Jordan Rudess is one of the leading exponents of modern Progressive music, a multifaceted artist who has reached very high levels over the years with bands such as Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment and solo. The new album “Permission To Fly” is due for release on September 06, 2024 via InsideOut Music and contains nine tracks featuring some high-profile artists from the international scene. The lyrics are written written by his daughter Ariana, which the artist describes as follows: “Each song is a standalone journey, but collectively, the compilation unveils a musical odyssey through the vast spectrum of the human experience.” The album opens with “The Final Threshold,” which immediately plunges us into prog sounds with that intricate touch that characterises Jordan‘s sound. A four-minute passage, it manages to combine melodic parts, deep lyrics and complex passages, while also introducing us to Joe Payne’s beautiful voice. The longest track on the album, “Into the Lair,” which is over nine minutes long, features a solid and intricate rhythm section, while Jordan offers elaborate keyboard work with a sometimes electronic touch. A mixture of symphonic passages, intense vocal parts, where Rudess‘ compositional technique and the performing technique of the entire line-up stand out. An example of fresh and modern Progressive sounds, guided by his mastery on keyboards, managing to enhance the characteristics of all the artists involved, a beautifully crafted track. The intensity increases as the song progresses, evolving the central theme by exploring the different facets that characterise the artist’s sound. “Haunted Reverie” is a track that enhances both Joe Payne‘s vocals and Jordan‘s search for new, cutting-edge sounds. It is a passage that combines symphonic textures interpreted through the wide range of new sounds available, bringing the Prog genre into a modern, sometimes futuristic context. Loaded with pathos in the vocal parts and intense in the instrumental performance, another top-notch track. A track we have come to know as a video to anticipate the release of the album “The Alchemist,” never ceases to amaze me. We return to complex and elaborate sounds, with interweaving guitar and keyboards that accompany us for the almost 9 minutes, alternating in the solo inserts with dynamic and expressive vocals. The combination of classical sounds such as the organ with the more electronic synth sounds is remarkable, while the rhythm section is enriched with tempo changes and an elaborate and constantly evolving structure. A softer passage “Embers,” a fine ballad that enhances Joe Payne’s vocals and shows a softer, more melodic side of the artist. Precious symphonic keyboard openings add a dreamy atmosphere to the sound, which develops into a musical crescendo culminating in a fine guitar solo. With the return of the vocal for the last verses the track ends. “Shadow of the Moon” is another of the album’s more delicate passages, highlighting Joe’s vocal abilities, especially in the first part. In the central instrumental section, Jordan takes centre stage with a fine keyboard solo insert, before returning to vocals and concluding in a musical crescendo full of pathos. The following “Eternal” opens with Heavy guitar riffs intertwining with keyboards and a solid rhythm section. One of the heaviest tracks on the album, with continuous tempo changes and intricate passages. Jordan once again shows all his technique and innovation on keyboards and in composition. The vocals are intense and alternate perfectly with the instrumental sections, where Heavy sounds are combined with a unique Funky style. Almost 9 minutes of pure pleasure for lovers of Prog sounds, with all the artist’s facets highlighted by a composition and execution of absolute value. The album’s shortest track “Footstep in the Snow” opens with dreamy atmospheres and a refined piano melody. The vocal is warm and deep, adding inetnsity to the sound, which returns to more delicate sounds but with an absolute class. A track to listen to again and again, emotional and that makes the listener’s soul vibrate. The tracklist ends with a keyboard-only track “Dreamer,” featuring orchestrations and fine soundscspes. Jordan‘s signature to this disc is truly of a very high standard from beginning to end. Emotions run high in this new chapter of the artist’s discography, putting another milestone of modern Prog in its place. All the artists involved bring their own technique to the disc, surely one of the best releases of recent years. Softer passages and more intricate ones follow one another throughout the tracklist, making this an enjoyable and rich listen from start to finish. An album of absolute value.
Tracklist
01. The Final Threshold (4:08)
02. Into the Lair (9:31)
03. Haunted Reverie (5:14)
04. The Alchemist (8:36)
05. Embers (4:03)
06. Shadow of the Moon (5:29)
07. Eternal (8:53)
08. Footstep in the Snow (4:02)
09. Dreamer (5:03)
Lineup
Jordan Rudess / Keys
With:
Joe Payne / Vocals
Darby Todd / Drums
Steve Dadaian / Guitar
Bastian Martinez / Guitar Solos
