Label: Inside Out Music
Release Date: August 5, 2023
Rio is
Rabin's first vocal album in 34 years. I received the two 180-gram LP sea blue
set (Ltd t0 1,500 copies) for review. The artwork was digitally created by
Rabin as well.
Trevor covers some ground
on this album by playing guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and percussion,
mandolin, banjo, dobro, and backing vocals for his lead vocals. So essentially,
he is a one-person band.
Yes, fans already know
Trevor's voice is like Jon Anderson's. Also, some of the music is like what Yes
has created. That is fine with me, as I enjoyed this album and found it quite
eclectic, regardless of those similarities.
Side A begins with
"Big Mistakes," the first single release. The track is an exciting
opener with catchy hooks and good lead guitar changes.
"Push" is a good
mesh of guitar and keys with fast instrumentation that melds with the vocals.
Many changes take place, going back and forth. The orchestration, violin, and
piano finish things off as it fades out.
"Oklahoma" is a
nice acoustic number with some rapid picking as the keys come in with a quiet
interlude as the vocals enter with "We build from our wounds warmth."
The moving instrumentation and vocals are panoramic and picturesque, painted
with orchestrations and a biting guitar line for emphasis.
Side B starts with
"Paradise." Good rhythms with excellent drums and bass are features.
Twangy guitar and soaring vocals come in. All the instruments are so strong,
and it turns into a toe tapper. Multi-layered vocals and a jazz flavor are
towards the end, then back to a fast pace as it ends.
"Thandi" has an
interesting beginning. The band is in hyperdrive again, flying along and
returning to an average pace. The vocal effects, which offer several
flourishes, are reminiscent of his time with Yes. The powerful rhythm section
and keys push along some fantastic guitar work.
"Goodbye" is a
country sound with the galloping bass and drums. Some nice picking arrives with
banjo and dobro to make it all sound authentic. A honky tonk piano comes in as
well, and the vocals are undoubtedly suitable for all of the musical colors
populating the track.
"Tumbleweed"
closes out side C with significant harmonizing effects, which change quickly as
it moves along.
Side C begins with
"These Tears," the album's only slow burner that builds with
additional background vocals and purposeful instrumentation that are then
pronounced further with keys and some cool guitar lines. It is a very dynamic
performance.
The word "Egoli"
means the place of gold or Johannesburg. The song begins with a strong bass
line and continues to provide a steady backbeat. The funky sounds with vocals
to match are all quite different than the preceding tracks. The harmonizing
reminded me of Paul Simon's Graceland album and the amazing Ladysmith Black Mambazo. See
how it all ties in? The vocals are like an additional instrument. It is what I
define as World-Prog.
"Toxic" closes
out an excellent album from start to finish with some rocking sounds. There is
a great bass and strong guitar in the spotlight. Then it turns industrial in
sound, yet another surprise. The changes and some very cool sounds come forth.
The track would serve as an excellent single release.
Side D is one of those
clever etchings. It would have been a bonus if they had put a few tracks off
Trevor's massive box set that was released. But even without that, it is a fine
release.
Rio is a superlative performance by Trevor Rabin and his guests. Quality musicianship and vocals like this tuning into any radio station streaming or conventional are uncommon these days. The album is a triumph in every aspect of musicianship, engineering, sound, and the quality of 180-gram vinyl pressing, not to mention the cool translucent sea blue coloring.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-TFOV Founder
November 12, 2023
Side One:
1. Big Mistakes
2. Push
3. Oklahoma
Side Two:
1. Paradise
2. Thandi
3. Goodbye
4. Tumbleweed
Side Three:
1. These Tears
2. Egoli
3. Toxic
Side D: Etching
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