MARCO DE ANGELIS Next Station 2017 (CD, 54:25) INDEPENDENT MDA CD-002 PROGRESSIVE ROCK
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Italy’s Marco De Angelis is a contemporary Renaissance man —composer, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer and producer. His wide-ranging 2013 debut album, The River-Both Sides of the Story, was well received by critics and fans alike. Next Station, Marco’s second album, is the logical exten-sion of The River musically and lyrically — a mature, engaging work clearly inspired by 1970s-era progressive motifs but distinctive enough to appeal on its own merits. Star contributor Nad Sylvan delivers some standout perfor-mances here, his distinctive vocals elevating melodic prog corker “Free Will,” the eclectic “Keep Going” and five-part suite “A Proggy Night in London” (how’s that for an appropriate title?). Manning vocals elsewhere are Goran Edman (Karmakanic, Yngwie Malmsteen) on “Last Train” and Robbie Wyck-off (Roger Waters Band) on “Back Again” and the four-part title track. De Angelis wields most instruments (guitars/keyboards/mandolin/Chap-man Stick/bass), with help from Christiano Micalizzi (drums) and Christiana Polegri (saxophone). While seginents of Next Station echo the mellow side of Pink Floyd and Union-era Yes, most of the music here is quite inventive and dynamic, with wonderful grasp of melody.
Nick Tate