Luke Machin - Soulshine PV062
This is part onevof a two part review where both Chris Clarkvand i offer an opinion ion on this new album from Luke Machin
Here's Chris's Review mine will follow shortly
‘Soulshine’ – album review Progresive Voyages Review PV064e
Luke Machin is no stranger to the progressive rock world. He is the guitarist for one of my favorite bands on planet Earth in The Tangent, and of Karnataka and It Bites, as well as his first solo project, Maschine. He is also one of my personal favorites and, in my humble opinion, is one of the world’s most overlooked and underrated guitarists. As such, any time I get to focus on his talent, that is an opportunity I will gladly take.
And that time is now.
The world gets to add one more solo project to the ‘Machin mix’, and this is yet another glorious chance for me to brag on Luke and let the world know just how great he is. But unlike his other bands and projects, which are more straightforward in their “prog-ness”, this new project presents a very different style and feel from all of his other work, and he brings with him a veritable arsenal of guest singers and musicians, all of whom are masters of their craft, to make it happen. I am speaking of the new band that Luke has titled(very aptly, as you will discover) Soulshine.
Because Luke is primarily a progressive rock artist, this record is being considered a prog release. But it really isn’t all that progressive. There ARE plenty of prog elements to it, and those elements are very excellently placed to give the songs on offer a very nice flavor that is akin to prog. But make no mistake whatsoever…. This is a SOUL record; chock full of the style of music that lends itself to the blending of elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, Latin and even some gospel flavor. It’s a lovely statement of deep and rich feeling and exuberant happiness in a world that sorely needs that sunshine.
So, join me, won’t you? Let’s harness our energy, pick some wild roses, get lost on the vast Parisian rooftops, and harness the light within our individual shining souls as we delve into this phenomenal record together.
Frequency – it’s only 51 seconds, but even in that short time we get a glimpse of the marvelous guitar feast we have in store for us on the record…. Tasteful and signature Luke Machin….
Energy – a picturesque track that has vibes of driving through a city neighborhood on a warm summer day with the top down; kids playing and guys playing pick-up b-ball games. Close your eyes while listening to this upbeat pop-wonder of a track, and you’ll see it too. An extremely “feel good” song that lifts your spirit and invigorates it.
Soulshine – a deep R&B style groove with accompanying vocals, this is a great “laid-back” track. One of the songs that showcases Luke’s extended soloing…. Which surprisingly only happens a few times on this record. He’s marvelous at being simultaneously flashy and understated, and his solo on this song is a great example of that.
Dive-In – another very soulful track that lends itself yet again to the feel of an afternoon drive or a hang-out with friends at the lake on a happy, bright summer’s day. On this song, Machin chooses to showcase his extraordinary ability in short, brilliant bursts that will just leave you shaking your head at what an underrated gem he is in the world of tasteful guitar-playing. Another uplifting track that incorporates several musical genres and will leave you smiling.
Rise Up – man do the good-time, “feel alive” sunshine grooves keep coming on this record. Just gorgeous, yet understated vocally, this track leans on the bass and the simple yet effective drum beats to propel it along. This is a marvelous example of how simplistic songwriting can be so effective if done right. The groove is constant and makes you move with the rhythm.
Parisian Rooftops – we drop the sunshine-happy style grooves here in favor of a deeper, more ponderous approach to the song’s beat initially. This is a slower-swing style with fantastic, moody vocals. One of the more nuanced tracks on the record with multiple feels/tones/moods that shift throughout, including a really cool and original section where Luke and the vocals play and sing in unison. So very different and fresh, this one. Lots of great atmosphere and I love how the song twists and turns to keeps you engaged. And just a beautiful, soaring ending that will remain with you for a while. Another favorite of mine.
Blossom – the beats drop out completely here in favor of a vocal/light instrument track. My God, this is just gorgeous, as songs with the incomparable Peter Jones singing often are. He is singing in a duo/duet format here, and the emotion and feeling just flows out of this one from both him and his counterpart. Simplistic and astoundingly heartfelt and soulful.
Wild Roses – back to the swing beat we go, with more wonderfully light and happy jazz-style beats and astonishing vocals. I may sound like a broken record, but this album is just FULL of the jazz-style…. Yet it’s not monotonous (as jazz can sometimes be). The styles are incorporated in so many different ways and with so many different feels and genres, progressive and otherwise…. It’s truly spectacular. We get some excellent keyboards in this one…. And it has to be Andy Tillison. It just has to be…. For no one can play the style required here with such panache and flair as he does. We then, astonishingly, go calypso…. Yes, I said calypso…. This is just so stunningly fantastic and varied, this track. It’s all over the place, and it is ALL SO GOOD. This IS my favorite track of them all.
Turn Around – we slow it back down here, and it’s a welcome breath after the maelstrom of sounds and styles that we traipsed through in ‘wild roses’. With not much to it musically apart from several short but powerfully memorable guitar flourishes from Machin as he alternates with the vocal refrains, this relies primarily on the vocals for its mood, which it gives in abundance.
FINAL BOSS – In what has to be a nod to video games with its title (and I noticed earlier in the record a nod to ‘Mortal Kombat’ with the well-known line from that excellent game: “GET OVER HERE!” 😉), this final track serves as a staggering conclusion. Heavy on the musical prowess, it showcases Luke’s soloing ability like no other song on the record. It is also far and away the most “straight-rock” and full-on neo-progressive song on the record. The instrumentation here is complex and extremely well-played, including some of the finest bass work I’ve heard in some time. What a prodigious ending.
There’s no doubt about it, ladies and gentlemen…. Luke Machin has done something very special here. It has taken him quite a bit of time (most good things often do take time, after all) but he has finally delivered to us all a crackingly smart, beautiful, heartfelt, sunny, “lift your soul”, all-genre encompassing and inspiring record with ‘Soulshine’. It is not often that I can say those things about progressive records: many are good… some are very good…. A few are great…. But very, very few are MASTERFUL. Take it from me…. This record is a masterpiece. It is not only one of the best releases of 2025…. It may well be THE BEST record of the year. And that, in this day and age of thousands of releases, is saying something. It is an ESSENTIAL album for fans of music…. Both progressive and otherwise. Do NOT miss out on experiencing this record. Your ears will thank me.
And your soul will SHINE.
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Authorv Chris Clark