POD TAMNI NEBESA (Под тъмни небеса)

Velislav Ivanov is a young Bulgarian musician, based in Sofia and born in 1988.Much of a self-taught pianist/keyboardist he found great interest in producing his own music already from his teenage years, influenced by the likes of Alan Parsons Project, Marillion and King Crimson.Before even becoming an adult, Ivanov was ready with his first album ''Pod tamni nebesa'' (Under dark skies), a concept release arond the life and work of poet Dimcho Debelyanov and a free download on last.fm.

Of course Ivanov is the absolutely responsible person around all arrangements, instrumentation and vocals on this album, which sounds more or less like a combination of Art Rock and Contemporary Singer/Songwriter stylings.Actually this album is very close to a less demanding MR. GIL solo releases, music based very much in atmospheric soundscapes and sensitive vocal lines than any kind of challenging instrumental passages.Ivanov unfolds the concept over long repetitive synth-led passages, low-tempo piano themes, sampled choirs and drums and a few guitar chops, while his vocal melodies are sometimes interesting and emotional.Noone can deny this young man has talent, his arrangements burst out some rare emotions, but the musicianship is generally very simple, quite one-dimensional and as a result rather monotonous.Additionally the lyrics in his native language prevent a great mass of listeners from any kind of inspection regarding the concept of ''Pod tamni nebesa''.

I see this album more of an experimentation than an attempt by Ivanov to make any kind of significant impact.Definitely a richer sound or even a collaboration with experienced musicians would have helped him.Recommended or not, this album remains a free download for anyone willing to explore Ivanov's early steps in the composing field.