My only really critique is perhaps a little bit of repetition throughout, but that also may be a result of the album being recorded live in a day. The drums have a jazzy improv feel that sets the perfect stage for the guitars and organ. It adds such a rich atmosphere to the songs, even when the guitar is taking center stage. The Hammond organ really makes this record stand out for me. These elements add warmth to the recording, as well as bring a vintage feel to the music. There’s even a sense of space from the room the recorded the music in. You can even hear the little hand movements on the guitar strings and the little natural noises you would get playing live. The result is music with form that still breathes. Rob wrote all the music, but he says that he didn’t tell Pete and Jeremy what to play. I think that approach is best for this kind of jazz-blues instrumental music. The album sounds extremely fresh, which is likely due to the group recording the songs live in studio on one day in December 2020. The music is relatively simple – guitars by Rob Koral, Hammond organ by Pete Whittaker, and drums by Jeremy Stacey. The songs on Wild Hearts are very upbeat, reminding me a little of the first Jethro Tull record and of Blodwyn Pig. He is also a founding member of the band Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion. That’s probably the best way to describe Rob Koral’s new album, Wild Hearts. Rob has played on over 30 records, and he is most well known for his work with the band Sketch. Part jazz, part classic rock, part blues, and all with a sprinkling of prog over the top for good measure. Fans of Gentle Giant should definitely give this a spin, but any serious prog aficionado will find something to appreciate here. The gorgeous, multi-layered vocal harmonies rock-solid rhythm section and symphonic synth and keys (among other instruments, including flute, sax, and cello) place this quintet near the top of the list of obscure gems.
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Some critics dismissed Et Cetera as a Gentle Giant clone, but they clearly failed to appreciate what each of these musicians brought to the table. This was certainly a shame considering their level of skill: Marie Bernard Page has the voice of an angel (you’ll appreciate her talent from the get go) Robert Marchand transitions from soft strumming on acoustic guitar to jazzy licks on electric with ease (see “Entre chien et loup” and “Apostrophe” to hear it for yourself) Denis Chartrand plays with the focus of Kerry Minnear and would certainly be his match in a duel of keyboard virtuosos and Alain Pigeon and Pierre Dragon on bass and drums, respectively, prove that those two winged creatures can get along splendidly when they combine their talents in order to tackle a variety of intricate rhythmic patterns.
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Et Cetera, a Canadian quintet (with a female vocalist!), released their sole album in the USA’s bicentennial year, but unfortunately disbanded shortly thereafter. Do you admire the technical virtuosity of Gentle Giant? (You probably do – you’re a reader of Progarchy, after all.) Do you speak French, or at least consider the language beautiful? (Of course you do.) Then consider listening to this long lost Quebecois gem.