Mark Trueack fittingly recently released In Journey’s Groove – An Adventure in Life on his 70th birthday, underlining that this is a musical document looking back on the more salient points of his life. Journey’s Groove… is an entertaining and musically diverse album, full of memories, nostalgia, regret and hope sung with emotion and Mark Trueack’s characteristic timbre and vocal skill.
The absence of Unitopia in this musical autobiography is also reflected in the absence of the melodic progressive rock approach so skilfully explored by Unitopia over the years – indeed, the vast majority of this album sounds nothing like Unitopia as Trueack explores other musical genres to tell his own distinct story, including jazz, groove and funk. Anyone expecting a more prog rock-oriented album will have to adjust to the other avenues down which Trueack travels as a solo artist. His ‘Progressive Chill’ approach heard in the additional ‘Romantechs’ discs on recent United Progressive Fraternity albums were an indication that Trueack likes to explore other styles.
Mark Trueack’s warm voice introduces the story in the opening track which segues into the sound of children playing and an ultra-cool bass line from Philip Storez in Go Kart (1959). (Each song title has a year or period associated with it.) The sounds of horns take us on a jazz journey into Truey’s childhood and his delight about a home-made go-kart made by his Dad. Next up we enter a Phil Spector sounding world in Across the Ocean (1965) in which Truey recalls the decision and journey by his family as they emigrated from the U.K. to Australia as a young child. The songs echo one of the musical styles of that era, and it is done so well with the help of Trueack’s Unitopia band mate Sean Timms on keyboards and programming. This is an interesting device, trying to position the song in the musical context of the year it is portraying… but one has to wonder whether it always works. For instance, the rather whimsical One Small Step for Man (Apollo) (1969) telling the story of Apollo 11’s historic Moon landing from the perspective of a child commences with a child-like electronic passage, but then moves into a sort of Lounge music Easy Listening style so beloved of the 1960’s. Whilst that may sound contemporary for that period one has to wonder whether that rather corny style is music particularly engaging? It may be for some, but not this listener in all honesty.
Running Away (1972) tells the story of young Mark’s adventurous departure from the family home in a rather jazzy Steely Dan-type style with a dash of horns perhaps signifying rebellion. Similarly, That Perfect Day (1976), rolls along in a mid-70’s cool yacht rock manner with laid back horn sounds, recalling great memories at the beach, conjuring a real sense of fondness and nostalgia for a ’perfect day’. We jump forward to 1982 and into a completely different genre for That First Kiss which fittingly is drenched in 1980’s style electronic pop sounds and synth drums reminiscent of The Thompson Twins and early Tears for Fears at times. This recalls an intensely romantic moment for Truey, and he still remembers it fondly even if the relationship is over. Very different emotions are evoked in Reality Breakthrough (2002) which focuses on Mark Trueack’s personal and family problems. A soulful saxophone from Jason Smeltz underlines the sense of heartache. Whilst this means a lot to Truey and is clearly from the heart this rather long and mid-paced song struggles to engage this listener – maybe it’s just too sad?
In contrast Love Becomes Mechanical (2018) immediately grabs the attention with it’s eerie atmosphere and whispered opening words, commencing with machine sounds. Truey’s informative sleeve notes explain:
‘This song focuses on how we approach our loves and relationships and what we could be like going into the future, do we do everything the same, is it repetitive? Are we going through the motions in everyday life, do we get bored with each other and move on and start again’.
This song stands out on this album as it dares to be more experimental, filled with spectral violins from Steve Unruh, Trueack’s band mate in Unitopia and United Progressive Fraternity. Alongside him Don Schiff provides great stick bass and Christophe Lebled adds inventive keyboards. Love Becomes Mechanical (2018) is jarring and cleverly conveys a sense of dislocation about relationships. In this diverse album we next swerve into smooth, jazzy lounge rock in The Moment (2022) to convey a pivotal moment in Truey’s life. After his wife left him and he suffered serious health issues Truey met his new love, Supattra in Thailand. This rather dreamy song conveys the feelings of joy and release felt by Truey after some difficult times.
Another highlight of Journey’s Groove… is the almost hymnal It is What it is which glides along gracefully on gentle keys from Sean Timms and cello sounds, supporting Trueack’s gorgeous, almost reverent vocals, reminiscent of 80’s era Peter Gabriel. The song swells beautifully with some restrained but lovely orchestration before it fades away sweetly. Written by Sean Timms for a Netflix TV show called ‘Gymnastic Academy’ this song was influenced by Trueack’s struggles at the time as his family broke up.
Beginnings (2023) is like musical sunshine shimmering on acoustic guitar, gentle piano and subtle percussion, allowing Truey’s voice to rise up emotionally. This song brims over with optimism as it touches on Truey’s decision to take a gamble and live in Thailand. The Thai percussion and chants of Show Me How To Love (2024) manifests Truey’s new life in a new land, learning about a new culture and joining another family. This is a rather different song to the Show Me How on his recent Save Us EP, which veered more towards Jon and Vangelis territory, or Trueack’s ‘Progressive Chill’ style. This Show Me How To Love is rather more laid back, moving smoothly along with Jason Smeltz’s sax and lovely backing vocals.
Trueack wraps up this very personal album with the all-encompassing and pensive Friends (1959 to 2024). A delicate piano and violin sounds carry Truey’s reflections on all the friends he has known throughout his life, which he sings with such feeling and touch. It is a rather lovely end to the album.
Curiously Journey’s Groove… does not touch upon the majority of the period in which Trueack rose to prominence with the Australian progressive rock band, Unitopia, although it could be argued that the albums he released with them between 2005-2012 also touch upon his life experience in some ways in their most active period.
Trueack has used the ‘feel’ of different genres to evoke the atmosphere of those times in his life. The debate could be that although this is a clever device to immerse listeners in those times are these styles some listeners will want to hear? In retrospect this listener enjoyed the songs later in this album later in Truey’s life story, which may just reflect a preference for those styles, whilst others may prefer genres from other earlier eras. Bravely Truey has decided to avoid anything that could be remotely compared to the melodic progressive rock of his most well-known musical vehicle, Unitopia. However, the potential audience for this release will largely be drawn from that fan base so it will be interesting how they will respond to this very different and nostalgic sound palette?
If listeners are willing to let go of their preconceptions and assumptions, they can join Trueack on an entertaining and insightful journey through his life. Whatever style he chooses to explore Mark Trueack’s vocals are always top quality and worth hearing. Journey’s Groove – An Adventure in Life is an intensely personal project in which Mark Trueack sings with great skill, touching emotion and honesty, looking back on his life with mixed feelings of nostalgia, regret and honesty.
TRACK LISTING
01. Opening Narrative (0:35)
02. Go Kart [1959] (4:38)
03. Across The Ocean [1965] (4:12)
04. One Small Step For Man [Apollo 11) [1969] (5:31)
05. Running Away [1972] (5:31)
06. That Perfect Day [1976] (6:00)
07. That First Kiss [1982] (3:52)
08. Reality Breakthrough [2002] (6:33)
09. Love Becomes Mechanical [2018] (5:11)
10. The Moment (2022] [5:07)
11. It Is What It Is [2022] (5:01)
12. Beginnings [2023] (5:04)
13. Show Me How To Love [2024] (6:06)
14. Friends [1959 to 2024] (4:33)
Total Time – 67:00
MUSICIANS
Mark Trueack – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Sean Timms – Keyboards, Piano, Programming, Backing Vocals
Steve Unruh – Guitar (4), Violin (9), Backing Vocals (9)
Christophe Lebled – Keyboards, Programming (9 & 13)
Don Schiff – Stick Bass (9)
Jamison Smeltz – Saxophone (2,8 & 13)
Dave Buchholz – Keyboards, Arrangements (5)
Philip Storez – Bass Guitar (2)
Amanda Timms – Backing Vocals
Nippon Sanboon, Aoi Chanchayapop & Kris Sookhnoom – Thai Backing Vocals (13)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: OOB Records
Country of Origin: Australia | Thailand
Date of Release: 10th October 2025
DISCOGRAPHY
Mark Trueack:
– Save Us (EP) (2025)
– Journey’s Groove – An Adventure in Life (2025)
with Unitopia:
– More than a Dream (2005)
– The Garden (2008)
– Artificial (2010)
– One Night in Europe (Live) (2011)
– Covered Mirror Volume 1: Smooth as Silk (2012)
– More than a Dream – The Dream Complete (Remastered & Expanded Edition) (2017)
– The Garden (Remastered & Expanded Edition) (2020)
– Seven Chambers (2023)
– Alive and Kicking (Live) (2025)
with United Progressive Fraternity:
– Fall in Love with the World (2014)
– Planetary Overload Part 1: Loss (2019)
– Planetary Overload Part 1: Hope (2023)
LINKS
Mark Trueack – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube (UPF)
