Anders Buaas has played with numerous bands in both studio and live projects over the years, as a guitarist on the Paul DiAnno and Ripper Owens tours. His new concept album “The Edinburgh Suite” was released on August 11, 2022 via Apollon Records and contains 2 epic tracks of over 20 minutes each. The lineup is completed with world-class artists such as Marco Minneman on drums, Tony Franklin on bass, Christian M. Berg on mallets and percussion, and Richard Garcia on keyboards. The symphonic traits of the album are evident from the first notes, with a mixture of positive melodies steeped in Prog Rock and Jazz references. Intertwining string instruments and keyboards, a solid and elaborate rhythm section that is enriched by tempo changes with deep, load-bearing bass lines. The technique of the artists involved is of a high standard, a truly stellar lineup that showcases their qualities at every turn. The level of the compositions is always very high, managing to bring the atmospheres of 70s Prog records to the present day with a modern and personal touch. Also very interesting are the experiments with electronic keyboard sounds that fit perfectly into the musical context. One might think that an album consisting of 2 tracks of over 20 minutes would be difficult and difficult to approach, but instead it is fluent and engaging for the entire duration, thanks also to the symphonic setting of the sound. Each of the musicians makes his or her own contribution, adding their personal style to the album’s sound, putting their technique and experience at the service of the band. In fact, the line-up consists of five of the best musicians on the world Prog scene. Rich, sometimes pompous keyboard textures, forays into Rock and many of its sub-genres, creating an original and Progressive blend in the purest sense of the word. It is an honour to be able to review albums such as these that do good music good and give new oxygen to the genre, showing that there are excellent exponents capable of proposing fine music. An absolutely recommended listen, and one of the best releases of 2022, in my opinion to be placed in the category of absolute masterpieces of music.
Tracklist
1. The Edinburgh Suite Pt. 1 Old Town (20:30)
2. The Edinburgh Suite Pt. 2 New Town (21:30)
Lineup
Anders Buaas / Guitars, Mandolin & Banjo
With:
Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats, Mike Keneally) / Drums
Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake) / Bass
Christian M. Berg / Mallets and Percussion
Richard Garcia / Keyboards, Piano & Accordion
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