ZOPP

Wow! Here we are getting close to a genuine canterbury sound, while showing strong roots back into the 1970s. This is the first ZOPP outing, hopefully not the last. More of a solo project initiated by United Kingdom based award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Stevenson. He provides the arrangements, guitar, bass, and a really wide range of keyboard instruments. It's not a big surprise actually that Andy Tillison has his hand in here too, as he's quite open to such stuff with his band The Tangent. He will offer some additional piano and organ input, and is noted as the album's co-producer as well. And then, time will tell maybe, making a very good impression, drummer Andrea Moneta can be considered as the second constant concerning this project. He's also known for playing with the Italian neo prog band Leviathan by the way.

The musical result somehow, to sum it up, I would say combines the spirit of Alco Frisbass, the trickiness of National Health, and the charming manner of Caravan also. Typically genre styled, I'm including Zeuhl as well here, some rare vocals are provided by Caroline Joy Clarke. Though generally we have a strong focus on the instruments to consider. Classical and ambient/space ingredients are occasionally given too, just take the stirring Sellenra by way of example. Manifold keyboards expectedly rule the album. I dig this. The songs in general are providing a charming relaxed atmosphere, entertaining all the way through. 'This will be a can't miss album ...' the associated Bad Elephant Music label insists. Yep, I fully agree. And there is nothing more to say.