Quantum Fantay -
Tesselation Of Euclidean Space


(CD 2015, 46:03, Progressive Promotion Records PPRCD051)

The tracks:
  1- Tesselate(9:16)
  2- Maras Kavya(5:47)
  3- Astral Projection(8:04)
  4- Skytopia (a) Azure (Sky Blue)(4:35)
  5- Skytopia (b) Laputa (Castle In The Sky)(5:46)
  6- Skytopia (c) Ignis Fatuus (Illusion)(2:59)
  7- Skytopia (d) Empyrean (Cosmos)(5:57)
  8- Anahata(3:40)


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Even though Quantum Fantay can be qualified as a space rock band, the band has managed to come up with different non space related themes on the previous albums. Themes that make them stand out in a scene that perhaps shows the least progression of all progressive rock related styles. With their 2014 release Terragaia (see review) Quantum Fantay took us on a journey around the world, fusing space rock with a lot of world music elements. A year later Dancing In Limbo (2015, see review) techno rhythms and dance were imbedded in the “traditional” space. Their 2017 release Tesselation Of Euclidean Space, sees the return to a more progressive rock meets space rock kind of style. Also, where the band earlier replaced guitarist Frodo for Tom Nas, the 2017 line-up sees two new, additional members. Where the flute was one of the main instruments on the earlier albums, Tesselation Of Euclidean Space reintroduces this instrument, now played by Jorinde and the second newcomer is sax player and vocalist Nette Willox. The core of Quantum Fantay remains mastermind Pete Mush on keyboards and programming, bass player Jaro and drummer Gino Bartolini.

The re-entry of the flute immediately pays off on the opener Tessellate. The well-known space elements of the band; dreamy keyboards and alien driven sounds are kept equal by Jorinde's flute playing. Both Jaro's bass and Tom's guitar playing represent the (neo) progressive rock element of the music, which means solid guitar solos and a very pronounced bass sound. Manas Kavya has that fine spacey rhythm where Quantum Fantay is famous for, But also in this track the band walks a thin line between space and prog. Here the contrast between the two styles is shown in Gino's drumming and Pete's fabulous inventive sounds and again the down to earth guitar parts. Perhaps the most spacey opening of a tune on the album is Astral Projection's beginning, but soon the out of this world sounds are replaced by a delicate guitar solo and even Pete Mush's solo is very progressive rock related. When the power grows, the outcome turns to pure progressive rock, showing another face of a dedicated space rock band. The piece de resistance of the album is the twenty minutes track Skytopia which itself is divided in four separate sections. The first part; Azure is a nicely dosed space rock tune with minor prog influences. This is followed by Laputa, which highlights Pete Mush's space sounds and can be seen as the ultimate space part of the album. Nevertheless Tom Nass adds some nice Steve Howe related acoustic guitars to the tune. Ignis Fatuus is like the previous part; brilliant space rock, but now with the addition of smooth vocals in the back. Empyrean has a reggae rhythm and a fine sax. Those components are nicely accompanied by an almost bluesy guitar solo. The amazing thing about this trilogy is the fact the song still is very coherent and a perfect fusion of several styles and influences. The final track Anahata is atmospheric, close to a soundscape, but this song gently gains on volume and power towards the end. Not that Anahata is the ultimate powerhouse of the album, no it still is a nice relaxing composition, with an eclectic guitar part towards the end.

Quantum Fantay remains a solid addition to the space rock scene, but also a band that is not afraid of adding new elements and therefore Quantum Fantay is a revelation to the genre. This time the fusion of space and prog did work out very well and it turned out in a wonderful album. The addition of the two new members is a good one, although the vocal parts are minimal and the sax is not prominently used. The flute however is perhaps the most distinguished instrument for Quantum Fantay.

****+ Pedro Bekkers (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)

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