Artist:  Kens Dojo
   Title: Reincarnation
   Label: AOR Heaven
 

'Reincarnation' is the debut album from renowned guitarist and producer Ken Ingwersen and name known to many as producer of TNT’s ‘Transistor’ album.  It's also where Ken came to know Morty Black, who appears on this album along with Glenn Hughes, Ken Hensley, Nils K Rue, Eric Hawk, Michael Eriksen and Chesney Hawkes.

With quite an array of talent behind the album and a diverse mix at that makes this album something rather special.

Things open up in spectacular fashion with ‘Forever’, a real taste of what Ingwersen has to offer as not just a guitar player, but also vocally as he brings a Geoff Tate styled vocal to proceedings.  Mood filled and towering, musically it's pure gold.  A track that highlights the depth of talent behind this release.  I dare anyone in the Melodic and Hard Rock genres to fault this opener.

The gold vein running through this album runs deep and true as one of my favourite tracks off the album ‘Keeping The Flame Alive’ is up next.  This time featuring the enigmatic vocal talent that is Pagan’s Mind’s Nil K Rue, a vocalist that I just love.  He has a mystical and haunting vocal style that Ingwersen brings to forefront on this one.  A one for the Queensryche fans here.

One of the most recognisable voices in Rock is the Voice Of Rock himself Glenn Hughes and he brings his unmistakable talent to the wonderful  ‘I Surrender’.  A more gentle refrain that has power ballad qualities without the cheesiness of being so, with Ingwersen powering through with some excellent guitar work and the added orchestrations bring more than a touch of class to proceedings.

One of the surprises of the album has to be Chesney Hawkes, a name you’d not normally associate with Rock music but on the title track ‘Reincarnation’ Hawkes really shines.

The more mellower side of Ingwersen’s guitar playing is felt on the majestic ‘Momentos A Solas’, a stirring instrumental piece that swoops and soars as he takes things to a whole new level.

It’s back to the vocal tracks with ‘Demon In Diamonds’, this time with former 21 Guns Tommy La Verdi on the mike for this one.  This is a real smooth slice of guitar fuelled Hard Rock that will have you swaying from the first few chords.

Another of my favourite tracks off this tremendous album has to be ‘Come Alive’, a track that has more that it fair share of old school 70's vibes mixed with a modern twist.  A real groove filled sensation.

Ingwersen really lets the emotions run wild with ‘El Recreo’ another killer instrumental, short but sweet.  It's time to step into the Melodic Rock world with ‘Set The Angel Free’ before Ingwersen picks up the Spanish guitar for the excellent ballad ‘Rain’.

The album closes with something really funky the sublime ‘Soundcheck Bonanza’, a touch of neo-classical jazz fusion that rounds up a great album and a great debut from Ingwersen.  A man confident both in front of and behind the mixing desk, so watch out because there’s a new Rock Ninja in town.  Be prepared for a real roundhouse kick that will rock your world.

Tracklisting:

1. Forever
2. Keeping The Flame Alive
3. I Surrender
4. Reincarnation
5. Momentos A Solas
6. Demon In Diamonds
7.Come Alive
8. El Recreo
9. Set This Angel Free
10. Rain
11. Soundcheck Bonanza

                  

 

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