miguel
kertsman
paradoxes
Cover Art by Elle Haley and Dylan Martin. Insert and CD Disc Art by Gerald Trimmel
Cover Art by Elle Haley and Dylan Martin. Insert and CD Disc Art by Gerald Trimmel
Cover Art by Elle Haley and Dylan Martin. Insert and CD Disc Art by Gerald Trimmel
Cover Art by Elle Haley and Dylan Martin. Insert and CD Disc Art by Gerald Trimmel
ABOUT PARADOXES
Experience Paradoxes, a musical odyssey from Brazilian-American musician Miguel Kertsman. As a multi-hyphenate, Kertsman has composed, produced, arranged, conducted and played keyboards across a diversity of genres such as contemporary classical, jazz, rock, and world music, but Paradoxes is a special affair, a personal foray into the progressive rock styles which inspired him in his youth. “I have always been fascinated by paradoxes — whether as curiosities found in science, astrophysics or math, or in everyday human behavior,” says Kertsman, “Growing up, I was surrounded by classical music and Jazz, and the incredibly rich musical life of Brazil. Moving to New York later introduced me to even more musical languages. But as a child, it was the Progressive Rock bands of the time that truly captivated me.”
Paradoxes is a concept album whose parts are all played live-in-the-space on original vintage instruments, along with drums, bass, guitars, and vocals, captured through only a few microphones. Fans of vintage synths will be delighted to hear the classic, warm tones of a grand piano, pipe organ, harpsichord, Minimoogs, Mellotron, Prophet 10…
An album of keyboards-driven prog rock familiar to fans of Yes, Genesis, and Pink Floyd might seem like an unintuitive move for a composer whose work has been recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, but Miguel doesn’t necessarily see it that way. “The music of progressive rock paralleled the classical music I knew: it embraced longer forms, told stories across multiple movements and songs, balanced instrumental passages with lyrics, and fearlessly pushed boundaries.”
Paradoxes are worth taking time to disentangle… , for those who like their synthesizers warm, their playing virtuosic, and their rock prog.
QUOTES
“Virtuosic eccentricity…Kertsman’s top-tier compositional skills…always seeking new vantage points…”
– JMN, PROG Magazine 165, UK, 2025
“Miguel gives you Prog Rock for the new age and his creativity on the album is off the charts. Come one, come all and enter the realm of Paradoxes”
– Jimmy Rae, Skope Magazine, US, 2025
“I’ve reviewed quite a few musicians on the white and black keys… What Miguel Kertsman presents to us here as a keyboardist is top-notch…His mastery of the instrument is unmatched…”
– Jos Driessen, Progwereld, Netherlands, 2026
Across Paradoxes, Kertsman crafts a rare equilibrium between intellect and intuition. His analog instruments hum with human imperfection; his harmonies invite questions rather than closure. The production: warm, dynamic,unhurried, sometimes even rigid and overdriven preserves the immediacy of live performance while maintaining conceptual clarity. Ultimately, Paradoxes isn’t an album that seeks to explain contradiction, it reconciles it. It treats opposites as companions, not adversaries. In its world, noise gives birth to quiet, reason yields to wonder, and time bends toward reflection. Kertsman doesn’t resolve the conflicts he evokes; he lets them breathe together until they sound almost like truth. In that space between what is and what could be, Paradoxes finds its deepest harmony: one where listening itself becomes an act of understanding.”
– Cherine Albuwafa, Rock Era Magazine, Egypt, 2025
“A Progressive Rock Odyssey…With Paradoxes, Miguel Kertsman delivers more than an album, he presents a daring musical statement. For fans of warm, vintage synths, fearless virtuosity, and progressive rock that pushes boundaries, Paradoxes is an essential listen.”
– Cherine Albuwafa, Rock Era Magazine, Egypt, 2025
“Miguel Kertsman – Timeless Progression from a True Master…”
– boymester, Fémforgács, Hungary, 2025
PROGZILLA Radio Seal of Approval
Live from Progzilla Towers 585, London, UK, 2026
more Paradoxes reviews and radio features
“(Kertsman) proves himself to be an accomplished musician and true visionary who certainly still has a lot to contribute to instrumental prog… likely to delight fans of keyboard-oriented acts such as YES in particular, given that his (Kertsman’s) constant improvisations and penchant for classical music are parallels that fans of the British band are sure to appreciate.”
– Björn Backes, Powermetal.de, Germany, 2025
#18, Jambands Terrestrial Radio Charts, USA, 2025
“While listening to the album, I felt that this was possible only because Kertsman is “The Multidimensional Composer.”
– Hideki-San, The KORG Museum Chronicles, Japan, 2026
Wildman Steve’s Prog Hour Radio Show, Auburn, AL, USA 2025, 2026
“Miguel Kertsman’s “Paradoxes” achieves that delicate balance between instrumental virtuosity and emotional storytelling. This is music for those who remember when albums were journeys, when synthesizers required actual hands-on performance, much like any physical instrument, and when prog rock visionaries fearlessly pushed every boundary they encountered.”
–Abdelrahman Khaled, Sistra Magazine, Egypt, 2025
“…epic Prog Rock album…”
– Ciderbaby, Rock Radio UK, England, 2026
“Paradoxes… takes the listener on an emotionally charged journey—exploring the contradictions and magnificence of the human experience.”
– At the Barrier, UK, 2026
“…It should be clear that Miguel Kertsman has not created a one-dimensional album with *Paradoxes*. The classical, rock, and jazz influences interplay with one another, coming together to create a sound that appeals to a wide audience.”
– Ralf W., White Room Reviews, Netherlands, 2025
“…Ultimately, this work (Paradoxes) shows us that, regardless of any labels, music is “one,” and what really matters is the soul that the musician expresses. Kertsman has shown us that he is truly a great musician.”
– GB, Rock Impressions, Italy, 2025
“The beauty of Miguel Kertsman’s Paradoxes is that there are no straight lines. He doesn’t resolve; he revels in the rub, inviting replays that unearth new twists, turns, and knots. Cue it up under headphones, let the contradictions collide, and emerge a little less certain yet a lot more alive with a mind open to the world.”
– Keith Pro, Indie Band Guru, USA, 2025
“…Kertsman immediately demonstrates his talents as a composer and performer… highly enjoyable to listen to.”
– Peppe di Spirito, Arlequins, Italy, 2026
“Given the breadth of his career to date, and the way he has his feet in multiple musical camps, I am not sure if Miguel will look to follow this experiment (Paradoxes) with another, but I for one certainly hope he does as this is a very interesting album indeed which fans of (Rick) Wakeman in particular will do well to seek out.”
– Kev Rowland, A Brief Guide to Great Bands, Poland, 2025
“…that’s because the album is that intense, that trippy, that curious, that adventurous… comes across as a sonic marvel entering our ear space… trying to figure out just how this surreal music connects to Kertsman’s lifelong fascination by the concept of paradoxes – scientific, astrophysical, mathematical and in human behavior… probably best to set aside an hour and explore Paradoxes (with awesome headphones!) from start to finish, there are some excellent entry points for those looking to cherry pick some gems for a contemporary prog rock playlist, starting of course with “Red Blue Sky” and “Liquid Fire…”
– Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe, USA, 2025
“Prog Alert!! …fans of synths will undoubtedly enjoy this record.”
– Fear and Loathing Fanzine, UK, 2025
“…a pleasure to hear authentic keyboard instruments… fantastic piano playing…some truly outstanding keyboard work…”
– Meno von Brucken Fock, Dutch Progressive Rock Page, 2025, Netherlands
“Red Blue Sky” (featuring the evocative vocals of Drew Sarich) and “i-Clock” include gentle satire of political polarization in the context of an attitude of empathy, an attitude which extends to “Liquid Fire,” an ode of anxiety and contemplation on Spaceship Earth. Kertsman’s “Paradoxes” are worth taking time to disentangle… for those who like their synthesizers warm, their playing virtuosic, and their rock prog.”
– Rock ‘N’ Load Magazine, Northern Ireland, 2025
… notably recorded “live-in-the-space” utilizing a vast array of authentic vintage analog gear driven by Kertsman’s virtuoso classical background… featuring prominent use of grand piano, pipe organ, harpsichord, Minimoogs, and Mellotron.”
– DBSilver, ProGGnosis, USA, 2025
“… this is an album that resides safely and solidly inside of the progressive rock universe… an album to seek if you love progressive rock in general, bands being creative and expressive…intriguing”
– Progressor.net, Uzbekistan/England, 2025
RST Live Radio Rock Special, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2026
Solid Gold Radio, Ireland
Soulandjazz.com Dr. Brad Stone, The Creative Source Radio Show, USA, 2025
Info
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Deluxe double vibyl edition + bonus CD available at:
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Brazil, Worldwide
EU, Worldwide
©2025 by Miguel Kertsman