Inside Out [Release date 12.01.18]
Kayak was founded in 1972 by keyboardist/composer Ton Scherpenzeel, who is the sole remaining original member, as the band release their seventeenth studio album. Ton is joined in Kayak by singer Bart Schwertmann and guitarist Marcel Singor, plus additional members bassist Kristoffer Gildenlöw (ex-Pain Of Salvation) and drummer Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse/Dave Bainbridge).
Kayak are a big name in their native Netherlands and rightly so based on this musical treat, that encompasses prog, pomp and even a little bit of musical in the grandiose arrangements on a couple of songs. Take ‘Walk Through Fire’ a song that combines plenty of organ/keys along with massed harmony vocals and a strong melody running throughout the song’s ten minutes.
The other epic on here ‘La Peregrina’ mixes melodic rock and the aforementioned musicals styling. Bart Schwertmann shows what a fine singer he is on this one and opener ‘Somebody’ – this song has a Queen sound and really reminded me of A.C.T., another fine band that successfully mixes progressive music with a big dose of melody and pomp.
‘All That I Want’ could easily be lifted off a Frontiers release from say Eclipse, with a big chorus and piano led melody, wonderful listening and impressive guitar solo by Marcel Singor.
The instrumental ‘Ripples On The Water’ features a special guest appearance from Camel’s Andy Latimer and needless to say it sounds a lot like Camel. Ton Scherpenzeel had apparently written this piece of music with working with Camel in mind.
Hopefully ‘Seventeen’ will see Kayak gain much wider recognition in the progressive music world and beyond. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
24th January – 013, Tilburg
25th January – Neushoorn, Leeuwarden
26th January – Victorie, Alkmaar
27th January – De boerderij, Zoetermeer
28th January – Luxor, Arnhem
Listen in to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio…
Click the appropriate icons at the top of the page.
Each week David Randall presents ‘New to GRTR!’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, with the emphasis on independent artists and labels. During December he replays favourite tracks including power plays featured during the year. This show covers the period January-March and was first broadcast on 1 December 2019.
Power Plays w/c 25 November (Mon-Fri)
Throughout December we are featuring Best of 2019 selections from the GRTR! Reviewers.
Featured Albums w/c 25 November (Mon-Fri)
09:00-12:00 Melodic Rock Featured Albums of 2019
12:00-13:00 Melodic Hard Rock Featured Albums of 2019
14:00-16:00 Singer Songwriter Featured Albums of 2019
Albums That Time Forgot (Mon-Fri)
A selection of albums featured in 2019
Tweets by Get Ready to ROCK!
