DAVE KERZNER – New World (2014)

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Over the years keyboard wiz / songwriter / producer DAVE KERZNER has worked with many major artists and producers ranging from Kevin Gilbert to Keith Emerson & ELP, Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, Alan Parsons, Neil Peart of Rush, Billy Sherwood and countless more.
Kerzner, also CEO of the sound design company Sonic Reality and member of the award-winning Progressive Rock band Sound Of Contact, decided it was time to take center stage as lead vocalist and put out his first album as a solo artist entitled “New World“.

But on this record Kerzner is not solo at all: he is helped by a ton of terrific musicians who not only appear as ‘famous guest to put on the front cover sticker’. No, each of these talented musicians are really involved into the project and leaves their mark.
There’s Steve Hackett (Genesis) playing on two songs, perhaps his best recording in the last 10 years, female vocalist Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), awesome drummer Nick D’Virgilio (Kevin Gilbert), Jason Scheff (Chicago) providing his velvety vocals, Billy Sherwood playing bass, Keith Emerson playing vintage analog synths, and countless more.

But let’s talk about Dave Kerzner; the man not only is a keyboard master, but also an imaginative composer and yes, a great vocalist as well. His leads are second to none, highly melodic and harmonized.
And what Dave has created on “New World”? A Progressive opus of course, but one that will last for a long time.

As many albums in this genre, it revolves around a concept, that’s set in the future and follows the main character on a journey from being stranded in the desert to finding his way back to the biodomed city where he originally came from.
But you easily can enjoy each track alone, and what a delicious enjoyment.

Dave Kerzner has crafted in “New World” the album Pink Floyd should have released after 20 years of absence. If you – like me – are a fan of the Gilmour-lead, A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) era, you will love “New World”. The production is first rate, excellent.
Indeed, this is Prog, but glossy, bright, melodic, with pulsating bass lines, vivid drumming and clear, varied guitar work. And of course, a million keyboards on all its forms, but cleverly used and arranged.
“New World” is about songs – yes, there’s two long suites separated into 5 parts each, but these are wonderful, believe me.

It’s not necessary to go deeper into words, just let your senses to be amazed by Dave Kerzner’s “New World” musicality. Quite possibly “New World” is the best Prog release of the year.
For years we have been waiting for an artist to come along and become THE big name in the Progressive genre. I think the wait is over; Dave Kerzner is going to be massive.
Awesome stuff.

01 – Stranded (Part 1-5)
Part 1: Sudden Isolation
Part 2: Delirium
Part 3: March of the Machines
Part 4: Source Sublime
Part 5: The Darkness
02 – Into the Sun
03 – The Lie
04 – Under Control
05 – Crossing of Fates
06 – My Old Friend
07 – Ocean of Stars
08 – Solitude
09 – Nothing
10 – New World
11 – Redemption (Stranded 6-10)
Part 6: The Oasis
Part 7: Resilience
Part 8: High On The Dunes
Part 9: Mirage Of The Machines
Part 10: To The Light

Dave Kerzner – Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Programming
Fernando Perdomo – Guitar, Bass
Nick D’Virgilio – Drums
Steve Hackett – Guitar Tracks 1, 11
Francis Dunnery – Guitar Tracks 10, 11
Russ Parish – Guitar Track 6
Colin Edwin – Bass Track 2
Billy Sherwood – Bass Track 5
Keith Emerson – Moog Modular Synth Track 5
Simon Phillips – Drums Track 5
Durga McBroom – Vocals Tracks 1, 11
Lorelei McBroom – Vocals Tracks 7, 8
Jason Scheff – Vocals Tracks 1, 11
David Longdon – Vocals Track 10
Emily Lynn – Vocals Tracks 8, 11
Lara Smiles – Vocals Track 8
Heather Findlay – Vocals Track 2
Maryem Tollar – Vocals Track 6
Christine Leakey – Vocals Track 7
Ana Cristina – Vocals Track 1

Produced by Dave Kerzner
Mixed by Dave Kerzner & Tom Lord-Alge

Pre-Order:
www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=5336
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