THE LIGHTS OF A DISTANT BAY

I'm always quick to admire the work of a single musician to propel a CD project. As a keyboardist and project-recording wannabe, I listen with great care to work by artist like Mike Oldfield, Enigma (Michael Cretu), Hoggwash (and the various projects of Antony Kalugin), etc.

This is a very good first venture, and there can only be better things on the horizon for Moonrise. Kamil resists the urge to over-layer his sound, keeping it just sparse enough and uncluttered. Wish I could use his kind of restraint. I've seen many other solo artists (keyboardists in particular) who make their music too lush, too layered. There seems to be a great effort to make up for the lack of numbers in a project with 4 times as many instruments sounds.

Not the case here. The passages are well-thought, melodic and very listenable. Not much to make you jump out of your seat, but that's ok. It just gives him more room to spread his wings next time. He has the creative touch, and the production is just enough.

3.5 stars