Music
Press
ANTON ROOLAART
Dreamer/Umbrello Records/2007
"Refreshing and curious, Anton Roolaart’s new record on the Umbrello label and entitled Dreamer is an adventure in Audiophonic odyssey. Like following Alice down the rabbit hole, Dreamer is a magical mystery that only reveals itself as the listener follows its true path.Complex and luxurious in its production, Dreamer takes chances that no one else is attempting.
Experimental, progressive music in the vein of David Bowie, Pink Floyd (David Gilmore’s Version) The Neon Philharmonic, Gentle Giant and Genesis, Monmouth County resident
Anton Roolaart’s training as a musician, engineer and gadgetry
aficionado has helped shape his compositional style to a sharp and creative edge with this eight
song project.
You can tell that recording this album was not only an intense process but also a true labor of
love and I was impressed by some of the great musicians used in the tracking stages such as
Rich Berends (Mastermind), Rave Tesar (Annie Haslam/Renaissance) and Charles Descarfino (Broadway and Annie Haslam), as well as Vinnie Puryear (bass).What is paramount for this project is that while the album is themed as a whole, each
composition materializes as its own mini album, its own island if you will. And each draws you into the story. Roolaart has passionately followed the evolution of progressive rock and is not only a consumer
but also an avid concertgoer. This knowledge along with his strong computer skills moved Anton
into creating progrockradio.com, today one of the most prominent progressive rock internet radio
stations. Anton has also contributed as vocalist for JESDAT (based in Spain) on their debut album
City Lights and is also working with them on their internet follow-on project.
This is definitely one of the year’s best albums, from the 1970s vibe of “Mid Summer’s Day,” with its Yes soaked sunrays and forays into mideastern melody, to the Bowie-esque vamp of “Scary
Monsters” and the trippy Ziggy Stardust and Earl Slick of “Spider” all the way to the album’s title
song “Dreamer,” which brings back cherished memories of David Gilmore’s Pink Floyd style in
a way all its own. The influences on this record run deep and come out with a classical nod to those great days when the progressive heavies
ruled the planet. I look forward to hearing more from Roolaart in the future. For further informaton about Dreamer, go to antonroolaart.com and visit him at myspace.com/antonroolaart." - The Aquarian/East Coast Rocker
ANTON ROOLAART
Dreamer/Umbrello Records/2007
"Refreshing and curious, Anton Roolaart’s new record on the Umbrello label and entitled Dreamer is an adventure in Audiophonic odyssey. Like following Alice down the rabbit hole, Dreamer is a magical mystery that only reveals itself as the listener follows its true path.Complex and luxurious in its production, Dreamer takes chances that no one else is attempting.
Experimental, progressive music in the vein of David Bowie, Pink Floyd (David Gilmore’s Version) The Neon Philharmonic, Gentle Giant and Genesis, Monmouth County resident
Anton Roolaart’s training as a musician, engineer and gadgetry
aficionado has helped shape his compositional style to a sharp and creative edge with this eight
song project.
You can tell that recording this album was not only an intense process but also a true labor of
love and I was impressed by some of the great musicians used in the tracking stages such as
Rich Berends (Mastermind), Rave Tesar (Annie Haslam/Renaissance) and Charles Descarfino (Broadway and Annie Haslam), as well as Vinnie Puryear (bass).What is paramount for this project is that while the album is themed as a whole, each
composition materializes as its own mini album, its own island if you will. And each draws you into the story. Roolaart has passionately followed the evolution of progressive rock and is not only a consumer
but also an avid concertgoer. This knowledge along with his strong computer skills moved Anton
into creating progrockradio.com, today one of the most prominent progressive rock internet radio
stations. Anton has also contributed as vocalist for JESDAT (based in Spain) on their debut album
City Lights and is also working with them on their internet follow-on project.
This is definitely one of the year’s best albums, from the 1970s vibe of “Mid Summer’s Day,” with its Yes soaked sunrays and forays into mideastern melody, to the Bowie-esque vamp of “Scary
Monsters” and the trippy Ziggy Stardust and Earl Slick of “Spider” all the way to the album’s title
song “Dreamer,” which brings back cherished memories of David Gilmore’s Pink Floyd style in
a way all its own. The influences on this record run deep and come out with a classical nod to those great days when the progressive heavies
ruled the planet. I look forward to hearing more from Roolaart in the future. For further informaton about Dreamer, go to antonroolaart.com and visit him at myspace.com/antonroolaart." - The Aquarian/East Coast Rocker
"It’s always a pleasure to review the debut of a Symphonic artist, but is a double pleasure when it’s a very solid album like “Dreamer”, because it makes us have hope that our beloved genre will keep evolving in time and it’s not doomed to oblivion as many other genres before Prog..." - ProgRockArchives.com
"It’s always a pleasure to review the debut of a Symphonic artist, but is a double pleasure when it’s a very solid album like “Dreamer”, because it makes us have hope that our beloved genre will keep evolving in time and it’s not doomed to oblivion as many other genres before Prog..." - ProgRockArchives.com
Connoisseurs of progressive rock have a debut disc from an amazing player to look forward to in April. Netherland's born Anton Roolaart's debut disc, Dreamer, should be occupying space on your iPod or in your CD tray for many months to come. The disc is a delight for fans of emotive and original electric guitar voicing. From gentle, complimentary notes on his vocals to explosive yet exacting bursts of steel-wound string magic, Anton demonstrates his mastery of the frets. The album's complex guitar textures and arrangements display this New Jersey musician's deft capabilities with the genre he has a passion for..." - Music Street Journal (musicstreetjournal.com)
Connoisseurs of progressive rock have a debut disc from an amazing player to look forward to in April. Netherland's born Anton Roolaart's debut disc, Dreamer, should be occupying space on your iPod or in your CD tray for many months to come. The disc is a delight for fans of emotive and original electric guitar voicing. From gentle, complimentary notes on his vocals to explosive yet exacting bursts of steel-wound string magic, Anton demonstrates his mastery of the frets. The album's complex guitar textures and arrangements display this New Jersey musician's deft capabilities with the genre he has a passion for..." - Music Street Journal (musicstreetjournal.com)
"Anton Roolaart's new album Dreamer is a very symphonic sounding CD, a feast for lovers of the more mellow side of Prog"... - USA Progressive Music
"Anton Roolaart's new album Dreamer is a very symphonic sounding CD, a feast for lovers of the more mellow side of Prog"... - USA Progressive Music
Discography
Dreamer - released in Europe and USA by Umbrello Records (London based) on April 24, 2007
DREAMER makes it to the Top 100 Prog Albums of 2007. According to a poll by Gagliarchives.com, Dreamer ranks 92 in the Top 100 for prog albums in 2007 (out of 1100 prog albums reviewed in 2007).
Tracks from this album have been played on many internet radio stations world-wide and has sold well for a new artist.
Photos
Bio
Anton Roolaart's extroverted enthusiasm and passion for life seems ever expanding and well in tune with the musical genre he has embraced, Progressive Rock. In April of 2007, Anton released his debut album "Dreamer", completely written, arranged, and produced by himself. Recorded mostly in his home studio, "Dreamer" boasts the participation of some of New Jesey's most prominent musicians including, Rave Tesar (Keyboards - Renaissance, Anni Haslam), Rich Berends (Drums- Mastermind), and Vinnie Puryear (bass).
Anton came to the US from the Netherlands with his family when he was young. Growing up, Anton was exposed to classical music which his father played on the record player at home. Eventually, Anton started taking classical guitar lessons at age 13 before exploring this instrument on his own. Anton's life long love affair with music took firm grip in his early adolescence when the music from Yes, Genesis, Beatles, and Bowie and others illuminated a path that he readily started down. In his late teens, Anton also began writing his own songs and performing in various clubs and cafes in the Charlotte, NC area. Anton's college studies included electrical and multi-track sound engineering. These studies went hand in hand with the maturating of his musical skills.
Upon completing his studies at the University Anton spent a year traveling and living in Europe. Upon returning Anton decided to live close to New York City, the world's largest cultural melting pot. It wasn't long before Anton was playing in cover bands, introducing some of his own compositions into the repertoire. Over time, his endeavors in the realms of computer technology evolved and matured as well, very much in step with the very fast technological advancements that have been introduced in recent years. He never could resist investing in new technological "gadgetry" that had the potential to enhance his ability to create music and as a result his studio grew in capability and professionalism.
Anton has invested countless hours developing his sound engineering skills not only as an alchemist, but also as an arranger. Driven by the need to immediately capture parts for his music, Anton found it necessary to expand his instrumental musical skills and for several years engaged in instruction in Jazz guitar, Piano and Drums. The fruits of these efforts are demonstrated in his debut album "Dreamer".
Anton, has passionately followed the evolution of Proggressive Rock, not only as a consumer but also as an avid concert goer. This knowledge along with his strong computer skills moved Anton into creating ProgRockRadio.com, today one of the most prominent Proggressive Rock Internet Radio stations. Anton has also contributed as vocalist for JESDAT (based in Spain) on their debut album "City Lights" and is also working with them on their follow-on project.
Anton Roolaart's music is a testimonial of his outgoing character and passion for human progress and life in general. His music represents a testimonial of life experiences and ideas which he laboriously captures not only with musical statements but also with lyrical content. He continues to grow both musically and technically and has started work on his next album. He continues his quest to promote proggressive rock and performs regularly in the New Jersey area. Given the maturity level and the wonderful debut release "Dreamer"; I am looking forward to seeing where Anton's journey will lead to next.
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