Innergy
Hailing from Portugal, Forgotten Suns burst on to the scene in 2000 with their debut release, which lead to their follow up 4 years later. Those albums revealed the strong influence of their musical roots mostly based in symphonic rock groups like Pink Floyd, Marillion or Rush and were albums that were written without having a full time drummer in the same room, so the songs naturally became less complex and more light which were perfect for the singing of ex-singer Linx. During this period the band shared the stage and did openings with Pain Of Salvation, Flower Kings and Fish.
Since that time the band has gone through a number of member changes and growth in their songwriting and musicianship, which leads to their latest opus "Innergy".
“Innergy” is the juxtaposition of words “inner” and “energy”. This was the best way to describe the nature of this album; it´s like having eight big stories aligned together but separated on their intricate concepts just linked by the same inner soul and sharing the same driven energy that we used to brought them to life.
This is truly the best progressive piece the band has done to date, it will not be easy to overcome tracks like “News”, “Outside In” or “Nanoworld” on future albums – all tracks have the hooks for the most demanding progressive rock & metal fans with dense song writing - which is already a Forgotten Suns trademark - intricate polyrhythmic passages, deep lyrics, great singing and roaring solos on all instruments.
Angels Of Love
Yngwie Malmsteen is to release an instrumental acoustic album entitled Angels Of Love on 10 March.
The album sees the Swedish guitar maestro rework some of his biggest songs on acoustic guitar along with full string and choral arrangements.
Malmsteen released his most recent full electric album, Perpetual Flame last October.
Some of the tracks reported to be included on the album are ‘Like an Angel,’ ‘Save Our Love,’ ‘Prelude To April,’ ‘Sorrow,’ ‘Memories,’ ‘Miracle of Life’ and ‘Forever One.’
1. Acadia Gulls (7:13)
2. Lullabies and Starlings (4:49)
3. Hey Horizon (4:50)
4. If She Could Be Who She Wanted (3:59)
5. Nightingale (4:31)
6. Halos (2:19)
7. Love Is on the Discarded Street (3:51)
8. Become a Ghost (2:56)
9. Autumn Endings (3:49)
10. Last of the Curlews (3:28)
11. There Was a Place for Us (3:54)
12. Windows of Light (6:11)
The Last of the Curlews
Didn't Come To Dance
After their critically acclaimed Unicorn Digital debut album "Ugly Little Thing" (reviewed by DPRP in 2007), Junk Farm now presents their very new output "Didn't Come To Dance". On this album Junk Farm put all their energy into 13 songs, which are meant to be "in your face". In the typical Junk Farm manner, they cover a great variety of styles on a skilled playing level, without losing the red line and the main topic "Power-Rock".
Track Listing: Running Hard / Ocean Gypsy / Carpet of the Sun / Mother Russia / Prologue / Song of Scheherezade / The Festival / Vultures Fly High / Jekyll & Hyde / Northern Lights / Forever Changing / Secret Mission / Song for All Seasons / Flood at Lyons
RENAISSANCE
Song of Scheherazade DVD
The first
ever DVD to feature the band! Renaissance enjoyed one UK top ten single and
three chart hit albums. In the US they scored nine Billboard hit albums. Vocalist
Annie Haslam still tours the world performing Renaissance material to the
present day.
The Song Of Scheherezade DVD features performances drawn from two concerts
- Capital Theatre in Passiac, NJ, on May 21, 1976 & Convention Hall in
Asbury Park, NJ, on July 28, 1979. 120 mins playing time.
Belgrade Live DVD
First official full length concert DVD by John McLaughlin. Guitarist John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension featuring Gary Husband on keyboards and jungle kit, Mark Mondesir on drums and Dominique di Piazza on bass. This electrifying concert was recorded in Belgrade during the summer of 2008. 104 minutes.
WISHBONE
ASH
Argus Through The Looking Glass
2008 re-recording of the classic album Wishbone Ash album Argus from Martin Turner's modern version of Wishbone Ash. The album features special guest appearances from John Wetton and Geoff Downes (Asia). Argus was the third and most popular Wishbone Ash album and widely considered the greatest by fans and reviewers. It was named Album Of The Year in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds magazine. Mystic Records.
Live from Madison Square Garden
Symphonic Live 2 CDs
Pod Niebem Czas [CD-DVD]
"POD NIEBEM CZAS" - The fourth instalment of Quidam reissues series from the first stage of the band's history, with Emilia Derkowska as the vocalist, enriched with a lot of bonus materials will be released on 9th March 2009 as a special edition with additional DVD. Originally, the album was released in April 2002 and apart from Quidam's songs it also featured an absolutely astonishing cover version of Led Zeppelin's classic "No Quarter".
At the beginning of 2003 after Quidam had come back to Poland from shows in Belgium and Holland, they started preparations for a special show in the band's hometown, Inowroclaw. As it turned out later, this performance was the last one of the band's line-up of that time. To a great surprise of fans, Emilia Derkowska decided to quit the band. On 16th February 2003 Emilia bid farewell to faithfull fans and fellow band members during the sold out show in Teatr Miejski in Inowroclaw.
To make matters worse, a little bit later the rhythm section, Radek Sikorski and Rafal Jermakow, also parted ways with Quidam to focus on working with a band Menski.
Quidam's show in Teatr Miejski in Inowroclaw was captured by three digital non-professional cameras and it is now released for the first time!!!
It's definitely a must-have for the die-hard fans who are particularly fascinated by the music from the first period of the band's history, the more so that the legendary Camel bass player Colin Bass made a guest appearance on stage during that concert. Back in those days Quidam quite frequently collaborated with this renowned British progressive musician.
1. Walls of Babylon
2. A Man of Nomadic Traits
3. Wishing Well
4. Eraserhead
5. Total Recall
6. Nostradamus
7. Learning Curve
8. Breaking the Spell
9. Sister Bluebird
10. Shadow
11. The Freak Show
12. The Voyager
13. It’s Only Me
14. Masters of Illusion
15. King of the Castle
16. And We’ll Go Hunting Deer
17. Queen of Hearts
+ bonus features
The release date is set for 23rd February 2009 in Europe and 10th March 2009
in USA (via MVD)
Concerto Maximo DVD
[Metal Mind Records]
As previously announced Metal Mind Productions will release brand new DVD by Pendragon - "Concerto Maximo". The legendary neo-prog rock band for once more visited the Wyspian´ski Theater in Katowice, Poland, this time to celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary. With their outstanding performance, possibly one of the best the Polish audience had ever had a chance to witness, and with their line-up strengthened by the addition of a new drummer Scott Higham (also known from his past cooperation with Clive Nolan on the project Caamora), the band surely proved that they’re still a formidable force on the prog-rock scene!
Nick Barrett comments: “So 2008 was the 30th Anniversary of Pendragon....they said we wouldn't make it....they were wrong! Not only have we made it but it seems we have made a most relevant and very well received album this year, “Pure”. The tour that this DVD is from is another show from the Teatr Slaski in Katowice Poland, which was part of a 30 date European jaunt to promote the new Pure album. Even though there are only 3 songs from the “Pure” album on the DVD which is about 20 minutes of material .....yes we did want to play “Indigo” as well, but with new drummer Scott and 4 hours of material to learn for our Megadaze [UK convention] and Peel To The Power of 2 shows, we never had enough time to rehearse it. However we did want to film and record material that hadn't appeared on the other DVDs, but when we tried the proposed set list for the DVD in Bielsko, it didn't quite gel together and we felt missed a few classics, so we decided to make this a really huge 3 hour DVD, and add some of the crowd favourites as well, like “Spell” and “Masters”, besides you have never heard these songs with Scotty on......I don't think you're going to be disappointed!”
“Concerto Maximo” DVD features 150 minutes of the band’s performance recorded on the 13th October 2008 in Wyspian´ki Theatre, an exclusive bonus video featuring interviews with the band members and behind the scenes footage, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, photo gallery and more! DVD will be also available in two other formats: limited edition DVD+2CD and 2 CD digipak (limited to 1000 copies).
1.
The Game
2. Turn the Gun Around
3. Skin Trade
4. Seems Like Yesterday
5. Field Of Vision – Medley
a. Power to the Nth Degree
b. Phantom
c. Rules of Engagement
d. Good Boy
6. Round and Round (working title)
7. Too Late...
8. …To Say Goodbye
9. A Kindness
10. The Letter
11. From the Cradle…
12. …To the Grave
Bonus video:
Credo Behind the Scenes:
Credo Rehearsal (2008)
Credo Rhetoric Photo Shoot (2006)
CredoCam – in Poland (2008)
‘From the Cradle…’ – Credo Live at the Rotherham ProgFest
UK 1999
‘The Letter’ (Excerpt) – Credo Live at the Rotherham ProgFest
UK 1999
‘Too Late to Say Goodbye’ – Credo Live at The Summer’s
End Festival UK 2006
Bonus audio:
Chequered Past – First Statement, released on Cassette Tape 1992
Sweet Scarlet Whisper
Phantom
Alicia
‘A Kindness’ – Credo Live in Leeds 1998
CREDO
This Is What We Do – Live in Poland DVD
[Metal
Mind Records]
Metal Mind Productions is proud to announce the release of the first DVD by
Credo - British masters of neo-prog-rock often called „a lost gem from
the early years of Marillion”.
DVD entitled “This Is What We Do – Live in Poland” features
the bands performance at the Wyspian´ski Theater in Katowice, Poland
in October 2008. The astonishing charisma and distinctive vocals of Mark Colton,
lush and profound guitar solos performed with unbelievable ease by Tim Birrell,
beautiful soundscapes evoked by the keyboardist Mike Varty (also known to
the fans of good prog-rock music from such bands as Landmarq, Shadowland,
Jannison Edge, and Mick Pointer’s project Script for a Jester’s
Tour) and the unfailing rhythm section of Jim Murdoch and Martin Meads –
it’s all there! Above all, great compositions – neat and distinctive
at the same time, combining good prog-rock traditions with extremely catchy
melodies – performed with energy and charisma which could as well be
envied by Fish himself!
The DVD also features: a selection of archive bootlegs, behind-the-scenes
footage, an interview with Mark Colton and Mike Varty, bonus audio tracks
(including 3 songs from the band’s first demo from 1992), Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Sound and more!
“This Is What We Do – Live in Poland” will also be available in a limited DVD+2CD swing case edition, including 2 bonus audio CDs with songs recorded during the gig at the theater and as 2 CD digipak (limited to 1000 copies). The release date is set up for 23rd February in Europe and 10th March in USA (via MVD).
ASIA
Live in Tokyo Japan 12th May 2008
2009 two CD release. Recorded live on the reunited Prog supergroup's successful 2007/2008 Phoenix tour, this set was recorded in Tokyo on May 12th, 2008. Apart from all the big Asia hits and album tracks, the unique factor of this concert comes from the band members, who add solo performances of hits from their previous bands such as Yes, King Crimson, The Buggles and ELP. Features tracks including 'Only Time Will Tell', 'Heat Of The Moment', 'Daylight', 'Never Again', 'Voice Of America' and many others. Store For Music.
1. Don’t
Come Running
2. Dangerous World
3. The Agent
4. Calling for You
5. Three Broken Threads
6. Burgundy Rose
7. Mother’s Ruin
8. Enlightenment
9. If You’re Leaving
10. I Don’t Believe in Angels
11. Wall of Water
12. Walk Away
13. Coming to Town
THE OLIVER
WAKEMAN BAND
Coming to Town Live in Katowice CD (ltd. edition)
Oliver
Wakeman already has a cult status in the progressive rock community. He was
acclaimed both as a solo artist and as part of various musical projects by
fans and by critics (in January 2008 Oliver was presented with the Classic
Rock Societies Keyboard Player of the the Year award!). "Coming To Town
- Live in Katowice" CD is an extraordinary mixture of progressive and
symphonic rock, spiced up with intriguing sounds, performed live with both
charisma and perfection! This wonderful show was recorded at an atmospheric
venue of Wyspian´ski Theater in Poland. The band performed in the following
line-up: Oliver Wakeman (keyboards, piano), Paul Manzi (vocals), David Mark
Pearce (guitar), Paul Brown (bass) and Dave Wagstaffe (drums).
All 3 titles will be available in a digipak edition, each limited to 1000
copies
1.
Night on Bare Mountain (incl. The Black Stone)
2. Baroque Impression
3. Mundus / Veni Vidi Vici Medley
4. Suite in Progress
5. Montagues & Capulet
6. Bill’s Solo
7. Gradus ad Parnassum
PAR
LINDH PROJECT
Pär Lindh Project in Concert – Live in Poland CD (ltd. edition)
Pär
Lindh Project is a brain child of the multi talented musician from Sweden
- Pär Lindh. Pär is a composer of classical music with regards to
the glorious music of the great European classical tradition. He is also a
composer of avant-garde progressive rock and alternative music. Get ready
for a one-of-a-kind experience: an exquisite blend of structural intricacy,
fantasy and madness, an intriguing mixture of classical music and progressive
rock presented by Pär Lindh Project! "Pär Lindh Project in
Concert" presents live album with the outstanding performance at Wyspian´ski
Theater in Poland, which proves the band's virtuosity as well as cleverness
in devising remarkably intelligent compositions.
All 3 titles will be available in a digipak edition, each limited to 1000
copies
1.
Warriors
2. Hide and Seek
3. Ghostdancers
4. Cut And Run
5. Heart Attack
6. Queen of the Deep
7. Northern Star
8. The Last Angel
9. Invincible
10. Midas Touch
11. Fragments of the Sun
PALLAS
Moment To Moment CD (ltd edition)
Pallas
- this Scottish neo prog outfit is one of the very first bands of the neo
progressive movement of the early eighties. It's an energetic and magnificent
band somewhat reminiscent of IQ/Marillion but with more edge. Their music
is based on melodic hooks, loud sound and great voice. "Moment To Moment"
CD features a great show recorded in October 2007 in Poland. It's a real treat
for the fans of sublime soundscapes: beautiful and dynamic songs, fluctuating
between dreamy melancholy, monumental sadness, and bursting energy.
All 3 titles will be available in a digipak edition, each limited to 1000
copies
1. Desert Flight
(7:39)
2. The Walk (13:41)
3. Tick Tock (22:24)
4. Winter Is Never (5:02)
Tick Tock
Our fifth studio album, titled Tick Tock, is scheduled to be released on March 15th 2009. The album will be released by HTW records, a division of Sony BMG.
Track Listing:
1. Desert Flight (7:39)
2. The Walk (13:41)
3. Tick Tock (22:24)
4. Winter is never (4:55)
Now, who said we weren't radio friendly? (Although we can expect a radio edit of Winter is Never).
Here's a little story about the album: December 29, 1935 Antoine de Saint-Exupery took off in an attempt at a long distance flight from Paris to Saigon. He crashed in the Desert many hours later stranded with his co pilot Prevot. Later he recounted his experience in a book called Wind, Sand and Stars and this story forms the basis of the Tick Tock album. After Night the monotonus repetition of a single bar of music that is changed by the chords and the songs on top of it still held a seductive charm for Gazpacho and though Night dabbled in this, Tick Tock wallows.
The metaphor of a desert walk represented by a ticking clock may not be sublime but by golly the music is in moments.
Almost as if you were walking a long and lonely walk in the desert where there is only you, the stars, wind and sand, the sound of your footsteps softened by the burning sand and heard only through the bones of the body.
1. Peace in Africa
2. Change of Space
3. Sonique Prinz (Movt. 1)
4. Sonique Prinz (Movt. 2)
5. Sonique Prinz (Movt. 3)
6. One Day in June
7. Cum Spiritu
8. The Power of Emotion
9. Stellar Rivers and Streams of Lucid Dreams
10. Alien Spaces
PATRICK MORAZ
Change of Space
Patrick’s latest album is entitled Change of Space
and it is his first album for a number of years. Recorded in America over
the last two years the album is a return to Patrick’s progressive roots
and as such will be highly anticipated by his large and dedicated following.
The reissue campaign has renewed interest in the work of this special artist
and as such demand for this new album particularly in the progressive genre
bodes well.
Other great musicians to feature on this album include:
Alex Ligertwood (Ex-Santana) (lead vocals)
Don Adey ( Ex- The JAMME)(lead vocals)
Bunny Brunel (Ex-Chick Corea's band) (el. Bass)
Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese guitarist extraordinaire!) (El. guitars)
John Wackerman (African Choir, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Lindsay Buckingham,
Frank Gambale, etc....) (drums)
(Alex Acuna (Ex-Weather Report/Joe Zawinul's band) (Perc.)
(Michael Tovar rthm. guitar)
With backing vocals by : Janis Liebhart (Michael Bolton, Ex-The Moody Blues)
(Nicol Mecerova (Ex-Bunny Brunel's group, Herbie Hancock) Wendy McKenzie (Ex-The
Moody Blues), Naomi Starr, Jill Meschke (Ex-Patrick Moraz's "StarPeace")
1. If It's Not
Too Late (10:50)
2. Haun Solo (1:18)
3. False Start (5:08)
4. Chasing After Ghosts (7:05)
5. Set To Play (1:49)
6. Ever Changing World (4:18)
7. We Can Last (9:16)
8. Twist of Fate (5:17)
9. All Intertwined (7:29)
10. Remember Along the Way (12:36)
HQ
The second cd release by CIRCA:
featuring current lineup Billy Sherwood, Tony Kaye, Jay Schellen, Jimmy Haun
BLIND EGO
Numb
The new
BLIND EGO album "Numb", will be released on April 3rd 2009 on Red
Farm Records/Rough Trade.
The band line up:
Karlheinz Wallner (guitars) - RPWL
Tommy Eberhardt (drums) - Legazy & Beatfreaks
John Jowitt (bass) - IQ & Arena
John Mitchell (guitars) - It Bites, Kino, The Urbane & Arena
Paul Wrightson (vocals) - Arena.
Stormbringer [35th anniversary]
Stormbringer (2009 issue UK '35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' 2-disc set - Originally released in November 1974, 'Stormbringer' [featuring the Mark 3 line-up of the band that included David Coverdale on Vocals and Glenn Hughes on Bass Guitar] was the ninth studio album by Deep Purple, and prominetly featured the soul and funk elements that were only hinted at on previous album 'Burn'. Sounding just as fresh as it did on original release, this 35th anniversary special edition comes with a crisp new remaster, and a host of collectable extras. Comprising the 14-track CD containing the remastered original album along with a clutch of tracks remixed by Glenn Hughes at Abbey Road [especially for this release]; plus a Bonus DVD including the original Quad mix of the album, presented in both 5.1 surround sound and stereo. Complete with an extensive illustrated 24-page picture booklet.).
One Little Victory (Remix) (Retrospective 3 Version)
Dreamline (Retrospective 3 Version)
Workin' Them Angels (Retrospective 3 Version)
Presto (Retrospective 3 Version)
Bravado (Retrospective 3 Version)
Driven (Retrospective 3 Version)
The Pass (Retrospective 3 Version)
Animate (Retrospective 3 Version)
Roll The Bones (Retrospective 3 Version)
Ghost Of A Chance (Live) (Retrospective 3 Version)
Nobody's Hero (Retrospective 3 Version)
Leave That Thing Alone (Retrospective 3 Version)
Earthshine (Remix) (Retrospective 3 Version)
Far Cry (Retrospective 3 Version)
RUSH
Retrospective 3
Anthem/Atlantic recording group Rush has announced details of the upcoming
third volume in its continuing compilation series. "RETROSPECTIVE III
(1989-2008)" arrives in stores on March 3rd.
The collection -- available as both individual CD and two-disc CD/DVD set
-- features tracks culled from the legendary trio's two decades with Atlantic
Records, spanning such acclaimed studio works as 1989's "PRESTO,"
1991's "ROLL THE BONES," 1993's "COUNTERPARTS," 1996's
"TEST FOR ECHO," 2002's "VAPOR TRAILS," and 2007's "SNAKES
& ARROWS" (see attached tracklisting). In addition, "RETROSPECTIVE
III" features a previously unreleased live version of the classic "Ghost
of a Chance," recorded live in Atlanta during Rush's 2008 "Snakes
& Arrows Tour," as well as two tracks -- "One Little Victory"
and "Earthshine" -- newly remixed by the band's Alex Lifeson and
master mixer Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger, P. Diddy).
The "RETROSPECTIVE III" DVD gathers the band's 10 stunning music
videos during the Atlantic years, including clips for fan favorites such as
"The Pass," "Roll The Bones," "Stick It Out,"
"Driven," and the Grammy Award-nominated "Malignant Narcissism."
What's more, the DVD includes a trio of live videos filmed in Frankfurt, Germany
during Rush's 2004 "R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour," highlighted
by a masterful performance of The Who's classic "The Seeker" (originally
recorded by Rush for 2004's "FEEDBACK"). As an added bonus, the
band has included a rare televised performance of the classic "Tom Sawyer"
and an on-camera interview featuring all three members.
01.
Grand Hotel
02. Something Magic
03. Homburg
04. Fires (Which Burn Brightly)
05. Nothing But The Truth
06. Into The Flood
07. A Salty Dog
08. Sympathy For The Hard Of Hearing
09. A Whiter Shade Of Pale
10. Conquistador
PROCOL
HARUM
Live in Denmark [marzo 2]
Eagle Records are proud to announce the release on 2 March 2009 of the fantastic
“Live In Denmark” set from Procol Harum [Cat No EAGCD400]. This
is the first new Procol Harum CD release in over 5 years and it features classic
tracks from across the band’s career including: “A Whiter Shade
Of Pale”, “Homburg”, “Grand Hotel”, “A
Salty Dog” and “Conquistador”.
Procol Harum are one of the all-time great British rock groups. Having hit
the heights with their first release “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”,
a UK No.1 in 1967, they have sustained a recording and performing career that
stretches over 40 years. This concert was recorded over two spectacular concerts
held in the grounds of Ledreborg Castle in Denmark in August 2006. The band
were accompanied throughout by the Danish Radio Concert Orchestra and Choir
and these epic songs really benefit from the full symphonic arrangements they
receive.
Disc One
1) Opening Prayer 2) Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy 3) Vulcan Worlds 4) Sorceress 5) Song To The Pharaoh Kings 6) Al’s Solo including: Children’s Song #3 (with Chick Corea) / Passion Grace & Fire / Mediterranean Sundance / Café 1930 / Spain (with Chick Corea) 7) No Mystery
Disc Two
1) Chick’s Solo: Friendship (including Solar) 2) Romantic Warrior 3) Stanley’s Solo: El Bayo de Negro 4) Lenny’s Solo: Lineage 5) Romantic Warrior (reprise) 6) Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant
Bonus Tracks
1) 500 Miles High 2) Romantic Warrior
RETURN TO
FOREVER
Returns [marzo 2]
The 2008 Return To Forever tour was hugely successful
pulling in big crowds in both Europe and the USA and the “Returns”
album showcases an incredible band really delivering the goods. A concert
from the tour filmed at Montreux will be released on DVD later in 2009.
Eagle
Records are proud to announce the release on 2 March 2009 of the fantastic
“Returns” 2CD set from Return To Forever [Cat No EAGCD394]. This
is the band’s first new release since 1979 and features extended reworkings
of many of their classic tracks.
Return To Forever were at the forefront of jazz/rock fusion in the seventies
and like their contemporaries Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra were
formed by a former Miles Davis sideman, in this case the great Chick Corea.
Return To Forever hit their commercial and artistic peak with a string of
albums in the mid-seventies featuring the line-up of Chick Corea on keyboards,
Stanley Clarke on bass, Al Di Meola on guitar and Lenny White on drums. In
2008 this classic line-up reunited for their first tour in 25 years and proved
that their musicianship and the chemistry within the band were as strong as
ever. The tracks were recorded live in Clearwater, Florida on July 31st 2008
apart from “Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant”, which was recorded
in Boston (6/8/08), “500 Miles High” recorded in Montreux (18/7/08)
and the second version of “Romantic Warrior” recorded in London,
which features the band being presented with a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award
by Sir George Martin.
Lumpy Money
The Zappa Family Trust are about to announce the release of “Lumpy Money,” a three-CD “audio documentary” covering the classic ‘Lumpy Gravy’ and ‘We’re Only In It For the Money’ albums. Originally due for release in late November 2008, this will be the first offering in an ongoing series celebrating the works of Frank Zappa.
Frank’s wife, Gail, has stated that those two records happen to be his masterworks. The main idea behind this new release, is how to educate the audience to understand what ‘Lumpy Gravy’ and ‘We’re Only in It for the Money’ were and are. And also what they’re part of.
The sumptuous “Lumpy Money” 3cd package will feature the two separate mixes of each album, which were done by Frank himself. Among the many highlights will be the first official release of the instrumental, Igor Stravinsky-influenced orchestral “ballet” version of “Lumpy Gravy” that Zappa recorded in 1967 for Capitol Records. It was revamped by the record company, who added rock musicians before eventually releasing it on MGM/Verve four months after “We’re Only in it For the Money” in 1968.
A second set will be released shortly after the “Lumpy Money” box. This will contain more music from those sessions including outtakes.
Further releases you can look forward to include a new version of “Cruising with Ruben and the Jets,” Frank Zappa’s third 1968 release, and a vintage live album from the Roxy in Los Angeles amongst many others.
DEEP PURPLE
Live at Long Beach 1976
This
concert, first released as the On The Wings Of A Russian Foxbat bootleg, and
issued officially on CD way back in 1995, is now being totally remastered
from the original half inch tapes. It is generally regarded as one of the
best Mk 4 concerts, with some great performances and over half the Come Taste
album tracks included. The two bonus tracks from the original are retained
but properly positioned at the end of side two so they do not spoil the running
order.
It will appear first on the Sonic Zoom label in a limited edition digipak
with a faithful reproduction of the old bootleg sleeve and a booklet. It can
be pre-ordered at dpas mailorder. Expected Feb 2009, a regular jewel case
version in a different cover should follow later in the year.
Éléments
(30:46)
1- Submersion
2- Sol
3- Combustion
4- Incident (8:39)
5- Levant (2:26)
6- Purple King (7:36)
7- Racines (8:54)
Episodes
[Unicorn Records]
Episodes is the third release from Montreal Prog-Fusion Band KARCIUS. This new album is a blend between Modern Rock and Jazz-fusion that will take the listeners to various moods and images. Mixing heavy and powerful rock with the spontaneous jazz intensity, Karcius creates a complex and unique sound that is hard to define.
After releasing 2 previous albums on Unicorn Digital, Karcius has gained a good and solid reputation in the Progressive Rock world for both their studio recordings and energetic live performances. The band is stronger than ever and definitely moving toward a modern progressive direction while exploring the vintage sound legacy.
Produced, recorded and mixed at Studio Victor by Guitarist Simon L’Espérance, Episodes is definitely the best and most advanced recording form Karcius so far. Like the previous albums, it has been carefully created to transport the listeners through different moods and imageries. With this new instrumental CD, KARCIUS is definitively a major force in instrumental prog-fusion
MYSTERY
Destiny? 10th anniversary
edition
[Unicorn Records]
10 years
ago, MYSTERY released their second full lenght CD Destiny? and last one recorded
with singer Gary Savoie.
After the release of MYSTERY’s latest album Beneath the Veil of Winter’s
Face, Tracks from the Destiny? Sessions were transferred into Illusion Studio’s
computer and the new mix was started. Michel St-Pere says about this project:
Not only this album brought MYSTERY to a new level, but it also started the
whole Unicorn Records adventure. But I was not satisfied with the mix and
after mixing Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face, I knew I could bring
Destiny to a new level.
The new mix sounds great and this album deserves to be heard the way it was
meant to be. The 10th anniversary edition of Destiny will be released in February
2009, while the band is recording a new album and prepares to do some live
shows.
1. Burning Bush
2. Let My People Go
3. The Plagues
4. The Parting
5. Down from the Mountain
6. 40 Years (for Andy Latimer)
7. The Last Climb
8. Canaan
9. Zipporah’s Farewell
10. The Price of Freedom
Exodus
[Unicorn Records]
Nathan Mahl unleash their first studio album in over 5 years. Inspired by events depicted in the second book of the Old Testament (and Torah), Exodus focuses on the emotional and physical struggles of those who wish to escape the bonds of slavery.
Musically, the band has approached the subject as a Rock Opera, having as central characters Moses, Pharaoh, and God, further expanding their vocabulary of Symphonic/Fusion/Canterbury progressive-rock to include elements of HardRock and Metal. The band’s lineup for this new work have all contributed heavily, making this a true collective effort.
Formed in 1981, Nathan Mahl are a Canadian Progressive rock band with Jazz fusion elements. Throughout a constantly evolving lineup of possibly some of the finest rock and fusion musicians from the Ottawa and Gatineau regions, keyboardist Guy LeBlanc is widely regarded as the essence and constant of the band.
Guy appears to be more widely known as the keyboardist for Progressive Rock Legends Camel from 2000 to 2003. Recording and touring resulted in a Nod and a Wink and The Paris Collection (Live).
They have released numerous concept-based CDs to critical acclaim, including Shadows Unbound, and the Heretik Trilogy. Furthermore, they have played several prestigious music festivals including NEARfest, and FMPM.
This Mortal Coil
[Unicorn Records]
New York Progressive Rock band Celestial Oeuvre’s new studio CD entitled “This Mortal Coil” will be released february 2009. Celestial Oeuvre first CD Second Chance released independently was very well received in the Progressive Rock Community.
Joe Acaba and Jose Damien founded Celestial Oeuvre in 2004. The band is conceptually a Neo-Classical Progressive Rock force in the old tradition but with a totally modern edge. The music compositions are a collaboration between Jose Damien and Joe Acaba. The music consists of intense vocals riding on rich elements of Rock, Classical, Psychedelic, Funk and Jazz Fusion. The lyrics, which are all written and sung by Joe Acaba, are nothing short of allegory and poetry!
Radiation EP
Eddie Jobson (Keyboards); Alex Machacek (Guitar); Marco Minnemann (Drums); Trey Gunn (Warr touch guitar); Aaron Lippert (vocals)
Returning from a self-imposed 27-year retirement from band and touring activity, the reclusive progressive-music pioneer and ‘UK’ co-founder has set out to find the same caliber of next-generation musicians for the new UKZ project that would equal or surpass the talents of his previous colleagues and collaborators—an impressive list that includes Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, John Entwistle, Ian Anderson, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio, Allan Holdsworth, and Tony Levin.Jobson -- who was born and raised in the Durham area of England -- has hand-selected a truly international dream-band of virtuosos from around the world.
Aaron Lippert , a citizen of Belgium, but born and raised in New York-- the former lead singer and songwriter for Columbia recording artists Expanding Man.
Trey Gunn a Texas native, currently residing in Seattle -- a ten-year veteran of King Crimson and the leading exponent of the Warr touch guitar.
Alex Machacek, from Vienna, Austria -- an award-winning guitar prodigy and composer;
Marco Minnemann , from Hannover, Germany -- a drumming phenomenon of unparalleled virtuosity.
Iron Curtain
Defilada
Camelele
Aleatoryka
Rozmowa Z Mistrzem
Opowiesc
Blogoslawione Dni
Niesmiertelnosc
Sunrise
Gry Tanczace
Dopki Zyje Matka Jestes Dzieckiem
SBB
Iron Curtain
[Metal
Mind Records]
SBB, a legend of Polish music scene, revealed the tracklist
of the new studio album enitled “Iron Curtain”. The standard jewel
case edition includes 9 tracks. Limited digipak edition features two bonus
tracks: “Aleatoryka” and “Nies´miertelnos´c´”.
Iron
Curtain” is set to be released by Metal Mind Productions on 26th January
/ 7th April in USA (via MVD). The band, comprised of the phenomenal composer
Józef Skrzek, the excellent guitarist Apostolis Anthimos and the flawless
drummer Gabor Nemeth propose a perfect blend of the sincerity of blues and
the freedom of jazz. The music on the album is mature and rich in emotions.
New material features sophisticated ballads, perfect guitar solos, oriental
and highland sounds, Moogs and Hammonds. The album will be promoted on tour
with its highlight at Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, where SBB will headline
ProgRock Festival 2009.
DEREK
SHERINIAN
Molecular Heinosity
New Derek Sherinian album 'Molecular Heinosity' will be released at the end of March. Special guests: Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne), Virgil Donati (Planet X), Tony Franklin (Whitesnake) and Brian Tichy (Foreigner, Billy Idol), a.o.
Twice The Man
I Was
Destiny
Green Lights and Blue Skies
Raven
Sex, Power and Money
Anna’s Kiss
Under The Sky
Don’t Go Out Tonight
Never Thought I’d See You Again Peace In Our Time
WETTON DOWNES
Icon 3
Wetton-Downes'
iCon announces the worldwide release of their third studio album on Frontiers
Records and an additional showe at Zoetemeer, Holland, on February 19.
The release of this third album continues the established relationship of
Frontiers Records with the duo since 2005, when John Wetton and Geoff Downes
began their iCon project.
The label has a long standing reputation for professionalism, enthusiasm and
support of Classic Rock. It continues a relationship with Wetton and Downes
in both their iCon project and in their work with the reunion of the original
members of Asia. The best selling Asia 2008 studio album Phoenix was released
on Frontiers.
Fans and critics alike have embraced the music of John Wetton and Geoffrey
Downes, whose songwriting formed much of the fabric of 2008's successful Asia
reunion release, Phoenix.
A short tour will precede the 1Q 09 release of the album, and there will be
a special DVD recording before a limited audience at the historic St. Mary-le-Bow
Church in London on February 21st. The immediate enthusiasm shown by fans
for that show has allowed management to release a few extra tickets (originally
meant for press) to fans.They can be obtained at www. ticketmaster. co. uk.
Preceding the DVD recording, the band will visit Japan for a series of shows
in major cities leading up to a date in Holland just prior to the recording
of the DVD in London – the Zoetemeer showe on February 19 will be a
preview of the set list.
About the Band
The pure power of Geoff Downes' keyboards and John Wetton's jaw-dropping voice
and stellar bass playing are enhanced by compelling guitar virtuoso Dave Kilminster,
fresh from successful tours with Roger Waters and Keith Emerson, and former
ELO Cellist Hugh McDowell, whose unique sound has helped frame all three iCon
studio releases. Rounding out the band is Pete Riley, considered one of the
"best drummers in the world", whose work with Keith Emerson, Kilminster
and extensive live and session work shows an extraordinary breadth and depth
of style.
Special Guest Appearances by Andreas Vollenweider and Anne-Marie Helder
John and Geoff are pleased to announce that renowned new age harpist Andreas
Vollenweider will add his unique sound to the third iCon album. The album
and Holland / London performances will also feature acclaimed vocalist Anne-Marie
Helder whose past work with Karnataka and current ventures with Panic Room,
Mostly Autumn and her solo material have won her praise and a growing international
audience.
Disc One
1 Heaven And Hell 2 I Can’t Explain 3 Young Man Blues 4 I Don’t
Even Know Myself 5 Water 6 Overture 7 It’s A Boy 8 1921 9 Amazing Journey
10 Sparks 11 Eyesight To The Blind 12 Christmas
Disc Two
1 The Acid Quen 2 Pinball Wizard 3 Do You Think It’s Alright? 4 Fiddle
About 5 Tommy Can You Hear Me? 6 There’s A Doctor 7 Go To The Mirror
8 Smash The Mirror 9 Miracle Cure 10 I’m Free 11 Tommy’s Holiday
Camp 12 We’re Not Gonna Take It 13 Summertime Blues 14 Medley: Shakin’
All Over / Spoonful / Twist And Shout 15 Substitute 16 My Generation 17 Naked
Eye 18 Magic Bus
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the release on double CD of The Who “Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970” [Cat No EDGCD339] on 9 February 2009. Released to coincide with the Blu-ray of the concert on the same day, this legendary performance has been unavailable on CD for several years. The Who’s thunderous set features virtually the whole of “Tommy” and many other classics including “My Generation”, “Substitute”, “I Can’t Explain” and “Magic Bus”. The CD release includes tracks not available on the DVD or Blu-ray releases due to lack of footage.
Unavailable for some considerable time, Eagle Records are now making available once again this double CD set of the complete performance by The Who at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970 in the original running order of the live show. The sound has been remastered by long time Who sound man Jon Astley and is now better than ever. Featuring the original classic line-up of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon and John Entwistle, The Who’s performance at the Isle Of Wight is rightly celebrated as one of their finest ever and this CD shows exactly why.
01. The Interview (live)
02. That's As Far As I'll Go (live)
03. You're Not Alone (live)
04. I'm OK (live)
05. Can't You See Me Now (live)
06. Book Of Lies (live)
07. The Perfectionist (live)
08. Drum Solo (live)
09. The Flyer (live)
10. Mind Over Matter (live)
11. The Security Of Illusion (live)
12. Time's Up (live)
13. Piano Solo (live)
14. Scratching The Surface (live)
15. We've Been Here Before (live)
16. On The Air (live)
17. On The Loose (live)
18. Careful Where You Step (live)
19. 10,000 Days (live)
20. Wind Him Up (live)
21. Humble Stance (live)
22. Don't Be Late (live)
23. What's It Gonna Be? (live)
Contact - Live in Munich [DVD]
FROST
Experiments in Mass Appeal
Experiments
in Mass Appeal is the second studio album by UK neo-progressive
rock group Frost*. Jem Godfrey documented the making of this album with videos
via "Frost Reports" on Youtube, under the username "planetfrost".
According to Godfrey, this album is much more band oriented and collaborative.
The album was primarily recorded at Jem's personal recording studio called
the Cube.
On July 1, 2008, three demo songs from the album were uploaded to the band's
myspace page.
The album was released in 2 editions; a standard single CD, and a special
edition 2 CD set. The second disc contains 8 Extended Frost Reports (2hrs
35 mins), Christmas Sessions: Hyperventilate and Snowman (9mins 30secs), Gig
Reports: On Tour with Frost (53mins 9secs), and instrumental mixes of the
whole album.
GALADRIEL
Calibrated Collision Course
Calibrated Collision Course es el nombre del cuarto trabajo de la magnífica agrupación española Galadriel. Esta banda fue una de las más interesantes apariciones de la nueva escena progresiva de fines de los 80s y principios de los 90s, fusionando elementos estilísticamente disímiles en una forma original y muy lograda, a través de sus tres álbumes: Muttered Promises From An Ageless Pond (1988), Chasing the Dragonfly (1992) y Mindscapers (19997). Hoy la banda está conformada por Jesús Filardi y José Bautista, aunque en el álbum participan ilustres invitados como Andy Sears y Jean Pascal Boffo, entre muchos otros. El disco fue lanzado hace pocos días por Musea y pueden oir material del mismo en la página de la banda y en su sitio en MySpace.
MARILLION
Early Stages: Official Bootleg
6 CDS Box Set Fish Era
This
6-disc collectors box contains 6 individually packaged CDs covering a range
of live shows from 1982-1987.
Recently licensed BBC recordings form the basis for this exclusive rare collection,
with the addition of additional EMI archive material.
Also features extensive sleeve notes by Fish and new artwork from Mark Wilkinson
CD
1: Live At The Mayfair, Glasgow 13/9/82 (Radio Clyde recording)
Garden Party · The Web· He Knows You Know· She Chameleon
· Three Boats Down From The Candy· Market Square Heroes·
Forgotten Sons
CD 2: Live At The Marquee, 30/12/1982 (part 1) (mixed last year at
Abbey Road from the original multi tracks)
Garden Party· Three Boats Down From The Candy· Grendel·
Chelsea Monday
CD 3: Live At The Marquee, 30/12/1982 (part 2) (mixed last year at
Abbey Road from the original multi tracks)
He Knows You Know· The Web· Script For A Jester's Tear·
Forgotten Sons· Market Square Heroes· Margaret
CD 4: Live At The Reading Festival 27/8/83 (BBC radio recording)
Grendel· Garden Party· Script For A Jester's Tear· Assassing·
Charting The Single· Forgotten Sons· He Knows You Know·
Market Square Heroes
CD 5: Live At Hammersmith Odeon 14/12/84 (BBC radio recording)
Assassing· Garden Party· Cinderella Search· Punch And
Judy· Jigsaw· Chelsea Monday· (Misplaced Childhood part
1:)· The Pseudo-Silk Kimono· Kayleigh· Bittersuite·
Heart Of Lothian· Incubus· Fugazi
CD 6: Live At Wembley Arena 5/11/87 (BBC radio recording)
Slainte Mhath· White Russian· Incubus· Sugar Mice·
Fugazi· Hotel Hobbies· Warm Wet Circles· That Time Of
The Night· The Last Straw· Kayleigh· Lavender·
Heart Of Lothian
1) Flying Triangles
2) New Year's Day
3) Thursdays are Blue
4) Dandelion amongst the Violets
5) Honey Jar
6) Lemon Tree
7) Falling Through Rainbows
8) Bleak Hill
9) Oh Look! A Rainbow!!
10) Evening Star in the Indigo Sky
11) Bi-Polar
12) Photograph
13) Seeking Poppies in the Dark
14) Falling
15) Broken Crown
16) Green Ward 13
17) White Sun
18) (Return of) The Gold
MR.
SO AND SO
Sugarstealer
We are releasing it on our own label MSSR (bet you can't guess where that
comes from) and our good friends at CDBaby will be helping us along the way.
As you may have already seen, we are making the initial release a download
only, this is due to plain and simply a lack of funds as we threw everything
we had at the recording. Hopefully it will enable us to get into a position
to release the physical album.
AYREON
Timeline
Timeline is the second compilation album by Dutch progressive metal project Ayreon. It was released on November 10 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and on November 10 in the rest of Europe. It is also expected to be released in North America in early 2009. The album features three CDs containing selected songs from all Ayreon albums, and a DVD featuring live performances, video clips and behind-the-scenes. The third CD also feature an unreleased song, called "Epilogue: The Memory Remains", which provide further insight into the final chapter of the Ayreon concept and the probable future of its characters. Jasper Steverlinck, singer of Arid, guest appeared as the vocalist of the song. Many songs were remastered for this release. Apart from the CDs and DVD, a timeline poster illustrating the Ayreon universe and a booklet containing new photos, lyrics, and notes on the story are also available in the Timeline package.
1. Ships
2. The Final Chapter
3. An Ordinary Day
4. Bloody Holiday!
5. Valentine's Night
6. A Road Less Travelled
7. Another Lazy Sunday
8a. The House On The Hill (Parts 1 & 2)
8b. The House On The Hill (Parts 3 & 4)
MANNING
Number Ten [febrero]
Credits:
All tracks composed & assembled by Guy Manning
Produced By Andy Tillison & Guy Manning
Artwork by Guy Manning & Phil Wilkes
Line-Up:
Guy Manning - Acoustic 6, 12 & Classical Guitars, Electric
Guitar,
Mandolin, Bouzouki, Keyboards, Samples, Basses, Percussion & Vocals
Laura Fowles - Alto Sax & Vocals
Ian 'Walter' Fairbairn - Fiddle
David Million - Electric Guitars
Julie King - Vocals (including the duet on "Valentine's
night")
Kris Hudson-Lee - Bass
Phil Wilkes - Keyboards
Kev Currie - Backing Vocals
Danny Rhodes - Additional Drums
Guests:
Stephen Dundon - Flutes & Tenor Sax [Courtesy of 'Molly
Bloom']
Andy Tillison - Keyboards & Drums [Courtesy of 'The Tangent'
& 'PO90' ]
Pav Chana - Percussion
Ed Niedhardt - Soprano Sax & Bass Clarinet
Hannah Hudson-Lee - Backing Vocals
TRACKS:
1. When
2. Ghost of Perdition
3. Under the Weeping Moon
4. Bleak
5. Face of Melinda
6. Night and the Silent Water
7. Windowpane
8. Blackwater Park
9. Demon of the Fall
OPETH
Roundhouse Tapes 2 DVDs
Anamorphic Widescreen -1.78
Audio: Dolby Digital 4.0 Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Highlights - Soundcheck
Interviews -
1. Interview with the Band
2. Fan Interviews
Text/Photo Galleries:
Galleries - Photo Gallery
A 2 disc
DVD version will include exclusive menu music written by Mikael Åkerfeldt
and Per Wiberg.The title is a play on the name of Iron Maiden's first release
The Soundhouse Tapes, as well as the venue where the record was recorded.
Mikael Åkerfeldt said that "The Roundhouse concert will always
be a very memorable gig for us for many reasons, but most importantly it caught
the band at the peak of the Ghost Reveries Tour" (Wikipedia)
DVD 1 - "The First Death Of"
SixWorlds/EightDays (80 minute documentary of 2005 world tour by Per Hillblom)
DVD 2 - "The Second Death Of"
Touching You Harder: "Live From Amsterdam"
Tracklist:
01. Scarsick (Scarsick)
02. America (Scarsick)
03. ! (Entropia)
04. Nightmist (Entropia)
05. Handful of Nothing (One Hour By The Concrete Lake)
06. New Year's Eve (One Hour By The Concrete Lake)
07. Ashes (The Perfect Element Part I)
08. Undertow (Remedy Lane)
09. This Heart of Mine/Song for the Innocent (Remedy Lane/The Perfect Element Part I)
10. Chain Sling (Remedy Lane)
11. Diffidentia (Be)
12. Flame to the Moth (Scarsick)
13. Disco Queen (Scarsick)
14. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
15. Cribcaged (Scarsick)
16. Used (The Perfect Element Part I)
Ending Themes 2 DVDs
In a world governed by increasingly rigid rules and conformist conceptions of art, Pain of Salvation have created their own niche on the international music scene. Their intelligently composed and cleverly arranged songs mix metal, pop, funk, disco, goth and folk with Arabian and Oriental influences plus other more or less extreme musical styles into a homogenous whole. Pain of Salvation consciously do without any kind of artistic compromise, the only criterion for their compositions being top quality and profound contents. “Skills and complexity should be part of the machinery, not the functionality or design,” says the band’s frontman Daniel Gildenlöw, “so I try to hide it away where the engine is supposed to be – under the hood of a machine built mainly to process ideas and emotions.” This is precisely why their albums go down so well with fans and media from a variety of camps, from the progressive metal scene through nu metal to prog rock and world music. Their latest double live DVD/CD, On the Two Deaths of Pain of Salvation, scheduled for release at the start of 2009, will conclude phase one of their diverse career in order to pave the way (and clear their minds) for the second chapter.
Every desert got
the ocean
Repaint the sky
Afraid of what we say
I want you to know
Over horizon
Am I losing touch
Is it over
The color of the rain (bonus track)
Relaxed (bonus track)
Nostalgia
[Metal Mind Records]
Satellite, one of the best progressive rock bands, returns with more beautiful and
inspiring music! "Nostalgia" is the follow up to the highly acclaimed album "Into The Night" from 2007. As the band claims, it's their fourth and most mature offering. Most of the album was recorded in Wojtek Szadkowski's home studio. He is also responsible for the music and lyrics for "Nostalgia". The album features 7 atmospheric compositions, full of
beautiful arrangements with subtle yet powerful sounds. The music offered on the new album is a combination of the sound of the 70's with the modern 21st century sound. The lyrics relate to each other in a loose manner - they're about coming to terms with the past, about the need for a change, starting anew, distancing oneself to one's own past. At the same time, ironically, the music on "Nostalgia" manifests a longing for the mood of the 70's and 80's. Limited edition digipak CD includes 2 additional tracks.
Amor Vincit Omnia [9 marzo]
Rivers Gone Dry
Strawberry Fields – this fascinating project was created by Wojtek Szadkowski, a highly acclaimed musician known best from his work with Collage, Satellite or Peter Pan. The band’s music is a strange blend of the old and the new, of rock guitars and soft keyboards, loops and psychedelic soundscapes. But what is most important here is the magical voice of Robin (Marta Kniewska), a beautiful female lead singer. On the band’s debut album entitled “Rivers Gone Dry” Marta is supported by the intelligent guitar play of Sarhan Kubeisi (Satellite), simple yet effective bass lines of Jarek Michalski (Satellite), and Wojtek Szadkowski's drums. Guest appearance was done by keyboardist Krzys´ Palczewski (Satellite). It’s a perfect album for the lovers of such bands as Goldfrapp, Portishead or Massive Attack. Marta’s voice will also satisfy fans of Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering/ Agua De Annique).
ERIC STEWART
Viva La Difference
The latest release from the former lead
guitarist and lead vocalist of 10cc. This 2009 release has has a variety of
styles but its overall feel is smoother and bluesier than his previous album.
The lyrics of such songs as Gnome Sweet Gnomes and Millennium Blues are as
witty and cutting as many well known 10cc tracks such as Wall St Shuffle and
Art for Art's Sake. Eric's guitar playing is better than ever and he still
has one of the great pop voices in the business.
METAMORPHOSIS
Dark
This
forth release from Swiss multi-instrumentalist Jean- Pierre Schenk, marks
a divergence from the heavily Pink Floyd inspired compositions that were on
display with the previous releases.
Dark, powerful, meditative, psychedelic, obsessing, with beautiful melodies,
guitar and Moog solos, this is Metamorphosis new album. If the other ones
were inspired by Pink Floyd, the music of "Dark" is totally personal
and original.
Spaghetti Epic 3 [Musea]
What was the link between Progressive rock and "Once Upon A Time In The West" ? Probably none, until the French label Musea and the Finnish fanzine Colossus came to release "The Spaghetti Epic - Six Modern Prog Bands For Six Seventies Prog Suites". As indicated by its name, this double-album musically revisits Sergio LEONE's famous cinema masterpiece that highlighted the so-called spaghetti-western. Moreover, the booklet is a work of art in itself, including a documented story of the movie, a summary of it, photographs, the storyboard, etc. So six bands of the current Progressive rock scene each composed a 20-25 minute long epic. Thus they followed Sergio LEONE's regular composer Ennio MORRICONE's concept, creating one mucical theme for each of the main characters. Then HAIKARA (Finland), Nicola RANDONE (Italy), TILION (Italy), LA VOCE DEL VENTO (British band created on this occasion by the duo of PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES and THE TANGENT, Guy MANNING & Andy TILLISON.), TAPROBAN (Italy) and TRION (The Netherlands) appear on the menu of this "dance with death", according to the director's words. Some echoes, sounds and themes of the original film are present, but these are indeed new creations, revisiting every genre of the Seventies Progressive rock with class, from mini-symphony to daring experimentations. Keyboards sounds keep faithful to the spirit and the letter of the Golden Age. Obviously, the contribution of the leading lights of the genre, mostly Italian musicians (BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI, LE ORME...), are not forgotten. This second collective work takes further the success of the brilliant "Kalevala - A Finnish Progressive Rock Epic" (2003), which was a triple concept-album to which thirty groups had taken part with enthusiasm ! Taste it "al dente"... The synopsis of the second volume "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" (2007) says it all: Nicola RANDONE is the Good, LA VOCE DEL VENTO is the Bad, and TILION is the Ugly. Everyone has 25 minutes to express his dominance. What else would you expect but an all-Italian cast, for such a treasure of the western-spaghetti genre ? Sure, but... Behind LA VOCE DEL VENTO hide two strange characters known under the names Andreas TILLISONI and Guy De M'ANNINGI. Do you recognize them ? They are our old friends of the British band PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES of course.
Cage [Musea]
CAGE is the name of an Italian Progressive rock band, led by keyboards player Alessandro BUGLIANI and created in the middle of the Eighties. And whereas "1987-1994", published in the year 2005 by the Musea label, is made up of historical recordings (As its name mentions it), it would be too bad to consider this CD just as an achive collection. This is a brand new album, both coherent and carefully produced. The six pieces alternate vocal and instrumental parts, and are most often structured around subtle piano notes. This is dynamic and lively Progressive rock that's inspired by the Masters of the Seventies, while remaining very personal and inventive. The five musicians have perfectly assimilated the lessons of EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, GENESIS, IQ, GENTLE GIANT and so on, whilst opting for a very modern approach, as far as the sound and the composition work is concerned. The emotional range is quite wide, from THE FLOWER KINGS' luminous guitar soli to ambiences not unlike a certain VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR. Let's also notice the excellent twenty-minute suite "The Feebleminded Man", leading the listener through melodic sequences, great melodic inventivity and feverish electric cavalacades. CAGE might well be the best Italian band of their generation together with FINISTERRE. So, this is a worthy discovery ! Here comes the confirmation, with the second effort published on the Musea label, the first real opus by CAGE: "Secret Passage" (2008). After an introductory track showing influences of a light jazz-rock, not unlike KENSO's, the delicate and refined symphonic Progressive rock comes back to the front. From then on, the music is going to alternate between those two tendencies, for our greatest pleasure. Mostly instrumental, it also leaves space to the vocals, more gabrielish than Peter GABRIEL himself, courtesy of the band's new singer. The second track "The Scream" might even let you think that you're listening to a brand new composition by THE WATCH. In fact, the one mistaken with the illustrious Simone ROSSETTI is called Augusto MORELLI. Let's also note beautiful guitar parts, lyrical to the bone, mixing the styles of Steve HACKETT, Allan HOLDSWORTH or even Pat METHENY. Fulvio MELE seems to be in love with the fretless bass, while keyboards player Alessandro BUGLIANI develops furthermore his own playing, more recognizable and personal, essentially based on crystalline piano notes. Without any doubt the sign of a great talent. Too bad this album is so short... Anyway, here's a splendid piece of work, not to be missed by any means
Under [Musea]
XII ALFONSO got to be one of the "greatest" bands of international Progressive rock, thanks to their first album issued in 1996 and called "The Lost Frontier". Supported by a dream-guest list and a perfect production, this concept album was only the first part of a now prestigious discography ! It is about Hadrian's Wall, in Scotland, which separated the civilized world from the barbarian countries during the Roman times. Led by Philippe CLAERHOUT, the musicians from Bordeaux have built a superb work with long instrumental parts, some female vocals (That can evoke Annie HASLAM), and a Celtic-influenced atmosphere sometimes reminding of Mike OLDFIELD. It also reminds of CAMEL in "Harbour Of Tears" issued at the same time about. Mickey SIMMONDS, the then CAMEL keyboards player, helps with his wonderful symphonic sounds while guitarist Dan AR BRAS (From Brittany) brings a noticeable Celtic touch of good taste. A remarkable work ! The video "The Lost Frontier" (PAL) presents images of Hadrian's Wall accompanied by CD extracts. "This Is" is the name of a previously unreleased album, recorded live during the year 1998. One can find the whole crew, including Thierry & Jean-Luc PAYSSAN (The complete VITAL DUO). A carefully packaged CD, with a crystal-clear sound. The following release, a year later, was "Odyssées", in a similar style as that of the previous album, but with a little more colourful majestic music. Dan AR BRAS & Mickey SIMMONDS (CAMEL) are once again invited here, accompanied among others by singer Antoine TOME and VITAL DUO. A number of fans had been pleased with the Paleolithic music track performed on this album. This first experience also inspired a Spanish museum that ordered an album based on the enchanting lithophone sounds. Then, "El Canto De Las Piedras - Le Chant Des Pierres - Song Of The Stones" was recorded in 2001. A wonderful trip into time and history ! Claude Monet - Volume Un, 1883-1889" (2002) is the first part of an ambitious three-CD series dedicated to the famous French painter. The object is superb, presented in a cardboard cover, with a wonderfully illustrated 52-page bilingual book. A lot of guest were invited (A good habit !), including guitar player Ian BAIRNSON (Alan PARSONS PROJECT) and female singer BEVINDA. Sounding delightfully old, this music wants to evoke carefree days and times of countryside living. Mostly instrumental, this album passes through original territories, when four French songs from the beginning of the Twentieth Century are reinterpreted with a XII ALFONSO trademark. The shadow of the mysterious French female singer BARBARA is always present on this album which could well become a landmark... After three years of hard work and a first live album ("This Is"), XII ALFONSO offers us the second part of its trilogy: "Claude Monet - Volume Deux, 1889-1904". As luxuous as it was, the layout displays the same standards as its predecessor. And the music follows the same path. Once more, the band creates a very original instrumental piece of work, seventeen musical fragments mixing symphonic, neo-classic, experimental and French popular music. XII ALFONSO can't be linked with anything else, even if its musical approach has some common points with ISILDURS BANE for instance. In order to fill the gap between the second and the last volume of the trilogy, XII ALFONSO offers today a brand new album, named "Under" (2008), trying to illustrate the reality under the events. Fully instrumental, this opus includes many sounds, noises and voices. One may regognize the famous speech by reverend Martin Luther KING, whom the band pays tribute. Musically speaking, the CAMEL influences from the beginning are now far away, in favour of a more personal approach. And that's with great pleasure that one welcomes the return of the lyrical guitar parts courtesy of Philippe CLAERHOUT, both electric and acoustic.
Drop
{Moonjune Records]
Mike Ratledge Lowrey organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano
Elton Dean saxello, alto sax, Fender Rhodes electric piano
Hugh Hopper bass guitar
Phil Howard drums
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10 composed by Mike Ratledge; track 1 composed by Elton Dean; track 5 composed by Hugh Hopper; track 8 by Phil Howard and track 9 by Ratledge/Dean/Hopper/Howard. Recorded live during the German tour in the Fall of 1971. Original recordings edited and remastered by Mike King in October of 2008, with thanks to Aymeric Leroy for pitch correction.
Special thanks to Steve Lake, Mike King, Aymeric Leroy, Hugh Hopper, Steve Feigenbaum, Marino Dean and John Etheridge for their great contribution to make this release possible. Dedicated to the memory of Elton Dean (1946-2006).
This CD documents an often overlooked phase in the long and complex history of Soft Machine - Australian drummer Phil Howard's five-month interim behind the drum stool between Robert Wyatt's departure and his eventual long-term replacement John Marshall. It did last long enough to record half of the studio album "Fifth" (1972) and a couple of BBC radio sessions, but until now no official document of that line-up in its preferred environment - the stage. Howard was brought into Soft Machine by saxophonist Elton Dean, both being members of Elton's side project Just Us, and under their combined influence the band became freer and wilder than ever before (or after) in its existence, pushing longtime leaders Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper into unchartered areas of electric madness. Before long they'd decided this wasn't the way to go, but meanwhile the line-up had antagonised audiences throughout extensive tours of the UK and Europe. This CD documents the German leg of the tour and, as veteran music journalist Steve Lake notes in his detailed liner notes, is a revelation - a glimpse of a highly exciting alternative route Soft Machine decided not to explore further.
DISC1-1. NUOVA ERA/Lasciato Ogni Sperenza...Voi Ch' Entrate
DISC1-2. YESTERDAYS/Istebu Szinjatek
DISC1-3. LITTLE TRAGEDIES/Canto III
DISC1-4. LADY LAKE/...From The Quiet To Air That Trembles
DISC1-5. GREENWALL/Come Corpo Morte Cade
DISC1-6. NEMO/Inferno(Six Pieds Sous Terre)
DISC1-7. NEXUS/El Cuarto Circulo
DISC1-8. ATLANTIS 1001/Back To Earth
DISC1-9. FLAMBOROUGH HEAD/Daughter Of Night
DISC1-10. COLOSSUS PROJECT/Inferno - Canto X
DISC2-11. COURT/Anastasius Epitaph
DISC2-12. WILLOWGLASS/The Crossing
DISC2-13. WICKED MINDS/Blood From The tREES
DISC2-14. BRIGHTEYE BRISON/Capaneus
DISC2-15. MATTHIJS HERDER/Brunetto
DISC2-16. GARMOND/Canto XVI
DISC2-17. ARS NOVA/Demon's Forest
DISC2-18. IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE/Malebolge
DISC2-19. GROOVECTOR/Ainiaan Erhe
DISC3-20. C.A.P./La Danza Dei Contrari
DISC3-21. OZONE PLAYER/Inferno XXI
DISC3-22. SINKADUS/Stuck In Hell
DISC3-23. VIIMA/XXIII
DISC3-24. NOTABENE/La Profezia
DISC3-25. ENTRANCE/Serpientes
DISC3-26. ADVENT/Canto XXVI(The Evil Counselors)
DISC3-27. CONTRAPPUNTO PROJECT/Guido Do Montefeltro
DISC4-28. ARMALITE/Scisma
DISC4-29. CORTE AULICA/Dissolvenza
DISC4-30. RAIMUNDO RODULFO/Falsedad Y Castigo
DISC4-31. DE ROSSI E BORDINI/Pozzo Dei Giganti
DISC4-32. TEMPANO/The IX Circle; Traitors
DISC4-33. NATHAN MAHL/The Comfort Of Tears
DISC4-34. SIMON SAYS/Becomes A Boy
Part One - Inferno [Musea]
The Musea label and the Finnish magazine Colossus endlessly continue their quest for the greatest universal themes, in order to complete their collection of concept-albums dedicated to Progressive rock. The hero of the day is Dante ALIGHIERI, the famous medieval author from Firenze who wrote "The Divine Comedy". That's precisely this epic piece of work, without a doubt one of the greatest books of all times, that serves as the basis for this new project. And of course, it has been divided in three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. The first volume is made of thirty-four "cantos" dispatched on four discs (!), each one showing the personal interpretation of an international band, according to the rules of the genre: no drumboxes, the only instruments allowed are those of the mighty Seventies, the same as for the musical inspiration. TEMPANO, LITTLE TRAGEDIES, COMBINATION HEAD, YESTERDAYS, NEMO, LADY LAKE, WILLOWGLASS, ARS NOVA, SINKADUS, BRIGHTEYE BRISON and GREENWALL are some of the groups involved... Only you are missing !
Mare Et Terra [Musea]
Venezuelian guitar player Raimundo RODULFO is the author of a truly pleasant instrumental solo album called "Sueños – Dreams" and issued in the year 2000. The style played by this musician and his numerous guests can remind both of Mike OLDFIELD's electric flamenco and of CAMEL or Steve HACKETT. The guitar is of course the lead instrument in this both melodic and inventive style. Jazz-rock and classical influences are perfectly assimilated within an exotic and colourful musical whirlwind. "The Dreams Concerto" (2001) is a beautiful work of art, made of three long movements, that amount to almost 80 minutes. The numerous guests, among which singer Pedro CASTILLO for example, contribute to the wealth of this musical work of art.
Live DVD [Musea]
The current band TRYO aims at supplying a modern and mainly instrumental Progressive rock of quality. Intense KING CRIMSON-like passages alternate with heavy jazz-rock fusion sequences, the whole being linked with nice intimist passages. The electric band (Guitar, bass and drums) then leaves space to an acoustic trio with many instrumental possibilities. After four brilliant albums that received an unanimous welcome from the critics, these Chilean musicians are back in 2005 with a new album totally dedicated to this second side of their personality. Published jointly by the Musea and Mylodon labels, "Viajes" includes thirteen romantic and ethereal tracks. Cello is particularly represented there, beside acoustic guitar and many traditional percussions. This is music that takes you on a journey... "Live... Viajes Por El Crudo Patrimonio De Un Trio Entre Dos Mundos" is nothing else than the first TRYO DVD, recorded in Niteroi (Brazil) September 9th 2005, during the "Viajes" promotional tour. The two faces of the band are depicted here, electric and acoustic.
Argos [Musea]
Las Hadas No Vuelan Mas - II. El Agua De Frente [Musea]
The Musea label continues its exploration of unknown territories. If South-America has always been a traditional favourite, as far as Progressive rock is concerned, only a few Colombian artists chose to perform this kind of music. Originating from Medellin, JAEN KIEF decided it was enough. So, in that year 2006, the band publishes its first album, called "Las Hadas No Vuelan Mas - I. Vagas Nubes" (2006). This fascinating piece of art includes lots of amazing instrumental work, with vocals parts sung in Spanish by the charming Sol Beatriz JARAMILLO. Superb musicianship and top-notch songwriting makes this album one of the brighter spots of today's Latin American symphonic music scene.
Lost At Sea [Musea]
ANCIENT VISION play precious Progressive rock close to that of neglected local masters such as NOW, MAC ARTHUR, YEZDA URFA or CATHEDRAL. The band develops complex and inventive melodies, reminding of compositions of JETHRO TULL or YES. The singer's voice reminds inevitably of Ian ANDERSON's, and the music if full of rhythm and melody breaks and beautiful guitar solos. As a typical outfit of the revival of the early Nineties school, ANCIENT VISION had released two albums and then disappeared totally, as many of their fellow bands. And yet today in 2008, nearly fifteen years later, guitarist-keyboardist Tom MAY's band is back ! Published on the Musea label, "Lost At Sea" (2008) is the third studio opus of this outfit from Kansas City, Missouri. It includes eight tracks as four parts forming a concept-album built on a short story that's printed in the booklet along with the lyrics. This story deals with History from a high point of view, today's world confusion, struggles for power through religion or politics with increasing pollution generation. The music is more eclectic than ever, but remains faithful to symphonic musical structures and arrangements. Grandiose (Analogic) keyboards parts, first-rate guitar-keyboards dialogs, acoustic tracks with beautiful intensity and more rocky passages. ANCIENT VISION also added female vocals, saxophone, balalaika and mandolin parts... To be discovered !