Album review: DUKES OF THE ORIENT

March 16th, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.02.18]

Dukes Of The Orient is centred around vocalist/bassist John Payne and keyboards player Erik Norlander, however they have their origins in Asia featuring John Payne. In that guise John Payne has worked with guitarists Guthrie Govan, Moni Scaria, Bruce Bouillet and Jeff Kollman, all of whom appear on the album on one or more songs, along with drummer Jay Schellen, plus of course Erik Norlander.

This album has been in the making for over ten years and it has been worth the wait. Musically there is a lot of Asia in the sound as you’d expect, none more so than on ‘Strange Days’, which recalls the ‘Silent Nation’ album by Asia. A song full of melody and a memorable chorus. It also marks the only song to feature Guthrie Govan on guitar. The guitar playing on ‘Time Waits For No One’ is reminiscent of Steve Howe and it is another song with a big melody and chorus.

‘A Sorrows Crown’ with a big church organ intro, highlights the keyboards wizardry of Erik Norlander who’s playing is a delight to listen to throughout the album. The ten minute epic ‘Give Another Reason’ starts with a lovely piece of acoustic guitar, before developing into a big prog rock workout. A song more in tune with the one album GPS made (that was Guthrie/Payne/Schellen with Spock’s Beard’s Ryo Okumto).

Dukes Of Orient may be on their debut album, however the musicians involved have plenty of experience and the album will delight fans of Asia, plus anyone who enjoys top quality melodic rock with a progressive edge. I really hope Dukes Of The Orient get out into the live arena and we don’t have to wait so long for any follow-up album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)