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Arc Angel: Harlequins of Light

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.5/5.0

Website
Frontiers Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.14.2013

The person behind Arc Angel is the talented musician, songwriter, and producer Jeff Cannata from Connecticut. His musical career dates to the mid-Seventies, the first Arc Angel project from 1983 with many solo efforts on a variety of labels around the world following. Cannata returns to Arc Angel with the new Harlequins of Light, now signed with Frontiers Records.

Jeff Cannata: the man behind Arc Angel outdoors.

Those familiar with Cannata's career can basically expect what he's very good at it: melodic rock touched with a little progressive rock and wrapped in a AOR wrapper. He handles lead vocals, of course, but also lends his hand to drums, bass, keyboards, and guitar, though most leads are done by several others, from a supporting cast of musicians.

With one spin of Harlequins of Light you find the strengths of Arc Angel: Cannata's fine song composition and smooth vocals. To the former, you get a big symphonic anthem with the title track; a catchy light rocker in As Far As The Eye Can See; the more steady, sometimes heavier, Voice of Illuminati; the West Coast sound of California Daze and Tonight Forever; and, the slight jazz feel of Amnesia. That last song has one of the best drum lines on the album from Cannata. Throughout, Cannata's lead vocals and vocal arrangements are a pure pleasure being clean and smooth, melodic and harmonious, things essential to AOR melodic rock. This album also contains a new version of Fortune Teller from his first solo effort Images of Forever. Harlequins of Light is simply a solid and entertaining album of AOR melodic rock. Hopefully, Cannata will stay with Frontiers and return with more in the future. Easily recommended.

Arc Angel - Harlequins of Light (Official Video)

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Arc Angel's Harlequins of Light, from musician Jeff Cannata and company, is simply a solid and entertaining album of AOR melodic rock.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]