Kansas-The Prelude Implicit (2016)

"The Prelude Implicit", released in 2016, was the penultimate album recorded by the American progressive rock masters Kansas. By this point, the band had undergone numerous changes since that legendary lineup that began in the mid-70s, creating some of the genre's masterpieces. Guitarist Kerry Livgren, vocalist Steve Walsh, bassist Dave Hope, and violinist Robbie Steinhardt were no longer in the lineup, but original members Phil Ehart (drums) and Rich Williams (guitar) remained. The rest of the lineup consisted of Ronnie Platt (vocals), Zak Rizvi (guitar), David Manion (keyboards), David Ragsdale (violin), and bassist Billy Greer, who had already played on some albums in the 80s and 90s. Although the strictly progressive spirit of early Kansas is no longer present to some extent, purist fans found in this album a band that focused its efforts on completing a truly worthy record that navigates between AOR and modern progressive rock. Songs like the catchy "With This Heart", the carefree classic rock "Summer", the dramatic "Visibility Zero", the progressive "Rhythm In The Spirit", the epic "The Voyage Of Eight Eighteen", and the vintage "Section 60" are more than enough reasons to consider this an excellent album from this rejuvenated Kansas.