Explorer Of Life
Self-Released, 2017
8/10
A prog-rock guitarist with a vision for captivating fusion ideas, Charles Brown brings us a very well thought out effort here, where you won’t have a hard time recognizing influences from classic rock, classical and jazz, too.
Brown opens the listen with the warm synth of the title track, as buzzing guitar and crashing drums enter the very melodic and driving landscape, and “Parallel Journey” continues the creativity with swirling, dreamy prog-rock that’s both firm and intimate in its dynamic nature.
In the middle, Brown offers the very intricate “Prelude (From Cello Suite #1)”, where he interprets a Bach composition with incredible guitar skill, while “Above The Mist” carries a chilling, spacey backdrop amid the soothing acoustic guitar and wordless backing vocals. “Wind Of Darkness”, another excellent tune, then showcases agile synth as crunchy guitar and drum acrobatics make this the album’s best.
Nearing the end, the meticulous guitar of “Spectral Voyage” is met with a hazy, ethereal mood that's quite cinematic, and “When The Sun Rises” finishes the listen with gorgeous acoustic guitar weaved into an enveloping, surreal exit.
The keyboardist Steve Espinosa accompanies Brown’s unparalleled guitar playing, not to mention his skilled synth and percussion, too, and it makes for 10 tracks that you just can’t wait to hear again.
Travels well with: Jimmy Ryan- Astral Café; Strat Andriotis- Night Manager