Review: St. J – Prophesy Project – Beginnings

Bret reviews the impressive St. J – Prophesy Project

St. J – Prophesy Project is the innovative banner under which the immensely experienced and talented Frans JC Martins pursues his solo career. St. J’s Beginnings proves to be an interesting fusion of hard rock, post-rock and progressive rock, with a very clear jazz/blues overtone. It is a well-written, well-produced instrumental album to be enjoyed loud or soft, whether you are working or relaxing.

Beginnings is a great medley of 8 tracks which reflect St. J’s deep commitment to the spirituality and emotion behind music. It culminates with the truly brilliant piano / guitar colab between Frans and his son, Rici Martins. I mean, how cool is that? Kind of makes me wish my father was Frans, or that my son was Rici.

St. J is a feasible project which promises to deliver some quality music over the years to come, and as such, is definitely one to watch. Beginnings is a good album and unique to the South African music industry. It is a tribute to the guitar and certainly evokes the emotion and introspection that the album aims for. In this sense, Beginnings is highly recommended.

On the flipside, I feel that Beginnings lacks a certain punch, or experimental overtone which would have just pushed it that much further. Perhaps the introduction of experimental vocals or the further utilization of digital techniques would have just given it that much extra personality. Furthermore, 8 tracks at 24 minutes in the global recession is a difficult selling point. This album is too short, it would have been great to hear some more. That being said, St. J’s Prophesy Project is really fun, and packs some killer riffs and solos; not to mention, some great ‘father-son’ colabs. I really want to catch St. J live. Would be great to let my hair down and jam to ‘Time’.

Best Tracks: ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Time’ and ‘Repentance’

72/100

- Bret D
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