Illuminations is "the first new studio album from Glass in 27 years." It showcases a different side of Glass; the music is still as majestic and impressive as it always has been, but it also displays evidences of a true maturity. Soloing is kept to a minimum in favor of huge instrumental sections that belie the complexity of the arrangements. Let's also note that some of the "cream of the crop" of Canterbury musicians were brought in as guests: the track "Isle Of Dyslexia" has been recorded with the help of Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine), and "Gaia" features Hatfield and the North's creative duet: Richard Sinclair & Phil Miller.
Incidentally, "Gaia" is just one part of a much longer suite, originally written as a solo piece for Jeff. It has now been released in its entirety.
jeffreysherman.bandcamp.com/album/the-gaia-suite-complete
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0taqDssm7TA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mAv04sweHU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEJ3AqA4pVU
All titles published by Relentless Pursuit Music, BMI. © 2005 All Rights Reserved.
...the whole disc flows so easily from one track to another and what really impressed me was the way the band was able to create and paint such a large canvas of sound, using both the electronic and acoustic instruments to near perfection.
- Sea of Tranquilty
Glass proves that even after a 25-year absence from the studio, they are still a creative and vital force worth reckoning with on the progressive rock scene. Here's hoping we continue to hear much more from them in the future.
- Jeff Fitzgerald, Aural Innovations
www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue31/glass03.html
I'm so glad I have this record. I heard a couple of the songs from this record on Progrock Radio, and I would always check to see what band was playing because I liked the songs so much. The first song "Overture" is one of the best on this record, a really melodic song with mellotron right off the bat! The final song "Gaia" features Richard Sinclair doing vocal melodies, and Phil Miller playing lead guitar, these two guys from Hatfield & The North add some diversity to this already amazing album. There is some fuzz bass in this song as well. This is highly recommended and easily a four star record.
- Mellotron Storm
★★★★☆ Instrumentale Zeitreise
Glass, bin nur zufällig darauf gestoßen, machen schönen ruhige, aufgeräumte instrumental Musik. Sehr schöne beruhigende Klänge die sehr, sehr angenehm sind. Alles wirkt durchdacht und aufgeräumt. Auch die Vielfalt an Instrumenten sind hervorragend eingebracht. Wer solch eine Zeitreise erleben will oder mag, kann diese CD bedenkenlos kaufen.
- E.O., Amazon
...Illuminations is a fine piece of work, recommended to fans of progressive rock in general and highly recommended to fans of seventies progressive rock.
- Dutch Progressive Rock Page
This is a very special disc, an album out of its time, a timeless package perhaps. I'll ... give this album my highest recommendation.
- Progressive Land
The music is beautiful, complex, but presented with facility; it doesn’t sound complicated. I’m predicting this album is going to go far and bring the band quite forward to the publics attention.
- Guitar Noise
Considering the distinct originality of the band's sound, I can count Illuminations a good album overall...
- Progressor
Overall, Illuminations is a very good album, with lots of '70s musical mannerisms and '00s production quality.
- New Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock
released August 11, 2005
Personnel:
Greg Sherman: Mellotron, Hammond Organ, Grand Piano, Korg 01W Keyboard, Roland A90 Digital Piano, ARP Odyssey Synthesizer, Tape Loop Samples
Jeff Sherman: Alembic Bass Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Bass Pedals, Modified Sound Samples, Ensoniq Fuzz Bass Samples
Jerry Cook: Drums, Tympani, Percussion, Gong
With:
Hugh Hopper: Fuzz Bass Guitar (track 3)
Richard Sinclair: Bass Guitar & Vocals (track 15)
Phil Miller: Guitar (track 15)
Cover photo: Erik Poulsen
www.facebook.com/erik.brinch
