Jean Paul’s Dream Vision – Quimera

Juan Pablo Arroniz Romero (June 19^th 2024)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

 Now this is an ‘interesting’ release. How so? This album is the brainchild of Spanish guitarist Jean Paul, who has gathered around him 46 international musicians to record/re-record sixteen of his own songs collated from the past decade. These artists include Danny Vaughan, Goran Edman, Isra Ramos, and Ferdy Doernberg and others from the likes of Mago De Oz, Warcry, Nexx, Suite, and Dark Moor.

Now, it should be noted that ‘Quimera’ is self-financed, and self-produced, and is sung in both English and Spanish. The latter is no problem, and does not particularly interfere with the enjoyment of listening. HOWEVER, where it does fall completely flat is the production, which is frankly horrible, being flat, lifeless, and lacking in bottom end – which really does make it harder to endure.

The use of what sounds like a drum machine (and if it is, it’s not a good one) also badly impacts on the quality of the final product. Next, the album is hugely overlong, and quite honestly would (and indeed should) have benefitted from a lot of judicious pruning, because sixteen songs is simply way too many, losing at least six/seven of the numbers would have benefitted the album hugely. I get that it is Jean Paul’s baby, but even so …

That is not to say that ALL the album is bad, because it definitely isn’t. Songs such as ‘Like A Rainbow’, ‘Mi Lugar’, ‘Sin Fi’, ‘Perdido En La Ciudad’, ‘Fuego Y Pasion’, ‘Niebla’ and ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ are good Melodic Rock numbers, but the rest are frankly filler, with only ‘Desterrado’ even rising above the ordinary. Had Jean Paul culled six or seven songs, what would have been left would have been a very respectable album. As it is? I find myself skipping a lot of songs, and that’s a crying shame.

Jean Paul is clearly a talented guitarist, it’s a shame he could not have found someone to produce ‘Quimera’ in a more professional way, and have helped him to focus a little more. I wanted to love this album, but as it is, I honestly can’t imagine that I will revisit it much. Having special guest artists sing or play for you is all well and good, but if you can’t make them shine for you? It’s something of a wasted effort. Approach with definite caution. I applaud Jean Paul for making ‘Quimera’, but next time … less is more, and get a producer.

Tracklist: 

1. Like A Rainbow
2. Eternal
3. Quimera
4. Vega
5. Cielo O Infierno
6. Mi Lugar
7. Sin Ti
8. Fantasia
9. Perdido En La Ciudad
10. La Red
11. Fuego Y Pasion
12. Huellas
13. Niebla
14. Renacer
15. Desterrado
16. Don’t Say Goodbye