SINGLED OUT

In 2015, after a gap of some sixteen years, Drifting Sun returned with their third album. Keyboard player Pat Sanders had decided it was time, and created a brand-new version of the band, with himself being the only person who had appeared on the two albums in the Nineties. Making up for lost time they have released four acclaimed albums since then, as well as a number of singles which have often included bonus songs which were not available on a physical CD and were only available as downloads. So, a decision was taken towards the end of 2019 to release a physical album (and download of course), containing 12 songs ranging from solo piano pieces to full-blown band numbers, plus some interesting demos and various outtakes. Full details of where each track originally appeared is included in a 6-panel Digipak along with a full-colour 12-page booklet.

In my humble opinion Drifting Sun's last album, 'Planet Junkie', is their best album to date and one of the few to get full marks from me, and I am sure many people have discovered the band because of that release and hopefully they will be looking back through the catalogue. But there are distinct and different areas of the band, and this collection only includes rarities from the time when Peter Falconer was singing with Drifting Sun, who appeared on the albums 'Trip The Life Fantastic'. 'Safe Asylum' and 'Twilight'. Having played this a lot now, one has to wonder just how so many of these songs did not make it onto a full album yet given their release rate they are already putting many other bands to shame. Yes, some of them are solo pieces, and to my ears there is probably more piano than normal, but there are some real delights on here. It is a nice bookend to Falconer's time with the band, as he is a wonderful singer, melodic and emotional, and while there have been a few line-up changes even during that short time, there is a restrained beauty as everyone comes together.

Musically it is often based on piano, with those lush vocals, and then the other guys coming in and out as the need arises. Sometimes their contribution to the music is by not taking part at all. Take for example 'Atlantis' which originally featured on the 'Remedy' single: this song is basically Peter and Pat who provides piano (plus there are some strings) and is simply stunning. Harmonies abound and I fall into the music headlong, immersing myself in the emotions. I really enjoyed the solo piano pieces such as 'Bubble' ' I could listen to a whole album of music like that (Pat ' are you reading this?) ' and although the album is slightly more fractured due to coming together from different musicians and time periods the overall result is something which is a delight from start to end. There are some gems on here to be discovered, and it is great they have not been 'lost' in the world of digital downloads but are available in a physical form all in one place. More crossover to my ears these days then neo prog, this is a rarities compilation worth discovering for the quality of the music and not just the scarcity of the material.

The artist will always be one step ahead of the fans and the critics (gosh, I hate that word), they create and then, decide what to keep working on and what to release. As a purely stylistic rule, I am rarely fond of compilations and even less so of 'greatest hits' (ugh!). But in some rare cases, the material that has aged in casks like fine wine, used as B-sides to singles, has leaped out to become classics. Drifting Sun has made a career of putting out exciting and vibrant albums that have pleased fans worldwide. After releasing Planet Junkie, their latest studio effort, Pat Sanders has decided to repackage and release some of those vintage pieces from the past, namely the earlier years with Pete Falconer on vocals. It is a fine proof of quality when your 'left-overs' are as delicious as the freshly cooked material, often fussed on, set aside only to be revisited because of some glittering spark that needed some added ventilation. The musical talent is unimpeachably obvious, and this impromptu recording has a feeling of intimacy that is quite unique to any artistic career. In some cases, the sketches have remained honed little gems that needed only a bit of polishing, perhaps a brief and fascinating window into how musicians construct their often-meticulous craft. Pat always composes on the piano, and that template for creation is abundantly clear on all of tracks. Here are some highlights:' Vagabond' was originally released on the majestic Safe Asylum album and has a blistering guitar solo that is gut-wrenching, courtesy of David Storey. Particularly loved 'Eternal Cycle', with the patented lively piano leading the way, great vocals as the norm, both lead and backing, with an added spoken whisper, dotted with fabulous recurrent orchestrations and a sense of release that is Drifting Sun's raison d'etre. The extended axe solo from Matthieu Spaeter is phenomenal, intricate yet accessible.

'Atlantis' is utterly sublime, surely a DS classic, crushing softness and raw courage emanate from the notes, the mood is serene and yet vivid. Piano and vocal duet. Vividly serene I guess ... (silly laughter). Keeping the piano on the forefront, 'Bubble' is just a sterling piano etude there to applaud. I could close me eyes and imagine seeing this in concert, a candle on the keyboard as the only illumination. The dexterity and rhythmic ability are there to behold, in sheer splendor. Last of the solo piano pieces, 'A Year in Black' is equally awe inspiring, as pain often does, surely more than bliss.

Huge change of pace, 'The Blond Ghost' has an almost Ultravox feel to it, very progressive synth-pop, but oozing class and orchestral sound, an unexpected moment of revelation, as I remain a big fan of this style (John Foxx happens to be one of my idols).Well done little jewel.

And now the epic 10 minute 'Cascading Tears' that is quite the scream for release, equally vivacious and emotional, a bellow for catharsis, even soothing. The vocal work is astounding, the slippery synths in tune with the pulse. Top that off with a killer guitar solo (Spaeter), that just goes on and on in a furious rampage and you get to the glittering prize! Masterpiece.

The audacity to flash some shimmering organ as on 'Last Supper'! Another DS classic. Need I go on? 'Closure' a piano finale: Its all just brilliant music.

This might just be my favorite DS release, uniquely private glimpse into a fine band that just keeps on drifting towards the sun.

4.5 Solar picks