JADIS - PHOTOPLAY

JADIS - PHOTOPLAY

Disk 1 . . . . . . .60:35
1. There's A Light . . . . 4:57
2. What Goes Around . . . 5:18
3. Asleep In My Hands . . 5:39
4. Standing Still . . . . 5:21
5. I Hear Your Voice . . .6:15
6. Make Me Move . . . . 5:32
7. Who I Am . . . . . . . 6:07
8. Need To Breathe . . . 4:50
9. Please Open Your Eyes . . 5:35
10. All You've Ever Known . . 6:42
11. Photoplay . . . . . . . . .4:19

Jadis' official website at:
http://www.jadis-net.co.uk/

Line-up
- Gary Chandler: guitar, vocals
- Steve Christey: drums, percussion
- Martin Orford: keyboards, backing vocals
- John Jowitt: bass guitars

format: Single CD • InsideOut SPV48782
release date: February 28, 2006

Photoplay is the latest effort from Jadis, one of the great neo progressive symphonic bands with a history dating back to the early eighties. The group features John Jowitt and Martin Orford of IQ, It is sadly also Martin Orford's last contribution to Jadis, since he decided to concentrate his efforts on IQ from now on. Photoplay is a splendid CD that features a great collection of captivating compositions with beautiful melodies and splendid vocal harmonies.

There's a Light begins with a spacy guitar intro, and Gary Chandler's great vocal harmonies, a very catchy tune with a powerful melody and brilliant lyrics, this track has a great rhythm and would easily be a top-of-the-charts commercial radio hit if network radio would give prog music the time of day. What Goes Around is a more intense track, with a rhythmic guitar background throughout, a passionate, fun composition. Asleep In My Hands features the beautiful Chandler/Orford/Jowitt vocal harmonies in a most captivating way, a catchy, contagious melody, again a composition that would be easily radio ready, this is easily my favorite of the album, with a great, dramatic finale. I would classify it as a great "driving music" track! Standing Still will remind you slightly of the Wilson-era Genesis, a track where Gary's superb guitar play and majestic vocals are showcased, cool keyboards from Martin too. I Hear Your Voice again has slight overtones of We Can't Dance era Genesis, another really catchy melody with great, passionate vocals, a great keyboard contribution from Martin on this one. Make Me Move has a very modern sound with a catchy beat and a highly assertive sound, vaguely reminiscent of Lenny Kravitz, with a powerful finale. Who I Am is a remarkable track with beautiful vocal harmonies, a very striking jingle and a cool guitar solo, interesting time signatures and great lyrics. Need To Breathe begins wit h a simple acoustic guitar intro, but turns into the more exuberant, rockier number of the album, great rhythm. Please Open Your Eyes is a straight arrow, a great track with a captivating beat, a toe-tappin' number. All You've Ever Known is a beautiful track with a slightly melancholic melody, great acoustic guitar and simply delicious electric guitars parts towards the end, the more complex composition of the album. The title track, and conclusion of the album, Photoplay, is a delicate, spacy instrumental number, featuring beautiful guitar work by Mr. Chandler.

Photoplay is definively one of their best efforts, composed of short but very consistent tracks with simple but oh-so-highly-effective melodies and great progressive musical arrangements. An exceptional production with a brilliant, crystalline, recording and impeccable sound, it truly showcases the great vocal harmonies of the musicians and features some of the best compositions from the group. The entire albums flows very well and is one of those CDs you'll listen to repeatedly. Photoplay crosses the boundary between symphonic prog and contemporary rock with its poppy, exuberant, melodious tracks. This album would be a great introduction to symphonic prog music for newbies, or fans of classic prog who aren't familiar with the contemporary prog scene. Highly recommended.

My rating for Photoplay : 8.7/10(album reviewed by Robert Dansereau - 12/05/2006)