(Crossover Prog) Art Cinema - Art Cinema - 2008, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After Taylor's Universe released Soundwall in 2007, a mix of jazz and prog that featured guest metal guitarist Michael Denner from Mercyful Fate/King Diamond fame, Robin Taylor and company decided to put together the supergroup called Art Cinema. Their self-titled debut dumps most of the jazz leanings for a more melodic prog-rock flavor, something that might surprise many of the fans of Taylor and his rather diverse avant-garde back catalog. The line-up for this release is Taylor (guitars, keyboards, percussion), Denner (guitars), Jytte Lindberg (lead vocals), Louise Nipper (lead & backing vocals), Bjarne Holm (drums), Carsten Sindvald (sax), Flemming Muus Tranberg (bass), Jon Hemmersam (guitars), and Pierre Tasson (violin). Though regular Taylor bandmate Karsten Vogel is not on this one, the presence of Sindvald adds that necessary jazz-fusion element to this rather proggy affair.
Opening cut "White Frozen" features some nifty 70's styled organ passages from Taylor, as well as tasty twin leads courtesy of Denner & Hemmersam, but it's the gorgeous lead vocals of Lindberg paired with Nipper's sumptuous backing vocals that steals the show. The duo again mesmerize on the dreamy "World of Shadows", Sindvald's soaring sax lines providing the perfect foil on this melodic number. "Climb My Ladder" is a reflective pop tune, Lindberg's voice gentle and persuasive with Taylor's keyboards & Denner's acoustic guitar providing a lush and pastoral backdrop. The band goes back into prog territory on "What Am I Doing Here?", reminding somewhat of a meeting of classic Genesis, Renaissance, and The Gathering, Lindberg & Nipper nailing the beautiful vocal passages perfectly while elastic bass lines, violin, and keyboards float around the mix. At the mid-way point Sindvald breaks in with a smoky solo and then trades with both Denner and Hemmersam for a tasty exchange. The first real peek at the free-jazz and avant-garde styles that Taylor is known for comes out on "Crimson Night", a dark, spooky piece that has burst of frenzy but mostly a tranquil sense of foreboding. This leads into the quirky number "Dreaming of Metamorphosis", a Canterbury flavored tune with alluring vocals and jazz/pop instrumentation, and the CD ends with the melodic pop/prog/jazz strains of "Last Day of Summer", featuring some strong guitar solos from all three players, lush keys & sax, and breezy vocals.
It's much more laid back than most Robin Taylor releases, but for many his new band Art Cinema might just be what the doctor ordered. Moving away from the dense, avant-garde, and free jazz styles, Art Cinema seems quite adept at putting together light, melodic pop with just enough prog influence and a touch of jazz for a sound that has plenty of mainstream appeal.