Album review: MICK PAUL – Parallel Lives

MICK PAUL - Parallel Lives

[Release date 09.06.21] www.mickpaulbassist.com

David Cross (ex-King Crimson) collaborator Mick Paul is a bassist/guitarist and ‘Parallel Lives’ is characterised by his bubbling bass and Sheila Maloney’s excellent keyboard textures and arrangements.

Craig Bundell (Steven Wilson) lends his drums including on ‘Light Of Silence’ whilst Cross supplies violin to ‘No Horizon’. And to complete the prog celeb triumvirate David Jackson (Van Der Graaf Generator) provides flutes and whistles on the, er, flighty ‘Swallows’.

There’s a real consistency to the album and the best tracks appear at the end of the CD version, notably ‘Name On You’, ‘Consigned To Reality’ and ‘Morning Skyline’.

At times, this album reminded me of the sort of thing Jakko M. Jaksyk might put out, especially with Jinian Wilde’s vocal inflections. The vocalizations also bring to mind Steve Hackett in places and the overall vibe not dissimilar to that guitarist’s work with Djabe. Jazzy prog if you will. ****

Review by David Randall

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