Indo-Fusion Guitarist Rahul Mukerji's Debut Album "Ma De Re Sha" Receives Rave Reviews!

One of the most impressive albums of this year by Indo-Fusion guitarist Rahul Mukerji has been garnering enthusiastic reviews from the music press and fans alike worldwide! “Ma De Re Sha” was released in May 2017 and the response has been no less than astounding!

Says Rahul, “It has been an exhilarating experience seeing the positive reviews flood in and to see the album featured in prominent magazines and music outlets. I'm very grateful to the fans and people who helped make this album the success it has become.”

Rahul is a guitarist/musician based in Maryland, USA. Born in India, he has been performing live for over fifteen years. From dive bars and weddings, to crowds of thousands opening for the B-52s, he has had a varied performing career that has included gigs in Chicago, Boston, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and India.

Rahul has been featured on a wide array of recordings. His original pieces were featured in the short indie film “Tokyo Confidential.” His music was also featured on international and national radio stations and his compositions have been featured in various fractal and traditional animations videos and used in the official score for the Fractal Forums web episodes.

Rahul was featured in various publications like Songlines magazine, Pipeline magazine, and in 2008 Guitar Player Magazine Editors' Picks. He is also a guest Guitar Instructor on the Shred Academy website. In addition to music, Rahul is also an accomplished visual artist and regularly exhibits his work in the Washington metropolitan area. From the traditional to the digital domain, Rahul utilizes a wide array of mediums such as wood engraving, spray painting, pencil sketching, and computer fractal renderings.

From the source inspiration, to the concept, writing, arrangement, and its actual making, this project is truly a reflection of unity in diversity. This world fusion rock guitar album brings together flavors of Indian music, Middle Eastern percussion, jazz, ambient, rock, and metal. The compositions and the arrangements were inspired by interactions with people from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life, all filtered through the prism of Rahul's own multicultural upbringing between East and West. The actual making of the music involved coordination with musicians and mixing/mastering engineers living in the US, Germany, Spain, and France.



Here's what the press have been saying about Rahul Mukerji:

“His expressive guitar playing through 'Ma De Re Sha' demonstrates a dizzying range of technique and tone, while the compositions make a highly electrified fusion mix that borrows from Joe Satriani as much as John McLaughlin. These dynamic instrumental pieces stay most firmly rooted in rock mode, though it's an adeptly malleable one that always has room for exotic motifs. Mukerji's fretwork in any mode is fluid and buoyant enough to make his excitement contagious, and the result is an album happy to weave and blend all those elements until it's easy to forget they're so different at all.” - All About Jazz

“Indian born / Maryland-based guitarist Rahul Mukerji is making waves with his 2017 CD called 'Ma De Re Sha.' Rahul's music is very cinematic and his fleet fingered guitar work sounds influenced by masters such as Jeff Beck, Jan Akkerman and Al DiMeola.” - Pipeline Magazine

“Ambitious, varied and at times full of energy, 'Ma De Re Sha' has the feel of Indian cinematic music more so than Indian classical music.  And it is really good...the breadth of his interests and potential that makes this an exciting debut.” - Amardeep Dhillon, Songlines Magazine

“This cat can play. Many influences can be heard, but I want to give Mukerji more credit than that. He takes those influences, and in some cases, is an improvement over them. I highly recommend 'Ma De Re Sha' be listened to immediately and often thereafter.” - Walter Kolosky, Author and host of the Jazz Rocks Podcast

“...Perhaps the best parts of Mukerji’s playing are the emotional buoyancy and lightness of being that run through his writing and playing, even the heaviest parts. His melodies and grooves flow through the ears and leave behind a sense of bold and positive creativity. This makes him an emerging artist to contend with, one who should do well even beyond the guitar community. Buy this record tonight!” - Mike O’Cull, IndieBandGuru

“...a vertiginous mix of tasty colors. 'Ma De Re Sha' is a rapture throughout announcing the advent of a new force on the fusion scene.” - Dmitry M. Epstein, Let It Rock

“... twelve succinct tunes that showcase his compositions and chops, brilliant melodies and inventive arrangements, one foot in his Indian culture and the other foot firmly in American instrumental rock, drawing influences from both and freely superimposing them on each other...There's a lot of variety among these dozen cuts to absorb, all performed with impeccable power and precision.” - Peter Thelen, Exposé Online

“Mukerji combines powerful rock guitar hero licks with jazz-rock fusion, Middle Eastern beats and Indian music influences. He also uses a note bending technique that gives it a South Asian flavor and sets him apart from western guitar players.” - Progressive Rock Central

“Mukerji is an amazing guitarist and instrumentalist who is drawing comparisons to players as diverse and acclaimed as Joe Satriani, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Steve Vai on his 13-track debut 'Ma De Re Sha.'” - Sights and Sounds of Note

“...an effective set with some impressive guitar playing” - Gary Hill, Music Street Journal 
 
“...a fusion album of the highest quality of musical excellence.” - Exclusive Magazine

To purchase Rahul Mukerji's “Ma De Re Sha”: 
https://rahulmukerji.bandcamp.com/
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RahulMukerji

For more information: http://www.mukerji.us

Video links: 
Youtube Channel Shortlink: https://goo.gl/GfCfj0
Album teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtlsgYBEBeI
FB page Shortlink: https://goo.gl/YYbPUe

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Book "Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon" By Bill Kopp To Be Released February 15, 2018!

Asheville, NC - Available February 15, 2017 from Rowman & Littlefield Publishing: Bill Kopp's new book “Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon.” In celebration of the 45th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, Bill Kopp explores ingenuity with which Pink Floyd rebranded themselves following the 1968 departure of Syd Barrett. Not only did the band survive Barrett's departure, but it went on to release landmark albums that continue to influence generations of musicians and fans.

“Reinventing Pink Floyd” follows the path taken by the remaining band members to establish a musical identity, develop a songwriting style, and create a new template for the manner in which albums are made and even enjoyed by listeners. As veteran music journalist Bill Kopp illustrates, that path was filled with failed experiments, creative blind alleys, one-off musical excursions, abortive collaborations, a general restlessness and—most importantly—a dedicated search for a distinctive musical personality.

“Knowledgeable, well-informed, conscientious, and sensitive. Bill has written about what really matters. Bill's book is a great read, and well worth the price of admission.”— Jerry Shirley, drummer for Humble Pie

This exciting volume guides readers through the works of 1968 through 1973, highlighting key innovations and musical breakthroughs of lasting influence. Kopp places Pink Floyd into their historical, cultural, and musical contexts while celebrating the test of fire that took the band from the brink of demise to enduring superstardom.

“Bill Kopp's excellent analysis of Pink Floyd's post-Syd, pre-arenas era performs a valuable service to the Floyd canon.”— Joel McIver, bestselling rock author

The book draws on archival interviews and reviews as well as many new and exclusive interviews with Peter Jenner, Ron Geesin, Steve Howe, Jerry Shirley, Davy O'List, Willie Wilson, Robyn Hitchcock and many others.

“Combining research into their classic albums and a wealth of little-known and unofficial recordings with astute and entertaining analysis, Kopp generates fresh insight into Pink Floyd's formative years. Even longtime fans of the band will be surprised and enlightened.”— Richie Unterberger, author of “Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll”

Bill Kopp is a lifelong music enthusiast, musician, collector, and music journalist. His writing has been featured in music magazines including Bass Guitar, Record Collector, Prog and Shindig! (all in Great Britain), as well as Billboard, Electronic Musician, Goldmine, Trouser Press, Ugly Things and more than a dozen alternative weekly newspapers. He is the Jazz Desk Editor and Prog Editor at BLURT online, and has written liner note essays for 20 albums, including titles by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Larry Coryell, Edgar Winter, Rick Wakeman, The Ventures, Dave Mason and Iron Butterfly. He has interviewed several hundred musicians and music industry figures of note, and his musoscribe.com blog has features thousands of music reviews, essays, interviews and features.

“Reinventing Pink Floyd” will be available February 15 from independent bookstores and Amazon, but pre-ordering direct from the publisher saves 30%.

Author Bill Kopp is available now for interviews, and will be scheduling readings and book store appearances around the publishing date.

More information: 
http://www.reinventingpinkfloyd.com
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538108284

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leonardo Pavkovic's MoonJune Records Keeps Progressive Jazz & Fusion Alive - A Labor of Love With His One Man Operation

As legendary composer/musician Frank Zappa once said, “Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny.” That statement could still describe much of the “jazz” music being released today. However, it definitely does not apply to MoonJune Records!

Brutally independent MoonJune Records, operated by no more and no less than one person only -  multilingual globetrotter and renaissance man Leonardo Pavkovic (whose main activity consists in USA and international booking of artists not on MoonJune Records, in the genres of jazz, fusion, progressive and classic rock) - has landed at the 4th place in the DownBeat's 82nd Annual Poll (2017). DownBeat is the most prestigious Jazz magazine in the world. In 2016  MoonJune reached the 7th place in the same poll. It's an achievement for someone whose main activity is something else, while running label as a labor of love.



In celebration the label is offering FREE DOWNLOAD of MoonJune Jazz Sampler IT MUST BE JAZZ, 25 jazz & beyond jazz tunes chosen from 25 MoonJune Records' releases between 2001-2017.

To download the sampler, go to the link:
moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com/album/it-must-be-jazz
Enter “0” (zero) to download for free.
Tips and donations are appreciated. And please tell your friends!

SPECIAL OFFER: If You contribute $25 You will receive a complimentary bonus: 5 album downloads. Only album on the Sampler qualify for this offer. You must contact MoonJune via e-mail (noanoamusic@moonjune.com) and make Your selection.

Direct download (in WAV, FLAC, M4A, MP3-320 formats): moonjunerecords.bandcamp.com/album/it-must-be-jazz
All albums available in CD and Download formats, and multiple titles are also available on vinyl.

​​​​​​​MoonJune Records, accidentally established in 2001 by the urge to help an old friend, the legendary late Elton Dean, is an unusual rules-breaking record label, navigating in territories of progressive music exploring and expanding boundaries of Jazz, Rock, Avant, Ethno, The Unknown and Anything in Between and Beyond. Beyond genres but there is always a great dose of Jazz, and as Allan Holdsworth (R.I.P.), Alan Pasqua, Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman stated in their tune on MoonJune's seminal double live album Blues For Tony, no matter what -  IT MUST BE JAZZ!

​​​​​​​MoonJune Records is named after Soft Machine drummer Robert Wyatt’s famous 1970 epic “The Moon in June,” has already established a name for itself with “in the know” fans. Its focus is to release internationally-situated music by artists exploring the expanding boundaries of genuine, challenging, non-over-produced music that cannot be easily categorized into any specific format. MoonJune Records’ ongoing goal is to support music that transcends stylistic pigeon-holing, but operates within an evolutionary progressive musical continuum that places jazz at one end and rock at the other. The ever-expanding boundaries of these two musical categories have since come to include everything from progressive rock to ethno-jazz, from experimental avant-garde to jazz-rock, and anything in between and beyond.

Quoting Anil Prasad of Innerviews: This is a great overview of the ever-intrepid, genre-bending MoonJune label’s output that points towards, and far beyond, the jazz universe. The price is right. Download this thing and start a journey exploring one of the world’s most interesting catalogs of music.

John Collinge, editor of Progression Magazine says: Leonardo, the owner of the MoonJune Records label, is a guy often seen hobnobbing with the prog-rock and jazz-fusion intelligentsia at festivals and concert events worldwide — the man seems to know everyone, from everywhere. Small wonder that he’s a master at international networking with a globetrotting resume that likely boasts a king’s ransom in bonus miles.

Quoting the most recorded MoonJune artist, Belgian guitarist and composer Michel Delville (10 albums on MJR):  Leonardo Pavkovic is a discoverer of new sonic landscapes and a visionary manager capable of anticipating new developments in jazz and rock while maintaining his focus on the legacy of past revolutions. Because of his vision and erudition know no physical or mental boundaries, MoonJune might seem an oddity founded by a starry-eyed idealist, a rather utopian proposition in our increasingly prefab musical world. MoonJune is not just a record label pushing out alternative music. It feels more like a family of like-minded musicians keen to explore new grounds while collaborating with each other and engaging in a dialogue between the past and the present.

25 selected tune on IT MUST BE JAZZ sampler include:

1. Dwiki Dharmawan - Pasar Klewer (from the album Pasar Klewer)
2. Dusan Jevtovic - Yo Sin Mi (No Answer)
3. The Wrong Object - Saturn (Stories From The Shed)
4. Soft Works - Baker's Treat (Abracadabra)
5. Jason Smith - Up, Up And Away (Tipping Point
6. simakDialog - One Has To Be (Patahan)
7. Beledo - Marilyn's Escapade (Dreamland Mechanism)
8. Mark Wingfield - A Conversation We Had (Proof Of Light)
9. Vasil Hadzimanov Band feat. David Binney - Nocturnal Joy (Alive)
10. Talinka - Talinka (Talinka)
11. Doubt - The Invitation (Mercy Pity Peace & Love)
12. Iron Kim Style - Adrift (Iron Kim Style)
13. Soft Machine Legacy - Kings & Queens (Burden Of Proof)
14. Phil Miller In Cahoots - Press Find Enter (Conspiracy Theories)
15. Dewa Budjana - Erskoman (Joged Kahyagan)
16. Othello Molineaux - Havona (Gospel For J.F.P. III - Tribute To Jaco Pastorius)
17. Slivovitz - Barotrauma (All You Can Eat)
18. Savoldelli Casarano Bardoscia - The Great Gig In The Sky - Money (The Great Jazz Gig In The Sky)
19. Hugh Hopper - Some Other Time (Numero d'Vol)
20. Tesla Manaf - Counting Miles & Smiles (Tesla Manaf)
21. Wingfield Reuter Stavi Sirkis - Fjords de Catalunya (The Stone House)
22. Machine Mass feat. Dave Liebman - Centipede (Inti)
23. XaDu - The Place With A View (Random Abstract)
24. Tohpati Ethnomission - Mata Hati (Mata Hati)
25. Holdsworth Pasqua Haslip Wackerman - It Must Be Jazz (Blues For Tony)

Featuring 86 international musicians from different parts of the world: Abel Pabon, Alan Pasqua, Alex Maguire, Allan Holdsworth, Amy Tata, Aris Daryono, Asaf Sirkis, Beledo, Bill Jones, Bob Mintzer, Bojan Ivkovic, Boris Savoldelli, Branko Trijic, Chad Wackerman, Charles Hayward, Ciro Riccardi, Damien Polard, Dave Carpenter, David Binney, Dave Liebman, Demas Narawangsa, Dennis Rea, Derek Di Peri, Desal Sembada, Dewa Budjana, Diki Suwarjiki, Domenico Angarano, Dusan Jevtovic, Dwiki Dharmawan, Elton Dean, Endang Ramdan, Frank Harrison, Fred Baker, Fred Delplancq, Gary Husband, Gilad Atzmon, Hugh Hopper, Hul Hul, Indro Hardjodikoro, Izaak Mills, Jason Smith, Jay Jaskot, Jean-Paul Estievenart, Jenny Bliss, Jimmy Haslip, Jimmy Johnson, John Etheridge, John Marshall, Jonathan Joseph, Larry Goldings, Laurent Delchambre, Lincoln Goines, Marcello Giannini, Marco Bardoscia, Mark Fletcher, Mark Wingfield, Markus Reuter, Michel Delville, Miroslav Tovirac, Othello Molineaux, Pedja Milutinovic, Pete Lemer, Peter Erskine, Peter Sebastian, Phil Miller, Pietro Santangelo, Raffaele Casarano, Riccardo Villari, Riza Arshad, Robert Thomas, Jr., Roy Babbington, Rudy Zulkarnaen, Ryan Berg, Salvatore Rainone, Simon Fintch, Simon Picard, Steve Franklin, Tali Atzmon, Tesla Manaf, Thaddaeus Brophy, Theo Travis, Tohpati, Tony Bianco, Vasil Hadzimanov, Xavi Reija, Yaron Stavi.

For more information: www.moonjune.com

Press inquiries: 
MoonJune Records: noanoamusic@moonjune.com
Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

MOONJUNE MUSIC (BOOKING & MANAGEMENT)

MOONJUNE MUSIC (BOOKINGS & MANAGEMENT) has handled booking of almost 2000 shows since its formation in 2001. These shows have encompassed full tours, festivals, individual dates, clinics and workshops in more than 50 countries across the globe, specializing in tours in Latin America, Japan and Asia (68 tours in Japan since 2002).

Booking roster: STICK MEN (worldwide), LEVIN BROTHERS (worldwide), PETE LEVIN (worldwide), MÖBIUS feat. PETE LEVIN, LENNY WHITE, ALEX FOSTER, JEFF CIAMPA, IRA COLEMAN or TONY LEVIN, CHRIS PASIN or RANDY BRECKER, NANNY ASSIS (worldwide), SOFT MACHINE (formerly SOFT MACHINE LEGACY, worldwide), THE SECURITY PROJECT feat. JERRY MAROTTA & TREY GUNN (worldwide), GONG (North & South America except Brazil, Asia), GONG feat. STEVE HILLAGE (North & South America except Brazil, Asia), STU HAMM (North, Central & South America), SKOLHAMM ASYLUM feat. ALEX SKOLNICK & STU HAMM (North, Central & South America), HAMM & BERLIN feat. STU HAMM & JEFF BERLIN (North, Central & South America, Asia), JIMMY HASLIP ARC feat. SCOTT KINSEY (worldwide), SCOTT HENDERSON (North & Central America), WINGFIELD REUTER SIRKIS (worldwide), BELEDO (worldwide), NICOLAS MEIER (worldwide except UK), ASAF SIRKIS (North, Central & South America, Asia), GILAD ATZMON (North, Central & South America, Asia), YARON STAVI (North, Central & South America, Asia) DEWA BUDJANA (worldwide except Indonesia),  DWIKI DHARMAWAN (worldwide except Indonesia), BORIS SAVOLDELLI (worldwide except Italy & Russia), GARY HUSBAND (North, Central & South America, Asia), PFM (North America, Asia), LE ORME (North America, Asia), FRANCIS DUNNERY (Central & South America, Asia), JAN AKKERMAN (North, Central & South America, Asia), PHIL MANZANERA (North America, Asia).
Formerly booking & management for (R.I.P.) ALLAN HOLDSWORTH (2005-2016)
Coming up on the booking roster in 2018: OREGON (North America), RALPH TOWNER (North America).

Besides above mentioned artists, MoonJune Music has worked and works directly or via their booking or management representatives with: Alan Pasqua, Alex Machacek, Alex Maguire, Allan Holdsworth, Andy Summers, Anthony Crawford, Area, Arti & Mestieri, Asaf Sirkis, Banco, Beppe Crovella, Bill Bruford, Bill Simms Jr., Boris Savoldelli, Chad Wackerman, Corrado Rustici, Curved Air, D.F.A., Daevid Allen, David Cross, David Jackson, Davy Knowles, Dennis Chambers, Dennis Rea, Deus Ex Machina, Dewa Budjana, Discus, Disney On Ice, Doubt, Dušan Jevtović, Eddie Jobson, Elton Dean, Ernest Tibbs, Fabio Golfetti, Finisterre, Flash, Forgas Band Phenomena, Francis Dunnery, Garbage, Gary Boyle, Gary Husband, Gilad Atzmon, Guy Davis, Ernest Tibbs, Hatfield & The North, Hugh Hopper, Jeff Berlin, Jerry Marotta, Jimmy Haslip, Jimmy Johnson, Joe Lovano, Joey Alexander, John McLaughlin, John Tropea, Jon Hiseman’s Colosseum, Kamal Musallam, Ken Hensley, Latte E Miele, Le Orme, Lenny White, Markus Reuter, Mauro Pagani, Mel Collins, Michel Delville, Moraine, Nektar, New Trolls, Nicolas Meier, Osanna, PFM, Pat Mastelotto, Pete Levin, Phil Manzanera, Phil Miller In Cahoots, Renaissance, Richard Sinclair, Robby Krieger, Scott Henderson, simakDialog, Soft Moon, Status Quo, Susan Clynes, Terry Bozzio, Three Friends, Tohpati, Tony Levin, Trey Gunn, Vasil Hadžimanov, Virgil Donati, Xavi Reija, Yaron Stavi, Zhang Ling (Big John Blues),

During his association with 2 Plus Music & Entertainment (2010-2015, in partnership with the legendary Gentle Giant frontman and then successful mainstream music business impresario Derek Shulman), MoonJune's Leonardo Pavkovic has worked also with Billy Sheehan, Billy Sherwood, Bobby Kimball, Circa, Gary Cherone, Jake E Lee, John Sykes, Loudness, Mike Portnoy, Ron Mancuso, Texas Hippie Coalition, Tony Kaye, Whitesnake.

New PledgeMusic Campaign To Support the Recording & Filming of Rick Wakeman's "Live Portraits"

Pre-order experiences, albums, merchandise and much more!

Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will be recording a live version of his critically acclaimed album “Piano Portraits” at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. “Live Portraits” be released on CD/DVD later this year. A new PledgeMusic campaign has been started to help fund the recording & filming of the event!

Hello everyone.

Last year I released the studio album Piano Portraits which was really well received and went Top 10 in the UK for several weeks. . Over the past year I have been touring “Live Portraits” to sell out audiences, so as a lasting record I have decided to film and record a very special performance of “Live Portraits” at Lincoln Cathedral on 7th March 2018.

After the success of the “The Myth & Legends of King Arthur” campaign in 2016 here on PledgeMusic I have decided to again work directly with you the fans on bringing this one off concert and recording to life.

By working this way I can offer so much more in the way of experiences, signed memorabilia and different formats, and create exactly what I would like everybody to see and hear.

The concert will be based on many of the tracks from the Piano Portraits album plus many additional pieces, all embellished as can only be achieved in a staged live setting,.

Thank you in advance for supporting the campaign and I hope you enjoy what we create together.

Rick

The Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England is the seat of the Anglican bishop. Building commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period. It was the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1549), and the first building to hold that title after the Great Pyramid of Giza. The cathedral is the third largest in Britain (in floor area) and is highly regarded by architectural scholars. Part of the blockbuster film “The Davinci Code” was filmed there.

For more information and special packages being offered: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits

Rick Wakeman's official website: http://www.rwcc.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

"Greg Lake Live In Piacenza" Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl Now Available!

Manticore Italy Records is proud to announce the release of “Greg Lake Live In Piacenza” Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl! Recorded in sound-demonstration quality this is the documentary of Greg Lake's last tour, recorded on November 28, 2012 in a sold out Teatro Municipale in Piacenza. It was a very special, magical evening, as Greg remembered in his outstanding autobiography, Lucky Man. The audience was so warm and he gave such a passionate performance. The Mayor of Piacenza and all the municipality attended the concert and went on stage thanking Mr. Lake for opening the “Musiche Nuove in Piacenza” festival. The concert was a triumph and eventually on January 9, 2016 the trustees of Conservatorio Nicolini of Piacenza gave Greg Lake the first honorary degree ever given by a Conservatorio.

This is a wonderful record, bringing the “Songs Of A Lifetime” project to its highest point. Exclusively for this concert, Greg performed with 3 special guests: Le Orme's leader Aldo Tagliapietra, ex PFM and Acqua Fragile's great vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti and the young talented Annie Barbazza, making the Piacenza show even more special and rare. It was Greg's wish that a precious, audiophile limited edition would re-launch his Manticore Label.

One outstanding memory I have of performing Songs Of A Lifetime show in Europe was on 28 November 2012 in the small city of Piacenza in Italy. The concert took place at a wonderful theatre there, the Teatro Municipale, which looks rather like La Scala in Milan with beautiful gold balconies and crystal chandeliers. I love Piacenza, and the Conservatorio di MusicaGiuseppe Nicolini there awarded me an honorary degree in 2016 for the way that King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer helped to bring classical music into young people’s lives - what an honour.

The show at Teatro Municipale was recorded and I decided to release a special collector’s edition of it on vinyl. Somehow the event, the feeling of the music and the atmosphere all seem to be suited to being reproduced in this analogue way.

Max Marchini recorded and produced the concert in Piacenza and together with Max I decided to restore Manticore Records label for the production and distribution of high-quality vinyl recordings. - Greg Lake, from “Lucky Man - The Autobiography”


(photo by Franz Soprani)

“Greg Lake Live In Piacenza” is available as:
1) very limited double premium audiophile vinyl in 700 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
2) very limited CD in 1600 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
3) very limited Box Set in 500 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering containing: double vinyl in clear audiophile edition, CD in audiophile gold limited edition, 10 in-folio photographic prints, original concert poster and ticket, exclusive video DVD documentary of the concert, Greg Lake logo sticker.

Produced by Greg Lake and Max Marchini
Recorded by Alberto Callegari
Mixed and mastered at Elfo Recording Studios, Tavernago (PC)
Post Productions by Greg Lake and Annie Barbazza.

Tracklist:
01. 21st Century Schizoid Man
02. Lend Your Love To Me Tonight
03. From The Beginning
04. Heartbreak Hotel
05. Epitaph/In The Court Of The Crimson King
06. I Talk To The Wind
07. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
08. Touch And Go
09. Trilogy/Still... You Turn Me On
10. I Believe In Father Christmas
11. Shakin’ All Over
12. C’est La Vie
13. People Get Ready
14. Lucky Man (featuring Annie Barbazza, Bernardo Lanzetti and Aldo Tagliapietra)
15. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, part II)

Visit Manticore Italy Records to purchase “Greg Lake Live In Piacenza”: www.manticorerecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Classic 1983 Prog Album By The Gardening Club Reissued With Bonus Tracks!

Gonzo Multimedia has reissued the debut album by the Gardening Club! Originally released in 1983, this Prog influenced record was “the right album at the wrong time.” It has now been re-released with an additional five studio tracks complementing the albums original twelve tracks.

The CD package sports the original Gardening Club cover and includes a 24 page illustrated lyric booklet, created especially for this re-release by musician/artist, Martin Springett.

Says Martin, “I am thrilled that this music is finally seeing the light of day. I felt at the time that it was special, the perfect marriage of my art and music, influenced as I was by all the classic Prog music of my youth, and the wonderfully over the top and imaginative packaging. I have been in Canada for many years now, but as many listeners have told me, I have retained my 'English sound.'”

“The record sounds like the ‘70s; channels the aesthetic and narrative attributes of Middle Ages poetry and art; was released during the heyday of futurist pop, and is now being reimagined more than 30 years later.” - Jeff Low, Broken Pencil

“Now this is that classic prog rock sound that we all love so deeply and dearly...Just a gorgeous, inimitable, eternal album, that deserves to live forever.” - Julian Ryan, Discogs.com

Martin Springett was born in the U K but moved with his family to Canada in 1965. In 1969 in Vancouver he recorded an album of settings of Tolkien's poems from Lord Of The Rings and the Hobbit. Alas, Christopher Tolkien did not allow the record to be released. Martin played in bands and toured in Canada and the U S, but returned to England in 1971 to seek a record deal. He toured in Europe with a band called Gateway Driver, based in Hanover. Upon returning to Canada, a move to Toronto meant entering a new musical landscape and a Vancouver pal, Don Geppert, now a respected engineer in the Toronto music scene worked with Martin on an LP called The Gardening Club, which was released in 1983. Martin has continued to write create and record music in the intervening years, releasing six independent CD's.

Martin and his band mates, Norm Macpherson, producer and guitarist, and James Macpherson, drums and synths, recently completed a new Gardening Club album called The Riddle. Martin is now putting the finishing touches to the art that will accompany this record.

To purchase The Gardening Club: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/7049/Martin%20Springett

For more information: http://gardeningclubmusicandart.ca/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Holiday-Folk Review: Blackmore's Night-Winter Carols

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

Blackmore’s Night is ready to usher in the Holiday season with their latest release Winter Carols. They do it all like nobody else and that one factor makes it more intriguing. The perspective listener has an opportunity to enjoy some seasonal music in an entirely different way.

This band has had me mesmerized since day one. Richie Blackmore’s incredible guitar and his wife Candace Night who sings like an angel every step of the way, it just sweeps me away. Her voice is so warm and positive you cannot resist smiling and tapping your feet to all their music.

For me it takes awhile to get into the spirit of the Holidays every year because of the overuse of commercialism pushing over eating and over spending. I can forget about all that and focus on the music and those I love. I get there with a little help from these wonderful musicians delivering their very special music into my home. I have a lot of different emotions this time of year for many different reasons. Music helps me to smile inside and heal any hurt I may be feeling while thinking about those I have lost over the years.

This two CD set is a great way to kick off the Holiday’s and it did just that for me. Blackmore’s Night has a special blend of rock, folk and Celtic that takes the nod from some ancient tunes.  What is the best part of that? It is putting their own flavor and spin on the tracks and taking you on quite a musical journey to enjoy. They create a lot of their own music however they have reworked some from songs that were written centuries ago as well.

If all this great music was not enough, Candace sings “Christmas Eve” in German, and perfectly I might add. This is a band of musical perfectionist that know how to get it done in one take. If you listen to tracks from “Live from Minstrel Hall” you hardly can tell the difference between the polished studio work and live recordings. Of course, the live music allows for some interesting improvisation on more than one occasion. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live and it is truly an incredible experience.

Blackmore is a real craftsman and a master of the six-string. His acoustic playing is perfected and beautiful. Every once in a while, he cuts loose on the electric guitar reminding everyone that he can still rock if he chooses to. I always have enjoyed this music and prior to this band Deep Purple and Rainbow, in fact I still enjoy it all. 

Winter Carols is not only a worldwide tribute to Christmas it is a portrait of musical history intermingled with modern technologies. It is everything that I could have asked for to persuade me into the joy and love of the upcoming Holidays. I have a lot to be grateful for and that includes amazing music from one of the best bands in the world.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 6, 2017

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Tracks:
CD 1:
01. Deck the Halls
02. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
03. Oh Christmas Tree
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful
05. I Saw Three Ships
06. Winter (Basse Dance)
07. Ding Dong Merrily on High
08. Ma-o-Tzur
09. Good King Wenceslas
10. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts
11. We Three Kings
12. Wish You Were Here
13. Emmanuel
14. Christmas Eve
15. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

CD2:
16. Hark the Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful (Live from Minstrel Hall)
17. Emmanuel (Live from Minstrel Hall)
18. We Three Kings (Live from Minstrel Hall)
19. Ma-o-Tzur (Live from Minstrel Hall)
20. Good King Wenceslas (Live from Minstrel Hall)
21. Christmas Eve (2013 Version)
22. Christmas Eve (German Radio Edit)
23. Christmas Eve (English & German Radio Edit)
24. Christmas Eve (English Radio Edit)

PROG Magazine Premieres New Video By Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles!

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 20 years, is releasing their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions. The first of four videos is for the song “Clouds Motion” from Aisles' debut studio album, “The Yearning.” Says Aisles guitarist, Germán Vergara, “The reason why we chose to record 'Clouds Motion' is because, even though it's one of our oldest tunes, to this day it still represents all of us and it is one of the favorite songs of the audience that has followed us from the beginning of our career.”

UK's PROG Magazine has premiered Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”: http://teamrock.com/news/2017-12-05/watch-aisles-perform-clouds-motion-live-in-the-studio

Director Bernardo Quesney, renowned for his work with Chilean rock and pop artists like Gepe and Javiera Mena adds: “I had never worked with a band so meticulous in the performance of their music. Their songs are a journey, as they are not just about seeing Aisles play, but there is an actual musical conversation and a challenge between the instruments.”

Watch Aisles new video for “Clouds Motion”:

Aisles are currently closing the promotion cycle of “Hawaii,” their most successful album to date. “Hawaii” has been highly acclaimed by Chile's most important radio station (Futuro), by South America's largest rock magazine (Rockaxis) and by international media outlets such as PROG (UK), Neoprog (France) and All About the Rock (UK). In October 2016, the band visited Europe for the second time in their career, playing shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England. In 2017, Aisles went on their first US and Mexico tours, with appearances at Progstock (New Jersey), Progtoberfest (Chicago), and Fest Prog Jazz (Mexico City). Additionally, the band performed at the Marillion Weekend Chile and opened for Dutch prog legends Focus in Santiago.

Check out Aisles free compilation album download: http://bit.do/aisles-compilation

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

On Saturday December 9th, Aisles will be streaming their live show from Valparaíso at 9:00 PM CLST, 5:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM EST on this link: www.facebook.com/rockaxisonline



Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/
Upside Down video:

Club Hawaii lyric video:

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wishbone Ash The Vintage Years (1970-1991) Limited Edition Deluxe 30CD Box Set Available April 2018!

Authorised by all of the original band members!

In April 2018, Madfish celebrate Wishbone Ash, one of Britain’s most enduring and best-loved rock acts, by releasing a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.

Following decades of being starved of unreleased material from the true vintage years from Wishbone Ash, fans will soon be able to enjoy the long-awaited, remastered anthology from this esteemed and influential band in its pure quality in both musical and printed content.

This box set is strictly limited to 2,500 copies and includes all 16 studio albums between 1970-1991, all of which feature bonus material including rare album outtakes, B-sides and 12 previously unreleased studio tracks. These are presented in mini-gatefold sleeves. Three of the 16 albums are currently out of print on CD (Nouveau Calls, Here to Hear & Strange Affair). The box set will feature brand new cover artwork designed by Colin Elgie, the original designer behind the award-winning Live Dates sleeve artwork.

There are 3 original live albums (Live Dates, Live Dates Volume Two & Live in Tokyo) and 8 previously unreleased live albums (on 11 discs) recorded between 1973 & 1980.

1. Portsmouth Guildhall 1973 (2CD) from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour
2. Southampton University 1973 from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour
3. Edinburgh Usher Hall 1976 from the New England tour
4. Marquee Club 1977 from the Front Page News tour
5. Newcastle City Hall 1977 from the Front Page News tour
6. Bournemouth Winter Gardens 1978 (2CD) from the No Smoke Without Fire tour
7. Guildford Civic Hall 1980 (2CD) from the Just Testing tour
8. Chelmsford Odeon 1980 from the Blowin' Free tour

All music has been remastered from the original multitrack and ¼ inch tapes, sourced from Martin Turner and Andy Powell's personal collections, and from the Universal Music and Atlantic archives.

Accompanying this thorough collection of repertoire is a 156-page coffee table hardback book written by Classic Rock's Dave Ling, which includes personal photos, rare posters and flyers and collector's memorabilia.

Fans lucky enough to purchase this set also receive:
• 36-page poster book covering the early years through to Here to Hear.
• Four reproductions of original posters for:
Christmas at the Palace Dec 1973
Live Dates European tour – Hamburg Musikhalle 1974
Europe 1975 tour
Front Page News tour – Empire Pool Wembley 1977
• A Facsimile MCA debut album promo pack.
• A 7-inch flexi disc for the single “Blind Eye”, the first of the 11 Japanese singles series
• Individually signed photos of each band member.

Talking about the release, founder member Martin Turner explains, “I looked after most of these tape recordings for decades, wondering when they would ever see the light of day and I am very glad that they will at last be available for everyone to hear. I wanted to mix the live performances myself, but being a busy chap and not famous for my speediness, we decided to give it all to the wonderful Pete Reynolds whom I believe has done a brilliant job of mixing and remastering a massive collection of work. It's almost like having one's whole musical life in one box. It certainly represents the most comprehensive Wishbone collection that I know of and I hope you enjoy it.”

Andy Powell agrees, “It's truly amazing to look back at the musically fertile 70s and 80s and wonder at the sheer amount of incredible creative output from our band. We had great roots and a really strong blue-print for success. I feel blessed to have played my part in it all and I'm truly thankful that it's set the course for my entire life and all the music that's followed, as the band continues to live on into the 21st century.”

Rarely is an anthology of this quality ever released… Wishbone Ash: The Vintage Years is so comprehensive and lovingly-compiled, with such beautiful and quality accompanying material … if ever there was a box set not to miss, this is it!

For more information:
www.wishboneash.com
www.martinturnermusic.com ;
www.madfishmusic.com/wa

Press inquiries (North America only): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com