The Mothers Earth Experiment

A radio DJ recently asked “What is this Prog thing all about” – shocking that he would have to ask the question but, to be honest, I don’t think anyone can answer it definitively.

However, The Mothers Earth Experiment definitely sit in the place we call Prog.

The album features six tracks, each of which adds to the total of this album and while the vocals of Mark Roberts are very much the key to their sound there is also plenty of room for the rest of the very fine band to stretch out.

Their music is as modern as tomorrow but there are very definite hints to previous Prog masters – a little touch of Soft Machine her or the pace switching of Focus there as well as nods to Gong/Hillage – and a heavy jazz influence that sets the music apart from most of their contemporaries. No question, these guys have the chops and the soul to make music of a very high standard and I found myself marvelling at some of the skills on show.

Mark Roberts and Jackson Younger’s guitar playing is very fine and coupled with James Baker’s keyboards there is a wide and expansive spread to the sound. Bass player Jake Clarke provides some sinuous lines, especially on the fretless bass and the drums of Reece Greenfield coupled with Oliver Overton’s percussion offer a remarkably subtle underpinning of it all.

The spacey feel to much of their music is something that draws you into what is happening and the little points of detail that shimmer and shine like half-uncovered diamonds draw your focus from here to there and to there and back to here without ever seeming to be forced or unnatural while the eerie and ethereal vocals of Mr Roberts keep you emotionally immersed in the music. Switch to a spaced out rocker such as ‘Cool Down Mama’ and you see yet another side that suggests they will be a dynamite band live.

Overall, this is a superb album. The music has breadth and depth, superb pacing and unexpected turns. Great example of modern Prog – whatever that is.