Friday, January 29, 2021

Chicago Prog Ensemble Sonus Umbra Release New Album “A Sky Full of Ghosts”

Sonus Umbra came to life in 1991, formed by a group of physics and math students in Mexico City who drew from their shared love for all things dark, hard rocking and melodic. 30 years later, now based in Chicago and including some of the most accomplished veteran musicians of the Chicago rock music scene, the band continues casting shadows made of sound.

Sonus Umbra has played many progressive rock festivals in North America, including RoSfest, ProgDay, FestivAlterNativo, Progtoberfest and Terra Incognita, toured Mexico and Canada with Discipline, and shared stages along the way with the likes of Spock’s Beard, PFM, Stick Men, Haken, Thank You Scientist, Necromonkey, Deus Ex Machina, Tiles and Glass Hammer.

The band’s new studio album “A Sky Full of Ghosts” concludes the journey that began with “Beyond the Panopticon” and closes a chapter in the band’s own journey. The new album is a milestone of elaborate and ferocious progressive rock, and yet it is also their most melodic material to date.

Part 1 (“Beyond the Panopticon”) tells a story about the misconceived identity of a nameless protagonist who reminisces about lost love and near misses with death until he suddenly discovers that all of these memories are false. As he awakens to the reality around him, he realizes things are not as they seem, and that he is being watched...

Part 2 (“A Sky Full of Ghosts”) starts with the protagonist at war with his identity and environment. He learns that he is on board a vessel, deep in space and very far from home. The date is unknown. His mission is to assist the AI that runs the vessel and keeps him healthy and alive as they search for an exoplanet suitable for human habitation. In his broken mind, he personifies the AI that watches over him as a supernatural adversary: the Lorelei, with a bewitching song that will eventually lure him to his death.

Ultimately, the protagonist realizes that the Lorelei was always his ally, and the Earth of his memories is long gone, its flora and fauna decimated and no longer able to sustain life, destroyed by humanity’s hubris and senseless greed. As denial gives way to acceptance, the album is a plea for reason to prevail: it is suicidal and insane to wage war against your ship, which is the only thing keeping you alive in space. This is true whether the ship is an artificial vessel or the planet we call home.

We are all in this together, and we all are the same in the dark.


Sonus Umbra:

Roey Ben-Yoseph: Lead Vocals
Rich Poston: Electric Guitar, Keyboards
Steve Royce: Flute, Keyboards
David Keller: Cello, Orchestral Percussion
Tim McCaskey: Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Andy Tillotson: Drums, Keyboards, Guitars, Sound Design
Luis Nasser: Bass, Keyboards, Sound Design

You can order the eight-panel digipak compact disc directly from the band and stream the songs at gotsonus.bandcamp.com.

The album is also available at select distributors or directly at shadowsmadeofsound.com/store.

For more information:
shadowsmadeofsound.com
facebook.com/sonusumbra
twitter.com/sonusumbra

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Writings By Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist Bill Rieflin in “Within Without” Now Available

New Annual Publication “Within Without” Shares Intimate Writings From Bill Rieflin - Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist With Bands Such As R.E.M, King Crimson, and Ministry

This landmark issue of an independent annual print publication series that shares intimate perspectives into the hearts and minds of creatives unfolds over 90 pages of Bill Rieflin's personal correspondence with the editor, Iona Singleton, as he shares his intimate thoughts during the last four years of his life, from 2016 until his passing on the 24th March 2020. His letters are beautiful, sarcastic, and disturbing. He imbues the mundane with the whimsical, searching for a deeper meaning amid his own illness and the death of his wife, Francesca.  

I think sharing is a natural aspect of human experience. Sharing who we are is an expression of love.” - Bill Rieflin

Rieflin’s writings are accompanied by images from an array of leading photographers and graphic artists. Each of them expresses their unique creative perspective on the theme ‘a space for change’ as a starting point for the distinct narratives that unfold throughout.

photo by Tony Levin

To purchase: https://www.withinwithout.co.uk/shop/p/within-without-volume-i

For more information: www.withinwithout.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Prog rock genius Simon Collins releases captivating album 'Becoming Human'


No stranger to the music industry, Simon Collins has spent his entire life in and around music. Returning with quite the masterpiece, 'Becoming Human' is a sensational album fuelled with prog rock, futuristic electronic pop and experimental fragrances. As the son of music legend Phil Collins, it's safe to say that music is in Simon's DNA. Armed with 12 tracks straight from a place of personal transformation, 'Becoming Human' comes in a time of need for the globe. With elements of relatability and individuality within the release, the album explores lyrical themes of personal loss, addictive and our place in the world. Lead by spine-tingling title track 'Becoming Human' - the track describes a journey of independence and discovering what it truly means to be human. 

Released on Frontiers Records, the release is for fans of Genesis, Juno Reactor, Steven Wilson and Peter Gabriel. It's the perfect release to stick on repeat, close your eyes and be transported to, what feels like, another galaxy. A refreshing release that still feels slightly nostalgic and paying ode to classic prog rock bands such as Genesis, 'Becoming Human' is authentic and comments on both's Simon's personal journey and Mankind as a whole.

Track list

1. Into The Fray
2. Becoming Human
3. The Universe Inside Of Me
4. Man Made Man
5. This Is The Time
6. Thoughts Become Matter
7. I Will Be Waiting
8. No Love
9. Living In Silence
10. 40 Years
11. So Real
12. Dead Ends

You can find Simon Collins at the following;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simoncollinspage 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoncollinsmusic/
Website: http://www.frontiers.it/album/5621
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GXoTDCcMmarUIZtrdrTa9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksb-mWH082M

Monday, January 25, 2021

STRAWBS Release New Studio Album “Settlement”

Released February 26, 2021

Esoteric Antenna is delighted to announce the release of the new studio album by the legendary band STRAWBS. “Settlement” is the latest album recorded by STRAWBS, more than 50 years on from the band’s first major label release. The album comes at a time of political and social upheaval, which the lyrics and melodies of the songs reflect. Undeterred by the fact that ‘business as usual’ was not possible because of the global COVID-19 pandemic – working remote from one another, from their own home studios – “Settlement” is a remarkable achievement.

David Cousins, leader of STRAWBS says: “‘Settlement’ is something extraordinary. I can’t think of another band who can go from metal grunge to the lilt of an Irish ghost story – or from a song in 6/8 time to singing in 4/4 over a 5/4 backbeat – in half an hour. The lyrics reflect the times we have been living through and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved.”

“Settlement” is produced by Blue Weaver who played with STRAWBS and Bee Gees in their 1970s heydays. The recording was coordinated from Blue’s studio in Germany, where he now lives. STRAWBS are David Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, Tony Fernandez and Dave Bainbridge. Special guests on the album are John Ford, another former member of STRAWBS, who lives in New York, Cathryn Craig, with her lovely voice and unmistakable Southern lilt, who lives in Northern Ireland, and bass player Schalk Joubert, with whom David Cousins performed in South Africa at the beginning of the year. The album will be available both on CD and 180 gram vinyl formats.

There comes a time when every Settlement is due!”

Track Listing:

1. SETTLEMENT
2. STRANGE TIMES
3. JUDGEMENT DAY
4. EACH MANNER OF MAN
5. THE VISIT
6. FLYING FREE
7. QUICKSILVER DAYS
8. WE ARE EVERYONE
9. CHORALE
10. CHAMPION JACK
11. BETTER DAYS (LIFE IS NOT A GAME)
12. LIBERTY

To pre-order:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/strawbs-settlement-cd-edition/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/strawbs-settlement-180g-vinyl-lp/

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

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Crossover Prog Review: Lunatic Soul-Through Shaded Woods (Deluxe Edition)

Release Date: November 13 2020

Label: Kscope

Website

Lunatic Soul was founded in 2008 in Warsaw, Poland, and to date, has released 7 studio albums, from the debut, Lunatic Soul in 2008 up to the album under review here, Through Shaded Woods earlier this year. Lunatic Soul is the creative vehicle for Marius Duda, the vocalist, and bassist for the Polish band, Riverside.


Through Shaded Woods is available as a single CD, a 2CD deluxe edition, as well as in vinyl and digital versions. The review is based on the deluxe version of the release.

Through Shaded Woods (Deluxe Edition) has 8 tracks and a total running time of just over 72 minutes (72:27) with the final track, “Transition II,” the longest at 27:45 minutes and the penultimate track, “Hylophobia” the shortest at just over 3 minutes (3:20).


Although being aware of both Riverside and Lunatic Soul and having featured tracks from Riverside on my radio show, I had never managed to “get into” Lunatic Soul releases, and I approached the review of Through Shaded Woods with no real expectations.

Regular readers of my reviews will be aware that I put a great deal of value on the opening track of releases, and am always looking for a hook, an amazing riff, basically something that “grabs your ears and shouts, Listen.”. Enter track 1 of this album, “Navvie” (4:03) and we find exactly what I am looking for. Obviously, folk-based and immersed in the more Nordic/Scandinavian folk arena, "Navvie” has a repetitive riff that becomes almost shamanic and in just over 4 minutes has succeeded in drawing the listener into a stunning mesmeric aural landscape.

Track 6, "The Fountain" (6:04), starts with a simple acoustic guitar, then Marius’s clear vocals take the track on and a piano appears in the background before moving to center stage. This is a beautiful, melodic track that flows along, carrying the listener along with it. As the song progresses there is the addition of some amazingly symphonic orchestration. Around the 4:40 minute point, there is a change to leave the piano theme to carry the track to its finale. This is another superb track from a stunning album.

The final track, “Transitions II” (27:45) is a real epic in terms of length and is a simply wonderful working and reworking of riffs and themes, reminiscent of Mike Oldfield. The original “Transitions” appears on Lunatic Soul II and initially, the opening of "Transitions II" harks back to this 2010 release. The additional instrumentation starts to suggest a change of direction and indeed, around the 4-minute mark, the “fuzzy” guitar starts the track moving into the realms of the aforementioned Mike Oldfield. For several minutes this style is maintained before moving into the sphere of New Age music, carrying the listener along with a minimalist soundscape style. The music is melodic, gentle, and intensely relaxing, before another change in style and direction nudging the 18-minute point when the piano takes on more responsibility and the other instrumentation washes in and out again, continuing the painting of an aural soundscape of gentleness, but different to that which had gone before. The track almost stops around the 21-minute mark and a very different picture comes into focus. The breathy vocals, or to be more correct, vocalizations, from Marius, float over an acoustic guitar theme and there is again a return to the folk area prevalent in “Navvie." This carries on until around 24:30 minutes when an ethereal choral section seems to appear, with an acoustic guitar theme in the background before the final section which harks back in time to a Gregorian chant before slowly fading away.

Through Shaded Woods is a superb release and well worth checking out. As I suggested early in this review, despite being aware of Lunatic Soul, I was not “into” the solo work of Marius. This album has changed my mind and I will now be revisiting the previous releases with more interest. Through Shaded Woods demands a place in many peoples’ CD collections, so grab a listen and see what you think

Jim “The Ancient One “ Lawson Prog Rock Music Talk Staff
January 22, 2021
 

Tracks:

1. Navvie (4:03)
2. The Passage (8:57)
3. Through Shaded Woods (5:51)
4 Oblivion (5:03)
5 Summoning Dance (9:52)
6. The Fountain (6:04)
7. Vyraj (5:32)
8. Hylophobia (3:20)
9. Transition II (27:45)

 

,br>

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Leading Figures Of Modern Electronic & Veteran Artists Rediscover & Revitalize The Music Of British Visionary ROBERT CALVERT!

Los Angeles, CA - Robert Calvert was one of the most charismatic and cutting-edge visionaries to emerge out of London's psych rock scene of the '60s & '70s, first as the frontman for the behemoth that is Hawkwind and later as a solo artist whose avant garde albums made him a highly influential art rock raconteur. And although mainstream recognition alluded Calvert during his career, a diverse and distinguished collection of nextgen artists along with several notable veterans are attempting to change that with a new remix project, called The Last Starfighter. The project features vintage Calvert tracks taken from both his solo albums as well as raw, unfinished demos, completely revamped by the likes of indie noise icons Xiu Xiu, chillwave group Small Black, post-punkers Soft Kill plus darkwave duos Xeno & Oaklander and Sixth June as well as veterans A Flock Of Seagulls and The Damned's Rat Scabies!

Xiu Xiu leader, Jamie Stewart, whose remix of “Marathon Man” is now available as a standalone single, shares this story about discovering Calvert’s music, “Around 2010 our tour manager, a continual fountain of musical exposure, introduced me to kosmische musik. Somehow I had gone my entire life before never having come across this world. During this tutelage, he professed one of his heroes, who is now also one of mine, to be Robert Calvert. We have listened to his forays into the beyond while driving across Europe in a van for years now. It was an incredible honor to be able to explore and touch one of his many masterpieces so thoroughly. I hope it was shown the love it deserves.”

The Last Starfighter will be available on both CD and gorgeous silver or purple vinyl in a gatefold jacket starting February 19 courtesy of Cleopatra Records!

Stream the single: https://orcd.co/robert_calvert_xiu_xiu_marathon_man

Pre-order the album: https://orcd.co/robert_calvert_the_last_starfighter

Track List:

CD

1. Over The Moon (A Flock Of Seagulls Remix)
2. Marathon Man (Xiu Xiu Remix)
3. Lord Of The Hornets (Rat Scabies Remix)
4. Acid Rain (Black Plastic Remix)
5. The Luminous Green Glow of the Dials of the Dashboard (At Night) (Antoni Maiovvi Remix)
6. Hidden Persuasion (Xeno & Oaklander Remix)
7. Thanks To The Scientists (Sixth June Remix)
8. I Hear Voices (Soft Kill Remix)
9. Subterraneans (Small Black Remix)
10. Marathon Man (Ritual Howls Remix)
11. Work Song (The KVB Remix)
12. Ned Ludd (Die Krupps Remix)
13. Over The Moon (Xiu Xiu Remix)
14. Working Down A Diamond Mine (Crying Vessel Remix)
15. All Machines Are Quiet (Andre Obin Remix)
16. Ambitious (Nite Remix)
17. Teen Ballad Of Deano (Inhalt Remix)
18. Telekinesis (S Y Z Y G Y X Remix)
19. Flight 105 (European Ghost Remix)

VINYL

SIDE A

1. Over The Moon (A Flock Of Seagulls Remix)
2. Marathon Man (Xiu Xiu Remix)
3. Lord Of The Hornets (Rat Scabies Remix)
4. Acid Rain (Black Plastic Remix)
5. The Luminous Green Glow of the Dials of the Dashboard (At Night) (Antoni Maiovvi Remix)

SIDE B

1. Hidden Persuasion (Xeno & Oaklander Remix)
2. Thanks To The Scientists (Sixth June Remix)
3. I Hear Voices (Soft Kill Remix)
4. Subterraneans (Small Black Remix)
5. Marathon Man (Ritual Howls Remix)

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


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com
Facebook @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.facebook.com/CleopatraRecords/
Instagram @cleopatrarecords
https://www.instagram.com/cleopatrarecords/
Twitter @cleopatrarecord
https://twitter.com/cleopatrarecord
Youtube @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopQ0616Fpfrq8Gt0N-0zOQ
Soundcloud @cleopatra-recs
https://soundcloud.com/cleopatra-recs
Dailymotion @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.dailymotion.com/CleopatraRecords
Vimeo @cleopatrarecords
https://vimeo.com/cleopatrarecords
Spotify @cleopatra_recs
https://open.spotify.com/user/cleopatra_recs
Linkedin @cleopatra-records
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleopatra-records

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Richard Barbieri (Japan, Rain Tree Crow, Porcupine Tree) Returns With His New Album 'Under A Spell'

Released on Kscope on 26th February

(photo credit – Carl Glover)

The man whose illustrious career began in the late 70s with synth-pop visionaries Japan and more recently as a member of influential art-rock band Porcupine Tree follows up 2017's Planets + Persona with new album Under A Spell.  

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE:

Richard Barbieri didn’t plan to make an album like Under A Spell, originally intended his fourth solo album to be a direct follow from its predecessor, 2017’s Planets + Persona.

That record, made in different studios across Europe and heavily incorporating live performances from a range of musicians, was adventurous and bold, showcasing Barbieri’s endlessly inventive song writing and mastery of electronic music. The follow-up would pick up where it left off, journeying further into the expansive terrain he mapped out on the previous record. And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and everything changed. “I wrote and recorded it in my studio at home, with all this strangeness going on outside,” says Barbieri of Under A Spell. “It became something completely different: this weird, self-contained dream-state album.”

On Under A Spell, Barbieri was intent on capturing the atmospheres and moods that his disconnected brain was conjuring rather than slaving over arrangements and melodies. Songs such as ‘Flare’, ‘Serpentine’, ‘Sleep Will Find You’ and its companion piece-of-sorts ‘Darkness Will Find You’ are sharply defined despite their dream-inspired genesis. He points to the evocative opening and closing tracks, ‘Under A Spell’ and ‘Lucid’, as the keys that unlock the album. “Those two tracks have the whole meaning within them,” he says. “The first song, ‘Under A Spell’, is leading you down a path, moving into places where you’re not sure what’s going on. There are whispers in the background, spells being cast in a deserted wood. Then the final track, ‘Lucid’, is the opposite. You’re in this comforting lucid dream, but then you're drifting further away from it, trying to come out of it. There are voices saying: ‘Wake up, wake up, come back alive...’”

Listeners will be able to make out those voices but there are no vocals, these voices, collaborators, include Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth and Swedish singer Lisen Rylander Love (who co-wrote ‘A Star Light’).

The album’s title perfectly encapsulates the haunting, evocative world Barbieri has created. Songs such as the skittering, billowing ‘Clockwork’ and ‘Sketch 6’s dub-inspired soundscape hang suspended in that strange half-world between sleep and waking – a subconscious reflection of the surreal state the planet has found itself in over recent months. “I was having a lot of bizarre, recurring dreams that were hanging around after I woke up,” says Barbieri. “They were based around this woodland pathway, which is really summed up by the album cover – this surreal, deserted, Blair Witch Project type of environment. You’re going through these woods, heading towards this light, almost like you’re leaving life. That’s where the title Under A Spell came from – it was a feeling of not being totally in control. Almost as if your dreams are pointing you in directions that sometimes you can control and sometimes you can’t.”

As ex-founder of Japan, the new-wave pioneers and one of the most ground-breaking bands of their era, Richard Barbieri helped spark the electronic music revolution that followed, his synthesiser sound not only defined the band but influenced the likes of The Human League, Duran Duran, Gary Numan and Talk Talk. Following Japan’s split, Barbieri joined Steven Wilson to form the legendary progressive outfit Porcupine Tree, that saw him play on nine of the band’s albums, including 1999’s Stupid Dream, 2002’s In Absentia and 2007’s acclaimed Fear Of A Blank Planet. Following PT’s hiatus Barbieri has pursued a solo career, releasing albums that include 2005’s Things Buried, 2008’s Stranger Inside and 2017’s Planets + Persona, as well as his recent EP series, Variant.1-5.

Barbieri's willingness to constantly redefine his own musical boundaries are never more evident than on the brilliant, hypnotic Under A Spell – the latest milestone on this utterly unique journey.

Under A Spell tracklisting
1. Under A Spell [07:19]
2. Clockwork [02:33]
3. Flare 2 [08:51]
4. A Star Light [03:50]
5. Serpentine [06:22]
6. Sleep Will Find You [02:51]
7. Sketch 6 [06:30]
8. Darkness Will Find You [04:58]
9. Lucid [06:14]

Under A Spell will be released on Kscope on 26th February, on CD,  gatefold double black vinyl LP, limited edition gatefold double red vinyl LP (exclusive to the Kscope store) and digitally with pre-orders available HERE https://RichardBarbieri.lnk.to/UnderASpell

For Hi-res images please go to www.kscopemusic.com/media/richardbarbieri

Follow Richard Barbieri:
https://www.facebook.com/RichardBarbieriOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/richardbarbieri_music
http://kscopemusic.com/artists/richard-barbieri

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Monday, January 18, 2021

Be-Bop Deluxe “Drastic Plastic” 4CD/2DVD Deluxe Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released February 26, 2021

• A DELUXE 6 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1978 FINAL STUDIO ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 88 TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, NON-ALBUM SINGLES, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BILL NELSON DEMOS, A BBC RADIO JOHN PEEL SESSION AND THE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” PERFORMANCE FOR RADIO IN JANUARY 1978
• ALSO INCLUDES A VISUAL DVD FEATURING BILL NELSON’S HOME MOVIES OF THE DRASTIC PLASTIC SESSIONS AND THE 1978 BBC TV “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” BROADCAST
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered six-disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 4 CDs and two NTSTC – Region Free DVDs) of “Drastic Plastic” the classic 1978 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

“Drastic Plastic” would be the final Be-Bop Deluxe album and was recorded in the summer of 1978 in the South of France at The Villa Saint Georges, Juan-les-Pins, utilising the Rolling Stones mobile studio, with final sessions taking place at The Manor Studio and Abbey Road Studios. The record saw BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLES TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums) venture into new musical styles, with the album being ground-breaking in its move to more “art rock” and “new wave” influences. In many ways it can be seen as the signpost to where Bill Nelson would head with his RED NOISE project with a desire to continue to progress as an artist by pushing musical boundaries.

Co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE, “Drastic Plastic” was another hit album in both the UK and the USA and featured such classic material as “Electrical Language”, “Panic in the World”, “New Mysteries”, “Islands of the Dead” and “Surreal Estate”. The recording sessions produced many more tracks which would appear as singles (such as Japan) and others that were originally planned for release as an EP set (“Autosexual”, ‘Lovers are Mortal”, “Speed of the Wind”, “Quest for the Harvest of the Stars”, “Face in the Rain”), all of which eventually appeared on the retrospective compilation “The Best of & the Rest Of”… later in 1978.

This expanded deluxe reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 88 tracks, (43 of which are previously unreleased), drawn from stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio John Peel Show session from January 1978, along with a CD of Bill Nelson’s previously unreleased demos for the album, “A Feeling of Playing”.

Also included is an additional DVD featuring Be-Bop Deluxe in the South of France, (a collection of Bill Nelson’s 8mm home movies shot whilst recording “Drastic Plastic”) and the band’s Sight & Sound In Concert performance for BBC TV from 1978.

Another highlight of this limited-edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Drastic Plastic” is a fitting tribute to the creative vision of Bill Nelson and the musicianship of Be-Bop Deluxe.

Track List:

DISC ONE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX REMASTERED

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE
2. NEW PRECISION
3. NEW MYSTERIES
4. SURREAL ESTATE
5. LOVE IN FLAMES
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES
10. POSSESSION
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD
BONUS TRACKS
12. JAPAN
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO
14. PANIC IN THE WORLD (SINGLE EDIT)
15. BLUE AS A JEWEL
16. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (SINGLE VERSION)
17. LOVE IN FLAMES (SINGLE VERSION)
18. FACE IN THE RAIN (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)
19. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (TAKE FOUR) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
20. THE SAXOPHONIST (JUAN LES PINS VERSION) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC TWO:
ADDITIONAL TRACKS & SESSIONS

1. AUTOSEXUAL
2. LOVERS ARE MORTAL
3. BLIMPS
4. SPEED OF THE WIND
5. QUEST OF HARVEST FOR THE STARS

RECORDED AT THE MANOR STUDIO, AUGUST 1977 FOR AN INTENDED EP

6. NEW PRECISION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
7. SUPERENIGMATIX (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
8. POSSESSION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
9. DANGEROUS STRANGER (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
10. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
11. PANIC IN THE WORLD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
12. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
13. LOVE IN FLAMES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
14. BLAZING APOSTLES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” – 19th JANUARY 1978

15. SUPERENIGMATIX (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
16. POSSESSION (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
17. PANIC IN THE WORLD (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
18. LOVE IN FLAMES (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION –
30th JANUARY 1978

DISC THREE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE NEW STEREO MIXES

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. NEW PRECISION (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. NEW MYSTERIES (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. SURREAL ESTATE (NEW STEREO MIX)
5. LOVE IN FLAMES (NEW STEREO MIX)
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING) (NEW STEREO MIX)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. POSSESSION (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (NEW STEREO MIX)

SINGLES AND EP TRACKS
12. JAPAN (NEW STEREO MIX)
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO (NEW STEREO MIX)
14. BLUE AS A JEWEL (NEW STEREO MIX)
15. AUTOSEXUAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
16. FACE IN THE RAIN (NEW STEREO MIX)
17. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
18. SPEED OF THE WIND (NEW STEREO MIX)
19. QUEST FOR THE HARVEST OF THE STARS (NEW STEREO MIX)

For more information:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-4cd-2dvd-deluxe-box-set/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-2cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

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

Friday, January 15, 2021

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION Launch “Your Heart Will Find The Way” – The Second Track From Upcoming Album 'Halcyon Hymns'

Downes Braide Association (DBA) have announced the release of “Your Heart Will Find The Way” - the second track to be taken from their forthcoming album Halcyon Hymns. Watch the video here: 

Chris Braide says: “Your Heart Will Find The Way has an almost YES like quality of all the songs from Halcyon Hymns I feel, in that it's very up and direct. It’s also a great example of how Geoff and I will sometimes write. Geoff sent me the verse chord progression and the riff and then I added the chorus chord progression and the melody just fell out on top of those two elements. The brooding verse and majestic riff coupled with the uplift of the chorus dictated the lyric which is about listening to your inner voice and trusting your gut instinct to navigate you out of adversity…It’s a positive self-affirmation of a song.”

A few words from Geoff: “It was such a joy to hear the basic idea I sent Chris for ‘Your Heart Will Find A Way’ turn into something of a mini-epic. The masterful development of the rhythm section of Ash & Andy really enhances the track and brings it to life. It has become something of a feature of mine and Chris’s songwriting where the verse (in the minor key) sets the mood of the piece only to climax into an upbeat chorus (in the major). Here is a good example I believe of how we mix pathos with positivity – but ultimately delivering the overall message as one of hope and promise. It could be about a relationship, or indeed about having a belief and confidence in yourself that will eventually succeed. It’s for the listener to relate to and hopefully feel the strength of the message contained within.

Halcyon Hymns is the fifth DBA collaboration and follows their previous critically-acclaimed studio albums Pictures of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015) and Skyscraper Souls (2017). The duo also released Live In England (2019) recorded at their first ever concert at Trading Boundaries, East Sussex, in 2018.

Here’s the video to the first track that was released in December, “Love Among The Ruins”: 

About Downes Braide Association

Downes Braide Association was formed as a studio-based project by Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and has now produced three studio albums: Pictures Of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015) and Skyscraper Souls (2017) and a live album Live In England (2019). The project draws on Downes’ and Braide’s rich musical heritage to create a delightfully accessible brand of classic rock.

Keyboard wizard Geoff Downes was thrust into the limelight with the worldwide success of “Video Killed The Radio Star” in 1979. The single topped the charts chart in 16 countries for The Buggles duo of Geoff and Trevor Horn (vocals, bass guitar). They briefly joined prog legends YES before Downes became a founder member of the supergroup Asia with YES guitarist Steve Howe, ELP drummer Carl Palmer and the late John Wetton (vocals, bass guitar). The Wetton-Downes composition “Heat Of The Moment” became a world-wide hit in 1982 heralding many years of success for Asia with their FM radio-friendly brand of rock. Downes later rejoined YES in 2011 and remains with the band alongside Steve Howe.

British singer-songwriter-pianist Chris Braide has recently returned to UK shores after many years based in California. He enjoys enormous success writing and producing music for film scores, advertising campaigns and working closely with artists including Sia, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Britney Spears and Marc Almond.

Downes Braide Association: “Your Heart Will Find A Way” on Halcyon Hymns is released on 15th January 2021 and is now available to order from Cherry Red Records:
CD/DVD https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-cd-dvd-edition/
2LP White Vinyl:  https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-halcyon-hymns-limited-edition-2lp-white-vinyl/

For more information:
Twitter: @TheRealDBAMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downesbraide
www.downesbraide.co.uk
www.christopherbraide.com
www.geoffdownes.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

The “Daevid Allen Family Trust” (D.A.F.T) Preserves Daevid Allen’s Legacy of Poetry, Music & Hand Drawn Illustrations - Come and Be Daft!

In 2015 Gong legend Daevid Allen sadly passed away at the age of 77. He is survived by his four sons Toby, Orlando, Tali, & Ynys. Prior to his passing Daevid set up the “Daevid Allen Family Trust” or D.A.F.T. for short for his children. The aim and focus with D.A.F.T. is to preserve Daevid’s legacy of Poetry, Music & Hand Drawn Illustrations for the fans and future generations in one place.

And now we are happy to announce that 2021 is the year to be D.A.F.T!

First of all, the web store .... is now open selling a wide selection of official D.A.F.T. merchandise and music.

Secondly, we are also happy to announce that there will be a box set coming soon called “Deya Dreaming” which is a collection of unreleased music from Daevid’s time in Deia, Mallorca.

2021 promises to be a busy year with a lot more stuff to come!

Daevid Allen, who sometimes was credited as Divided Alien, Captain Capricorn and Dingo Virgin, was an Australian poet, guitarist, singer, composer and performance artist. He was co-founder of legendary music groups Soft Machine and Gong. He left Gong in 1975 to begin a solo career (though his first solo album, “Banana Moon,” was released in 1971 while he was still in the band). Daevid went on to release several innovative solo albums over the next 4 decades. His solo work also included collaborations with artists like Kramer, Acid Mothers Temple, and California-based bands University of Errors and Spirits Burning. Daevid would also record and tour with various incarnations of Gong throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s. Daevid continued to release numerous live sets and one-off collaborations in limited editions on various independent labels under his own and various group names up until his passing in 2015.

D.A.F.T. official website: https://www.musicglue.com/daevid-allen-family-trust-daft/

For more information: contact the UK Representative Chris Thomson on +44 7584 176565 or Thomson.chris@icloud.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

exo-X-xeno Collaborative Project Blasts Off with Expansive Single, “Onward Love,” Feat. Craig Maher, Billy Sherwood, Jay Schellen, and Legendary Keyboardist Patrick Moraz

On January 15, 2021, progressive rock project exo-X-xeno launches its debut single of  aspiration and hopefulness, called “Onward, Love.” The song release, along with a companion inspirational promo video, pushes the prog rock boundaries of space and time with expansive, melodious vocals and sonic instrumental layering - all accomplished with a star-studded roster of musical greats.

About exo-X-xeno

Founded by composer, vocalist and guitarist Craig Maher, exo-X-xeno is a musical constellation consisting of bassist and backing vocalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, Toto and Conspiracy with Chris Squire), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Yes and Asia), and legendary keyboardist Patrick Moraz (Refugee, Yes and The Moody Blues). The group’s plan is to release a series of singles throughout 2021 that will be fused into a new  conceptual album (designed by Maher), entitled, Luminous Voyage.

“Exo-X-xeno is about crafting adventurous conceptual compositions into amalgamated tapestries. I want the listener to think and feel on a deeper level…to elevate and go beyond where they wish to go…to let them paint their own life’s experiences into the narrative of the song,” says Maher.


About Craig Maher, Founder of exo-X-xeno

Craig Maher’s musical journey as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, and recording and visual artist is sprinkled with celestial eclecticism. Throughout his 30 years of playing, studying and composing guitar-based music, he released two records, Through the Garden of Temptation, and Propel (2009). He composed the music score for the film Brooklyn Lobster, with Danny Aiello and Jane Curtin (2005). Maher has performed in a plethora of venues spanning from the U.S. to Europe and is looking forward to touring with exo-X-xeno in the near future.

What’s Ahead

The year 2021 already looks to break through the stratosphere with the upcoming release of another exo-X-xeno single entitled, “Vitruvian Man,” featuring the  Maher/Schellan/Moraz lineup, to be accompanied by another video launch.

The single “Onward, Love” will be available for digital download on January 15, 2021, with limited CD printed versions released on Shine-ON Records coming in the spring.

Contact, Purchase and Follow info:
exo-X-xeno website store: https://exo-x-xeno.com/store
Bandcamp Page: https://exo-x-xeno.bandcamp.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/exoXxeno
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC65FzNYu83Bzj2XpRlZRi5Q

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

World’s Largest Prog Rock Supergroup THE PROG COLLECTIVE Preview New Album With First Single “Two Trajectories” Featuring GEOFF TATE!

Album features performances by Todd Rundgren, Derek Sherinian, Jan Akkerman, Steve Hackett, Steve Hillage, Patrick Moraz, Sonja Kristina, Joe Lynn Turner, L. Shankar, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Roine Stolt, Graham Bonnet, David Johansen and more!

Los Angeles, CA - The prog rock supergroup The Prog Collective, spearheaded by much heralded producer/musician and member of prog royalty Yes, Billy Sherwood, returns with a timely and magnificent new studio album, Worlds On Hold! This is the first release under the Prog Collective moniker since 2013’s Epilogue, which was the follow-up album to the massively popular self-titled debut album released in 2012. Just as with those previous efforts, Sherwood has gathered some of the most proficient and prolific artists from all over the globe including Rock Hall Of Fame nominee Todd Rundgren, Rock Hall member Steve Hackett (of Genesis), founding guitarist of Dutch legends Focus Jan Akkerman, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, electric violinist L. Shankar, renowned keyboardist and former Dream Theater member Derek Sherinian, and so many more!

For Worlds On Hold, producer and band leader Billy Sherwood chose to split the album between new compositions on one side and spectacular versions of familiar classics on the other. The songs covered include Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill,” Alan Parson’s Project’s “Eye In The Sky,” Procol Harem’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and The Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin.” In addition, the set includes 3 previously released bonus tracks of Billy Sherwood produced cover versions. It truly is the best of both worlds!

For a taste of what’s in store, check out the album’s first single “Two Trajectories” featuring founding vocalist for prog metal icons Queensrÿche, Geoff Tate, which has been released as a digital single. The song is a complex and moving composition that showcases not only Tate’s incredible range but also the sleek and stupefying guitar work of superstar shredder Ron Thal.

Sherwood declares, “It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Geoff Tate on the song. He brought so much emotion and character to the vocal. I’m looking forward to people hearing this track along with all the others on the new Prog Collective record!”

The feeling is mutual for Tate, who says “Yes was one of my earliest influences and working with Billy was very special to me. I loved singing the track ‘Two Trajectories.’”

Listen to the single: https://orcd.co/the_prog_collective_geoff_tate

Worlds On Hold will be available on digital as well as CD and in a deluxe 2LP gatefold set with colored vinyl starting February 5!

Pre-order the album: https://orcd.co/the_prog_collective_worlds_on_hold

Track List:
1. Worlds On Hold feat. Todd Rundgren & L. Shankar
2. Two Trajectories feat. Geoff Tate & Ron Bumblefoot Thal
3. Anything But Goodbye feat. Jon Davison & Patrick Moraz
4. Meant To Be feat. Jan Akkerman & Billy Sherwood
5. Brave New World feat. Sonja Kristina & Steve Hillage
6. Glory Days Ahead feat. Arjen Anthony Lucassen & Steve Hackett
7. Solsbury Hill feat. Roine Stolt & Billy Sherwood
8. A Whiter Shade Of Pale feat. Graham Bonnet & Derek Sherinian
9. Eye In The Sky feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Martin Barre
10. Nights In White Satin feat. David Clayton-Thomas & Geoff Downes
BONUS TRACKS
11. Penny Lane feat. John Wetton
12. More Than A Feeling feat. Alan White, Tony Kaye & Billy Sherwood
13. People Are Strange feat. David Johansen

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


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Follow PURPLE PYRAMID  @
Facebook |  Instagram  | Twitter | Youtube | Purple Pyramid Store
Facebook @PurplePyramidRecords
https://www.facebook.com/PurplePyramidRecords/
Instagram @Purple.pyramid
https://www.instagram.com/purple.pyramid/
Twitter @PurplePyramid1
https://twitter.com/PurplePyramid1
Youtube @ Purple Pyramid
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiCec6bS6mX3c7dpitfYRQ
Purple Pyramid Store @
https://cleorecs.com/store/product-category/record-label/purple-pyramid/

Monday, January 11, 2021

MAGMA RETROSPEKTIW I - II – III plus Bonus Track (3CD) Remastered Edition Now Available!

Featuring bonus track of more than 15 minutes - the first studio recording of the song “Rétrovision”!

It was at the Olympia in June 1980 that the 10th anniversary of Magma was celebrated during three memorable evenings.

This retrospective, bringing together most of the musicians who were part of the group, saw the light of day in the form of 2 albums, one double, Retrospektïw 1/2 the other single, Retrospektïw 3 which was, despite its numbering, published in first. Three titles make up the menu of this Retrospektïw 3: “Retrovision,” a long piece in the continuity of the spirit of the music of the album Attahk, where, on a hellish train, the voices of Stella Vander, Guy Khalifa and Maria Popkiewicz display an astonishing ease, “Hhaï,” in a supercharged version where the Lockwood/Paganotti/Widemann trio performs wonders, and finally “La Dawotsin” where, in a much calmer register, the voice of Christian Vander captivates by its mastery and its depth sensitivity.

A bonus of more than 15 minutes appears on this reissue, it is the first studio recording of the song “Rétrovision,” a pre-production demo for a studio album made in January 1980. Finally, “Rétrovision” will never exist in a studio version.

Recorded as Retrospektïw 3 during the evenings of the Olympia in June 1980, Retrospektïw 1/2 is a fundamental album insofar as it finally presents “Theusz Hamtaahk,” the first movement of the trilogy of the same name, of which we already knew the second movement, “Ẁurdah Ïtah,” as well as the third, “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh.”

A piece performed on stage since 1974, “Theusz Hamtaahk” waited years before being engraved for eternity, because Christian Vander wanted each note to be beautiful, magical, essential and definitive. It is with the same respect for the music that he also offers us on this double album a magnificent version of “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh,” a version which allows itself two great moments with the hallucinating improvisations of Bernard Paganotti and Didier Lockwood. Klaus Blasquiz, who did not appear on the Retrospektïw 3 album, provides lead vocals this time.

Without a doubt, Magma has left the legacy of constantly evolving music, which defies all standards and connivance of rock, evolving in a universe of their own creation.

AVAILABLE JANUARY 25, 2021

To pre-order: https://www.seventhrecords.com/en/magma-19/magma-retrospektiw-i-ii-iii-bonus-1303.html

For more information:
Magma's official website: www.magmamusic.org
Seventh Records: www.seventhrecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Thursday, January 7, 2021

New SYD BARRETT Tribute Celebrates 50 Years Since The Release of “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett”

“LOVE YOU – a tribute to SYD BARRETT” celebrates 50 years since the release of “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett”. The double CD box will be released by the prestigious English label Gonzo Multimedia on the 6th of January, 2021. 75 years exactly from Syd’s birth. “LOVE YOU” is a song recorded by Syd in 1970. It’s included in “Barrett”, the second solo album of his.

The new tribute also includes two particularly significant bonus tracks too: “Astronomy Dominé” and “Vegetable Man” characterizing the beginning and the end of Syd’s Floydian era.

Every single note in these two CD’s has been expressed with love. Love shown by the artists who took part by arranging Syd’s music in their own way.

Our project is to collect, for the first time, all the songs Syd Barrett recorded after his experience with Pink Floyd. To realize it we invited many artists from various parts of the world - Italy, Mexico, France, Ireland, UK, USA, Sweden, Japan, Belgium Germany, The Netherlands - and asked them to choose one song and rearrange it in their own way.

Among them and without detracting from the others, we would like to mention:  

Luca Ferrari: journalist and writer; one of the first in the world to publish fanzines, articles and books about Syd.

Dave Harris: former lead singer of “Fashion” he is well known to Pink Floyd fans thanks to ZEE:IDENTITY, the album he released in 1984 – and  recently reprinted - together with Pink Floyd’s keyboard player Richard Wright.

John Cavanagh: Voiceover artist, broadcaster, musician, record producer, writer and performer. He is the author of the book “The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn” about the making of the first Pink Floyd album. The book was published in 2003 in the UK and then translated in many languages; Italian and Chinese among them.

Men On The Border: Swedish band devoted to Syd’s repertoire. In 2016 they took part in “Syd Barrett - A Celebration Concert” at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

Boris Savoldelli: a gifted vocal performer who is always challenging his “vocal instrument” with new and original ways of singing.

Dario Antonetti: musician from 1984 to today with Kryptästhesie, Gli Acidi Tonanti, Effetto Doppler, Inossidabile Orchestra Valsecchi, La Svolta Psichedelica, La Forma delle Nuvole. Producer of The Vegetable Man Project (a tribute to Syd Barrett focused on the song “Vegetable Man.” Lots of artists from all over the world took part and rearranged the song in their own way. 6 CD’s and a 10” vinyl EP were released between 2002 and 2009).

Nino Gatti: for 40 years historian, expert, biographer and collector of Pink Floyd. He has published fanzines and collaborated with various publications both in Italy and abroad. Author of several books about Pink Floyd and their members, both in his own name and together with The Lunatics. His activity also covers many websites devoted to the band.

On the artwork side:

Ian Barrett: Syd’s nephew; he is a fine visual artist and Jewellery designer. He creates unique jewels using meteorites, fossils and other rare materials.

Matteo Regattin: author of the beautiful graphic novel “Syd Barrett Jugband Blues. A graphic trip on the tracks of Syd Barrett”.

We would like to mention every single musician involved in this tribute, of course. Thanks to their passionate contribution this project has become true.

Track Listing:

CD 1
1 - TERRAPIN - ANDREA ACHILLI (Italy)
2 - NO GOOD TRYING - LUNA PARK (France)
3 - LOVE YOU - EUGENE (Italy)
4 - NO MAN'S LAND - HUMUS (Mexico)
5 - DARK GLOBE - BLUEMOSAIKO (Italy)
6 - HERE I GO - MAX ZARUCCHI (Italy)
7 - OCTOPUS - SHERPA (Italy)
8 - GOLDEN HAIR - IN THE LABYRINTH (Sweden)
9 - LONG GONE - BARYOGENESIS (Italy)
10 - SHE TOOK A LONG COLD LOOK - ALANJEMAAL (Italy)
11 - FEEL - HIS MAJESTY THE BABY (Italy)
12 - IF IT'S IN YOU - HENRIETTA AND THE FIVES (Italy)
13 - LATE NIGHT - DUNCAN MAITLAND (Ireland)
14 - OPEL - GALERIE 65 (USA)
15 - DOLLY ROCKER - THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (Italy)
16 - WORD SONG - QUARTO STATO DELLA MATERIA (Italy)
17 - SWAN LEE - HIBUSHIBIRE (Japan)
18 - LET'S SPLIT - MICHELE GENTILE (Italy)
19 - TWO OF A KIND - DAVE HARRIS & ZEUS B HELD (UK)
20 - ASTRONOMY DOMINE - BORIS SAVOLDELLI & UMBERTO PETRIN (Italy)

CD 2:
1 - BABY LEMONADE - ST 37 (USA)
2 - LOVE SONG - LA FORMA DELLE NUVOLE (Italy)
3 - DOMINOES - SULA BASSANA (Germany)
4 - IT IS OBVIOUS - STEREOKIMONO (Italy)
5 - RATS - PHOSPHENE (UK)
6 - MAISIE - THEEUNFORESEEN (Belgium)
7 - GIGOLO AUNT - THE AIRWAVES (Sweden)
8 - WAVING MY ARMS IN THE AIR / I NEVER LIED TO YOU - LUCA RAIO (Italy)
9 - WINED AND DINED - KABLE (USA)
10 - WOLFPACK - KEEPER OF ATLANTIS (USA)
11 - EFFERVESCING ELEPHANT - BOTTI & PAVONI from GREENWALL (Italy)
12 - BIRDIE HOP - TRESPASSERS W (The Netherlands)
13 - LANKY PART 1 - ALFREDO LONGO feat. SEBA PAVIA
14 - MILKY WAY - MEN ON THE BORDER (Sweden)
15 - BOB DYLAN BLUES - JOSS COPE (UK)
16 - RHAMADAN - MORNING SCALES THE MOUNTAIN (USA)
17 - VEGETABLE MAN - NICK BENSEN (USA)

For more information: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/syd-barrett-love-you-2cd

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Instrumental Progressive Ambient Review: Green Isac Orchestra-b a r (140 gram vinyl LP)

Release Date: September 15, 2020

Label:Spotted Peccary

Website

 

My only regret after hearing the most recent Green Isac Orchestra’s release b a r, is that I did not discover them years ago! This is some of the most creative and color progressive instrumental ambient music I have heard in some time. I had the pleasure of hearing it for the first time on 140 gram vinyl.

Morten Lund and Andreas Eriksen were together know as Green Isac for 25 years as a duo only, until the Green Isac collaboration expanded to a five member ensemble and rechristened themselves Green Isac Orchestra in 2015. bar is their second release as a quintet.

There is never a dull moment on b a r, in fact, this is full of brilliantly executed compositions. The operative words here is “creative” and “expansive.”

“Volcanic” starts things off and the title is very descriptive of what you will hear to get your heart pumping and your imagination kicked into high gear. It comes in just shy of a healthy 8 minutes of instrumental bliss starting off with ambient texture and building into a volcanic eruption of sounds. The track ebbs and flows between power and softer moments provided by the cello then it switches back to that colorful blasts of passion and sound. I do not think there could have been a better track on the album to get things started. When you look and see six tracks your first impression may be that is not many however you can take my word for it, it more than fills both side of the 140 gram vinyl.

“Le Grand Sportif” is 7+ minutes and it begins with a spacey intro into nice keyboard work allowing for a minimalist approach to introduce the cello. The track engages you and is in a continual evolving cycle that can be fascinating. Some good percussive sounds push it to another level as it moves closer to the end before closing out.

“With Hat” is shorter journey at 3:25 with orchestral sounds of the cello leading the way then a heavy drone like sound comes in sounding like a powerful but suggestive hammer then the gentler part of song is ushered in with an emphasis on the synths. The track has some very strong progressive movements that would please any instrumental music listener.

Side B opens with “Don Progini” (note the last name) letting us all know if we already didn’t that this is definitely progressive music! There are some interesting changes going on in this track and so many sounds converging into a blossoming full sound taking advantage of all the tools at their disposal, the band makes sure you are still paying attention. The keyboards reminded me of Tubular Bells.

“Aarwaaken” comes in over 6 minutes and starts with a spacey/spooky synth with a world edge provided by the percussive elements then it morphs for a very short period over to classical path. Mind melting synths arrive to give it that sci-fi feel as well to keep things interesting. The only way to describe this masterful composition is to call it acoustic-progressive-ambient with a classical underpinning.

“Without Hat” closes the curtain on this aural journey starting with a guitar, which was different in comparison to all the other tracks. Various synths are the building blocks of the track and it provides excitement and leads the listener to a colorful ending to close out the album.

Why stay the same is the mantra for b a r and that works very well for this excellent recording. They never do the same thing twice and that is what makes b a r  so enjoyable and something you will want to hear more than once.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-TFOV Founder

January 3, 2021

Track List:

Side A:
1. Volcanic
2. Le Grand Sportif
3. With Hat

Side B:
4. Don Progini
5. Aarwaaken
6. Without Hat




“A Romantic's Guide To King Crimson” by The Mastelottos Featuring Drum Legend Pat Mastelotto

Valentine’s Day 2021 delivers an unexpected and welcome surprise with the release of “A Romantic’s Guide to King Crimson,” the new 12-track album of reinvented King Crimson material by the husband-and-wife duo Deborah and Pat Mastelotto. The collection, which spans the band’s entire history, revisits classics including “Matte Kudasai,” “Heartbeat,” “Moonchild,” “Elephant Talk,” “Peace,” “Exiles,” and “Sleepless.”

Pat Mastelotto is an American rock drummer and record producer who has worked with King Crimson, Mr. Mister, XTC, The Rembrandts and many others. Pat has served as one of King Crimson’s drummers from 1995 to the present day. This album resulted from Pat’s observations and Deborah’s insights made after she intermittently joined Pat on tour as part of the King Crimson entourage from 2008 onwards.

“It’s always been a joke in the King Crimson camp that there’s never a line for the women’s restrooms during intermissions,” said Deborah. “King Crimson plays loud and it’s often intense and raucous. But it can also be haunting and melodic, with some of the most beautiful lyrics ever. We wanted to help uncover that sweetness and introduce the songs to a different type of audience with ‘A Romantic’s Guide to King Crimson.’”

“The album has amazing contributions from all the musicians involved, especially the TOAPP (Three of a Perfect Pair Music Masters Camp) artists,” said Pat. “We experimented together and since they were already lifelong Crim Heads, they were totally into reconfiguring the classic performances or developing totally new parts. So, get ready. You’ll hear some fantastic detail in their playing.”

The recording features material they chose and arranged together with lead vocals by Deborah, a creative Tour de Force in her own right, and with Pat drumming and producing.

“We compiled King Crimson songs and searched for the romanticism in them, then rearranged them,” said Deborah. “The addition of a girl singer automatically changes the feel of those songs and places them in a different genre. Our idea is to create a way for people, especially women, to appreciate the beauty of King Crimson’s music without the fear and sometimes resistance attached to the word ‘prog’ getting in the way. We slow the songs way down and strip them back to their essential lyrics and melodies.”

“In the Crimson tradition, we approached every song as if it was brand new,” said Pat. “At first, it involved tinkering with 20-plus songs in hotel rooms using iPhone apps to choose what worked best for us. We first focused on the lyrics. The words had to resonate and the arrangements had to develop a prog-meets-pop twist to meet my hopes. We had no desire to duplicate the original arrangements. In fact, just the opposite. I was trying to discover where else they could go to expose sweetness, sort of like the old days of cassettes and giving a loved one a mixtape. It’s a gift to fans and a family of former Crims.“

The Mastelottos started the recordings in 2019 by inviting the Texas TOAPP alumni, including members of the Houston symphony, to record in Pat’s home studio in the Texas Hill Country. After a quick trip to Nagoya for his one and only live gig of 2020, which yielded the live Stick Men album “Owari,” Pat returned and spent months with Deborah during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown finishing the project. The result is an album full of lush nuance and ornamentation designed to put listeners in a meditative and buoyant mood.

“The lockdown resulted in a year of cancelled shows, which gave us time to realize the album,” said Pat. “This grand reboot of humanity made being a couple all the more important, nurturing relationships with people we love, gardening and doing home projects while creating this album together was a beautiful experience.”

“2020 has given us the longest period of consecutive days, weeks and months we’ve ever spent together,” said Deborah. “Our close proximity enabled a continuous dialog and working environment, so we never had to break the creative flow.”

“Working from home meant we could take the listening experience from the studio to the car to the bedroom…to test drive…so to speak,” added Pat.

“Heat up the hot tub, fluff your pillows and head to the softer side of the bed for the pinkest Crimson ever”

Track listing

1. Two Hands
2. Matte Kudasai
3. Heartbeat
4. Moonchild
5. Inner Garden
6. One Time (Eyes Wide Open)
7. Peace
8. Book Of Saturday
9. Exiles
10. Elephant Talk
11. People
12. Sleepless

TOAPP musicians Appearing on the record:

From Texas:
Adrian Benevedes
Mark Cook
Chris Cowan
Aralee Dorough
Colin Gatwood
Corin Gatwood
Marty Hobsbracht
Mike McGary
Bill Munyon

From other parts of the world:
Mark Hassett
Marco Machera
Christian Constantini
Kevin Andrews
Jeremy Neese
Victor Sagfors
Dave Martyn
Kara Day Spurlock

Additional musicians and engineers:
Fabio Trentini
Andrew Simmons
Laura Scarborough
Elaine Barber
Alex Coke
Grady Cousins

Cover Art: Ana Fuentes
Design: Denis Rodier

Released February 14, 2021

To pre-order: https://patmastelotto7d.bandcamp.com/album/a-romantics-guide-to-king-crimson

Digital Album
Streaming + Download
Pre-order of A Romantic's Guide To King Crimson. You get 3 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.

Limited Edition Compact Disc
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
package image
Comes in a 6-panel gatefold card case designed by Denis Rodier with paintings by international artist Ana Fuentes.

For more information:
www.patmastelotto.com
www.7dmedia.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com