THE PUREST OF DESIGNS

The Canadian multi-instrumentalist Steve COCHRANE is here with his third release. This is a concept album, and the music is melodic symphonic & progressive rock, with many instrumental passages and catchy melodies. Steve's influences are GENESIS, Mike OLDFIELD and RUSH. Besides his influences there's reminiscences to CAMEL, ELEGANT SIMPLICITY, The FLOWER KINGS, JEREMY, TANGERINE DREAM and YES.

Steve is a good guitar player and his playing is a mix between Steve HACKETT (GENESIS), Steve HOWE (YES), Andy LATIMER (CAMEL), Mike OLDFIELD and Roine STOLT (The FLOWER KINGS). His vocals is sometimes reminiscent to Ian ANDERSON (JETHRO TULL). Steve is an impressive and skilled composer who is putting a lot of work and soul into the lyrics.

One of the tracks, "Songs For Spring" is divided into seven parts, and all in all it's 27 minutes. The highlights are "To The Glory of Man", "The Scent of After Rain" which is one part of "Songs For Spring", the poppy folk inspired "Dreams Of Reason" and the final classical influenced epic instrumental "The Promise Of The Music", that is almost 16 minutes. A masterpiece!

The album has got a good production with a clear sound. It's actually mixed in Sweden! It's an excellent album, and I wish I got the chance to hear more from Steve COCHRANE in the future. Most highly recommended!