Sebastian Hardie / Windchase / Mario Millo ~ Australia

Windchase - Symphinity (1977)

Symphinity is an album of great inspiration. And it never fails to do that for me, after nearly 30 years of familiarity. As with any of our favorites, there's usually a time and place aspect where the music had a profound impact that lasts for a lifetime. In my case, it came via a listen in early 1993, in a particularly low moment. Symphinity brought me back to my usual enthusiastic state. As I tell people sometimes, my therapy sessions exist inside my album collection. No need for outside counsel.

Right from the beginning, it's clear that Mario Millo finds his own inspiration with a one Carlos Santana. Opener 'Horsemen to Symphinity' is one big goosebump moment. Just a gorgeous piece of music. And it never lets up from there. Windchase is more fusion oriented than the laid back symphonic of Sebastian Hardie, and it's that extra energy that propels the band to its greatest heights. Of course, Yes remains a major influence with Windchase. So if the idea of Santana's Lotus meeting Yes' Fragile sounds good to you, then Symphinity is an easy recommendation.

And while here, let's address the elephant in the room: 'Glad to Be Alive'. This has to be one of the most polarizing tracks in all of progdom. With just about anyone else, the song would have to be characterized as saccharine pandering to the masses. But Mario Millo is as authentic as they come, and he wears his emotions on his sleeve. And through his music. If we could put aside our cynicism for a moment, then the beauty and powerful message of the song comes through. Even if you can't bear the chorus, it's still mostly an instrumental track of great invention. For me, it's just one more example of why I find the album so inspirational. 

Ownership: 1977 Infinity (LP) Gatefold; 2011 Belle Antique (CD). Papersleeve. Contains one bonus track, a live version of 'Horsemen to Symphinity', recorded in 1998. It's an excellent rendition though it does contain a needless (and mercifully short) drum solo. 

2//93 (first acquired); 11/21/11; 3/5/12; 8/26/21 (review)

Sebastian Hardie - Windchase (1976)

Windchase is the middle album between Four Moments and Symphinity, and has always been my least favorite of the three. Which is not the same thing as saying it's not any good. It most certainly is great actually, but less dynamic than the bookends. No one could craft a sentimental melody like Mario Millo, and Windchase is the perfect album to wind down a hard day with a glass of wine and a moment of fond reflection. It's truly beautiful music within a progressive rock context. The band was - and remains - a hidden treasure.

Ownership: 1976 Polydor (LP); 2011 Belle Antique (CD). Papersleeve edition with one short bonus track.

1991 (first acquired); 2/23/12; 7/21/19 (review); 8/1/23

Mario Millo - Epic III (1979)

Mario Millo's first true solo album, Epic III, is largely a continuation of where he'd left off with his previous endeavors, namely Sebastian Hardie and Windchase. Like with most solo albums of the 70s and 80s, Millo goes boldly forth with a selection of assorted styles and genres, to explore various aspects of his muse.

Depending on the format in which you first hear this album, you probably will come away with a different impression. In my estimation, listening to it in the order as presented on the original LP is preferable. The Musea CD however "front loads" what would appear to be the ear grabbing prog epic as it were, that of the title track. It's either that, or they were trying to mask the album's true opener 'Life in Our Hands'. For anyone who enjoyed Sebastian Hardie or Windchase, 'Life in Our Hands' is not an egregious opener, but rather one direction Millo has always pursued. As I wrote in my Four Moments notes, Millo is a true romantic at heart, so it comes as no surprise to hear an AOR styled number opening the album. But this is Millo after all, and so it's definitely "proggy AOR". Had this been heard by record executives in America in 1979 - and most assuredly it was not - then I could see it obtaining well earned radio play at the time. 'Mary's Theme' is yet another Millo avenue - that of jazz fusion. It's a fine instrumental, calling out his Camel influence, but I also hear Nova in this track (minus the sax). 'Quest Theme' is a different pursuit, more classically influenced with acoustic guitar and flute, but not folky at all, and is a style one might hear in late 70s Spain for example. 'Harlequin and Columbine', however, is best skipped over. Sounding like a Broadway play interlude, it's the kind of music one would hear in the dead-zone mid hour of a 70s variety show like the Carol Burnett Show. Cornball and a waste of time really. 'Castaway' gets things back on the rails, and is yet another departure for Millo. This is the only true solo track, yet Millo plays many instruments including drums. To my ears it sounds like what the French were doing in this era - a type of funky jazz electronic prog - something akin to Georges Grunblatt or Patrick Vian perhaps. 'Sogno d'Amore' brings back the lineup of 'Mary's Theme' and is similarly very good.

That gets us to the album's closer (or opener haha), the lengthy title track. To me, it's as if Millo consolidated all the ideas of the above tracks into a multi-part suite. This is why I feel it's more effective as a closer. That is to say it works best as a summary rather than as a table of contents.

The CD includes an additional track 'Rebecca' (sister of Rosanna per chance? See Four Moments...), and is yet another fine song in the Windchase tradition. Overall... an excellent album.

Ownership: 1979 Polydor (LP). Gatefold.

2000 (first acquired); 11/9/18 (review)

Sebastian Hardie - Four Moments (1975)

Sebastian Hardie is one of those groups that draws polarizing opinions from those in the progressive rock community. Truth of the matter is that bandleader, guitarist, and primary composer Mario Millo is a true romantic at heart. Which instinctively rubs the male oriented and testosterone fueled prog rock fan base the wrong way. I am one of these myself, and have zero tolerance for phony baloney dainty antics, as performed by many an arena rocker looking for an easy score. And yet I adore Sebastian Hardie, especially Four Moments, which is as pure an emotional album as you will find. When people talk about lush symphonic progressive, they mean this album. For those who think 'And You and I' is the pinnacle achievement for Yes, then I assure you that Four Moments will be something you will swoon over. As if to prove they can also rock out, be sure to stick it out for the last four minutes or so, where they light the album on fire, for a truly sublime closing. Only the most hardened and grizzled out there won't find a soft spot for Four Moments.

Ownership: 1975 Polydor (LP). Gatefold. 

2004 Polydor Japan (CD). Papersleeve edition. Features one bonus track.

1988 (first acquired); 9//04; 3//05; 10/3/15 (review)

10/3/15 (new entry)