Deep Water by Cosmic Cathedral

Deep Water by Cosmic Cathedral, released on April 25, 2025.

The debut album from Neal Morse's Cosmic Cathedral project, featuring the wonderful Chester Thompson on drums, Phil Keaggy on excellent second guitar and vocals, and Byron House on bass (who played with Robert Plant; I didn't know him, he's fantastic!!).

An album born primarily from jam sessions, later joined by Jerry Guidroz, Morse's longtime audio partner, including the epic 38-minute suite "Deep Water," as well as "Time To Fly," born directly from a jam session.

A groove-oriented album with a strong jazz fusion influence, with a prog twist. These are exceptional musicians, and each brings their own sensibility and style, with Neal Morse also leading this album. So, it's an album not far from his style in terms of lyrics and religious themes. However, it should be noted that Phil Keaggy's work, in addition to folk and jazz-funk, has also touched on the styles of Contemporary Christian, Jesus music, and Christian rock. Many positive messages in a sunny, calm style with digressions into fusion, jazz, and Beatles-like melodies.

Running just over an hour and 10 minutes, it features 13 tracks, nine of which comprise the 38-minute Deep Water Suite (I-IX), while the others are standalone pieces.

The parts of the suite appear as separate pieces, but are united through the use of recurring themes that repeat, maintaining an end-to-end coherence.

The opening track, "The Heart of Life," is a thirteen-minute progressive classic that immediately highlights the new group's sound: a beautiful fusion opening that shifts epically toward prog, fantastic bass, and wonderful compositions, a truly spectacular closing and opening track!

"Time To Fly," a track with jazzy keyboards and excellent horns, is a hybrid of progressive and soul and could be a hit in its genre!

"I Won't Make It," a slow and sweet song with deep, passionate vocals, beautiful female backing vocals, a very engaging piece with an excellent string section and guitar solo.

"Walking in Daylight," an 8-minute-plus track with a classic progressive sound from the start. Chester Thompson's precise touch is striking here too, with great guitars and piano. The song shifts several times from jazzy to progressive, and throughout it has great intensity and gusto. It's beautiful!

Neal Morse continues his journey to break out of his comfort zone, engaging with styles and musicians outside his usual circle, and he does so with great style. In fact, I agree with a definition I found online: "Melodic Groove-Prog"—a new genre? We'll see if this project gets a sequel to find out, because this is truly a great album!

An album definitely recommended for lovers of Neal Morse's projects, which continues his prog taste and his splendid compositions, and of the legendary Chester Thompson who at almost 80 years old is still a force of nature, a man without age! Truly a King.

The Songs

1. The Heart of Life (1.35pm)
2. Time to Fly (6:54)
3. I Won't Make It (3:55)
4. Walking in Daylight (8:56)
- Deep Water Suite (38:10) :
5. Introduction (3:03)
6. Launch Out, Pt. One (4:38)
7. Fires of the Sunrise (4:05)
8. Storm Surface (2:41)
9. Nightmare in Paradise (6:58)
10. Launch Out, Pt. Two (1:51)
11. New Revelation (5:15)
12. Launch Out, Pt. Three (1:48)
13. The Door to Heaven (7:51)

Duration 71:30

Line-Up

- Neal Morse - keyboards, guitars, vocals
- Phil Keaggy - Guitars, vocals
- Byron House - bass
- Chester Thompson - drums and percussion