This cd is rough around the edges, but it has a few very good songs and a vibe that I can connect with. I’m going to give a few of the stronger tracks some play during my next performance and I really like relaxing to the title track, Walkaway. That alone is probably worth the price of the disk.

The Vitals:

Label: Demulcent Records
Genre: Progressive trance / trance breakbeat
Number of Tracks: 11
How you can obtain a copy: The full-length album is available for purchase at www.demulcent.com

Factor Scores:

• Production: 5.0
• Programming & Arrangement: 6.0
• Entertainment Quality: 6.5
• Total: 5.8 - Average

Summary:

Progressive trance abounds as Prophetica’s “Walkaway” bids a heartfelt farewell to his signature sound and musical career. His latest and final offering possesses a depth and range unheard on previous albums, as he takes chances that give the release a substantial boost. Most notable among these is the addition of vocalist Morgan Casey, whose sweet, soulful voice brings a balance to Prophetica’s sugary trance like a big glass of milk does to warm cookies. The album does have its share of problems, however, as a handful of filler-quality songs and spotty production cast shadows over an otherwise inspired and entertaining release.

Factor Scores:

Production quality: 5.0

The production on this album is consistently mediocre. Individually the parts are adequately produced, but most of them possess only slightly better warmth than that of pre-programmed loops from a groovebox. Poor level mixing also lowers the score, as every song sounds moderately flat.

Programming & Arrangement: 6.0

With the exception of the title track, every song on Walkaway relies on aggressive synthesizers for the lead hooks and has a beatline that is either breakbeat or four-on-the-floor trance. This combination proves to be very effective and well executed at times, but becomes a bit monotonous by the end of the album. The artists newfound broadening of horizons gives another lift here, though, as his timely application of quality vocals and emotional breakdowns (especially on the vexxed mix of Breathe) are as good as any major label release.

Entertainment quality: 6.5

The best way to take this album in is to hide in a quiet place with some headphones. Prophetica is telling us something with his last hurrah that moves through his music best when you can really take it all in. Despite the flatness of the sound levels, songs like 1000 times and Never Gonna offer legitimate worth for trance deejays. Neither is likely to be a club charter, but there is some danceability within both of them. I’d call this more of a spiritual chill cd than anything else, but it’s not bad if you’re looking for a way to unwind with some thought-provoking grooves.

Total: 5.8

Walkaway is certainly a groundbreaking work for Prophetica, but not for progressive trance in general. Strong work with Morgan Casey and the powerful, personal connection he offers us make this a memorable release, but its production problems and programming limitations cannot be ignored. It is certainly worth a listen, but only the artist’s current fans will be thrilled.

Bill’s take:

This cd is rough around the edges, but it has a few very good songs and a vibe that I can connect with. I’m going to give a few of the stronger tracks some play during my next performance and I really like relaxing to the title track, Walkaway. That alone is probably worth the price of the disk.