Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

ENIGMATIC ELEMENTS

Groovector

Eclectic Prog


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Groovector Enigmatic Elements  album cover
3.56 | 20 ratings | 2 reviews | 25% 5 stars

Write a review

Buy GROOVECTOR Music
from Progarchives.com partners
Studio Album, released in 2003

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Remember (6:40)
2. Never growing old (6:09)
3. First flakes (2:46)
4. Your light (3:48)
5. Nordic night (6:03)
6. Enigmatic elements (5:35)
7. Real mind (6:00)
8. Rain on (7:45)

Total Time: 44:46

Line-up / Musicians

- Mikko Heininen / keyboards, 1st vocals
- Teemu Niemela / bass, 2nd vocals
- Kalle Aalto / drums & percussion
- Rauli Viitala / acoustic & electric guitars

With:
- Risto Salmi / saxophones (3-4, 7-8)
- Seppo Tyni / guitars (5)

Releases information

CD Mellow MMP-430 Ita-2002 (2003)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
Edit this entry

Buy GROOVECTOR Enigmatic Elements Music



GROOVECTOR Enigmatic Elements ratings distribution


3.56
(20 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(25%)
25%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(45%)
45%
Good, but non-essential (25%)
25%
Collectors/fans only (5%)
5%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

GROOVECTOR Enigmatic Elements reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by kenethlevine
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Team
3 stars While GROOVECTOR's debut was like MIKE OLDFIELD viewed through the lens of 24 hour darkness, and pretty commendable as such, their follow up shoots off on an almost orthogonal trajectory, while still remaining decidedly progressive and engaging.

One of the first surprises is the inclusion of vocals, albeit sparsely, which is good because the lyrics are somewhat trite, but their paucity allows them to be perceived more as mantra than dogma, which suits the arrangements just fine. The early CAMEL influence felt on the debut remains in the keyboards of "Remember", but the organ break in "Never Growing Old", my favourite cut, is out of PROCOL HARUM's playbook. A brief piano interlude is followed by a full on elegant melodic lead solo by Rauli Viitala, who has begun the tune with strummed guitar. The album continues strongly with the mystical "First Flakes", just Risto Salmi's saxophone over expressively plucked acoustic guitar, with occasional wistful keyboards. It leads expertly into "Your Light", which is a haunting song in which the mellow vocals alternate with more saxophone, but Teemu Niemela's bass actually overtakes the lead spot and really makes the cut.

For the rest of the album, the group changes direction again, almost as if they didn't have enough compatible material for one album, but at least they finally live up to the jazz/fusion classification, and I'm sure those with more knowledge of the field could site myriad influences, but I keep thinking of some of Andy Latimer's workouts on "Rain Dances"., especially on "Nordic Elements". The title track has a defining melody that I feel I have heard before but can't place. For those into the fusion style, the album closer will probably be the highlight as it features a strong beat, bass, electric piano, and, finally, some ripping lead guitar and sax. It isn't my thing, and it really doesn't play well off the style of the first 4 tracks, or vice versa, which ultimately dampens the overall effect of the album, whatever your preference.

The group's switchover between "side" 1 and 2 is nothing if not enigmatic, which is perhaps what they were getting at, and I adore the first segment, but they seem to have eschewed the most elementary need for cohesion. Still, if you are a fan of both styles and find transitions to be overrated, you should add another star.

Latest members reviews

4 stars This album have a very nice feeling for me. I don't love too much the new Prog bands, but this Finnish group plays very well to my ears. It's a lovely sound, very atmospheric sometimes, with a right balance between guitars and synth, but the sax presence emproves some track. On "Rain On" the mus ... (read more)

Report this review (#130142) | Posted by armapo | Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | Review Permanlink

Post a review of GROOVECTOR "Enigmatic Elements "

You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.