Back in 2022 I mentioned that it was ‘purely happenstance‘ that I’d stumbled across Lyle Workman’s excellent Uncommon Measures, released the previous year. Given the sheer quality of the music, compositions, arrangements and his fretboard mastery, I also remarked how surprising it was that I hadn’t encountered his work sooner, which makes it all the more unforgivable that I completely missed Fight For Freedom when it appeared last year. As it turns out, I’ve actually missed around seventeen albums and EPs since 2021, though, in mitigation, these fall under the banner of ‘Libre music’, freely available across streaming platforms. A quick glance at Spotify revealed one track with over eight million plays 😲…
Before diving into Fight For Freedom, a quick recap for anyone who missed my earlier review of Uncommon Measures, which was Lyle Workman’s fourth “official” solo album. You can read that review for fuller thoughts on the music, but to give a sense of scale, Uncommon Measures was recorded at Abbey Road with a sixty‑three-piece orchestra, choir, guest musicians and a live band. On top of this Lyle Workman is a seasoned session musician with credits ranging from Sara McLachlan and Sting to Todd Rundgren and Jellyfish, and the list goes on and on, as well as a composer for major studio films. With a résumé and a releases of that magnitude, his name should be widely familiar. Yet with the relentless flood of new music and emerging artists, even someone like Lyle, whose projects have amassed billions of streams, can slip under the radar.
Moving on to Fight For Freedom the cast is pared back with multi-instrumentalist Lyle Workman handling guitars, keyboards and pretty much everything else, whilst recalling drummer Abe Laboriel Jr and bassist Tim Lefebvre for certain tracks. The musical palette is once again broad, blending progressive rock, jazz fusion and several shades in between. It’s unmistakably Lyle Workman but you may catch nods to Steve Morse, UK/Allan Holdsworth, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Focus and perhaps more.
Truth and Beauty in the Deep Dark Night opens the album with a repeating keyboard motif and an infectious melody whilst locking tightly into the groove. When Lyle Workman’s fluid and inventive guitar solo arrives it is breath-taking, full of character and commands attention – just take a listen…
Faraway Land follows with another sweetly lyrical guitar theme over an ever‑shifting rhythmic backdrop. Just past the minute mark comes a wonderfully twisty section, one of those moments where Steve Morse briefly springs to mind. Subtle keyboard layers, lush strings with a hint of choir add depth and colour. Keyboards also shine in the upbeat jazz‑rock tune, Viral Sensation, with the band locking tightly into a predominantly 5/4 groove. Catchy synth lines sparring playfully with the guitar, whilst Abe Laboriel Jr and Tim Lefebvre are impossible to ignore.
Long Journey Home initially lowers the temperature with swelling strings and ethereal vocal textures, before shifting gears a minute in with a rippling synth riff over a 6/8 shuffle groove. The melody, carried by synth and topped with tasteful slide guitar, is instantly memorable.
The title track, Fight For Freedom, places keyboards at the centre once more, with Lyle Workman weaving in tasteful guitar lines. The gentle Letting Go, with shades of the late Jeff Beck, leads into the closing piece. Entirely performed on multi‑layered keyboards, Riding the Wheel of Feelings leans into film‑score territory, an unusual but compelling way to end the album.
Although not as grand in scale as Uncommon Measures, Lyle Workman has delivered an excellent record, one that is intricate yet accessible, full of strong melodies and superb interplay.
Fight For Freedom isn’t available in physical or download formats, but it’s on all the usual streaming platforms and is absolutely worth seeking out.
TRACK LISTING
01. Truth And Beauty In The Deep Dark Night (3:55)
02. Faraway Land (4:04)
03. Viral Sensation (4:05)
04. Long Journey Home (4:13)
05. Fight For Freedom (4:05)
06. Letting Go (3:34)
07. Riding The Wheel Of Feelings (3:44)
Total Time – 28:36
MUSICIANS
Lyle Workman – Electric, Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Programming
~ with
Abe Laboriel Jr – Drums
Tim Lefebvre – Bass
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: US
Date of Release: 11th April 2025
