INHALING GREEN

Throughout the 90's Nick Magnus eventually met some chart success through the Project D ''Synthesizer''albums and his new collaborations with the ''Pan Pipe Moods'' albums, as well as working as a producer for Celtic Spirit in a move towards more Ethnic-flavored creations.However, another solo album was released in 1999 on Centaur Discs, ''Inhaling green'', finding him again responsible for the composing and production of his solo effors, receiving help by John Hackett on flutes, If's last guitarist and long time Procol Harum member Geoff Whitehorn and female singer Clare Brigstocke.

The problem with Magnus' personal albums is that his undenied talent is not always translate into great compositions, fortunately the first couple of tracks offer moments of joy to the listener and that is a good sign indeed.The Neo-proggish ''Velociraptor'' contains some great, dynamic synthesizer parts, while ''Free the spirit'' (linked with his work on the ''Pan Pipe Moods'' albums) is absolutely fantastic OLDFIELD-ian Prog Folk with some stunning melodies around, despite its ambiental atmosphere.''The devil and the deep blue sea'' is another fine Neo/Symphonic/Art Rock track with intricate keyboard parts and melodious guitar themes, a bit similar to KEVIN PEEK and STEVE HACKETT's efforts from early-80's.''Cantus'' is closer to New Wave/Synth Music with Brigstocke present, like singing in a Gregorian chant, but the keyboard and drum parts are totally hillarious.With ''Conquistador'' Magnus offers another OLDFIELD-ian soundscape in sometype of Orchestral Folk Rock with a cinematic mood, but the following ''Dixon hill'' is very cheap Jazz/Fusion with a pleasant tune but a childish atmosphere.John Hackett's presence on the melancholic, cinematic ''Veil of sighs'' is a guarantee of delicate flute parts among the Celtic-inspired textures and another decent piece comes with ''Theme One'', a symphonic-oriented cut, that could have been an excellent short prelude if it wasn't for the plastic keyboards and drums, but certainly Magnus' musical ideas offer memorable passages in a Neo-Prog atmosphere.The 16-min. self-titled track delivers all the previous sounds in one composition: From New Age calm soundscapes to folky OLDFIELD-ian washes to bombastic Symphonic Prog in the vein of CAIRO with both orchestral moves and clean, electrical guitars in the forefront.

Magnus' second album is a pure and sincere piece of Prog/Art Music, coming from his heart and his deep influences.From grandiose Symphonic Rock to elegant Folk, it contains plenty of nice, little moments to reward a listener with an open mind.Recommended.