CHAPTERS I & II

Time Traveller begun somewhere in mid-00's as the personal vehicle of Finnish multi-instrumentalist Juhani Nisula, based on an idea circulating in his mind already from the 80's.He recorded his first work between January 06' and November 07' at his own Magic Mushroom Studio on an old 16-tracker, helped by drummer Zeko Takamaki and with the participation of violinist Sanna Agren and keyboardist Timo Ristila in one track each.The title was ''Chapters I & II'', part of a three-part trilogy according to Nisula, and the album was released in 2008 on Presence Records.

The album is split in the two different chapters, each consisting of five instrumental pieces, but actually they do not differ that much.Nisula's prefered style seem to be a rich and emphatic Progressive Rock with a groovy style and a tendency towards instrumental solos, based on his nice guitar work and its heavy keyboard armour, including all kind of analog equipment next to the more recent synth stylings.His music reminds a lot of THE MINSTREL'S GHOST or acts such as CRYPTIC VISION and PRESTO BALLET.Nisula uses his analog keyboards quite clever to come up with a clear, contemporary sound, and his compositions include influences from Classic Prog, Neo Prog and more modern and heavier Progressive Rock.His guitar work is great at moments with big time solos and powerful grooves, but his keyboard parts are also quite satisfying.Strong Mellotron openings, groovy organ runs, funky clavinet rhythms and lots, lots of soaring synthesizers.The result is a very good instrumental Prog album with rich and demanding soundscapes and efficient performances.

Very good debut by Nisula's Time Traveller.Enjoyable, adventurous and pleasant all the way, despite the feeling you have that you have already listened to this style many times in the past.Recommended.