$8.99

Musically LWE can be compared favorably with such bands as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Rudess Morgenstein Project (RPM), Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Chick Corea Electrik Band. However, it is almost as if the influences drawn from such bands have only created a visceral amalgamation of the different styles to fuse together something new and exciting. Their self-titled first album LWE Lucas, White & Edsey has already caused rumblings in the progressive world. Recorded and mixed in Barrington, IL by Jim Johnson and mastered in Gurnee, IL by Harry Brotman, the album clocks in at approximately 58 minutes and features eight stellar tracks ranging from aggressive prog to smooth jazz to bluegrass from hell.

Formed in 2000, keyboadist Frank Lucas (Neil Zaza, Michael Angelo), drummer Chuck White (Michael Angelo, Ion Vein) and bassist Steve Edsey (Dave Uhrich, Jeff Vincent), have been tearing it up in the Chicagoland area to captive audiences. Certainly, a studio recording was inevitable. The band makes no apologies for not bowing to trends on their debut album. The music of Lucas, White & Edsey, composed by Lucas, centers around the keyboard hero’s stellar technique and lightning quick finger strokes. If you make comparisons to Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater, you are not mistaken. Over the last 12 years, Lucas has studied with the maestro at his studio in upstate New York. Backed by one of the best rhythm sections a prog rock band could ask for, Chuck White (drums and percussion) and Steve Edsey (bass) impress not only with great musicianship, navigating through many metrical minefields but some of the catchiest melodies. Edger Gabriel, a principal violinist for Cirque de Soleil guests on violin on 3 tracks.