The not so evident use of marimba and vibraphone form the backbone of the Hermetic Science music. Based around the person of Ed Macan, this music goes further than "only" the progressive idiom. Thanks to these instruments which normally are the highlights in the world of jazz, you now get the ideal pollination. Prophesies opens surprisingly with a cover of Rush's "Jacob's Ladder," whilst it sets the tone by means of the funky "Intrigue In The House Of Panorama." The main part of this original album is the lengthy 41 minute "Prophecies" which is built out of six seperate parts. Again jazz elements start to creep in, yet next to the already mentioned marimba and vibraphone also the "vintage" keyboards such as ARP string ensemble, Hammond organ and Steinway grand piano underline the fragile music, whilst the rhythm section seems to have everything under control so as not to come across as being cacaphonic at all. As an encore, Macan throws yet another interesting concept in the ring by means of a unique version of "Tarkus," well-known for the bombastic original composed by ELP yet here all the varnish has been stripped off in order to deliver the goods solely on grand piano. Macan is also the author of the book Rocking The Classics : English Progressive Rock And The Counterculture. For more information visit http://www.hermeticscience.com Certainly a very original and wayward travel through the wondrous world of prog which I don't see being copied too easily. A nice hand of applause also for the great Andy Durham on fuzzy bass and Matt McClimon on drums. Reviewed by : John 'Bobo' Bollenberg |
