| Musical Style: Instrumental Progressive Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Switzerland |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: Roland Bühlmann |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 70:39 |
Emnalóc, the summer of 2022 fifth solo album from Swiss based multi-instrumentalist Roland Bühlmann, embodies ambient instrumental music within a progressive rock framework. Inherent to atmospheric landscapes and ethereal New-age keyboards, it fulfills criteria to former, but in featuring eight songs and run time in excess of 70 minutes while branching into classical music, jazz fusion and heavier guitar driven elements, it meets expectations of latter. What I said in my 80% review to artists 2019 third solo album Crucial and 85% review to 2020 fourth Dubnos holds continues to hold true in that I am reminded of Kerry Livgren’s instrumental solo album One Of Several Possible Musiks from 1989.
Lending further musical depth to the project is the plethora of guest musicians, including Dubnos holdovers Teri Bryant (drums) and David Cross (violin) in addition to newcomers Luca Calabrese (trumpet), Ondrej Glogar (carnyx) and Angelo Lebrato (acoustic guitar). Bühlmann handles electric and bass guitars alongside various synthesizers and forms of percussion. Crucial was a ‘one man band’ project in that the artist contributed all instrumentation.
Seven and half minute opener “Umiion” sets the progressive tone. It starts ominously to viola and woodwinds ahead of picking up pace to a more forward heading, drawing upon underscoring rhythm guitar but later to settle back to an ethereal direction. Time signatures waver back and forth and back again until the final minute to highlight catchy guitar harmonies. A mid-point bass solo ties everything together.
“Assailen” is first of albums four cuts in excess of nine minutes. Song begins to airy keyboards backed by breathing bass prior to rhythm guitar and organ stepping in, a classic rock semblance defining the moments moving ahead as impetus periodically decelerates for slower, atmospheric moments. Closing minutes contrast as “Assailen” gains initiative to exhilarating lead guitar.
“Sevamcao” is albums shortest at six minutes. It accordingly is albums least progressive - neutral observation and not critique - from how it stays true to a pleasing, upbeat effect in which jazz-fusion guitars decorate the back end. Artist shines in exhibiting the full range to his licks and chops guitar wise. Over songs final half, trumpet makes its first appearance to build upon the soothing jazz themes.
Albums first cut to exceed ten-minutes, “Rithnal” also represents one of its heaviest. Passages driven by wailing guitars to approach hard rock carry significant portions to the song, undeniably intense to thickly woven rhythms, with moments in between settling down as resonate feedback and airy keyboards set a contemplative tone. Soaring harmonies and searing guitar leads fill in the gaps.
“Yndrun”, at just under ten-minutes, conveys a soothing if not meditative feel. Artists New-age influences come into play on a piece seamlessly flowing to sublime keyboards interspersed with acoustic nuances, calmly emanating to added use of trumpet but occasionally uplifted by distant electric guitar. Overall, this is one of albums least rock based tracks, but it proves no less worthy nonetheless.
First of two songs in the seven-minute range, “Letarladoth” picks up where “Yndrun” leaves off with a similar ethereal sound. It differs with its offbeat percussions and gentle harmonies, which when combined with rumbling bass gives rise to one of albums most somber if not portent dissonances. Atmosphere, however, lightens at the end as crystalline keyboards allow a contrasting graceful effect.
“Berithlan” again finds artist stretching from a guitar standpoint, revealing frequent guitar feedback alongside riveting guitar leads over a backdrop of acoustic overtures. Keyboards bound between the left and right channels as percussion accelerates the low end.
Album closes to its twelve-minute title track. “Emnalóc” proves wistful and dreamy with an easy going but varied demeanor, transitioning between genteel moments in which trumpet again lends a jazzy feel and others to see brimming lead guitar escalate over a staunch bass foundation. Closing minute reaches a crescendo of flashy guitar leads as all other instrumentation drops out.
I appreciate the at times classical at times jazzy at times guitar driven but always ambient within a progressive instrumental framework of fifth solo album “Emnalóc” from Roland Bühlmann. The abundance of instrumentation performed by the artist is impressive, as is that by the host of talented guest performers. Musically, enough creative variances present to keep the album a refreshing listen despite the lengthy individual track times and run time in excess of 70 minutes. If a progressive connoisseur then I encourage picking up “Emnalóc” and its compelling instrumental take on the genre, not to mention artist’s previous soloing offerings to head in similar direction.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Umiion” (7:36), “Assailen” (9:22), “Sevamcao” (5:59), “Rithnal” (10:46), “Yndrun” (9:51), “Letarladoth” (7:15), “Berithlan” (7:29), “Emnaloc” (12:22)
Musicians
Roland Bühlmann - Electric and Bass Guitars, Aeon Sustainer, Voice, Synthesizer & Percussion
Teri Bryant - Drums
Luca Calabrese - Trumpet
Ondrei Glogar - Carnyx
Angeli Lebrato - Acoustic Guitar
