I missed the July 2022, release of O.A.K., (Oscillation Alkemy Kreativity)’s Lucid Dreaming and the Spectre of Nikola Tesla. Thankfully, I was offered the opportunity to review this masterwork of progressive rock, full of my favorite instruments: mainly keyboards and synthesizers.
The music and lyrics were written by Jerry Cutillo. The entire band line-up includes: All instruments and vocals by Jerry Cutillo, except: bass – Jonathan Noyce; saxes and tin whistle – David Jackson, (tracks 1- 3); drums – Alex Elena, (tracks 1 – 2 – 3 – 6); vocals – Dorie Jackson, (track 1); vocals – Dikajee (track 4); and vocals – Laura Piazzai (track 6).
“OAK” has an extensive discography that tracks all the way back to 1994’s, Heresis Strigiatum.
Lucid Dreaming and the Spectre of Nikola Tesla, is a masterpiece of space-driven keyboards and synths, supported by David Bowie-like vocals from Jerry Cutillo and others. The collaborators Cutillo uses to raise his symphonic level higher is simply magnificent. The collaborators he has worked with include, but are not limited to: Martin Allcock, of Jethro Tull fame, David Jackson, (VDGG), Richard Sinclair, (Caravan, Camel), Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), and Laura Piazzai, from (Imaginaerium).
This album, like its predecessors, is an epic look into the life of one of the universe’s greatest minds, Nikola Tesla. “It spans from the tangible side of human life, (the one documented by history), to the other, more invisible and esoteric. Although Nikola Tesla is considered the genius who discovered the 21st century, (think of the modern devices we use to communicate), he suffered from the looting of his inventions and the materialization of them for commercial or warlike uses”.
Every moment of this album is full of great vocals, some of the best keyboards, of all types, and some wonderful guitar moments, supported by strings, flute, saxes and tin whistle. It is a magical mix of wonderment! You will be thoroughly entertained and return to this album, over and over, throughout time.
David Jackson, who plays saxophones, brought his daughter, Dorie along, and she sings a duet with Jerry Cutillo on “Everything is light”. Alex Elena does a wonderful job, marking time on drums as the album’s odyssey proceeds throughout Tesla’s life. Jerry Cutillo’s narrative and lyrics span the time between the outbreak of the World War II, (an event the scientist witnessed), to the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Cutillo also comments on the role of children, who are victims of the most brutal expression of the human soul. Cutillo also describes a dream he had one night, of David Bowie, transmuting into a dove; perhaps the same one with which Tesla entertained himself on the windowsill of his hotel room, in the song, “White Wings”. The epic album closer “The Silver Cord”, ends with the beautiful voice of Laura Piazzai, singing a symphony that hovers between contemporaneity and transcendence.
My favorite tracks on this magnificent journey were: “Everything is Light”, “Oscillation Alkemy Kreativity”, “Learn to Run in Your Dreams”, and “The Silver Cord”. However, every song has its wonderful and inspiring moments.
Sit back, put your mind on hold and enjoy this journey from beginning to end. It is quite the journey indeed.
Track List:
SIDE A
1 – Everything is Light
2 – Oscillation Alkemy Kreativity
a) Hypnotic spiral
b) Oscillation Alkemy Kreativity
c) New York City
d) AC vs DC
e) Black Night Satellite
f) Dancing a Slow Kolo with the Electric Shadows
g) Oscillation Alkemy Kreativity (reprise)
SIDE B
1 – Learn to run in your dreams
2 – The Comet and the Dreamer
3 – White Wings
4 – The Silver Cord
The album was mixed by Doctor Extaticus. Mastered by Alex Cavallo. The album was released by Aereostella. It was recorded at “Feed the Fox Hermit Center” and “House of Sounds Recording Studio”. The artwork was created by Daniele Lanzini.
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