Tangent: Offering one set of possibilities

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The Tangent have been around for pretty long now, and will release their 10th studio album Proxy on the 16th November 2018. The group led by Andy Tillison, and Proxy is recorded during the band’s tour with Karmakanic in 2017/18.  This meant that The Tangent could get help from the musicians in Karmakanic. More chances than normal to work together on the record – hotel writing sessions, van discussions, sound check ideas. All of which have allowed the band to make an album that is as organic as they have achieved since their formation 15 years ago.

The album features the following players: Andy Tillison – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards, Composer,Jonas Reingold (The Sea Within, Steve Hackett Band) – Bass Guitar, Theo Travis (Soft Machine, Travis-Fripp) – Sax & Flute, Luke Machin (Maschine, Francis Dunnery Band) – Guitar, Steve Roberts (ex. Magenta, Godsticks) – Drums. Special guest: Goran Edman (Karmakanic) – Vocals.

It’s a bunch of musicians with an extremely high musical level. Nevertheless, deceptive musicians do not automatically give good music. The songs must be good and the musicians inspired. Andy Tillison comments: «Our belief is that progressive rock music is still a valid and viable musical form in 2018 and will continue to be so. Our band has always sought to take on board things from the present and add them to that magical mix. We don’t claim to be offering the future. We just claim to be offering one set of possibilities. Ours. Now».

Proxy is a riot of juxtaposing styles, presented in a really direct manner and despite being firmly rooted in the stylistic traits of the progressive rock genre takes some unexpected turnoffs and a major swerve. The albums kicks off with a trademark Tangent prog fantasia based around growling Hammonds, shrieking synths, whirling guitars and sharp percussive bass  – influences of ELP, Egg, Hatfield & the North, Caravan and Camel proudly worn on their sleeves.  This 16-minute title track eventually becomes a protest song about the continuing wars that share their name with the song.

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