Lightspeed- Delta – Progressive Voyages Review PV098

Lightspeed are new to me yet somehow Lightspeed- Delta – Progressive Voyages Review PV098

Lightspeed are new to me yet somehow this is their fourth album, The earlier ones being So Where Exactly Are We?, On Second Thought and Waves, the band have been in existence since 1977 and whilst there have been changes over the years a core have remained throughout the time, namely Rod and Terry and until his death in 2018 Guitarist Gene Murray his passing led to another call up of the group to record this new album Delta which is dedicated to his memory.

What I didn’t realise until recently is that lightspeed has its origins in another seminal Progressive Rock/Pompous Rock band – The legendary Zon band who made big waves with their Astral Projector and Down To Earth album, well there seems to be a crossover between those two bands,Although I am still tracking down that particular connection it at least offers a place to start, Meanwhile let’s see what Delta is all about shall we,

The first thing that drew my attention to the album is the rather splendid cover which is very visually striking with a swirl of colour and a snake like image showing,

The album begins with Above and Beyond and lots of pomp rocking sounds, the keyboards are especially fine here with strong synthesiser and organ parts sprinkled throughout, the vocals are strong and the song is strong with a definite bounce to its step, excellent bass work also is very noticeable, it is very Chris Squire like in its driving playing..Constant Change is next, again the song is anchored by a sturdy bassline and some searing guitar lines, this is a great song I especially like the fluid guitar fills that pop up at regular points the sound is sumptuous and full, the chorus is also very good and stays with you. Another excellent track.

Sands Of Time follows beginning with a fluid guitar line and more guitar fills and that ever present bass line, the bassist Rod Chappell is very dextrous in this track and you can’t help listen to his excellent and unusual playing.

Cast My Cares (To The Wind) is next this has a noticeably strong bass line and presence, it really like this song it has overtones of bands like Starcastle and Kansas yet somehow still manages to retain its own unique style. It is an excellent track.

Next is If I Fall (Rick’s Cottage) this is a fairly mellow song that is enlivened by the saxophone playing of Supetramp’s John Halliwell and the violins of Ruth & Joyce O’Leary of serpent and Rock Violins which adds another layer of sound to Lightspeed, What I especially like is how they use the different vocalists (Wilmer Waabroek and John Persicischini) to such great effect.

Different Light follows and here we find a more middle tempo AOR type sound with strong guitar lines and brief solo from Tommy Denander, who really plays up a storm here there is also a great synthesiser solo from Oliver Wakeman I believe plays it, a further guitar break from Jamie Glaser Janine Stark ( the cover does actually determine who played it exactly, either way it is a great track and the guests definitely add to the overall sound.

This leads to the second part of the album which is a collection of songs and tracks which together tell the story of a man who decides he needs to make a voyage to get the answers he needs in order that he can understand the meaning of his life, In that process he determines he will not return as he will needs to keep searching indefinitely, the opening song of this section On My Way which starts the tell in a most satisfying manner, Sunrise follows and this is a very strong and strident track musically featuring the Moody Blues flautist, Norda Mullen, I really like this track as it is excellent musically and its an interesting track.

Endless Sky is next again this is another fine track with strong keyboards and great vocals, and a great chorus refrain that stays with you long after you’ve heard it, a graceful keyboard solo grabs the attention as well here, After thisnthecs9ng returns to that glorious refrain once again.

Time Stands Still follows and here we get some very tasty guitar and keyboard interactions, in a quite long track that leaves space for some great instrumental parts to show their skills,

Next track is Maybe Someday is next thus is a very Ballad type song, almost a power ballad in fact as it is enlivened by a fantastic guitar solo, before returning to the balladry.

Onward follows another longer track so ample time for some Strong instrumental sections from guitar and Synthesisers, Again this really hits home well, great lyrics and fabulous musical Performances this 9ne has a blistering keyboard and guitar solo towards its conclusion. In fact this track put me 8n mind of classic Styx in their Grand Illusion/ Piece Of Eight era, such is the strength of this song

The albums final song is Wish You Well (The Gweeb) This is his friend realisation that he is not going to return again and his heartfelt best wishes for him and the remainder of his life, it is a f8ne conclusion to what has been a rather wonderful album with outstanding people performing on various song the overall effect being a very cohesive and a strong album of material performed with class and style.

Sadly only available in Canada due to high postage costs but you can hear it on Bandcamp

Info and link here DELTA | Lightspeed https://share.google/QLvq2SdDh1nGopr0U

Personally I think it is an excellent album one that warrants a far wider audience than it will receive sadly.

Author John Wenlock-Smith. is their fourth album, The earlier ones being So Where Exactly Are We?, On Second Thought and Waves, the band have been in existence since 1977 and whilst there have been changes over the years a core have remained throughout the time, namely Rod and Terry and until his death in 2018 Guitarist Gene Murray his passing led to another call up of the group to record this new album Delta which is dedicated to his memory.

What I didn’t realise until recently is that lightspeed has its origins in another seminal Progressive Rock/Pompous Rock band – The legendary Zon band who made big waves with their Astral Projector and Down To Earth album, well there seems to be a crossover between those two bands,Although I am still tracking down that particular connection it at least offers a place to start, Meanwhile let’s see what Delta is all about shall we,

The first thing that drew my attention to the album is the rather splendid cover which is very visually striking with a swirl of colour and a snake like image showing,

The album begins with Above and Beyond and lots of pomp rocking sounds, the keyboards are especially fine here with strong synthesiser and organ parts sprinkled throughout, the vocals are strong and the song is strong with a definite bounce to its step, excellent bass work also is very noticeable, it is very Chris Squire like in its driving playing.

Constant Change is next, again the song is anchored by a sturdy bassline and some searing guitar lines, this is a great song I especially like the fluid guitar fills that pop up at regular points the sound is sumptuous and full, the chorus is also very good and stays with you. Another excellent track.

Sands Of Time follows beginning with a fluid guitar line and more guitar fills and that ever present bass line, the bassist Rod Chappell is very dextrous in this track and you can’t help listen to his excellent and unusual playing

Cast My Cares (To The Wind) is next this has a noticeably strong bass line and presence, it really like this song it has overtones of bands like Starcastle and Kansas yet somehow still manages to retain its own unique style. It is an excellent track.

Next is If I Fall (Rick’s Cottage) this is a fairly mellow song that is enlivened by the saxophone playing of Supetramp’s John Halliwell and the violins of Ruth & Joyce O’Leary of serpent and Rock Violins which adds another layer of sound to Lightspeed, What I especially like is how they use the different vocalists (Wilmer Waabroek and John Persicischini) to such great effect.

Different Light follows and here we find a more middle tempo AOR type sound with strong guitar lines and brief solo from Tommy Denander, who really plays up a storm here there is also a great synthesiser solo from Oliver Wakeman I believe plays it, a further guitar break from Jamie Glaser Janine Stark ( the cover does actually determine who played it exactly, either way it is a great track and the guests definitely add to the overall sound.

This leads to the second part of the album which is a collection of songs and tracks which together tell the story of a man who decides he needs to make a voyage to get the answers he needs to understand the meaning of his life, In that process he determines he will not return as he will needs to keep searching indefinitely, the opening song of this section On My Way which starts the tell in a most satisfying manner, Sunrise follows and this is a very strong and strident track musically featuring the Moody Blues flautist, Norda Mullen, I really like this track as it is excellent musically and its an interesting track.