More and more, there’s been bands reforming in the digital age and Protos with it’s keyboard player Rory Ridley-Duff, recently emerged with a sampler 'Space…and Other Singles', to help introduce the music to new listeners such as myself. The sampler consists of twelve songs and show cases Protos material (both studio and live) and Rory Ridley-Duff.  The music style taken is one bordering on symphonic and electronic progressive rock music.  I hear a similarity to some of the prog played in the late 70’s/ early 80’s.  If this collection is an indication of what is in the remainder of the catalog then we’re in for a wonderful journey back in time to hear some of prog’s hidden treasures.  I would recommend this as a starting point to discover Protos' and Rory Ridley-Duff's music.
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New Horizons Music is an English record company set up to promote the products of the band Protos as well as solo projects by the band's members. Thus, Space is one way, albeit not an exclusive one, of learning about a small piece of the history of prog. The twelve songs presented are divided into Protos material (both in the studio and live) and solo pieces by the keyboard player Rory Ridley-Duff. The style here takes us on a musical journey, an incredibly apt mixture that is well infused with the history of prog rock.
 
The pieces move between the territory set by Mike Oldfield, Vangelis and electronic prog (from 1970 to 1980).  They are the product of high quality songwriting and supported by solid musical technique. This collection really is a surprise to me as it opens the doors into a world where symphonically tinged prog rock lives in eternal splendour, it's beauty and magnificence never fading away. The only criticism that might be levelled is that the disk is sold in a cardboard envelope and the cover is rather banal, not up to standard of the CD itself.  I'd say though that the collector can easily
ignore this and enjoy this heady, well-packed expression of devoted prog rock by descendents of the masters of the genre, but also darting ahead towards new and stimulating territories.  This is a collection designed to help you discover Protos' magic as well as Rory Ridley-Duff's clever solo outings.

(Translation from the Italian by Charlie at Progressive Ears.  Text and stars checked with Fabio Rancati on 2nd Jan 2007).
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We are not sure why Lord Chumley calls Protos 'legendary' - they were a college band popular in a small area of West Sussex, England, who later developed a strong reputation in Japan on the strength of interest in their album One Day a New Horizon.  

Yes, amongst record collectors, their reputation grew - not simply because their LP was rare - but also because the music itself was well regarded.  It is, we think, an overstatement to call them 'legendary', but their music is interesting, has a unique quality, and it will be interesting to see what the music press think now it is available worldwide. 

Although we are the publishers of their music, we do not think this album is a 5-star album (although 'Passing Decades' might merit this).  It is not perfect - some recordings were made in an 8-track studio and it shows.  The live recordings show their age as well.  Nevertheless, the compositions are of high quality and the artists show themselves to be tremendous live performers.  On this, at least, we can agree.

Definitely worth checking out.
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The legendary band Protos are well known as one of the 80s leading exponents of progressive rock music. Their legend lives on strongly to this day - possibly stronger than ever today due to huge interest in the re-release on cd of their seminal 'One Day a new Horizon' album. For those wanting a perfect introduction the band's music, this album is fits the bill. In many way a potted history, ranging from the early 'The Flea' with keyboard beard Rory Ridley Duff scampering about atop a Casio (this track is as innovative as it is bonkers) through to later solo compositions by the keyboard legend, most notably 'Nighttime' from his Danzante period, which combines minimalist influences with oriental overtones to great effect. There are many Protos favourites to delight, including 'The Maiden' but this album will be of particular interest for its inclusion of some rare Protos live material in which Ridley-Duff, guitarist Steve Anscombe (famous for his study in the 80s of the 'woh-nee' school of guitar playing) drummer Iain Carnegie and bassist Nigel Rippon deliver incredible performance of some of their later pieces. Don't miss out....
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