VOYAGER

Kenny Mitchell resides in Newcastle, UK and produces music entirely on his own talents.A first taste of his value was launched in November 2012 with the EP ''Excerpts from Jane Eyre'', which showed a cinematic approach to rock music.Two months later his prog background came on surface.Mitchell's first actual full-length album saw the light via bandcamp, entitled ''Voyager''.The man recorded all instruments on his own and, more impressively, he was also responsible for all the graphic design, artwork and photo work of the CD.

The content of this effort prooves Mitchell's high ambitions, as the album consists of two long tracks, over 25 minutes each, of instrumental, dreamy and well-crafted Progressive Rock with evident hints from the 70's and bombastic nuances from the modern era.As a result, these pieces come as a combination of old-school acoustic lines and symphonic keyboard work with heavier guitar segments and spacey, layered synthesizers to deliver multi-inspired progressive music.Detected influences include PINK FLOYD, GENESIS, PORCUPINE TREE and even MIKE OLDFIELD.Basic elements of ''Voyager'' are the ethereal piano lines, the hard psych-influenced guitar riffing, the cinematic, almost MARILLION-esque electric solos and the bucolic acoustic underlines, while a variety of synth-based soundscapes is always around, not to mention the few occasions of organ-flavored parts.Powerful passages, vintage touches, symphonic overtones and a somewhat folky attitude are reasonable after-effects of Mitchell's diverse musicianship.Full of shifting tempos and climates, ''Voyager'' offer textures, that can be either dramatic and passionate or more laid-back with a lovely spaciness.Be sure to face some pretty solid and dense prog material at the very end.

Fundamental Progressive Rock of nice quality, summing up a great effort by this man.Atmospheric, challenging and tight music, wrapped up in two 25-min. packs of sheer beauty.Warmly recommended.