THE FIRST SIGNS OF LIFE (EVOLUTION)

Ken Senior, the man behind this Evolution project, is definitely an underground name of the modern prog scene.Around mid-90's, when he was already collaborating with Bjorn Lynne as well as Steve McBabe of Elegant Simplicity, he found this one-man project, under which he covered ''White mountain'' for the Genesis' tribute release ''The River of Constant Change''.In 1996 Evolution released their sole album ''First Signs of Life'' on Mellow Records.

It is really hard to determine that there is only one person behind this great musicianship, as ''First Signs of Life'' is an album full of superb melodies, dreamy instrumental parts, rich soundscapes and tight demanding structures, not far from the sound of ELEGANT SIMPLICITY.Senior seems influenced by bands like GENESIS, CAMEL, CYAN and PENDRAGON with his compositions being cleverly split in instrumental madness and sensitive vocal parts.His guitar work is fantastic, some splendid melodies come out of his strings, supported by some great work on keyboards: Atmospheric synthesizers, background piano and light organ passages all the way.The albums starts off in a more simple mood, being typical melodic Neo Progressive Rock, characterized by dramatic melodies and a hidden grandiosity, becoming though more complex as it unfolds.The later longer cuts are just beautiful with plenty of breaks and good interplays, a bit more symphonic than the opening ones, with sharp guitar work, nice keyboards and a more MARILLION-esque sound.

Next came another cover by Evolution, this time it was '''Never let go'' for the Camel tribute album ''Harbour of joy''.This was meant to be the last Evolution recording with Senior focusing on his work with Lynne and McBabe, while he also became the bassist of Parallel or 90 Deegrees.

This is superb and highly melodic Neo Prog with a number of great compositions, which deserves some more fame.Highly recommended from Retro Prog fans to followers of a more modern approach in their prog music.

An unknown neo prog project appears in mid '90 named Evolution with one album released and then gone into oblivion., Conducted and formed by one of Elegant Simplicity member and later on on Parallel or 90 Deegrees - Ken Senior who is responsable for all is to be heared on this album + vocals aswell. The album issued in 1996 at Mellow records, named The first signs of live is a good example of pleasent neo prog, with no highligts but aswell with no lows. There are lots of instrumental sections, very much in Pendragon style or Like Wendy, but with nods to great '70 like Genesis or even Camel passages. The vocal parts are ok, nothing to talk about, decent. This is melodic neo prog that probably any fan of the genre will appreciate. For me a good but nothing close to great other albums I know from this zone. Still 3 stars maybe 3.5 in places.