Phoenix Rising by Kindred Spirit Band

Album Review - 31st January 2017
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal Zine (Marcelo Trotta)

"Honestly, I have found Elaine Samuels And Kindred Spirit one of the best Folk-Rock acts in activity in the U.K.! Their amazing album, “Phoenix Rising”, is full of the finest Folk-Rock songs around, being indispensable for fans of: “Curved Air”, “Fleetwood Mac”, “Pentangle”, “Fairport Convention”, “Steeleye Span”, “The Moody Blues”, “Jethro Tull”, “Lindisfarne”, “Clannad”, “Solstice”, “Blackmore’s Night”, “Willowglass”, “Mostly Autumn”, “Estampie”, “Faun”, “Garmarna”, “Schandmaul”, “Skyclad”, and so on".

Dr Ozymandias
This is great. Characterful folk-rock involving guitars, bass and drums but also flute and violin weaving sweet lines in and out. Balance of electric and acoustic colours, and Elaine has a beautiful voice. Song titles such as Wolves at the Gate and Children of the Stars give an idea of the mood. My favourite tracks would be Feed the Fire and the title track, at least until I hear the songs more times.

SteveHutch
This album is terrific! - I bought the CD directly from the artist, having heard some of the tracks played live at one of her recent gigs - I reckon it features some of Elaine's and Kindred Spirit's strongest songs to date. The opener 'KINDRED SPIRIT' is a wonderfully haunting and poignant song evoking sounds that carry you away to foreign climes. Elaine's vocal is tremendous and draws you into the hypnotically mysterious world she has created. The interplay between Gavin Jones (Violin) and Catherine Dimmock (flute) is mesmeric and adds so much to each of Elaine's compositions.
Elaine's music on this album seems to span across so many genre - folk / pop / rock / prog - and in 'FEED THE FIRE', Elaine and Kindred Spirit have gone heavy metal! A very surprising track but I must admit it has a great hook and some virtuoso playing which I'm certain some metal fans would find really impressive!
There are some very accessible pop songs - such as 'LIFE IS A CIRCUS', 'LET"S BE HAPPY' and 'BEAUTIFUL DAY' as well as some excellent longer songs such as 'LET THE MUSIC SET YOU FREE', IT'S NOT TOO LATE' and of course the last track 'THE PHOENIX' (another of my favourites).
The arrangements are superb, allowing for each of the band's musicality to shine but, at the same time, enhancing every song. And if that's not enough, Elaine has Les Binks - yes THE Les Binks from Judas Priest - playing drums on some of her tracks. Her band is simply choc-full of talented musicians and Elaine and the producer, Jez Larder, have brought out the best in them to serve the songs.
The album was produced by Jez Larder of Skyline Studios - and to my ears, he's done a first class job!
I even like the artwork - which Elaine and her son Peter created - are their no limits to the woman's talents?!
This is a must buy album - I'm going to buy some more copies as presents for some of my more musically appreciative friends!

Kindred Spirit Band have a unique take on the Prog Folk Rock genre, weaving electric guitar and flute / saxophone with ‘perceptive and intriguing’ song-writing, driving rhythms and ‘haunting and bewitching’ female vocals. Their sound has been likened to Renaissance, Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull and The Moody Blues.
‘One of the best folk rock acts in activity in the UK’
Prog Rock & Prog Metal Zine

kindredspiritband.co.uk