. Their sound was a delightful mix of symphonic and neo prog (influences detected were the usual suspects: Yes, Gabriel era Genesis, Camel, Pink Floyd and early Marillionm, but not copying any of them). They released two excellent works: Alya (2000) and The Last Summer (2004). Shakary 2006 .is a partial re-recording, and total remixing and remastering of those two CDs in a double album. I was not really sure if I should buy this ´new´CD since I had both orginal works and I liked them very much (for some reason I can´t explain why I did not review neither of them!).

But after listening to it just for some seconds I knew i had to have it. Shakay 2006´s production is at least five times better than both early recordings. Besides, the music here is not simply a copy of the two aforementioned works. It contains much reworked parts and most fat was left out. Alya, for instance, was a double CD I always thought that could easily be reduced to a single one for its own benefit. Although its new recording includes only 9 tracks instead of the 16 original ones, its essence remains much the same. The Last Summer contains basicly the original numbers, but this time the tracklist order and some instrumental parts were altered.

The vocals were totally revamped, singer Noel McCalla (Manfred Mann´s Earth Band and Mike Rutherford) taking the place of Clepsydra´s Aloisio Maggini (who had sang on Alya only). His voice is very good and worked very well on both works. McCalla´s delivering is very emotional, he has a fine technique and never overdoes it. Great choice of pipes! The music itself remains more or less the same: brilliant guitar work by Hofmann (a little heavier than what he did on Clepsydra, but not much), lots of wonderful, retro sounding keyboards runs, a very consistent and versatile rhythm section. The use of a few extra musicians providing some violin, flute, trumpet, flugelhorn and bagpipes is very well dosed.

The songwrtiing is top notch: accessible, but very intricated tunes, lots of shifting moods and time changes, strong themes, beautiful melodies, inspired and tasteful arrangements. Quite surprising music and not a single boring minute. The lyrics are much into cristian beliefs but that does not bother me at all, they were well done too.

Conclusion: I found the overall result here better than the originals and justifies all the trouble they had to rework so many parts. What was very good then became excellent now. If you´re into high caliber, melodic symphonic rock you should not miss this one. It may take a little time to get into it, but once you do, chances are you become addicted to it.

Final rating: something between 4,5 and 5 stars. Highly recommended!