OBLIVION SUN - OBLIVION SUN - 2007

Proving that aging proggers can, indeed, make music that fits into the genre's contemporary scene, Happy the Man founding members Frank Wyatt and Stan Whitaker shine brightly with Oblivion Sun. This five-piece band effortlessly crosses genres while remaining firmly grounded in progressive rock's roots, melding funk and jazz with rock and even pop. "The Ride," for example, sounds like a Spock's Beard tune from the post-Neal Morse era. Elsewhere, vintage yet fresh sounds abound. "Catwalk" offers a nod to Genesis circa Peter Gabriel, the horned-up instrumental "Noodlepoint" references classic Chicago, and "Re: Bootsy," "Golden Feast" and "No Surprises" take cues from Wyatt's and Whitaker's old band.

The big surprise here is how cohesive everything sounds. The members of Oblivion Sun play like they've been together for years — although next time out, they might want to opt for fewer instrumentals (seven of the nine tracks here are vocal-free). Whitaker's voice is perfect for this style of music, and it should not be wasted. That said, Oblivion Sun is an accessible record that should please young and old progheads alike.
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