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Galactic Receiver [Release date 03.05.24] www.benjamincroftmusic.com
You could be forgiven thinking that Benjamin Croft is the latest U.S. fusion export. But Benjamin is British and this is his third solo album. He has worked in the States but relocated to the UK a decade or so ago after working with artists such as Belinda Carlisle and The Temptations. He also does a sideline in Indian restaurant reviews so if Chicken Vindaloo is your thing check out his website.
He’s now assembled a heavyweight team of fusion ‘A’ listers and, for starters, opening track ‘The Age Of Magrathea’ features genre stalwarts Greg Howe, Stuart Hamm and Marco Minnemann.
Croft plays keyboards but never dominates, bringing a lightness of touch and a proggy Yes-vibe to frequently intense and intricate playing. He was influenced at an early age by the Yes album ‘Close To The Edge’ as well as by Keith Emerson.
Jeff Scott Soto appears for the title track (and ‘She Flies Softly On’), aided by Billy Sheehan on bass. Elsewhere Mike Stern lends his distinctive guitar tones to ‘You Made Me Miss’ which also features drum overlord Simon Phillips. Frank Gambale features on an album highlight ‘Lower Moat Manor’.
Of the other standouts – ‘Caught In The Flypaper’ – features Lynsey Ward (Exploring Birdsong) who also lends her vocals to ‘Wrestling With Plato’.
This album is Grade A Fusion and will appeal to fans of bands like Planet X or any of the artist offshoots such as Protocol (Simon Phillips) and Sons Of Apollo (Jeff Scott Soto) as much as our more recently reviewed and revered Rachel Flowers . ****
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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