The Emerald Dawn- The Land, the Sea, The Air Volume 2.
I think it is fair to say that this second instalment of The Land, The sea, The Air has been eagerly awaited by many folks, it certainly has been here at Voyages HQ, like many I was wondering where this trip may take us.
Well the wait is almost over, in fact the album is released on the 21st July, a date to mark in your calendars for sure.
What i can tell you is the album consists of 3 pieces, the first of which is the longest instrumental track that The Emerald Dawn have ever released, It is called The Song Of The Rainforest, Cocking in at a staggering 21:20 in length, With the other two tracks River Of Tears at 14:58 in length and finally Paradise at 8:56 in length, These tracks are all multi part ones.
The line up remains Alan Carter, Guitar, Saxaphone and keyboards, Tree Stewart, Vocals, keyboards,, Acoustic guitar and Flute and Handsonic and seaboard, Thomas Iidris Jackson Drums and finally David Greenaway 4 and 5 string basses and Fretless bass.
The album's artwork is all conceived, Drawn and painted by Tree Stewart and once again it is a wonderful image, That reflects the ecological nature and message alongside is the music it contains.
The album commences with The Song Of The Rainforest which has 4 sections, Part 1 Balance, Part 2 is Incursions Part 3 is Loss and Pat 4 is Regret.
The song is well structured but you never really sure where each section begins and ends.although there is a kind of break that is apparent as it switches to a more ambient type soundscape so maybe that is the transition point for each part. The first part has a very atmospheric sound with effects of birds and other noises to convey the sounds of the rainforest, it also has a very impressive bass line and lots of synthesiser lines and textures, Before Ally Carters epic Guitar solo which is ably supported by the lush synths of Tree Strewart, All very moody and impressive sounding I must say, After this comes that interlude or switch point, So here a deep bass growlling synth which sounds very ominous and David’s Sturdy bass line creates a platform for Ally‘s saxophone solo to take place,whilst this is playing the keyboards in the background are creating a tremendous backing. Another interlude before a free form jam between Tree's keyboards, David’s Bass and Thomas’s drums leaving space for Allly's saxaphone once again,,
After this we enter another switch point leading to more heavy synth, Bass and lots of drums and cymbals and a winding synthesiser line from Tree which sounds excellent meanwhile Ally is playing supporting keyboards after which get another switch point which leads to a flute solom and Handsonic noises and bells, Ally is playing supporting keyboards for in this section, Then David’s fretless bass is heard playing gently,, this is a more quiet part of the track as we are heading towards the last part of the track via another switch point which leads onto a guitar part from Ally and powerful drums from Thomas and a strong bass line from David. All whilst Tree is playing synth soundscapes most effectively the last part reverts to a more gentle ambient type sound ening on cymbals and synthesiser sounds.
Tthis Is a long instrumental but there are opportunities for everyone to shine equally. I would imagine that this will be a very strong track when performed live.If they elect to perform both albums together it will be something very special indeed Here's hoping eh?
We then move onto the second track River Of Tears This begins with Tree's graceful Piano motif, This leads to the first vocal of the album section 1The Natural Cycle which is really strong and tells us in no uncertain terms that Humanity is destroying the natural order with our actions and the chains of dependency we have initiated. Thereafter follows an Ally saxaphone solo as drums and bass becomes more to the fore,
Part 2 of the track is called Disruption and this is about the damage that man is doing to the world. Tree’s piano returns along with synths Ally play some power chords before taking a solo he also adds sax interjections at various points, all very dramatic sounding really, the music then drops a key to a more ominious sounding section then drums and bass step forward and various percussion elements are heard ssalongside the synth sounds before a further Ally saxaphone part is delivered,
A few more power chords and more energetic Bass and synth sounds are heard as Tree intones Poison into its veins several times as the track draws to a conclusion.
We are then onto the concluding track of this majestic album namely Pardise which is in two sections,
Losing Paradise and Haarmont Regained, This is a very orchestrated track with Tree playing the string section, synth pads and Tonewhèel organ whilst Ally performs the solo oboe, woodwind and brass sections and orchestrations.
Between them they deliver a veritable cornucopia of sounds but it sound truly authentic and warm and wonderful, the song tells us of how we lost connection with the earth's cycles and how now we view things differently and have found contentment and a new appreciation for and on ongoing desire to care for the land in harmony with nature.
There is a strong ecological narrative to this second part of The Land, The Sea, The Air, It's a timely and much needed message for these days in which we live and one we all have a part and duty to perform both individually and also collectively.
This really is a fine conclusion to what is without doubt another shining example of the astounding talent of these members of he Emerald Dawn posess and share so willingly in their creatively iand also in theircwillingness toonshare all this through their wonderful music.. We Are truly fortunate to have a band such as these, I just want more people to be aware of their musiccand existence and to make them a bigger success than they currently are.
I recommend this without any hesitation whatsoever , A glorious and significant album for our time.
Info here:https ://www.theemeralddawn.net
Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 14th June 2026.