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Reviews

Tim Morse — The Fourth Crossing
(Bandcamp no#, 2026, CD / DL)

Tim Morse — Transformation 20th Anniversary Edition
(Bandcamp no#, 2005/2025, DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2026-10-04

The Fourth Crossing Cover artTransformation 20th Anniversary Edition Cover art

The last year has brought us two releases from keyboardist Tim Morse: a new, expanded version of his 2005 album Transformation and a new studio album, The Fourth Crossing. The original release of Transformation was reviewed in our pages back in 2007, and I don’t feel a need to add anything to that review. It was a solid album then, and sounds even better now, plus it’s been augmented with a full CD worth of bonus material. There are live versions of some of the album tracks, demos, early mixes, and a few fun items like a live cover of the Genesis tune “Dance on a Volcano.” The “Redux” versions of “Temptation” and “Apocalyptic Visions” are especially good. Revisiting such a good album from twenty years ago provides a stark contrast with his new material. These dozen tunes feature Morse by himself on a variety of keyboards, with occasional guitar and other instruments, including electronic percussion that is not really masquerading as real. The result is a melodic cross between 70s electronic music and 80s New Age that doesn’t quite settle into either style. I’m certainly no purist when it comes to genres, and it’s true that New Age keyboard music was in some ways an outgrowth of the work of people like Klaus Schulze, but for the most part, I just find The Fourth Crossing pleasantly forgettable. It’s nice enough while it’s playing, but nothing catches my interest enough to remain after it’s over. I’m sure other listeners will find it more appealing, but my attention tends to wander with all the prettiness, and I can’t help thinking that some of these pieces would benefit from being interpreted by the band he had backing him on Transformation.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases, 2025 releases, 2005 recordings

Related artist(s): Tim Morse

More info
http://timmorse.bandcamp.com/album/the-fourth-crossing

 

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