Musea Rec. Trespass : In Haze of Time (2001)**°'
This group consists of Gabriel Weissman (originally born in Rumania): melodically precise rock drums, Roy Bar-Tour : hofner bass guitar, who learned from hearing Yes bass guitarist Chris Squire and Gil Stein : keyboards, whose playing reminds me at some 70's symphonic rock players from various groups. His style in fact is a mixture between the style of keyboards used with The Nice (Keith Emerson), Gentle Giant, and some other groups. Gil however never heard these groups before recording this album, so his personal style developed spontaneously and therefore sound such a fresh combination of these particular influences we recognize.
The group's name "Tresspass" reminds most people at the second album of Genesis (-with Peter Gabriel,still without Phil Collins-), an artifact in pop music, as being one of the first albums with a subtle symphonic character. The style of the group has no specific reference to that album. The name Trespass means three steps in latin (tres passus). The name was chosen because they are a three piece band and the word meaning in english should say something about their music. It is instrumental progressive rock, leading towards melodic neo progressive playing, talented enough for being a mixture of self-creation remniscent of past symphonic hard rock groups (Queen, Rush ?,..), and more melodic progressive groups (Yes,..), but with even some jazzy improvisation touches now and then.
The first track is defined as a rockoperetta and starts with very melodic neoprogressive synthesiser/drums continuations. Being sung, with unclear reasons we hear "watch out for the creatures of the night". Such at first hearing inconsequential phrases were used more often by 70's hard rock groups, giving more attention to the symbol of the content being sung about. The organ player shows his full talent (at times very "Nice" like), but somewhat overdone too. The keyboardplayer Gil Stein had send this written piece before for a Scholarship for Berkeley College in Boston.
After that track the playing is less done for its melodic content but is a more constructed and well balanced with tracks that contain both song and larger instrumental parts.
Occasionally the flute is heard a few times and gives the music an extra depth. Drumming / keyboards / bass work perfectly together and various moments give the impression of a blowing live energy.
An interesting group for those who would like to hear a combination of various 70's instrumentally dominated progressive music done with crafted musicians and for the keyboards described.
