Ohio-based keyboardist and composer Char-El has self-released his new CD, “Resurrection.” After nine years, the multi-keyboard master has followed his acclaimed “Heaven & Earth” with more progressive space rock and synth meditations.

This is 79 minutes of instrumental music filled with analog and digital keyboards, samplers and drum programming by Char-El, aka Charles L. Thaxton, who has over 30 years of playing progressive music solo and with Galileo, Voyager and Magik Dayze. As usual for him, we’re talking real Mellotron and Minimoog, various Korg’s, Emu’s, Roland’s and Kawai’s.

Two tracks feature real drums by Doug Bonnell and four tracks feature acoustic and electric guitars added by Bob Baratta, who’s emotional playing and guitar tone are very reminiscent of Mike Oldfield on “Renewal” and Steve Hackett on “The Truth Will Set You Free.”

Otherwise, it’s all multi-layered synths, pianos and ‘trons, sometimes celestial, soothing, tranquil and relaxing, other times with expansive choirs and rocking arrangements. With 19 tracks ranging from three to six minutes each, the songs are kept concise and don’t extend into pretentious land.

Definitely for fans of Vangelis, Kitaro, David Arkenstone, Klaus Schulze and Gandalf.