Mult-instrumentalist Troy Redfern, no stranger to the British blues rock scene with his highly individualistic brand of rockin’ Resonator roll and searing slide expertise, and hot off an exceptional, full band headliner set at the Upton Blues Festival, has announced the release of his most musically adventurous album to date.
‘Astral Doorways‘, scheduled for release on October 30th, isn’t Troy’s first instrumental album (a highlight of his deep and diverse back catalogue includes the guitar led and multi-faceted Thunder Moon) but it is his most ambitious and daring work.
Mixing art-rock tendencies with ‘love letter’ moments (sub-consciously tapping into some of the greatest innovators of early 70s rock, jazz-tinged fusion and prog, as well as eastern influences), ‘Astral Doorways‘ is nothing less than a time-shifting trip through alternate musical realities in aural space. “A delicious fusion of instrumental prog rock, jazz and world music, performed beautifully by Troy. Every song takes you on an unexpected journey – I love this album!” – Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal.
“An amazing, very ambitious, exploratory journey interwoven with Troy’s extremely proficient and tasteful guitar playing, pushing hard to find those magical notes and riffs! Lovely stuff.” – Ed Wynne (Ozric Tentacles).
“A wonderful adventure and beautifully different… keyboards like a lunar landscape. I love that!” – renowned producer & sound engineer Chris Kimsey.
From the title track ‘Suite’ which opens the album (featuring judicious and impressive use of mallet percussion) to scintillating closing piece, ‘The Fire Stones of Areelia’ (partly influenced by eastern music) ‘Astral Doorways‘ is a sonic experience like no other, and a landmark moment in Troy’s career.
“I feel like ‘Astral Doorways’ is the deepest dive into my musical psyche yet,” says Troy. “I felt the freest and could really stretch out musically, letting the muse shine. With the rise of artificially generated music looming so large on the world stage, I decided now was the right time to record my most ambitious, idiosyncratic, musically interesting album to date. For anyone that really knows my catalogue, I don’t think this album will be too much of a shock as progressive rock, eastern music and avant-garde have always been a massive part of my musical DNA.”
Additionally, Troy’s vivid symbolist/abstract artworks, which adorn the album, perfectly and intentionally complement the six compositions (four main themes and two short, interlude pieces), as do the Ancient Egyptian beliefs meet Astronomyth track-by-track descriptions you will find within.
“The initial flash of conceptual inspiration for ‘Astral Doorways’ came from a meditation in The Kings Chamber of The Great Pyramid at Giza in 2022,” Troy reflects. “A glimpse of an idea that gestated over the following years, and then, the death of dear school friend/bass player and long-time bandmate shifted gears on the project, giving the project a shot of urgency.”
‘Astral Doorways‘ was composed primarily on piano and nylon string guitar, both of which feature heavily. “Writing and composing with the piano really was a revelation, opening up musical avenues I wouldn’t have gone down just writing on electric guitar. It got me out of my comfort zone and forced me to get creative in other ways,” confirms Troy.
While an array of interesting instrumentation and highly creative arrangements shape the album, some of Troy’s best and most inspired guitar soloing to date sit atop, waiting for the listener to arrive, embark, and enjoy the six-string trip.
‘Astral Doorways‘. A work of creative art for art’s sake.
Track List:
- Suite: Astral Doorways
- The Plains of Zula
- Emanations
- Elysium in Parallax
- Dark Celestial
- The Fire Stones of Areelia
Written, recorded, produced & arranged by Troy Redfern at Parliament Barn Studios. All instruments played by Troy Redfern, including: Piano, Clavinet, Rhodes Piano, Drums, Programming, Mallets, Nylon & Electric Guitars, Coral Sitar, ARP Synth, Percussion.
Pre-order link now live – here
‘Astral Doorways‘ will also be available on streaming services.
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