Mult-instrumentalist Troy Redfern, no stranger to the British
blues rock scene with his highly individualistic brand of rockin’
Resonator roll and searing slide expertise, and hot off an
exceptional, full band headliner set at the Upton Blues Festival,
has announced the release of his most musically adventurous
album to date.
Astral Doorways, scheduled for release on 30th October, isn’t
Troy’s first instrumental album (a highlight of his deep and
diverse back catalogue includes the guitar led and multi-faceted
Thunder Moon) but it is his most ambitious and daring work.
Mixing art-rock tendencies with ‘love letter’ moments
(sub-consciously tapping into some of the greatest innovators of early
70s rock, jazz-tinged fusion and prog, as well as eastern
influences), Astral Doorways is nothing less than a time-shifting trip through alternate musical realities in
aural space.
“A delicious fusion of instrumental prog rock, jazz and world music, performed beautifully by Troy.
Every song takes you on an unexpected journey – I love this album!” – Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal.
“An amazing, very ambitious, exploratory journey interwoven with Troy’s extremely proficient and tasteful
guitar playing, pushing hard to find those magical notes and riffs! Lovely stuff.” – Ed Wynne (Ozric Tentacles).
“A wonderful adventure and beautifully different… keyboards like a lunar landscape. I love that!”
renowned producer & sound engineer Chris Kimsey.
From the title track ‘Suite’ which opens the album (featuring judicious and impressive use of mallet
percussion) to scintillating closing piece, ‘The Fire Stones of Areelia’ (partly influenced by eastern music)
Astral Doorways is a sonic experience like no other, and a landmark moment in Troy’s career.
“I feel like ‘Astral Doorways’ is the deepest dive into my musical psyche yet,” says Troy. “I felt the freest and
could really stretch out musically, letting the muse shine. With the rise of artificially generated music looming
so large on the world stage, I decided now was the right time to record my most ambitious, idiosyncratic,
musically interesting album to date. For anyone that really knows my catalogue, I don’t think this album will
be too much of a shock as progressive rock, eastern music and avant-garde have always been a massive part
of my musical DNA.”
Additionally, Troy’s vivid symbolist/abstract artworks, which adorn the album, perfectly and intentionally
complement the six compositions (four main themes and two short, interlude pieces), as do the Ancient
Egyptian beliefs meet Astronomyth track-by-track descriptions you will find within.
“The initial flash of conceptual inspiration for ‘Astral Doorways’ came from a meditation in The Kings
Chamber of The Great Pyramid at Giza in 2022,” Troy reflects. “A glimpse of an idea that gestated over the
following years, and then, the death of dear school friend/bass player and long-time bandmate shifted gears
on the project, giving the project a shot of urgency.”
Astral Doorways was composed primarily on piano and nylon
string guitar, both of which feature heavily.
“Writing and composing with the piano really was a revelation,
opening up musical avenues I wouldn’t have gone down just
writing on electric guitar. It got me out of my comfort zone and
forced me to get creative in other ways,” confirms Troy.
While an array of interesting instrumentation and highly creative
arrangements shape the album, some of Troy’s best and most
inspired guitar soloing to date sit atop, waiting for the listener to
arrive, embark, and enjoy the six-string trip.
Astral Doorways. A work of creative art for art’s sake.
Artist: Troy Redfern; Title: Astral Doorways; Release Date: 30th October
Formats: Red Vinyl in Original Artwork Gatefold Sleeve*; Digipak CD*;
Digital Download; all via website shop (see pre-order link further below)
(*Vinyl & CD have individual mixes to provide best audio experience for each format).
Pre-order link now live at: https://troyredfern.com/shop/
Will also be available on streaming service
TROY REDFERN
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |
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