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CYAN

Neo-Prog • United Kingdom


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Cyan picture
Cyan biography
Founded in 1984 but since then only intermittentely as a Robert REED's moniker

Seems Rob Reed has some fascination with colors, first it was CYAN and now his most popular project is MAGENTA, but they have something more in common, a great musical level.

CYAN was formed in 1984 by Rob Reed, who in short time released a demon highly influenced by Mike Oldfield and It Bites, mage a tour but soon after he left the project behind.

In 1991 he receives a letter from a French fan who had received the demo from Nick Barrett and encourages him to embrace the project again, he records again his demo songs with some new material and releases the CYAN debut called "For King and Country" performing all the instruments and vocals, the final release has also a clear Genesis influence.

In 1994 while working with EZRA in the release of their album "Shapes", he meets Nigel Voyle and invites him to help him with one song, but impressed with his voice, Rob leaves all the lead vocals to Nigel and the backing vocals to a new and unknown female vocalist called Christina Murphy, with whom he started a long musical adventure that would lead to MAGENTA in the XXst Century.

CYAN's second album "Pictures from the Other Side" is released in 1994 with Nigel, Christina and some guests, including an Opera singer called Ann Morgan. This second release is closer to what we expect from a Neo Prog band, clear GENESIS, Fish's MAEILLION and ARENA influence, even when with an exquisite unique sound.

Soon the band splits again and that's the story since then, with meetings, new albums and some periods of inactivity due to Rob's involvement with other bands and projects.

Up to the date, the band has released 5 albums and the last one "The Creeping Vine" with Nick Barrett.

Very good band and worth for those who like well thought and elaborate Neo Prog.

Iván Melgar Morey

CYAN Videos (YouTube and more)


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CYAN discography


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CYAN top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.42 | 55 ratings
For King and Country
1993
3.34 | 54 ratings
Pictures from the Other Side
1994
3.39 | 57 ratings
The Creeping Vine
1999
4.15 | 45 ratings
For King and Country
2021
4.25 | 11 ratings
Pictures from the Other Side
2023

CYAN Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

CYAN Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

CYAN Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.80 | 10 ratings
Remastered
1997
3.03 | 21 ratings
Echoes
1999

CYAN Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

CYAN Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 2021
4.15 | 45 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by BBKron

4 stars A great album of classic throwback symphonic progressive rock. Cyan is a project of multi-instrumentalist -songwriter Robert Reed. He initially created Cyan back in the early '90's, primarily as a solo project, released a few albums, then went on to form the full-fledged progressive rock band Magenta (featuring strong influences of Genesis, Yes, Renaissance, Pink Floyd, and Mike Oldfield), to great success. However, this year, Rob convened an all-new version of Cyan, bringing in musicians such as guitarist Luke Maschin and Peter Jones (vocals) to record an all-new revised, re-imagined, and revitalized version of a previous Cyan solo album, For King and Country. The result is just wonderful, and although it is a revised version of a nearly 30-yr old album, it sounds fresh and vibrant, in the style of classic prog. In addition, this album is special to me because it introduced to me to the world of music created by Rob Reed, Magenta, and Peter Jones, as I had not listened to them previously, but after this album I immersed myself into Reed's other projects, mainly Magenta (8 albums 2001-2020) and other solo albums, which I now love wholeheartedly, as well as Peter Jones other work (Tiger Moth Tales), and these artists have been the best and most important musical discovery for me in 2021.
 Pictures from the Other Side by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.25 | 11 ratings

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Pictures from the Other Side
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by Prog Dog

4 stars During the 25 or so years that I was not following the prog music scene, I would occasionally peer over the hedges in case something interested me there. Magenta, a Welsh neo-prog group, was one that caught my ear over at bandcamp.com .

I've been newly introduced to another related project by Magenta's keyboardist and composer Robert Reed. He has re-assembled a band called CYAN with vocalist Pete Jones (Camel) along with Luke Machin and Dan Nelson, to record a new album called Pictures from the Other Side (an entirely re-writen, re-worked, re-imagined remake of a 1994 release of the same name).

The first half of the album evokes a modern interpretation of the style of The Alan Parsons Project. Flowing from the neo-prog vein, it's a softer rock - but still quite punchy, with some 80s jazz fusion vibes at times, plus a bit of funkiness. It's well-balanced sounding album- tastefully produced and richly melodic while maintaining a gorgeous and majestic tone overall. The male lead vocals by Pete Jones are flawless performed with occasional slightly-mesmerizing and complimentary female vocals. There are symphonic passages and hints of 1970s Genesis inspiration, but really the scope of the entire album is engagingly varied.

CYAN lean more into 'pleasant' than 'harder edged' with plenty of keyboard/piano work, but some blistering guitar parts as well. There's a bit of fine sax work, as well as harp- it's really quite diverse but without sounding scattered. In fact once you get to the final 2 tracks (at 10 and 18 minutes length)... Yeah! They stitch the album together and bring balance to this universe... in a fun and epic way revealing that the first half album was just a warm-up, finishing on a truly triumphant and fantastic curtain-closing chord.

This is an exceptionally produced album -- overflowing with fine displays of musicianship, some great acoustic piano and synth solos, wind instruments, understated but elegant bass-playing prowess, tasteful guitar soloing, and top tier vocal expositions in both lead and harmonies a-plenty. (Fave tracks: 'Solitary Angel', 'Tomorow's Here Today' and the cinematic Neo-prog epic 'Nosferatu').

 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 2021
4.15 | 45 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars Imagine if you will, a time when there was no glossy Prog magazine, no internet, no email, and the only way to find out about the latest progressive bands was by subscribing to fanzines, word of mouth, joining mailing lists (which were photocopied missives) and attending gigs. It feels like a different world now, but when Cyan released 'For King and Country' nearly 30 years ago that was the position we were all in. 1993 saw multi-instrumentalist Robert Reed re- record some tracks from the Eighties, along with some new ones, and it was released on CD by SI Music from Holland. I was on the SI promo list, so was sent this along with some others and reviewed it in Feedback #18 and put the artwork on the cover. Not long afterwards I remember meeting Rob at Whitchurch where he was then working with Ezra, neither of us imagining that all these years later he is not only known as the man behind Magenta and countless other albums, but he would be revisiting that debut anew.

For those who have never seen or heard the original, which is most of you to be fair, the cover of the new version is what the original would have looked like if a professional artist with high digital skills had been employed the first time around, and in many ways we can say the same about the music as back then it was one man at home whereas now we have a full band and loads of experience. Rob may have sung on the original, but here he allows himself background vocals only, (as well as keyboards and guitar) and is joined by Peter Jones (lead vocals, sax, whistles), Luke Machin (guitar) and Dan Nelson (bass) along with guests Tim Robinson (drums), Angharad Brinn (backing vocals) and Tesni Jones (backing vocals).

This is not a faithful reproduction of the original album, but rather is a re-imagining as the songs have been re- written, extended and changed, and then the band have put their own stamp on proceedings. Many will recognise at least one of these, "Call Me", as it is one which has been performed by Magenta for years and can be found on their 2010 live album 'The Gathering', but here it sounds quite different with male vocals, but it is opening track "The Sorcerer" which will probably be gaining most attention as it is simply epic, both in style and length. Classic prog with neo leanings. Remember, this was originally recorded back in 93 when that style of music was at its height, yet here it has been taken into new progressive areas while never losing that naivety and joy. One does not need to have heard the original to enjoy this for what it is, a wonderful progressive album with Peter relishing the opportunity to put his stamp on these songs while Robert takes all his years of working with Magenta to transform the originals into something special while the rest of the guys push all the time.

This is a wonderful album which prog fans need to get hold of and take it from me it will be much easier than trying to track down the original. My review of that album back in 1993 (which can be read in TPU Vol 1) said the weakest part was the vocals, yet even then the album was well worth discovering. Nearly 30 years now, I can address that by saying this version is essential.

 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 2021
4.15 | 45 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by alainPP

4 stars Reissue nearly 30 years later of their 1st opus, which I hadn't listened to, this over-boosted 'For King' begs to be dissected and compared:

'The Sorceror' tumbles with an updated neo-prog sound ā la LIFESIGNS, putting Robert's keyboards forward, punchy. 'Call Me' reboosted, interesting to compare with the original version. 'I Defy the Sun' for the Anglican ditty with a bit of a guitar solo and this Genesis sound with delicate arpeggios. 'Don't Turn Away' for the album's symphonic bombshell; when rock merges with classical through orchestration; the neo-jazzy central part with the contribution of the female voice boosting that of Peter; grandiloquent. 'Snowbound' instrumental giving pride of place to keyboards; it's fresh, the charismatic flute sends on GENESIS, on ASIA; the sound is much heavier, structured and gripping than on the original. The energetic guitar solos raise the sound even more. 'Man Amongst Men' wants to be more fun, enlightened, airy and dated according to me even revisited; a good 90 or even 80 sound here; a superb solo by Luke then the convoluted jazzy part reminding me of the COLLINS GENESIS period where he worked solo elsewhere. 'Nightflight' always reminds me of a title by PATTI SMITH from the time when we weren't looking for musical drawers but for beautiful music; an instrument full of synths of course. We also think we have a toccata for a moment then a dance passage Andalusian bossa nova or other. The synth refers to ARAGON for a time too and GENESIS of course. The finale in vintage sound on an Oldfieldian flute. 'For King and Country' at the end with the sound stamped neo rock of the 80s: voice, soli all embellished with Robert's symphonic touch; the playful title.

Good review with a boosted sound, musicians aware of their notes, a fresh neo-prog album which shows that this era was very fruity and much more symphonic than now, when we had more time.

 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 2021
4.15 | 45 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by sussexbowler

4 stars How can nobody have written about this? It's truly exceptional.

I heard THE SORCERER on Prog magazine's last free CD, and it's 15 minutes of pure Prog pleasure. The subject matter seemed a bit pretentious, and even the music to begin with... but once you're into it... oh my word. It's so upbeat, Full of Prog instrumentation, and then there's PETER JONES' voice, which is SO good.

This latest album is a re-working of an album that originated in 1993, with all instruments having been played by one ROBERT REED. This time, Reed has a full band behind him and there are really no weaknesses.

As the album progresses one can only be impressed by Jones' voice, it's astonishing really. But that also does the band a disservice. The instrumental song SNOWBOUND features some excellent band interplay, which is rare to hear these days.

In fact, you also get a DVD when you buy the CD and the tightness of the bass when heard on that (in stereo, as I haven't got 5.1 surround sound) is wonderful. Soundwise, they're probably more like Transatlantic than any thing, only much better, and with that voice of Peter Jones, well...

And then we reach the final and title track, FOR KING AND COUNTRY. Although modern military voices are heard in the background one can't help but think of WW1 tommies and the trenches. Anyway, after a subdued start we will head off to a rousing finale as the band go through the gears searching for a climatic ending. Do they get there? The feet tapping suggests that they do, and what's more, once FOR KING AND COUNTRY recedes into the past you'll be putting on THE SORCERER again to start the whole show again.

To be honest, if it hadn't had been on that demo CD I'd probably have missed the boat here. Instead, I DID find it and I'm very glad that I did. And Peter Jones' voice is a revelation, it really is.

 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 1993
3.42 | 55 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 3.5 stars, really. I finally found Cyanīs first CD after a long time looking for it. I was quite surprised by its qualities, specially considering it was Robert Reedīs first release and he was playing and singing everything. So donīt expect the excellent symphonic sounds of Magenta or Christina Boothīs vocals. This is a work based mostly on a demo tape he recorded back in 1984. With that fact in mind, I must say For King And Country does remind me a lot of that period of time: the timbres of his synthesizers, specially. As Robert Reed is the sole player and singer here I must admit he does a fine job. Ok, he is not the best of singers and the electronic drums are annoying sometimes, but thatīs just the only let downs on the entire CD. And his work on the guitar and, specially, on the keyboards is nothing short of brilliance.

If you want a comparison, For King And Country harks back to Pendragonīs The Jewel and Kowtow period (yes, lots of mid-70īs Genesis-like synth sounds). Even his vocals here are reminiscent of Nick Barrett. Better still, the synth sounds are as majestic and creative as Clive Nolanīs. And we should never forget to mention his excellent songwriting: the guy was already doing a fine job at this department. Although not a masterpiece and with not real highlights, the CD flows evenly with good tunes all the way, some instrumentals, some with vocals, but all good ones. Sometimes, like in Nightflight, the music gives hints of what he would be doing in his future band Magenta.

All in all a very consistent album that will please anyone who enjoys 80īs neo prog. It was a nice surprise, I still think that Cyan reached its peak with the excellent The Creeping Vine, but this debut was a worthy and promising start that, fortunately, was fulfilled on Reedīs future works.

 Pictures from the Other Side by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.34 | 54 ratings

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Pictures from the Other Side
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Encouraged by the positive feedback regarding Cyan's debut, Rob Reed decided to move on with a second album.He was lucky enough to meet singer Nigel Voyle, formerly of the 80's act Just Good Friends and a candidate to replace Fish on Marillion, and pass him the lead vocal duties of the upcoming ''Pictures from the other side'' album.Moreover Reed introduced to the public Christina Booth on backing vocals (named Christina Murphy at the time), the future frontwoman of Magenta, and collaborated with Ezra's guitarist Andy Edwards in a couple of tracks.Reed was always a great composer and, with so much load of his shoulders, he wrote the material of the new album in just three months, eventually released a year after Cyan's debut, again on the SI label.

Another very solid release of British Neo Prog, recalling the works of PENDRAGON, LANDMARQ and SHADOWLAND, is the result of Reed's efforts.The new singer has a very good, clear and theatrical voice, definitely an improvement over Reed's questionable ability to sing, while Booth's angelic voice is somewhat hidden by her limited role on background voices.Musically the album consists of eight, mostly long compositions (two of them exceed the 12-min. mark), filled with lyrical pomposity, melodic textures and symphonic leanings, although some slight poppy flavors are also present in the shorter tracks.Heavy use of synthesizers with both dreamy and more upfront deliveries along with some lovely guitar lines characterize the song structures, moving from melancholic, laid-back soundscapes to cheerful choruses and from dramatic vocal moments to bombastic, orchestral moves.There is plenty of room for extended instrumental themes, usually in a typical 80's symphonic mode, and the balance between accesible and more demanding parts is well kept throughout the release.A few stand-out tracks are present as well, like the pompous and melodramatic ''Solitary angel'', the impressive ''All around the world'', featuring Ann Morgan's operatic vocals and standing somewhere between CAMEL and PINK FLOYD, and the pretty great 14-min. opus ''Nosferatu'' with its grandiose atmosphere, reminiscent of ARENA.

I can tell you one thing: It is very sad to see Reed, one of most prolific composers of modern British Prog, remaining so under-the-radar during the 90's.His works with Cyan are pretty great, as this album is.An emblimatic sound of Neo/Symphonic Prog awaits all listeners eager to purchase this release.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

 The Creeping Vine by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 1999
3.39 | 57 ratings

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The Creeping Vine
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Cyan's third and final album is presented in the sunny and (to my ears) rather disposable style of neo-prog practiced by the likes of Shadowland and Landmarq, and presents what you could probably see as a less spooky version of the preceding Pictures From the Other Side. (There's even another guest appearance from Nick Barrett of Pendragon!) It was shortly after this that main man Rob Reed would put the Cyan project to bed in favour of Magenta, and so fans of that band may be interested in this album for historical reasons; otherwise, I'd say this is only worth it if you were particularly taken with Pictures From the Other Side.
 Pictures from the Other Side by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.34 | 54 ratings

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Pictures from the Other Side
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars The second Cyan album doesn't quite manage to hit the high standards of the previous one; the compositions aren't quite as interesting (possibly due to not having been worked on over the course of the a decade like the songs on the first album!) and the production isn't quite as good - which possibly explains why Rob Reed chose to remaster and remix this material when it was put out on the Cyan compilations in 1997 and 1999. To be honest, it's more interesting for being Reed's first collaboration with Christina Murphy, who would go on to become the lead vocalist of Magenta, than it is for the actual music here, which is fairly middle-of-the-road and cliched neo-prog.
 For King and Country by CYAN album cover Studio Album, 1993
3.42 | 55 ratings

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For King and Country
Cyan Neo-Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Rob Reed proves himself a capable multi-instrumentalist on the debut album by Cyan, which has a neo-prog sound reminiscent both of classic bands in the genre - a bit of Jadis, a smattering of The Lens, and a healthy dose of Jewel-era Pendragon - as well as those artists who had a key influence on the formative years of the neo-prog movement. (In particular, some passages of the album remind me of a significantly more keyboard-focused version of Steve Hackett's sound, circa Spectral Mornings or Defector). Not surprising, when you consider a lot of the material on here is rerecorded from a demo tape originally put out in 1984!

Reed isn't quite equally capable on all instruments - his drumming is acceptable but not special, whilst his vocals really aren't great and probably constitute the greatest weakness in this release, with the vocal passages inevitably letting the album down. That said, he's an adept enough guitarist to slip in some nice solos here and there and his keyboard playing on the album is excellent; usually, it is the keyboards that save the instrumental passages. It took a few listens for this one to win me over but on the whole I think it's a decent debut, though ultimately not a top tier release even in the context of Reed's own discography, let alone the wider prog scene. Recommended for hardcore fans of both the early 80s neo-prog scene and of Magenta, who of course are in many respects the successor band to Cyan.

Thanks to Ivan_Melgar_M for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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