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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Karda Estra - "The Age of Science and Enlightenment"

Reviewed by: Jerry Lucky
Genre: Prog/Chamber Rock
Country: England
Language: English
Length: 43:29
Release Date: 4/2006
Label:
Cyclops Records
Band Members: Richard Wileman / classical, electric and bass guitars, keyboards, percussion Ileesha Bailey / vocals
  Helen Dearnley / violin Caron Hansford / oboe, cor anglais
  Zoë Josey / flute, alto and soprano saxophones
     
Track Listing: 1.)- Talos (4:25) 5.)- i) The red room (5:39)
  2.)- Carmilla (4:30) 6.)- ii) Bones in the moonlight (8:12)
  3.)- Am I dreaming you? Are dreaming me? (6:01) 7.)- iii) Nocturne macabre (2:05)
  4.)-The age of science and enlightement (4:50) The return of John Deth: 8.)- Second star (7:25)
     
The Review

In the world of progressive rock music we have a number of sub-genres we use to help better identify the sound of music that certain bands are creating. One of those categories is "Chamber Music." But for some trying to identify what exactly you can expect to hear from a chamber music band is a bit of a challenge. So if you'd like to get a feel for what chamber music is all about listen to Karda Estra. The latest CD is entitled The Age of Science and Enlightenment and it's a winner. ***

Karda Estra is first and foremost Richard Wileman who not only composes and arranges all the material but plays the bulk of the instruments (guitar, bass, keyboards, & percussion). Wileman however has the musical assistance from some very important players, namely; Heesha Bailey (vocals), Helen Dearnley (violin), Caron Hansford (oboe, cor anglais), and Zoe Josey (flute saxophone). It must be said that these other players do a great deal to color and texturize the music. ***

The music of Karda Estra not only falls into the chamber music category but it is first and foremost symphonic in nature. It is primarily instrumental with what vocals there are being more dreamy or ethereal vocalizations rather than employing any formal lyrics. Over and over again you have the feeling you've heard bits of this as soundtrack music to different feature films. The music is in a style that helps create images in the mind. At times it is reminiscent of The Enid although not nearly as grand in nature. Karda Estra instead is more subtle, more spacious, melancholic and majestic. There is something very haunting about Wileman's compositional style. He says that the eight-tracks on The Age of Science and Enlightenment are about redemption and to that point the music does balance it's major and minor tonal inflections. These are not dreary compositions full of discordance, rather Karda Estra's music allows for a sense of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel or in this case redemption. These compositions range in length from as short as two-minutes to six, seven and eight minutes. I mentioned the word 'spacious' and certainly that's the chamber music aspect applied here. There are many occasions where only one or two instruments will be heard. It might be piano and oboe or acoustic guitar and vocals or violin and piano. These portions tend to lead into fuller embellished portions of the composition forming wonderful transitional links. Overall the music of Karda Estra is soft, gentle, and thoughtful but when Wileman wants to drive the musical-point home he can employ some of the most majestic chord structures you've ever heard. It's absolutely breathtaking at times. ***

This is one of those bands I love. The music is so powerfully moving and emotionally stirring. If you don't own any music of this type, I'd urge you to pick up some of Karda Estra. It's the perfect place to start. The Age of Science and Enlightenment sets the bar for melodic symphonic chamber music.

I highly recommend it. ***

 

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