2014 MUSIC FROM AN EXPANDED UNIVERSE

The first thing that strikes you when considering this digital EP by Leon Alvarado is how the cover picture brings to mind the incredible artwork of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's classic masterpiece Brain Salad Surgery. This is no coincidence as it is explicitly stated on the Melodic Revolution Records website where this EP is freely available for streaming that the artwork is indeed "dedicated to the memory of Hans Rudolph Giger" the artist who created the legendary cover for Brain Salad Surgery.

Musically, on the other hand, this has nothing to do with the Symphonic Prog of ELP. 2014 Music from an Expanded Universe is probably best described as electronic music. Trey Gunn (who was a member of King Crimson in the 1990's and early 2000's) adds bass and "Warr Guitars" and is also credited as co-composer of the ambient introduction, Irreverence, Part I. The highlight of the proceedings is the second track, The 2014 Microcosm, on which drums are provided by Jerry Marotta (who played with Peter Gabriel, Tony Levin, among others). This is an up-beat, sort of Jean- Michel Jarre/Vangelis kind of tune.

Blood Like Red is more ambient again at first, but builds towards a Mike Oldfield-like conclusion with guitars. Irreverence, Part II rounds the programme off before the "live" version of Cinemania (which first appeared on Leon Alvarado plays Genesis and other Original Stuff) which is best considered a bonus track. Audience sounds are lamely added to make it sound like a live performance, but it is obviously a pure studio creation.

2014 Music from an Expanded Universe is a pleasant listen, but ultimately forgettable.