For those who may not know, Martin Orford is the lead keyboardist of a band he created with guitarist Mike Holmes, namely IQ. He was previously with the same Mike Holmes at the head of The Lens, then of Jadis (without Mike Holmes this time), with the best of neo progressive rock, including guitarist John Mitchell, who can be found in Arena, Frost, It Bites or Kino. But Martin Orford is also the founder of the Giant Electric Pea (GEP) label, which in particular launched Spock's Beard in Europe.
For this album, the man has surrounded himself with talented friends. John Wetton, John Mitchell, Gary Chandler (Jadis), the Spock's Beard rhythm section (Nick D'Virgilio - drums, Dave Meros - bass), and Steve Thorne, for whom he has recently played, and others, such as IQ members Andy Edwards (drums) and Mike Holmes (guitar), or David Longdon (vocals).
But is "The Old Road" IQ? Almost! That's basically what you'll be able to tell yourself after listening to the first track in which the harmonies, the voice (Martin Orford himself) and especially the guitar will make you think of it. The interventions of John Wetton are noteworthy as on "Take It To The Sun", similar to Asia. His warm voice, his sense of melody and the guitar solo, everything is excellent. Same feeling when listening to "The Time And The Season", still with John Wetton on vocals, which will make you think of IQ with its typical introduction, but also the main themes. The sound as a whole is typical of Martin Orford's original band, with its eighties keyboards, the Holmes-like guitars and the rest quite modern.
"The Old Road" is far from being a trivial album. It's full of catchy topics, moving moments, happy shivers and guitar solos that hit the spot. But above all, it is the last album of Martin Orford who has decided to quit the music world at the end of 2008, irritated by the piracy and the 'free music' spirit. Thank you Mr. Orford for all the feelings you have transmitted to us during all these years. And maybe see you soon, you never know...