HUGO’S VOYAGE – Inception

With a core line-up consisting of superb musicians and a knack for crafting a pleasing and richly textured AOR tune, this is a pretty enjoyable musical affair and one that bodes very well for the future should Hugo and his skilled bandmates decide to continue down this cool musical path. The amount of confidence not to mention the melodic flair and classy style of the playing obviously indicate that these gentlemen have been around the block a few times and know damn well what it takes to construct a dynamic album with a wide appeal to it. In many ways, this debut offering recalls Boston without sounding old hat, pathetically sentimental, or like a mere rehashing of ideas that you have encountered a million times before. Inception is musically cohesive and expertly written stuff that fans of Journey and the aforementioned Boston ought to give a serious listen. Did I mention that one of my favorite bass players i.e. Greg Smith (Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow) is a member of this outfit? Tracks such as ‘Crazy What Love Can Do’ and album closer ‘When Heaven Makes an Angel’ are pure ear candy.