Band: Keravel

CD Title: “Must”

Label: Kassure Productions - Independent Release

Release Date: 2010

One of the things that technology has allowed is for the proliferation of the multi-instrumentalist artists. This has had mixed results. In the hand of a skilled and talented artist the results can be startlingly good and that’s certainly the case here with the third CD release from Keravel entitled Must. This the work of Serge Keravel who composes, arranges and produces everything heard here. Having released his first CD Moods in 2006 and then Next in 2008, Must pushes his song structures and compositional styles into as the media release explains, a whole new level.

Must is a disc of 15 instrumentals each of which are around four minutes, so not overly long, but each composition displays a great degree of musical exploration and complexity. The first track “C-U C-Me” [4:06] almost sounds like something Peter Gabriel would write and that same moodiness pervades the whole collection of songs. This is a disc of atmospheric sound explorations with an almost pensive quality. I’m reminded of the work of Karda Estra but replace the haunting nature with a little more consistent rhythm. Like that band these pieces of music are similar creating little musical soundtracks to short stories or episodes of life that you make up in your mind as you listen. Along the way you hear a variety of unusual instrument sounds (was that a banjo or koto) and all manor of unusual rhythmic structures. At times there is an overriding sense of melancholy or longing and then there are other times where the music is more pastoral and contemplative. But in every case the composition is pulled along by strong melodies and intricate drum patterns.

In the world of progressive rock fans, the music crafted by Keravel onMust will appeal to at least a few different groups. The music here is well crafted and well played offering new and interesting little musical motifs around every corner. Sometimes solo artists fall into the trap of having their music sound a bit samey, but on Must every track sounded different. That’s a strong selling feature here. This is music that deserves to be heard and appreciated by a larger audience.