Kevin Bartlett

Kevin Bartlett (born 1952) is a composer/performer who specializes in complex, multi-layered electronic symphonic compositions influenced by both classical and progressive rock styles. He was born in Albany, New York. Released on his own label, Aural Gratification, Bartlett's 2003 Near Life Experience was selected as one of Echoes staff's Top 25 albums of that year. Backroads Music listed NLE as one of the Top 5 Albums that "Matter Most" in 2003. Musical Starstreams chose NLE as #6 of the Top 20 albums of 2003. 2008's Glow in the Dark, embraced by progressive music fans as well as ambient music lovers, also won critical acclaim, making Echoes' top 25 lists for both staff and listeners. Music from the album is also featured in documentary with an expected release date of 2009. In 2010, Bartlett released the first album of songs featuring his own vocals. "Songs for the Big Kablooey", released first as a five song EP, was named "best regional release of the year" by critics in publications like Greg Haymes at Nippertown.com ("After years of electro-symphonic ambient-oriented instrumental music, the Woodstock musical maverick headed back into David Bowie-meets-Pink Floyd glam-pop with glorious results"_and David Malachowski for the Daily Freeman ("Bartlett usually leans towards more ethereal work, here’s he’s put out a great pure rock album. That it’s not what he’s known for, makes it even better"). 2011 saw the release of the full length "Songs for the Big Kablooey", featuring a title track with vocals by Bartlett and Sting/Pink Floyd/Hiroshima veteran singer Machan Taylor. Michael Eck at the Albany Times Union wrote, "The sounds, not surprisingly, are impressive, but the real treat here is the singing. It's Bartlett's first time showing off his vocals on record, and it's wonderful. The anchor for the sound is David Bowie's "Five Years," and why would you hide that from the public?" Bartlett's label released nine albums by singer/songwriter Happy Rhodes. Bartlett played guitar both on the albums and on the live performances supporting them. His playing style has been described as "Gilmour-esque", but he also lists Peter Gabriel-era Genesis and Peter Hammill as influences.