Preston Frazier’s Best of 2022 list includes studio projects from David Paich, Monkey House, Ben Craven, Adrian Quesada, Michael Leonhart and others:
DAVID PAICH – FORGOTTEN TOYS (ROCK): David Paich delivered what you expected from the composer of songs like “Rosanna” and “Hold the Line.” Forgotten Toys was expertly played and quite engaging. “Spirit of the Moonrise” turned up the heat, as bandmate Steve Lukather contributed a forceful lead guitar part that contrasted with the in-pocket bass and drum program by Paich. (Oh, and Michael McDonald added additional sweetening.) “All the Tears That Shine,” co-written with the late Michael Sherwood, was a stellar update of a song included on Toto XIV. The straight-ahead jazz of the album-closing instrumental “Lucy” pointed to another direction this solo album could have taken. Forgotten Toys was too short, but that does not distract from how wonderful this first David Paich solo project is.
MONKEY HOUSE – REMEMBER THE AUDIO (ROCK): Monkey House albums are perennial favorites of mine. How could they not be? Leader Don Breithaupt is a brilliant song craftsman. Musically sophisticated and lyrically vivid yet ultimately accessible, songs like “New York Owes You Nothing” and “Last Days of Pompeii” are undeniable ear candy. This core band has been in place for a while. Paired with occasional guest soloists like Michael Leonhart and Drew Zingg, they added just the right touch to an album that was already sophisticated. My only quibble with Monkey House is that there has not been a U.S. tour … yet.
BEN CRAVEN – MONSTERS FROM THE ID (PROG ROCK): If I were to rank my favorite prog-rock albums, Monsters From the Id would be at the top. Ben Craven is an excellent composer and a convincing singer, but he also knows how to make records. All of his LPs seem more significant than the sum of their parts, and Monsters From the Id was no exception. Craven went old school, with two epic compositions comprising one side of the album each. “Die Before You Wake” and “Amnis Flows Aeternum” could have easily been on a Pink Floyd album, given their soaring guitars, pounding bass, and expansive vocals. Craven spent an equal amount of effort on his lyrics, creating a dark and foreboding world to accompany his driving melodies. There are edited versions of both songs, but I highly recommend the CD/DVD version to immerse yourself in the sonic wizardry.
JOE BAILEY – DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY (PROG ROCK): There was a lot musically and lyrically happening throughout this Best of 2022 entry, but it all melded together. “Holmes Sweet Holmes” was an excellent example of the compelling album dynamics, with a Richard Wright-like piano intro and analog synth parts before the full-band effect kicked in. It’s at this point that I needed to remind myself that Joe Bailey played every instrument, as the performance and arranging are top notch. Songs like the concluding “Begging of the End” were in keeping with the rest of the album, meeting the high standards of musicianship previously established. If you were expecting a positive lyrical turn, however, there was no such thing. Devil in the White City was a throwback to progressive epics best listened to in their entirety. The result is a dark yet enriching experience.
ADRIAN QUESADA – JAGUAR SOUND (FUNK ROCK): Adrian Quesada, the guitarist and producer of the Black Pumas, is a master and creates slinky, funky songs. Jaguar Sound was an excellent combination of Latin soul and funk. The album’s 12 instrumental tracks were cinematic and exciting. “Noble Metals,” with its tremolo guitar and Vox organ, verged on the outer worldly. “Spirits” was driven by Stax-like baritone sax and strutting rhythm guitars, becoming another slow burner that invoked a night at a cigar club with a good whiskey. Hey, it’s an instrumental album, so it may feel different to a different listener. All I know is that it was good fun, and expertly executed.
SUSIE BLUE AND THE LONESOME FELLAS – BLUE TRAIN (AMERICANA): The opening notes of “I Wanna Rock” set the pace. Solitaire Miles’ vocals and guitars provide a mesmerizing blend. Add in Schneider’s enticing tenor solos and Alger’s clear and direct guitar work, and Blue Train was off on a rollicking journey. “Sweet Baby of Mine” touched on blues and jazz equally. Vocally, Miles held her reins tight, creating anticipation that the song’s lyrics feed on. “One Way Ticket to the Blues” effectively utilized the train theme with its muscular Hammond organ and vibrato guitar. Miles and the backing vocalists created imagery that is clear and highly entertaining. Blue Train‘s 16 songs effectively and effortlessly shifted moods and themes, transporting the listener to another time and place. The result was a collection of beautiful songs driven by Miles’ heart, passion and skill.
LOBATE SCARP – YOU HAVE IT ALL (PROG ROCK): It’s hard the believe that You Have it All is only Lobate Scarp’s second full album release. This latest LP incorporated challenging yet hooky prog rock melodies with dazzling playing and grounded, thoughtful lyrics. Roy Okumoto of Spock’s Beard provided shimmering keyboards on the leadoff track “Conduit,” the first of two epics. Billy Sherwood and Jon Davison of Yes added vocals to “You Have It All,” but the principal band members were in no way guests on their own project. Adam Sears’ vocals and keyboards were front and center throughout the album, with a Neal Morse quality. Andy Catt on bass and Peter Matuchniak on guitar added a feel to the project which helped it all gel. Expertly produced and engineered, You Have It All made a bold statement, combining complex yet assessable songs with expert, passionate playing and modern production. Coming 10 years after the band’s debut, You Have It All was well worth the wait.
MICHAEL LEONHART + JSWISS – BONA FIDE (RAP/JAZZ): Organic would accurately describe how Michael Leonhart and the New York-based rapper JSWISS quickly composed these 10 musically challenging and powerful compositions. Collaborating in advance of the Leonhart Orchestra’s residency in 2019 led to captivating songs like “The Chase” (featuring trumpeter Kyon Harrold) and “Make Room” (featuring Nick Movshon on drums). JSWISS is an inspiring lyricist with a distinct and powerful cadence. Leonhart handled production and most instruments, incorporating music to match JSWISS’ heady subject matter. Bone Fide emerged as a fascinating project by two masters of their craft.
ART GRIFFIN’S SOUND CHASER – THE SEVEN AGES OF STARLIGHT (PROG ROCK): This ensemble album lead by multi-instrumentalist Art Griffin was recorded over a two-year period. Despite the number of all-star players included, The Seven Ages of Starlight was a cohesive, inventive, and influential project – just like Griffin’s debut from 2016. Fleshing out his progressive vision were special guests including Styx drummer Todd Sucherman, guitarist Jamie Glaser from the Anderson-Ponty band and Michael Sadler of Saga. Steve Negus (drums), Kelly Kereliuk (guitars), and violinist Victoria Yeh along with Griffin (keys and bass) provide the majority of the heavy musical lifting, making songs like “Ride to Valhalla” and “Spanish Galleon” among the best progressive-rock release of 2022.
PROJEKT GEMINEYE – IN THE YEAR 3073 BOOK III (PROG METAL): A powerful and engaging story was told over the five tracks on our next Best of 2022 entry. “Man Your Stations” was an immediate kick in the butt. Writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Anthony K displayed his formidable chops with this opening instrumental, which conjured both Dream Theater and ‘90s-era Yes while fashioning a vision of impending doom and conflict. “God of Time and Design” provided a truly epic conclusion. In between these two songs, Projekt Gemineye created a world that teeters on the brink. Divided into five segments (preparation, realization of doom, crisis realized, hope, and crisis averted), K offered a guitar-drenched and compelling final chapter to what started with Projekt Gemineye’s Book I back in 2019. It’s been an invigorating ride, with an ending that more than exceeds expectations.
Free Form Funky Freqs – Hymn of the Third Galaxy (R&B/Rock)
Todd Rundgren – Space Force (Rock)
Marbin – Dirty Horse (Progressive Fusion)
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