Crash Course: A Hermetic Science Primer

Don't be fooled by that title; Crash Course: A Hermetic Science Primer is not a mere sampler or best-of Ed Macan's Hermetic Science, it culls all the original compositions first released on the group's eponymous debut, Prophesies, and En Route albums. The only tracks left out are the covers (Darryl Way's "Cheetah" and ELP's "Infinite Space" from the first album; Rush's "Jacob's Ladder" and Macan's fabulous solo piano transcription of ELP's "Tarkus" from Prophesies). This is no mere compilation either: since the group's albums had gradually improved production-wise, Macan remixed and remastered all the tracks, except for "La-Bas," "Raga Hermeticum," and "En Route," these being the last three pieces recorded. Also, Macan and Jason Hoopes (the group's last bassist) have respectively added lyre and sitar parts to most of the tracks from the debut album. The remixing job and the augmented instrumentation have produced fresh-sounding pieces definitely worth rediscovering. The vibraphone in "Esau's Burden" and "Trisagion" sounds much more vibrant than before, and the material from Prophesies has gained warmth. The difference is less notable in En Route (entirely included). For more details on the music, please read the reviews on individual albums. Hermetic Science offered a different take on progressive rock. At first a power trio led by tuned percussion (vibes and marimba) in a slightly jazz vein, the unit evolved into a keyboard-driven, extremely cerebral form of symphonic prog rock. This evolution, highlighted by the rotating cast of bassists and drummers around Ed Macan, is palpable throughout this two-CD set. When it was active (1997-2001), this original group never caught on in the progressive rock community. Hopefully, this sonically enhanced collection will help raise its level of recognition. ~ François Couture, Rovi