Search - Geoff Downes :: Shadows & Reflections

Lively ambient/electronic music from Asia's GEOFF DOWNES

Jeffery K. Matheus | Indianapolis, IN United States | 11/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Shadows & Reflections" is the fifth solo release from reknowned British keyboardist Geoff Downes, best known for his brilliant synth work with progressive rock legends YES (where he replaced no less than Rick Wakeman), and later, with chart-topping rock supergroup ASIA. Geoff is rightly considered to be the guiding light of Asia, and he has brilliantly lead the band from it's "pop supergroup" beginnings, to the more progressive/expansive sound that they have crafted more recently through Geoff's partnership with vocalist/bassist/songwriter John Payne. While Downes solo career has covered a wide variety of styles (instrumental new age, vocal pop, classic rock covers), the music represented on "Shadows & Reflections" finds him returning to the progressive/electronic style of his first solo album, "The Light Program". Although one difference (as the liner notes duly point out) is that this album takes on a more "stream of conscienceness"/improvised approach than "The Light Program", with Downes basically recording & composing live as the tracks unvieled themselves. Unlike some of Downes other releases, this one is truly a SOLO album - Downes synthesisers are front and center throughout, and no other musicians are featured. "Shadows & Reflections" is not just the title of the album, it is the titles of the two individual epic-length compositions that are featured here, each lasting around the 30 minute mark. The music is what some would call "new age", some would call "ambient", and yet others would call "electronic music" - but Mr. Downes seems to find his own voice within this style, not content to simply mimic Tangerine Dream/Vangelis/Kitaro as some lesser electronic artists tend to do. While the compositions do have a Tangerine Dream-like structure (in the sense that these are extended pieces where the mood shifts and progresses through different melodic sections), Downes playing style (and his unique arsenal of synth sounds) are so recognisable that we never forget who we are listening to. All in all, this is a highly recommended release that displays a different side of one of rock's premier keyboardists . If you are an Asia fan who is looking into Geoff's solo work for the first time, then this is a great place to start (you may even recognize a few of the distinctive synth sounds that have been heard on Asia's albums "Arena" & "Aura"!). If you are a progressive rock fan, then this represents some of Downes most experimental & expansive work...Happy listening!"