NATHAN MAHL „Exodus”

Music: Jazz Fusion/Progressive Rock
Website: www.nathan-mahl.com
Duration: 59:28 minutes (10 tracks)
Country: Canada

I write the review about 6.00 a.m. and I hope my brain will wake up during listening of “Exodus”. I think that it will not be an easy review… The disc of NATHAN MAHL and others discs I got from Canada, from Quebec and concretely from label of Unicorn Dogital Inc. The label releases progressive music. So, the element of progressive music is common feature of all bands which I received to reviews. The progressive element sometimes is integrating with Metal as well as Rock phrases or Classic Music or even Pop Music.

The prefix “progressive” touches “Rock” in case of NATHAN MAHL. And then I can say that the music from “Exodus” is Progressive Rock with elements of Jazz Fusion, Hard Rock and Metal. “Exodus” contains 10 works which are very complex thematically. These works are inspired by events depicted in the second book of the Old Testament.

The guitar-keyboard phrases supported by equally varied the rhythmical section are characteristic feature of the music. Moreover the music possesses rich ornamentation in style of masterly jazz phrases and folk traces. The ornamentation you will hear in the parties of guitars and the keys solos. Some phrases are very similar to Klezmer climates (this is a connection of Jewish melodies with different kinds of music) as well as Indian or Irish lively sounds.

NATHAN MAHL is true progrock band because the instrumental arrangements fill the majority of the time. These arrangements are very rich and they often alter the music subject as well as they make impression neverending instrumental subjects. But however the vocal accents appeared here. We will hear many vocal sounds here – from the calm and gentle singing or the backing singers until more predatory vocals. When I listen the compositions I have impression that every work is like a tale, like a Rock Opera.

Generally the music is very mature and valuable as well as replete of many emotions. The compositions make impression very spontaneous, although this huge number of harmonize subjects, masterly serves, diverse sounds of the instruments and varied rhythms was arranged closely (from calm nostalgic songs in style of ballad to pretty dynamic and heavy works).

The climate of the album makes associations with Rock from 70 years.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1. Burning Bush
2. Let My People Go
3. The Plagues
4. The Parting
5. Down From The Mountain
6. 40 Years
7. The Last Climb
8. Canaan
9. Zipporah's Farewell
10. The Price Of Freedom

Line-up

Guy LeBlanc: Voice & Keyboards & Synthesizer & Percussion
Guy Dagenais: Voice & Basses & Guitars & Percussion
Tristan Vaillancourt: Guitars & Percussions
Alain Bergeron: Drums & Percussion & Voice

Guests:
David Peterson: Violin
David Campbell: Guitars on “Zipporah's Farewell”
France Morin-LeBlanc: Vocals on “Zipporah's Farewell”