Nathan Mahl - Shadows Unbound

Cover		Musicians
		Guy LeBlanc : Hammond organ, acoustic and Rhodes pianos, Hofner clavinet, Korg, vocals Marc Spénard : guitars, vocals Daniel Lacasse : drums, percussion Don prince : 4- and 6-string bass and fretless bass Jean-Pierre Ranger : lead vocals, bass pedals
Release	Label	Cat. N°:	Playing Time	Rating
20th february 2003	autoproduction	NMA009	64’55”	-
Website	Contact	Style
www.nathanmahl.com	nathanmahl@rogers.com	-
Review by John "Bobo" Bollenberg After the time consuming composing and recording of the “Heretik” trilogy, Camel keyboardplayer Guy LeBlanc has delved into his archives in order to find some older compositions which he has dusted off and released under the banner of “Shadows Unbound”. To make things even more interesting he has even gathered the original line-up of Nathan Mahl around him which obviously steers the music into more of a fusion direction. Mainly written as a follow up to the “Parallel Eccentricities” album the eight tracks on display here are wittier than the “Heretik” stuff, more powerful, more daring at times. Both the Hohner Clavinet as well as the Hammond organ are given a prominent role during the opener ‘Without Words’ whilst the bassplaying is emphasized in the mix. When you listen closely to ‘Between Here and There’ then two names get very close to what you hear : Brand X and National Health (the latter comes right after Nathan Mahl in my record collection !). The name National Health obviously is there because of the way LeBlanc approaches his keyboards coming damned close to the feel of the late Alan Gowen. With the titletrack the band rubs shoulders with Gryphon not in the least because of the inclusion of medieval textures. A small minus for the vocal interpretation by one certain JP Ranger here who sounds uncertain at times. LeBlanc feels like a fish in fresh water when he is able to show off his many talents on his Hammond which means guitarist Mark Spenard is given a secundary role. During ‘Beyond the Rims of Despair’ one of my favourite instruments, the Fender Rhodes, delivers kind of a Canterbury finish to the song. During the final song ‘A Call to Arms’, bassplayer Don Prince really can turn this into his song as the rest of the band enables him to demonstrate his technical skills whilst drummer Dan Lacasse also sees the possibility to experiment. As opposed to the “Heretik” trilogy a little bit of vocals are introduced as well however most of this “Shadows Unbound” album remains of an intsrumental nature where obviously most of the attention is reserved for keyboardplayer Guy LeBlanc. Although emphasized on the fusion element no doubt fans of good honest symphonic rock as well as well crafted jazzy elements will certainly find this album to be of great value and a treat for the ears as well as the mind !