NEIL CAMPBELL COLLECTIVE

Here's an almost unreviewed fine artist I just found by shuffling through Eclectic Prog subgenre. The British musician and composer Neil Campbell, with or without Collective, has released over ten albums. This is the first "Collective" album, preceded by Night Sketches (2004) for solo acoustic guitar, which is Neil's main instrument.

I have no wider perspective to Campbell's output. Upon a very quick listening, his solo guitar music sounds excellent, and my initial reception for this group effort is also very positive, albeit naturally in a totally different way. The songs are not very progressive for their structures, but they are sophisticated and elegant in their rather moody atmosphere. Also the vocals are pleasant, not anyhow unique although I cannot quickly name a similar voice. Maybe John Miles or Stanley Whitaker of Happy The Man, although less smoky or distinctive than either of them. I guess the tone of Campbell's voice is in the end so 'ordinary' that it's hard to remember where you've heard a similar voice. Anyway I like it.

The shortish eight-track album starts with 'Rainstorm' and 'The Rain Remembers', both featuring some weather sound effects in a delicate manner. I especially enjoy the latter, melodic and melancholic song. The excellently played acoustic guitar is the key instrument in the arrangements, and often the cello played by Nicole Collarbone is essential, making the sound warmer throughout the album. Keyboards are restricted to Wurlitzer piano (played by Neil himself). Several songs such as 'Last Orders' stand more or less in the mainstream (relatively calm and suitably poppy indie rock with a faint country flavour) but they sound much more elegant -- sorry for repeating that word! -- than mainstream stuff, mainly due to acoustic guitar and cello. The rock aspect is fairly reduced but the electric guitar is more powerful on '3 AM song'.

My favourite song is 'Heaven' which has a dreamy atmosphere and truly wonderful melodies. The female backing vocals are very nice, and I wished to hear more of them on the whole album. The songwriting itself is at its best on this song, but all pieces are good and beautifully arranged. The final piece 'Rainstorm Part 2' is instrumental and also proggier than the album in general.

All in all, don't expect of highly eclectic progressive rock, instead you better orientate yourself for rather serene, ambientish popular music with an emphasis on virtuotic acoustic guitar. Hey, here's a good comparison in the overall spirit: Daniel Lanois and his excellent album Acadie (1989).

— First review of this album —

UK composer and musician Neil CAMPBELL has been around for a good few years, with 10 albums to his name as a solo artist, as well as with his band The Neil Campbell Collective, and also occasional side projects such as Bulb from a few years back. "eMErgence" is the most recent of his solo albums, and was self-released in the late winter of 2015.

I suspect that they key aspect to focus on when trying to describe this CD is that it is an elegant one. It showcases the talents of a composer and musician with an ear for the unobtrusive use of his main instrument and how this may elevate the end result and create nerve and tension in a more cloaked manner, yet also using the opportunity to showcase that he does indeed master the use of the guitar in a more dominant manner when called for as well. Those fond of elegant jazz rock in general and music of that kind with liberal use of the acoustic guitar in particular should take note of this production, and those fond of mainly instrumental albums that ordinarily won't listen to this type of music may find this CD to be a compelling one as well.

This is a new experience for me and if an album ever deserves to be attributed as progressive - 'Particle Theory' is involved. A sophisticated approach and realization is to state - made for music gourmets. As for Neil Campbell's composing skills he succeeds to join a wealth of varying styles and moods. It's not rather necessary to underline that he's also a master of classical guitar - you just can hear it. And so the music of this collective is even offering an orchestral chamber flavour sometimes - augmented by Nicole Collarbone's cello. Something like the unique trademark you can say.

The album holds mainly instrumental pieces and a special suspense in its entirety - wrapped in the two parts of the title song Particle Theory. The opening part is an art rock tune which shows a dynamical band provided with slight classical portions from the acoustic guitar and cello. It would be a real shame to listen to this song only once because a lot of details are to discover. Bubbling synths are adding some spacey impressions and build up the transiton to the next song.

This is obviously differing to the more singer/songwriter orientation on the foreunner '3 O'Clock Sky'. As for that matter - the following More Particles - somewhat unconventional or contrary at a first glance - comes up with electronic ambient soundscapes ala Tangerine Dream. Normally the listener does not know much about the composer's intention and likings unless he's able to dissect and analyze the songs right down to the last detail. However, being aware of Campbell's krautrock influences all unclarities are cleared soon.

The following songs are all played in a wonderful melancholic mood - somewhat orchestral with a fusion based rhythm work at the same time whereas The Line and Angels and Aeroplanes are provided with vocals as a noticable difference. The closing part of Particle Theory starts with a duet by acoustic guitar and celtic harp until the band begins to hurry up once again in a psychedelic mood. Finally not to forget the other collective members not mentioned by name who one and all play on a high level - Mark Brocklesby's excellent drumming with accentuated cimbal use to rank foremost.

'Particle Theory' requires more than one listen. Recommended to fans of modern eclectic music. Let me close with a minimal plagiarism, picked up from another review I stumbled upon somewhere: 'just too damn clever for the mainstream'.

Neil Campbell and his Collective takes us on an amazing journey on their sophomore release.

The musical landscapes visited on these 8 compositions are highly varied; as the mix of styles and the instrumentation used is rather unique.

From the opening tunes with their space-tinged explorations in territories close to Hawkwind and Öresund Space Collective to the following numbers with more distinct passages from classical sounding instruments (although still rock with a psychedelic tinge) this is a wild, unexpected and highly enjoyable ride on a groundbreaking musical rollercoaster.

Highly recommended to space rockers and psychedelic fans; as well as people generally interested in original, experimental music.