PAPAMICHAEL: Project Oracle

Project Oracle features a cast of great musicians; Simon Phillips (drums), Jimmy Haslip (bass) and Jan Hammer (guest keyboards) along with the projects leader guitarist PAPAMICHAEL. I don’t need to tell you that the playing is spectacular, and although I have not heard of PAPAMICHAEL prior to this album, his playing easily matches with his bandmates, as he displays some impressive guitar work. “Traces of Giants� shows the band is in fine form as they traverse through the music and tempo changes while PAPAMICHAEL gets to shine, my favorite track on the album. “Oracle� is the track that features Jan Hammer, and he fires up some terrific leads as you would expect along with more atmospheric textures. I prefer the front end of the album, it seems things get a bit more laid back on the later tracks. “Dreams of Delphi� is another example where the playing is stellar, but for some reason it lacks punch, but you listen to what the band is doing, and you certainly will be impressed.

There’s plenty to catch your ear with the melodic compositions, and I am sure many will disagree with my assessment, but for all the sparks of energy, for some reason this fails to really catch fire. I can’t put my finger on if, if it is the production or not, but there is a slickness to the feel of the album that the playing can’t seem to overcome.

Track List:
1. Pythia
2. Traces of Giants
3. Oracle
4. Unexplainable
5. Know Thy Self
6. Dreams of Delphi
7. Elafonisi
8. Lost in the Aegean
9. Legends are Made

Added: March 24th 2025
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 109
Language: english

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