Diagonal is a UK band formed in 2006 in Brighton, which offers a Prog Rock genre strongly influenced by the sounds of the Canterbury Scene and the Krautrock of the early 70s. Their new album “4” was released on Digital and Vinyl between October and December 2021 via Cobblers Records and contains 5 medium-long duration tracks. The band continues the exploration and experimentation by mixing different genres and styles, giving life to a personal sound in continuous evolution. The opener “Amon” is a track that right from the start shows how the band recreates a 70s sound even in mixing and mastering. A solid rhythmic session with tempo changes that enrich the passages, guitars and saxes that intertwine in melodies and riffs and solos. The vocal is warm and expressive also in retro style, while in the central part with a change we enter an instrumental section with continuous tempo changes and a valuable organ. This first song reaches the levels of the masterpiece, if we close our eyes it will seem to have gone back pleasantly 50 years. “Chroma” opens with a hypnotic guitar arpeggio to which sax inserts and an intricate rhythm session are added. Closer to the sounds of the Canterbury Scene, with marked Jazz references and continuous tempo changes that allow the band to develop complex and at the same time very pleasant plots. The sax offers a valuable solo in the second part bringing the sound of this piece to high levels, while keeping the quality of the record very high. A Funky rhythmic session with killer bass lines opens “Spinning Array” which develops with excellent vocal armnias and a Canterbury atmosphere reminiscent of the sounds of Caravans. The winds and the keyboards intertwine in the melodies and the song envelops us and cradles us from beginning to end, also inserting the sound of the hulusi. “Stellate” is an entirely instrumental track where the band explores Krautrock sounds, mixing them with their own personal traits, using technique and quality. A solid rhythmic session and an excellent mix of guitar, keyboards and winds with acid sounds and enriched by the effects, used in a delicious way. A winning blend of Psych and Kraut, recalling bands such as CAN, managing to bring back to the present day with their unique and personal touch, very well. The album closes with the longest track “Totem” which begins with a slow pursuit of repeated guitar arpeggios, which hypnotize the listener, continuing the journey. After an introductory section of about 2 minutes, the rhythmic session begins with percussion and deep bass lines, on which a choral vocal is inserted. The long duration allows you to slowly develop the piece, managing to increase the intensity with the passing of the minutes and inserting the sax, stratifying the sounds more and more. In the middle of the song they develop a sung part with pleasant dreamy melodies and a harmonious vocal, and then enter an instrumental section.The guitar takes the stage with a solo full of pathos, and then closes in crescendo, making us want to press play again and listen to the album again. This band confirms the good things heard in the previous albums, managing to propose refined sounds, bringing back to the present day the pleasant atmospheres of the golden years of music. A winning blend of Canterbury, Krautrock and Progressive Rock with forays into Psychedelia, long instrumental passages and intense and expressive vocals with dynamic singing. An album that is very valuable from start to finish managing to reproduce a certain type of sound that is not often heard nowadays. A must listen for all lovers of Progressive sounds of the early ’70s, in my opinion a real masterpiece.
Tracklist
01. Amon (08:23)
02. Chroma (04:47)
03. Spinning Array (05:05)
04. Stellate (06:29)
05. Totem (11:47)
Lineup
Alex Crispin / Bass, Synthesiser, Electric Piano, Vocals
Luke Foster / Drums, Percussion, Organ, Synthesiser, Vocals
Ross Hossack / Synthesiser
Daniel Pomlett / Guitar
Nicholas Whittaker / Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Hulusi, Vocals
David Wileman / Guitar
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