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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Nicolas Meier

World Group - Peaceful

Review by Gary Hill

With jazz, world music and more built into it, this instrumental set is classy. It lands on the mellower end of the spectrum, but that's not a bad thing. This has a good amount of variety and is packed full of quality music.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2020  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.
Track by Track Review
Besiktas Cafe
The world stylings and jazz built into this piece work well. The number has an old world charm, a lot of energy and some killer guitar playing. It also has a nice balance between slower, mellower and stuff and the more powered up music.
Manzanita Samba
There is some killer instrumental work on this smoking hot fusion piece. It has mellower movements and more energized ones. There are some hints of classical and world music elements here, but not at the level of the previous tune.
Peaceful
This is another cut with some exceptional guitar work. There is a  bit of  good time traveling vibe to the piece, but it also alternates with some mellower movements. Fusion is on the agenda here, too.
Caravan of Anatolia
Middle-Eastern elements are on display here, but you might have figured that out from the title. It's a cool number that has plenty of intriguing textures and melodies at play. I dig the bass (it's not a bass guitar but plays in the same general register) solo movement.
Water Lilies
There is a sense of magic and mystery in this cut. The fast paced jam is alternated with some mellower, more introspective sounds for good effect. I really like this piece a lot.
Princes' Islands
Starting decidedly mellow and world music based, this gradually grows outward. It gets rather involved, but that world music thing is definitely the defining factor of this piece.
City of the 3 Rivers
I dig the energized fusion on display here. This cut reminds me a bit of Al Di Meola at times. The mellower dropped back movement later is classy, too.
The Island
I love the world music vibe to this. It really has a middle Eastern element to a large degree. It's energized and classy, too.    
Soho Square
There is plenty of mellow old-school jazz built into this piece. It's a classy number that works well. I love the violin work on this, and that brings some hints of bluegrass at times. The whole number just works so well, though. It oozes cool.
 
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