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TRKproject - 2025 - "Alice" (62:00; Lynx Music) There is no doubt whatsoever that Ryszard Kramarski is single-handedly doing all he can to keep the Polish prog scene vibrant and active, as he not only runs Lynx Music but is also in multiple bands such as Millenium, Framauro and Fatherso. Of course, that is not nearly enough, so here we have the eighth studio album from his project outlet. All lyrics are in English, and this time we have a concept inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “ Alice In Wonderland”. Given this band is a project, and it is a concept, it makes total sense to have a cast of many, and we have five singers in Ania Batko (Hipgnosis/Albion), Lukasz Galeziowski (ex-Millenium), Marek Smelkowski (also ex-Millenium), Michal Kramarski (FatherSon) and Dominika Niebudek. TRK Project guitarist Marcin Kruczek (also Framauro etc) is here plus four current members of Milennium, guitarist Piotr Plonka, drummer Grzegorz Bauer, bassist Krzysztof Wyrwa and saxophonist Lukasz Platek which must mean they are recording almost back-to-back given that Ryszard is releasing multiple albums a year under different names. Here, he provides keyboards and guitars as well as producing the album, truly no rest for the overworked. I have been listening to Ryszard and his music for more than 25 years, and while these days he appears to be even more prolific than ever, there is no doubt his quality control is always top rate. This is a thoroughly enjoyable modern progressive rock album which is layered and complex yet always with a simplicity running through it. Some concept albums appear forced, as there can be too many words for the meter, while the music can also suffer, yet Ryszard has brought it all together in harmony in an album which is packed full of melody and restrained emotion which makes this a thoroughly enjoyable album the very first time it is played. Some prog can be difficult to get into, yet the crossover approach displayed here is light, bright and engaging. There are times when we drop into “simple” piano or acoustic guitar, and the different dynamics makes for a fascinating listen as we are taken into the story, falling into a magical world, just like Alice did when she went down the rabbit hole. Thoroughly enjoyable, this is a great way to discover Ryszard Kramarski if you have yet to do so. Progtector: March 2026 Related Links: Lynx Music