Why does progressive rock have to be contrived? Here’s the question which never seemed to prey on Nick Magnus’ mind. And though almost all of the British composer’s oeuvre belongs to this genre, its orchestral scope – sculpted completely on his keyboards – is so rich as to break down any stylistic barriers there are. However, Magnus could not care less about genres and styles, because for him only stories and melodies must serve as record-driven engines, and Nick’s albums excel in tuneful storytelling.
Of course, many a listener may maintain that the ivories master’s claim to fame would lie with his remarkable spell as Steve Hackett‘s right-hand man in the late ’70s and early ’80s, yet it’s Magnus’ solo career that should properly highlight his talents. And if Nick’s previous works felt quiet serious in terms of concept, the pieces of 2024’s "A Strange Inheritance" bring forth a different aspect of what the veteran does: his adventurousness. But how did such a journey was charted? Here’s the question which took us a few hours to find an answer to.