THE ART OF LEVITATION

I will admit I didn't have high expectations for this final recorded output of the late great PETE BARDENS; I was expecting something along the lines of "Further Than You know" or "Big Sky", new age philosophizing combined with melodic easy listening music that is professionally produced and well arranged, or perhaps more ambient electronic music in the style of "Water Colours". Unfortunately, what I suspect is that the energy and funds just weren't available to craft the level of refinement of those modest works, and that a healthier Bardens would have improved the majority of these tracks beyond the one half baked idea that most of them offer, and indeed share.

The first few and last few tracks are so utterly dispensable with their incessant synthetic rhythms, halfhearted mumbled vocals, and repetition utterly lacking in development. I keep hoping for him to do something to spare the utter ignominy, even to the point of re-listening in the hope that something missed first time around will distinguish itself, but I can only conclude charitably that the proverbial spirit and flesh were not in concert. But I allude to a firmer midsection. The two tracks sung by daughter Tallulah do not by any means salvage this effort, but they do usher in a level of competency that is paid forward to the instrumental "No Jazz". I think I even hear guitars though none are credited.

An understandable level of leniency can inflate the market value of pseudo-posthumous releases of this sort, but I feel it would do a disservice to the man's legacy to apply buoyancy to "The Art of Levitation". At the same time, I want to acknowledge that PETE BARDENS was a major talent who found a groove in his solo career outside of progressive rock, and that those interested should begin their exploration elsewhere. Rest in peace, gentle soul.