GLOW IN THE DARK

This second production by US-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Bartlett continues where his first ended, but with several improvements.

New age tinged music is still the name of the game; and synths still the dominating instrument. This time around there are more symphonic tinged segments around though; and Bartlett has added more contrasts to his compositions; especially adding more dark textures and undercurrents underscoring the lighter ethereal layers. Backing vocals and vocal effects with distinct world music leanings, the addition of drums in many tunes, atmospheric guitar soloing as ell as acoustic guitar adds to the nuances explored; and the addition of eastern-sounding musical elements also keeps up interest when utilized.

Dark-tinged symphonic electronic music with some leanings towards symphonic rock is the name of the game here; with a certain emphasis on space-sounding explorations. High class all the way, and a release that should cater for the needs of many into new age as well as symphonic rock and space rock.

Kevin Bartlett is a behind-the-scenes figure of music.Born in 1952 and hailing from Albany, New York, he built his career producing special effects and light shows for several well-known artists and groups and composed music for television commercials and series.He even established his own Aural Gratification Records to distribute his works independently.His first actual album though came only in 2003 under the title ''Near-life experience'', reputedly an album closer to New Age, followed 5 years later by ''Glow in the dark''.Bartlett plays all instruments for the album and Kirsti Gholson provides female vocals in a pair of tracks.

The dynamics are still slowed down for another Bartlett album, which is actually a mix of New Age and Electronic Prog, drawing influences from MIKE OLDFIELD, PINK FLOYD and Classical Music to offer ethereal, relaxing soundscapes with little contribution by rock instruments and constant doses of effects, electronics and synthesizers.So, Bartlett's music flows in a clam and safe enviroment with piano and keyboards as the main instruments, delivering atmospheres than can be both very trippy and dreamy, sometimes doubled by spacey, orchestral movements.Unfortunately this is some very soft and eventually quite hypnotic material, tending often to minimalism, which needs desperately a strong upgrade.This will come in a few pieces with some good guitar work and an apparently programmed rhythm section, which offers a seriously needed energy and some decent FLOYD-ian influence.Parts of the album contain sampled string arrangements and some sort of Ethnic flavor, especially following Gholson's vocal sections.However the lack of some more upbeat tunes and the never-changing trippy mood of the album kills its dynamic potential, which could have been really great if only some more electric tunes were added.

Bartlett still remains an active member within the music community and he even released his first trully Rock-sounding album ''Songs for the Big Kablooey'' in 2011.

A decent album for fans, who take background music as a serious case and lovers of the New Age side of MIKE OLDFIELD or GANDALF.Not really recommended to fans of any form of straightforward Rock or rich-sounding Art/Prog Rock.