I'm sure I've read somewhere - probably on some cheesy inspirational meme somewhere - that out of adversity comes strength. Cheesy though it may be, there is certainly some truth in those sentiments when it comes to this, the third album from the ambient progressive collective known as Nova Cascade.
Following on from their earlier albums - 2018's 'Above All Else' and 2019's 'A Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows' - comes 'Back From The Brink', a collection of songs, vocal and instrumental, forged in the white heat of the past 18 months or so of pandemic and lockdown: a task made all the more onerous as Dave Hilborne, the keyboardist and vocalist, was struck down by the virus and still endures the long-term effects of it. The title, 'Back From The Brink', is, therefore, apposite.
Dave, together with his usual associates Dave Fick on bass, and Charlie Bramald on flute, are joined by Eric Bouillette (who played with them on the last album) on violin & guitars, and Lorenzo Poliandri on drums & percussion. As with their previous recordings, the music is immersive, atmospheric and thoughtful; keyboard-driven, yet benefiting from the textures that the violin, flute and guitars bring. This is once more music from the ambient as well as progressive schools, and Dave Hilborne's vocals have an almost harsh yet ethereal quality to them. It is fascinating in that it is both music to soak yourself in, yet also music to engage the mind and spirit; that washes over you and carries you along to new places.
Musically, there are hints for me of the Moody Blues in 'The Minutes After', and of Peter Gabriel's 'Intruder' in 'The Hill', and the epic title track is a well-constructed, multi-sectional piece with reggae rhythms at times. There is a clear progression in all the band's work, with this being the most accomplished of the three albums to date, which I would highly commend to any and to all.
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