KOMPENDIUM – Beneath The Waves (2012)

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KOMPENDIUM is the brainchild of Magenta’s Rob Reed, a monster Prog project which debut album “Beneath The Waves” has just been released, featuring a veritable who’s who from the Progressive world including Steve Hackett, Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Mel Collins (King Crimson, Camel), Nick Beggs (Steve Wilson, Steve Hackett), Steve Balsamo (Jon Lord, Eric Wolfson), Nick Barrett (Pendragon) and many, many more.

“Beneath The Waves” is classic prog with diverse influences, from celtic sounds to classical, including melodious moments and magical soundscapes.

There’s massive arrangements, sometimes subtle, sometimes majestic, and the varied array of musicians was cleverly chosen for each according to their musicianship.

There’s a tendency for people these days to put on music and then pretty much ignore it, and keep it just as muzak. But you can’t do that with “Beneath The Waves” to enjoy it.

This is the kind of recordings where you have to pay attention, back to the days when albums meant so much to fans, when you put on a record and took the time to check out everything that was going on.

And well worth the time invested listening “Beneath The Waves”.

It’s a captivating Prog album, recorded in the way it used to be with care on all details and a superb production job.

Musicianship is remarkable too. In the old days, when major labels were able to finance something mammoth like this project, there was never any problem in getting big names into the studio. But that’s no longer the case, so kudos to Reed for the accomplishment.

A beautiful album.

01 – Exordium

02 – Lost

03 – Lilly

04 – Mercy Of The Sea

05 – The Storm

06 – Beneath The Waves

07 – Sole Survivor

08 – Alone

09 – Il Tempo e Giunto

10 – A Moment Of Clarity

11 – One Small Step

12 – Reunion

Steve Balsamo, Angharad Bryn – Vocals

Rob Reed – Keyboards, backing vocals

Steve Hackett (Genesis) – Guitar

Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) – Drums

Nick Beggs (Steve Hackett Band) – Chapman Stick, Bass

Troy Donockley (Nightwish) – Uilleann Pipes, Whistles

Nick Barrett (Pendragon) – Guitar

Neil Taylor (Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams) – Guitar

Jakko Jackzyk (20th C. Schizoid Band) – Guitar

Francis Dunnery (ex It Bites) – Guitar

John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*) – Guitar

Mel Collins (King Crimson, Camel) – Sax

BJ Cole (Elton John, David Gilmour) – Pedal Steel Guitar

Chris Fry (Magenta) – Guitar

Christina Booth (Magenta) – Backing Vocals

BUY IT !

www.amazon.co.uk/Beneath-Waves-Kompendium/dp/B009IHED0E