For many years, the word ‘supergroup’ was a bit of a dirty word. With
one or two rare exceptions, it was often a signal for disappointment. The total
effect was often less than the sum of the parts. Then, if you add in lots of
guest appearances, the recipe can be a right old mess of potage. Dave Kerzner -
whose CV includes work with Steven Wilson. Jon Anderson and Steve Hackett -
deserves to take a bow. His new project, In Continuum, which features prog
royalty and senior session artists galore, could have got lost under its cast’s
reputations. Instead, it is a bit of a modem miracle.
Arising out of the breakdown of Sound Of Contact, In Continuum includes
fellow Contacts member, bassist Matt Dorsey, as well as vocalist Gabriel Agudo,
drummer Marco Minnemann and guitarist Randy McStine, whose individual credits
are impressive enough before you come across song co-writes with Simon Collins
and Kelly Nordstrom, and guest spots from Steve Rothery, John Wesley, Nick
D’Virgilio, Steve Hackett and, well, you get it... No one would be surprised if
Steven Wilson isn’t hiding in the mix, playing the (dark side of the) spoons.
It’s a testimony to Kerzner’s skills that he makes this smorgasbord of
talent work. Sound-wise, think Wilson meets It Bites meets Steve Hackett.
Kerzner describes Acceleration Theory as an ‘interstellar love story’ and this
album constitutes the first half of two Works. It explores the world of AlienA
- voiced by Letitia Wolf - who’s fallen in love with a romantic vision of humanity.
Agudo is the voice of Kai, who may be her long-lost lover.
This proggy high-concept is grounded in the songs and some telling
contributions. The guitar work from Rothery and co is especially strong.
Hackett’s solo on Crash Landing soars and mutates, but it is Randy McStine who
supplies fabulous snaking riffage on the groovy I Remember. With singers of the
standard of Wolf, John Wesley and Gabriel Agudo the vocal performance is
stunning. The effortless style of Agudo doesn’t clash with the throatier Jon
Davidson, whose contribution acts like a kind of Chorus, offering comment on
the unfolding work.
None of this would matter if the songs sucked. Thankfully, they crackle
with energy. Scavengers is stunning prog pop that has the very best melodic
nu-prog nous, while AlienA is tranced-out industrial prog with a lovely hook.
As Acceleration Theory- Part One tumbles towards its close, with Kerzner going
‘full-Wakeman’ on the keyboard arpeggios, the only demand is: please don’t make
us wait too long for Part Two. This is an old-fashioned, interstellar
thrill-ride.
From Prog mag
