THEME OF SECRETS

The only progressive credential on "Theme of Secrets" would be Eddie Jobson himself, but this bears little resemblance to his prior work, instead being rightfully categorized as new age music. Those familiar with my tastes know that I am a new age sympathizer who feels that the genre was a refuge for some erstwhile progressive artists who could not stomach joining the throngs of electronic popsters in the 1980s. But even so, there is a point at which they may has well have sold out, and that barrier is broached on "Theme of Secrets".

Look to TANGERINE DREAM or even PETE BARDENS if you want an example of similar music that retains its essential character, plus a slew of artists not on these pages such as NIGHTNOISE, but look here only for a rare glimpse of Jobson solo. The presence of a decent theme on track one that repeats on the title cut and the album closer only serves to highlight the banality and utterly aimless electronic doodling of the rest of the material, in which neither composition nor arrangement rise to any occasion except la siesta. Well, maybe "Lakemist" is able to establish a worthwhile mood in spite of itself.

pssst - this is a dud, pass it on and pass on it.