SBP: Contact Part One

SBP (Summer Breeze Project) is a Dutch outfit having formed in 2008. Apparently they got together during the summer, hence the band's name. Their first full length album ENERGY was released in 2011. Contact Part One is a three song EP and the first of a three part trilogy.

Band members are Gert Bruins (lead vocals, guitars), Gordon van Pelt (guitars), Rene Troostheiden (drums, drum programming, percussion), Fons Panneman (keyboards, piano, Hammond, synths, soundscapes, backing vocals) and Jørgen de Jonge (bass, backing vocals).

I really liked Contact but I just wished there were more songs. The music is pretty laid back with slow to mid tempos and flows beautifully partly because of Bruins' excellent lead vocals. His laid back approach is perfect for the band's gently flowing instrumentation.

The album begins with the mellow prog of "Signs". A crisp programmed drum beat leads to washes of synths that create a bed of sound throughout the tune. As the rest of the band members join in the sound becomes fuller but the tempo is still at a relaxed pace. The band uses voice samples very effectively. "Pareidolia" is a little darker with violin synths, piano and heavier riffs for added texture. I really like how the song builds slowly before the heavier rhythms kick in. It should be noted this music never comes close to metal, just pure progressive rock. The last song "Garden Of Delight" starts with an eerie collage of sounds before sorrowful string synths and those wonderful vocals recall Division Bell era Pink Floyd complete with smooth flowing swells of synths and edgy guitar riffs.

Contact Part One is an excellent slice of mellow-ish progressive rock that fans of Pink Floyd will surely enjoy. I hope there next one is longer as I really dig this band's sound. Greatly looking forward to part two of the triptych.

Track Listing:
1. Signs
2. Pareidolia
3. Garden Of Delight

Added: October 6th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2129
Language: english

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