Riffstone - Great Journeys - Progressive Voyages Review
Riffstone (Colin Powell and Dave Allen) are very productive folks this i*s their third album in 12 months ( Richard 111, Sanctuary Sky and Mythical Creatures) and now you can add this one tonthat ever growlist if works. This one features musical interpretations of some classic “Great Journey's like The Orient Express, The Silk Road and South Pole along with 6 others.
That these chaps are so productive is a testament to both their work ethic and their open minds and interests, both are intelligent men who use their intelligence in crafting some fine symphonic progressive music together for us all to enjoy.
Quite frankly their output is astounding especially as the quality never really dips
This album Released in June of this year will take you on an armchair voyage to various destinations involving Paris to Istanbul on The Orient Express, from Chiina to Istanbul or Cairo via Samarkand and through Persia, To the foothills if Mount Everest. Along the Pilgrims way in Carminn De Santiago in Spain, across the South Pole and across the oceans of the atlantic in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, To the depths of The Marina trench in the Pacific Ocean near Guam. Finally to an exploration of the Red Planet - Mars (jA journey mankind has yet to attempt) Although its on the cards for the Kate 2020's or early 2030's.
So with all that in mind its time to settle down and begin our musical adventure on this Progressive Voyage with the boys from Riffstone!
The albums begins with The Orient Express, this track is actually performed by Colin Powell as are the tracks South Pole, Red Horizon and The Maps Are Fading To White. All the other tracks are co written and performed in conjunction with Dave Allen.
The Orgent Express evokes the golden age of steam and also if indulgence and luxury through the heart of Europe before finally arriving into Istanbul,the gateway between East and West. The track begins withvsteam train noises before a sole piano begins as well as a liquid guitar line programmed drums add to the impression of gathering speed , WhatbI like here is how Colin uses the drums to convert a sense of movement and the gentle piano accompaniment that runs throught the track, zan excellent Opening statement of intent for this album.
Next we have The Silk Road The Legendary trade route that moved goods from China to Europe and Egypt. One that spread knowledge from the East to the West and vice versa as boith sides learnt from each other about new technologies and new learnings to benefit mankind.the sound is certainly Eastern influences tone and us highly effective in contouring up the essence ofvthatbpart of the world.i find the ltrics interesting here too as they cover the long span of time that the silk road was in operation.
What these tracks convey is a little historical context and information about each journey, Ideal for armchair voyagers!.
Next track is Himalayas This is an instrumental track with suitably evocagive music soundscapes, A lot performed oof which are performed on synthesisers with bass guitar and programmed drums which all add to the fine sounds as they seek to show the wide spaces and high uplands if that area. This track biulds as if it is ascending. It offers a great sound and a great suggestion if the area itself.
Its a great instrumental track that conveys space and a different world view really well. I like this fine track a lot. With its great orchestration and stately sound. I also like how the guitars come into play towards the end driving the rhythm along, a most satisfying track in every way. A wonderful sound and track.
Camino de Santiago is next and us about the 1000 mile trail that stetches across southern France and irther Spian from saint Jean Pied De Port to Santiago De Compostela where it ends a distance of a mere 760 Kilometres although you can extend it to include the extra leg from Sarria to Santiago which takes it to a 1000 kilometre walk (621.3 miles). It is a pilgrimage made to show commitment to your faith, its not an easy walk usually taking between 25 to 42 days to complete. It really is a pilgrimage journey of commitment and sincerity One where the traveller can make his peace and accept life in its fullness.i especially likevthe middle instrumental section of this trackmwhich sounds very pastoral and organic as if to reflect the landscape of the journey being undertaken.
South Pole is next here we encounter a white world at the end of the earth, far from anywhere, where winds chill you and making progress is difficult because of the harsh terrain, The song speaks of all this most evocatively and you get a real sense of the isolation of the area. Hiw barren and inhospitable it truly is.
The Voyage Of The Beagle is next this recounts the journey Charles Darwin undertook in the formation and writing if his Thesis on the Origin Of The Species his theory of Evolution that he e flores during his visits to the Galapagos Island and brazils, Paragonia and other south Pacific islands where he documented the various wildlife and fauna on which he based his theory of natural selection and of the evolutionady processes in play alll observed in the 5 year Voyage of the Beagle in 1831. Thecsound here is pretty epic withba strong guitar line threading throughout the track, lot of good keyboard elements on display here too.
Mariana is next this takes us to the earth's deepest point, The Nariaba Trench near Guam at some !0935 metres in depth (35876;feet deep) it is deeper than Everest is high it is a dark place with only small evidence of life forms present in the mineral rich waters, The sound here is cinematic which is fitting as filmmaker James Cameron (Avatar and Titanic fame is online person who has actually made the descent to the depth of the Mariana Trench in 2012, the themes here are of exploration and danger inherent in doing such journey.
The melody is largely keyboard driven with strong bass support though end section has drums that lift the pace a little for a fine flowing synthesiser solo, and a returnbto the chorus of the track., I really like this song it is very evocative of the Journey being made.
Better still though is Red Planet which is about Mars exploration Again the sound is very cinematic in tone, with lots of space in its sound, A strong bass and stabbing keyboard fills a plenty, there us a crunchy guitar in there as well which all taken together make fir a very sumptuous sound, Much of the track concerns itself with actually making the journey the planning and the feelings that could be experienced in the undertaking which is still only in the planning stage with plans to attempt it within the next 25 years or so.
The albums final track is the more wistful contemplative The Maps Are Fading To White which has an Explorer looking back over his many explorations and
As he revisits those trips he ponders what he has learned, what he has gained and at what cost, The song has a rippling piano motif that reoccurs are various points, and synthesised strings they create a strong impression, the song is bithbwistfulnand slightly melancholic but above all is imparts a sense of the wonder of life as he prepares himself for the next great journey as he approaches the end of his life.
Ì have really enjoyed this album of great music to portray the great Journey's of life and its deep appreciation for life, Quite whether there is the possibility of a further album of great Journey's is I guess open to debate I suppose the 8:32 from Peterborough to Kings Cross is nit exactly or usually an epic journey in and of itself but there are other jouneys That are about that could be songs I hope.
Info here: https://riffstone.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Tuesday 7th July 2026.