CINEMATOGRAAF

Cinematograaf was a reason why I got more into Tomas Bodin and started discovering his body of work to realize that his albums can be compared to any other progressive keyboard magician. A keyboard magician is someone who can not only play but also compose great pieces. So for example, Jordan Rudess would not fit here since his solo work is not comparable with other keyboard masters.

Let's go back to Cinematograaf. This piece is full of focus, vintage keyboards, imagination and scenery. Keyboards build up up to 95% all sounds, they are very cohesive, continuous and fluent. There are no flashy moments for art's sake, the music flows nicely from the start till the end. As a result, the playing abilities are less jaw-dropping but better aligned with music. It's incredible how much time must have been spent to build 3 large pieces with multiple layers that build up and only reach climax after first 10 minutes at earliest. There is no dull moment.

You are immersed in the keyboard and vintage world of Cinematograaf from the very beginning without any other disruptive moments or instruments. Indeed, main motives repeat and gradually gain on intensity or richness in sound.

The most used instruments are synths and piano but organ beats all in the climax moments, it's majestic, overwhelming, stately and memorable.

There are a few moments where modern electronic beats or ambient sounds appear, which is supportive. References to Vangelis or Jarre may come to mind and fans of their music will like them.

However, the best of Banks and Wakeman is also to be heard, Banks' taste in keyboard layers and Wakeman organ hooks are represented.

My favourite track is a dramatic 'A Spanish ballerina" due to its church organ climax and slowly built cresciendo. The starting analogue ARP makes you think of Jarre, however there is a beatiful array of other synthesizers getting more dramatic with classically sounded drums underlined by pianos in the background. Synths play the lead.

Between the 10th and 14th minute the beautiful and intensive climax supported by orchestral sounds peaks, later replaced by classical acoustic piano.

"Six six six" is a more modern piece with similar characteristics but more soundtrack spirit. Great church organ and Wakemanesque moves appear after the 12th minute. The pieceful ending with traces of Banks results in a movie-like epic dark closing underlined by church bells.

This album at least has catapulted Tomas Bodin among the greatest keyboard artists in progressive rock because it proves that Bodin is not only a very capable player but also an suprisingly gifted composer and arranger.

Welcome to the work of highest keyboard calibre.