Marscape is a soundtrack performed by some of the finest British jazz-rock musicians, mostly schooled within Brand X and under the leadership of keyboardist Robin Lumley and Lyricon (an electronic wind instrument) player Jack Lancaster, both having glorified previous careers with the Brit prog universe. Brand X back up is provided by guitarist extraordinaire John Goodsall, the slippery fretless master Percy Jones and the ridiculously talent drummer turned future torch singer Phil Collins. Finally, Simon Jeffes (Penguin Café Orchestra) arranges the necessary orchestrations where needed. The material is mostly instrumental, but sort of strange and ethereal, purposefully so in order to really expand on its uniqueness. The sound is obviously closely associated with Brand X, as well as cousin projects Wilding-Bonus, Quantum Jump, Isotope and John G.Perry solo. Percy Jones needs no introduction, his fretless technique way more complex and technical than say the master of wobble Mick Karn of Japan legend. His playing is simply remarkable throughout, in perfect alignment with Collins' terrific rifling style. But this is really Robin Lumley's pet project, fully developing his piano artistry, adding harmonium, synths, organ and autoharp to his ivory arsenal, as well as being helped by Lancaster's saxes, flutes and the much-maligned Lyricon. The music on this album has a much more ambient approach. There is a very fine dividing line between much of the progressive rock and the jazz rock of the seventies. This album will definitely appeal to progressive rock fans of the prog scene from the early seventies, whose music was very much influenced by the jazz scene that gave rise to bands such as that which performs on this album.

Tracklist:

1.Take Off (Into Earth Orbit) 2.Sail On Solar Winds (The Journey) 3.Arrival (Into Martian Orbit) 4.Phobos And Deimos (The Twin Moons Of Mars) 5.With A Great Feeling Of Love: Inner Warmth And Feelings Of Affinity 6.With A Great Feeling Of Love: Marscape: Outer Cold And Icy Silence 7.Olympus Mons 8.Homelight (Reflecting On Distant Earth) 9.Hopper (Machine For Negotiating The Rough Martian Terrian) 10.Dust Storm 11.Blowholes (The Pipes Of Mars) 12.Realization 13.Release

Lineup:

Jack Lancaster - Lyricon, saxophone, flutes, watergong, Robin Lumley - piano, harmonium, synthesizers, autoharp, Hammond organ, John Goodsall - guitars, Percy Jones - bass, electronic percussion, watergong, Phil Collins - drums, percussion, Bernie Frost - voices, Simon Jeffes - koto, The Simon Jeffes Sring Quartet