Reviews

Artist: Michael Lee
Album: Face Forward
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: www.myspace.com/michaelleeuk

One of the pleasantries about being a music reviewer is that every now and then you come across a truly gifted musician such as Michael Lee. This is doubtfully a topic for debate, and I challenge anyone to disagree come thirty seconds into the first track - 'Land Of Change' on his current album; 'Face Forward'. Surprisingly self taught, he plays an impressive number of instruments on his album including guitars, double, electric and fretless bass, Piano, synths, mandolin, percussion, string arrangements and drums. I really don't like to blow anybody's trumpet too much, but the musical competence and magnificence of Michael Lee is up there with the progressive rockers of early Genesis and Steve Hackett, with the creativity seen in Mike Oldfield and the catchy jazz pop musicianship of The Police. In vocal melody; Lee has an essence of Lenny Kravitz and Jeff Buckley. Yes it really is that complicated!

Never the less the instrumentation on 'Face Forward' is not at all over-done, and although rich in progressive musical attitude - as is evident in the impressive track 'Never Enough Time' - just one of many, Michael Lee still keeps within the boundaries of what is pleasing to the ears with tracks such as 'Tired' and the beautiful delicate number 'Mystery Of Life'. Delivering true quality and diversity within the walls of prog rock and jazz, 'Face Forward' is an album for musos to swoon over.

The impressive prog rock/jazz/pop single 'Trust' is available from October the 18th.

Miss James

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