Best known as Chris Squire’s pre-Yes psychedelic beat group, The Syn remain largely unsung heroes, but co-founder and driving force Steve Nardelli has seemingly devoted the 21st century to the pursuit of overdue recognition, with a series of wonderfully eccentric records made with an often impressive roll-call of virtuoso luminaries, most notably ex-It Bites frontman Francis Dunnery. Several years in the making, Trustworks heralds a new incarnation; a wholesale collaboration with Swedish prog ingénues Moon Safari, with Flower King Jonas Reingold co-producing.
As you might expect, the results are sumptuously melodic and in-keeping with The Syn’s original sound, albeit bolstered by modern production and, we can assume, lessons learned from four decades of creativity. It’s a hugely likeable affair, full of gently insistent hooks and embellished with Moon Safari’s trademark harmonies, but Nardelli’s vocals are at times a little anonymous and it isn’t until expansive, 15-minute closer Seventh Day Of Seven that its true potential is fully realised.
The rest of the songs are enjoyable enough and it sounds satisfyingly vivid on vinyl, but you may find yourself hoping that the next album will be more powerful and memorable one.
