To my ears this is a long lost classic. Why you ask?  Well it combines everything I love about the genre including the cinematic keyboard sounds, the fluid guitars and the rhythm section that gels so well.  I’ve been reading how some reviewers are classifying Protos as neo prog.  I can agree to some extent but I hear more of a symphonic vibe than anything. Maybe it was the time the music was originally recorded, but it doesn’t matter because the music is so enjoyable to hear over and over. The other thing is since Protos is all instrumental they don’t fall into the clichés of the neo prog genre. The focus is 100% on the music.  Kudos to Rory Ridley-Duff for bringing this and other of his releases to the table.  (Ron Fuchs confirmed a 4/5 mark for the album in correspondence dated 18th May 2007).
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When listening to these tracks, I was more than once reminded of Camel (mainly circa "Rain Dances"), in a few places the influence are striking, particularly on the longest three, The Fugitive, New Horizon and The Maiden, which are the most impressive.  The music, while being strongly dominated by synthesizers involve some classically-structured harmonies, following the Camel art-rock formula, with electric guitar in the Andy Latimer style periodically highlighting the textures. The keyboard playing of Rory is the most remarkable, revealing melodic and, at times, truly grand chord progressions.  His two partners, guitarist Steve Anscombe and drummer Neil Goldsmith, are also competent musicians. Thing of Beauty and Hunting Extremely Large Animals are both beautiful, but are instantly accessible, the music being slow throughout.  To conclude, "One Day a New Horizon" is a pleasing CD.
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Some friends of mine usually tell me there are no more prog groups to discover. This album proves them wrong. For those into the more molodic side of prog, this historical curio is a must. Recorded when old prog had died and neo prog was still one or two years away, 'On a new day' is a well written instrumental album, with very nice melodies. Not your usual King Crimson stuff, but more for those who enjoy bands on the Camel side of prog. The first two Rousseau albums and some passages of Sebastian Hardies/Windchase are the closest references. But just check the 2 minutes samples here. If you like what you here, I can safely say the rest of the songs are equally interesting.
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Protos are an English trio that were active over twenty years ago and who dedicated themselves to performing instrumental prog in the Oldfield vein.  The disk in question is a re-issue on CD (with 2 extra bonus tracks) of a vinyl LP dated 1982.  It had a reasonable response, mainly in Japan.  It has now been re-issued by New Horizons Music in this new guise.  Musically it is
a very interesting album, showing the trio's love for psychedelic music and for the fantastical musical landscapes created by Mike Oldfield's eternal genius.  The end result is a fresh, vibrant work that one can appreciate
particularly, even after 20 years, because of the trio's highly skilled performance and the deep dream-like composing where the listener's soul can get lost amidst infinite spaces: brisk tracks slightly tinged with a touch
of melancholia but never oppressive.  The most apt comparison, in my opinion, is that listening to this album is like the majestic and harmonious take off of an eagle.  Can't get tired of these tracks and you would play them forever just to keep travelling between clouds, turning here and there without pause.  A good quality production and a cover (which personally reminds me of Genesis) complete this examination of a work that I recommend
without reserve.  Get it.  You won't regret it.  A timeless disk which makes you dream and travel between sweet, pleasing notes - if you love prog it can't be missing from your collection.

(Translation from the Italian by Charlie at Progressive Ears - text and stars checked with Fabio Rancati before posting on 2nd Jan 2007).
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