With his seventh full-length release in six years, The Man From RavCon (a.k.a. Charlotte, NC USA based multi-instrumentalist Mike Brown) invites you along for another journey… this time, the search for a sonic solution. Following the 2013 album, Skyscraper, which was well reviewed by a wide range of websites, blogs, and publications, including the UK’s PROG Magazine, The Puzzle Master further expands The Man From RavCon’s seductively atmospheric brand of instrumental rock. The thirteen pieces that make up The Puzzle Master are, in fact, smaller puzzles made up of even smaller pieces. You’ll find bits of melodic prog (Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, early King Crimson), chamber pop (Zombies, Love, early Moody Blues), Kraut Rock (Kraftwerk, Neu!), classic 60s/70s soundtracks (Morricone, Goblin, Isaac Hayes), and touches of the guitar twang popularized by Duane Eddy and Hank Marvin (The Shadows). The Man From RavCon’s signature mellotron enriched arrangements are accentuated by stately piano, organ and harpsichord, and combine with interweaving synths, throbbing bass, and dynamic percussion to provide the scenic backdrop for his melodic, and often understated guitar work. Although it’s instrumental, make no mistake, The Puzzle Master is certainly not background music, as one listen with a nice set of headphones will readily reveal. Yet, while the pieces that make up this puzzle are complex and multilayered, they retain an openness and accessibility that allow the listener to arrive at their own sonic conclusions by visualizing their own sonic solutions. Thus, ultimately, it is the listener who is The Puzzle Master. Are you game? Credits: All songs written, performed, arranged and produced by Mike Brown except... Special Guests: Joe Diaco: Co-writer and Electric Piano for Bang Larry Smith: Guitar solos on Starlight Album Artwork: Tyler Strouth Thanks to Peggy Brown for inspiration, support, patience and help with making sure the pieces went into their proper places The Press on The Puzzle Master Rob Pociluk, Progressive Music Planet (Sep 17, 2015): Very well written, intelligent and quite enjoyable. If Alan Parsons and Goblin were to jam out and do something unique, they might sound a bit like what Mike Brown has done here. Courtney Devores, The Charlotte Observer (Jun 03, 2015): What is striking about his latest record, “The Puzzle Master” is how it differs from 2013’s “Skyscraper.” He isn’t simply rehashing the same ideas. Brown’s records provide fine soundtracks for daydreaming your own mini movies and while “The Puzzle Master” draws on some of the same nostalgia as “Skyscraper” the images it triggers are different. Kathleen Johnson, My City Magazine (Apr 13, 2015): The Puzzle Master is a sumptuous CinemaScope mix of deep Euro prog (Italy, Scandinavia) and more-familiar British prog. Robert Silverstein, mwe3.com (Apr 01, 2015): When you need the magic of instrumental music to take you into the wonderful land of sonic intrigue, call on The Man From RavCon. Alan Taylor, Pipeline Instrumental Review (Apr 01, 2015): The Man From RavCon certainly has a way with melodies and paints scenes with skillful use of electric, acoustic and bass guitars as well as organ, Mellotron, piano and synthesisers... Music to lose yourself in - a cerebral catalyst. Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility (Mar 12, 2015): ...an excellent CD with strong melodies and excellent musicianship. Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop! (Mar 10, 2015): It’s the type of thing you want to lie down and listen to alone in the dark, just to really take it all in properly. The Press on The Man From RavCon Grant Moon of PROG Magazine on The Man From RavCon: The Man From RavCon has the knack of hearing precisely when a line needs to come in or - more importantly maybe - stop, or when a song needs to change direction entirely. Solid.