Among the finest prog-rock and prog-instrumental recording labels in world, Montreal based Unicorn Digital is spearheaded by guitarist Michel St-Pere, who started Unicorn with the first ever release of his group Mystery. High on the list of new 2009 CD releases from the prolific Unicorn imprint is a new album from a man who records his music under the name of Flood. This 2009 album from the U.K. based Flood, entitled Tales From The Four Seasons is one of the most sublime instrumental albums of this first decade of the 21st century. Flood’s lengthy magnum opus is a slightly unusual choice for Unicorn as it comes across more like the neoclassical strains of Penguin Cafe Orchestra and the softer side of Mike Oldfield or even New Age kingpin Gandalf compared to say the Yes inspired hard rock and fusion based releases that Unicorn has built their fine reputation on. On Tales Flood performs all the instruments himself—including guitars, keyboards, flutes and light percussion. Commenting on the release Flood further states, ‘My debut album Tales From The Four Seasons is an instrumental album. It began life as a short piece entitled Summer written whilst on holiday in Dorset five years ago. I liked the feel of the arrangement therefore decided to write a suite of four pieces based on the four seasons. Each season is made up of individual movements linked together using short linking passages. The music was inspired by the sights and sounds of the English countryside.’ For his next album, which Flood is calling, Contact The Living, he’s threatening to ‘Unpack the Strat and unleash the progressive side of my writing.’ Well, for the time being, Tales From The Four Seasons is a sublime album to reflect back upon one of the most intense, hard fought, yet ultimately disappointing decades in modern history. Filled with pastoral washes of instrumental wonder, Tales From The Four Seasons is a harmonious, sonic way to release your brain from the tension and sadness of this silent decade. www.UnicornDigital.com


MWE3.COM presents an interview with Trevor Kenward of Flood


Can you say provide some background about your new Tales From The Four Seasons CD?


TK: This album is my debut release. I am 47, live in the United Kingdom and am a self taught musician. I was a music fan way before I ever picked up an instrument which was not until I was 25. I taught myself to play guitar from a book and graduated into writing my own music. Tales has taken me 3 years to write and record. The premise of the album is to tell the story of the English countryside throughout the seasons. Each season in broken down into small movements each with its own story to tell. The orchestration is made up of cello, clarinet, flute, french horn, trumpet, double bass, piano, and drums. The use of synthesized sounds was used as a segue between movements. All music on the album was written and performed by myself. I had a lot of support from Giles Potvin from Quebec who had been given my music by a fan also from Canada who had heard sample tracks I had posted on a free site. Giles wrote to me asking if he could feature the music on his weekly radio slot. In turn Giles introduced me to Michel St-Pere at Unicorn who also gave me support and encouragement. It is true to say that these two gentlemen had a large part to play in keeping me on track to complete the album for release in April of this year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both.

What are your musical influences?

TK: My main influences have been Genesis, Yes, The Who and Led Zeppelin. Part credit for this album would have to go out to these guys as their music has been a massive influence on me. Special credit must go to Tony Banks whom I greatly admire and was an inspiration to me whilst writing the album. Please contact me at floodmusic@virginmedia.com should you require any further information.

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