MAGMA 50th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set of “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh” Release Delayed Until October 27

The release of MAGMA's birthday present in celebration of their iconic third album, which arrives as a lavish box set limited to 2,000 copies, is being delayed due to a manufacturing issue. This has been solved by upgrading the paper quality of the included artbook to an even higher standard. "Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh" will hit stores three weeks later than originally announced on October 27, 2023.

Those customers, who ordered a box set directly from MAGMA's shop or the SPKR and Prophecy label shops can currently expect their copy close to the original release date around October 6, 2023. In case there are no further unexpected delays, MAGMA will also be able to offer boxes at their next live events. Please see below for all currently confirmed dates.

On "Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh", the French avant-garde pioneers and inventors of zeuhl follow the trail of their classic third full-length from the remastered original recording through decades of various incarnations on 7 vinyl LPs!

Please see below for cover art, tracklist, and full details of "Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh".

Please note that due to the singular nature of this release neither promotional copies nor sound will be provided by the label.

Release date: October 27, 2023
Style: Avant-garde rock
Label: Prophecy Productions

MAGMA comment: “With this box set, we want to take you all right into the heart of the composition of our most emblematic work, which allows you to follow its evolution throughout the 50 years of its existence”, mastermind Christan Vander explains. “When we performed ‘Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh’ for the first time, we did not imagine even in our wildest dreams that people would still want us to play this album more than 50 years later. This anniversary deserves to be celebrated, and this edition is a gift for us as well!”

Iconic French avant-garde rockers MAGMA have joined forces with Prophecy Productions to create a lavish boxed set under exclusive license from Seventh Records to celebrate the 50th anniversary entitled “Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh” of their legendary milestone release and third studio album “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh” (1973).

Apart from a number of special collectors’ items, this box set limited to 2,000 copies contains seven vinyl LPs ranging from the original album to live recordings and other rare materials related to “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh” (henceforth abbreviated as “MDK” in this text), of which several were previously unreleased and/or appear on vinyl for the first time.

The albums are numbered in chronological order:

LP 1 “1972 – Paris ORTF”
This is definitely one of the first recorded live versions of “MDK”; and it might even be the first – if anybody could exactly remember this after 50 years. At that time, the masterpiece was still a work in progress.

LP 2 “1973 – Choeurs de la Storchhaus”
This studio recording can be regarded as a demo and it features the choir that played “MDK” live at the SIGMA festival in November 1972. It was first released on CD in 1989 and now appears for the first time on vinyl.

LP 3 “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh” (original version)
Despite more than 30 published studio and live recordings, many consider this album to represent MAGMA’s ultimate masterpiece. At the time, Christian Vander had taken the artistic destiny of the French band fully into his hands. The most striking development was the massive impact of the vocalists and choir. This classic was carefully remastered for this edition.

LP 4 (Side 1) “1994 – Les voix de Magma”
This previously unreleased track was recorded live with the addition of a 60-piece choir.

LP 4 (Side 2) “1995 – Babyaga la sorcière”
This surprising adaptation of “MDK” was recorded at the Espace Lumière in Epinay-sur-Seine, France on October 15, 1995 during the second concert celebrating MAGMA’s 25th birthday. It features an impressive choir of children and an instrumental ensemble of teenagers. It was released on CD in 1996, but never before on vinyl.

LP 5 “2000 – Paris Trianon Theater”
This version was recorded in Paris at the Theatre du Trianon during MAGMA’s 30th anniversary celebration and was previously only released on CD as part of a box set in 2001.

LP 6 “2005 – Paris Le Triton”
During May 2005, MAGMA booked the club Le Triton in Paris, changed their programme each week, and brought illustrious past members back to the stage to perform with them. On this recording from May 21, Christian Vander was reunited with legendary bass player Jannick Top. Previously only appearing on DVD, this is the first audio only release of this remarkable event.

LP 7 “2021 – Opéra de Rennes”
This previously unreleased version captures the new MAGMA line-up, which is more vibrant than ever!

For connoisseurs of avant-garde rock, MAGMA needs no introduction. The visionary French band that was founded in Paris by self-educated drummer and percussionist Christian Vander are towering giants within and beyond their genre.

Although MAGMA have been variously filed under avant-garde rock, progressive rock, jazz rock, and other equally fitting terms, the band has also created a sub-genre of their own, which is dubbed zeuhl or zeuhl rock. This term has also been adapted by other bands inspired by the style particularly in France and Japan but also elsewhere.

Christian Vander has created his own lyrical cosmos for MAGMA, in which humanity has destroyed earth and fled to a planet called Kobaïa that has remained at the center of his musical works. With his disturbing vision of humanity’s ecological and spiritual development, Vander was far ahead of his times and quite prophetic.

Most MAGMA lyrics are sung in the fictional language Kobaïan, which was invented by Vander and mainly uses phonetic traits of Germanic and Slavonic languages to enhance the musical expression of the band.

With “Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh”, MAGMA celebrate their classic album's 50th anniversary by giving themselves and their dedicated following a beautiful present in the shape of a lavish limited box set that follows the massive trail of their iconic third full-length from the original through decades of various incarnations. Zeuhl forever!

Remastering for this edition: Marcus Linon at Greasy Records Studio, Paris, France
Layouts Gerald Nimal at UZ Grafik

For more information:
magmamusic.org
www.facebook.com/zeuhlwortzmekanik
www.instagram.com/magma.officiel

To pre-order:
http://lnk.spkr.media/magma-50

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

Mike Oldfield’s TUBULAR BELLS Celebrates Its 50TH Anniversary With A Brand New Recording By THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA!

Los Angeles, CA – Mike Oldfield’s iconic “Tubular Bells” took the world by storm when it launched in 1973, and nearly 50 years later continues to sell over 100,000 albums per year, with a total of 17.5 million copies sold worldwide and 18 million streams. In honor of the 50th anniversary of this ground-breaking album, Cleopatra Records will be releasing a new studio album entitled Tubular Bells - 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Set for release on October 28, the album is performed by the highly regarded Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the London Contemporary Voices Choir, conducted by three-time British Composer Of The Year, Simon Dobson, and emceed by award-winning British actor Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon, The Black Adder).

Composer Oldfield remarked about the milestone “It’s amazing to think that it’s 50 years since I started writing Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people, all over the world, during that time.“

Tubular Bells - 50th Anniversary Celebration not only includes the entirety of Tubular Bells opus but also other Oldfield compositions. In fact, today will see the release of the first single from the album, a new recording of “Moonlight Shadow,” Oldfield’s biggest hit single, arranged by Dobson and featuring vocalist Ella Shaw, whose captivating vocals and star quality stage presence have been described by American Idol’s Simon Cowell as “MEGA, MEGA talented!”

Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/moonlight_shadow

Pre-order your copy of Tubular Bells - 50th Anniversary Celebration today as a 2CD set, multiple vinyl configurations and even cassette!

Pre-order CD/VINYL/CASS: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=tubular+bells&post_type=product

Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/tubular_bells_50th_anniversary

As a bonus for fans, this 50th Anniversary Celebration album will be presented in full, live with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing for select dates in the UK this fall and soon to be announced dates in 2023.

TOUR DATES:

October 31st - Nottingham Concert Hall
November 1st - The Royal Albert Hall
November 2nd - Birmingham Symphony Hall

TRACK LIST:

1. Tubular Bells Part 1
2. Tubular Bells Part 2
3. Sailor’s Hornpipe
4. Ommadawn Part 1
5. Excerpt From Hergest Ridge Part 1
6. Moonlight Shadow

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

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YES Keyboard Legend Tony Kaye Celebrates the Anniversary of His First Solo Album 'End Of Innocence'

Twelve months on from the release of this hauntingly beautiful album, another event is changing our world.

The music is poignant for another host of reasons, showing that Kaye, writing from the heart, speaks for us all when words just cannot express the emotions we all feel when tragedy strikes.

An album 20 years in the making, the first solo work from former YES member Tony Kaye.

Conceived to commemorate the events and the journey that followed the world changing moments of 9/11, End Of Innocence is designed to be listened to in its entirety and to take us on a journey.

Featuring Dani Torchia who Kaye met in the wake of 9/11 has written and performed on the album. Tony Kaye retired from Yes in 1996, and came out of retirement the week following the events of 9/11 and began to write this album, the power of music helped Tony to process the day that became the End Of Innocence.

The album takes you on a journey from the peace of the night before, to the emerging hopeful looking to the future. This album has been interwoven with the growth of their relationship. Today the album throws light and solace following the death of Queen Elizabeth, which changes the landscape of the world for every person whose lives she touched in her 70 year Reign.

The artwork is painted by Roger Dean, the artist best known for his work with YES and Asia. It was created after Roger had heard the music and the images reflect the journey the music takes.

“On the 21st Anniversary of 911, a reminder to our leaders to stay vigilant. NEVER FORGET!” - Tony Kaye

End Of Innocence Track Listing:
1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Twilight Time
2. 911 Overture
3. NYC Blues
4. Battle Cry
5. 285 Fulton Street
6. Let’s Roll
7. Tug of War
8. Flight 11
9. Towers Fall
10. Sweetest Dreams
11. Aftermath
12. Heroes
13. The Battle
14. Hope and Triumph
15. Homecoming
16. Ground Zero

Produced by Tony Kaye

All tracks composed by Tony Kaye except “Sweetest Dreams” by Dani Torchia.

Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from End of Innocence to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.

About Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their groundbreaking The YES Album its most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger, Flash and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success 90125 in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996. Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.

Order Tony Kaye End of Innocence here:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/tony-kaye-end-of-innocence/
www.yesworld.com

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

Curved Air Announce Plans For New Projects and the Band's 50th Anniversary Year in 2020

Curved Air was formed in 1970 and ever present original member Sonja Kristina will be continuing to lead the band into the band’s 50th Anniversary year with a range of projects and a world tour.

The band will be recording a new studio album in 2020, along with contributing to the release of a 50th Anniversary Compilation which will include newly recorded tracks, featuring former and current members of the band, recording together in various combinations.

Curved Air will be touring the Americas, Japan, Europe and also appearing on Cruise to the Edge in 2020.

The 50th Anniversary year line-up has also been solidified with Curved Air welcoming back Kirby Gregory to the line-up after a break of 3 years. Kirby was originally in the heyday era line-up which recorded Air Cut in 1973. He returned to the band playing guitar for the recording of the very successful North Star album. Kirby was professionally committed to other projects from the end of 2015 until now, and he is looking forward to embarking on the 50th Anniversary World Tour in 2020.

The current line-up was completed when, after much searching, the band found and welcomed Grzegorz “Greg” Gadziomski to the line-up. Greg is a classically trained Violin player who likes to play in many genres but prefers Progressive Rock/Fusion as a particular passion. The band would like to acknowledge and thank Paul Sax who has decided to retire from touring after a lifelong career. Paul was a member of Curved Air from 2009 and the band wish him much happiness and peace in his retirement.

The accomplishments of the previous line-up and former members were recently showcased with the release of two titles on the band’s own Curved Air Records via Cherry Red: “The Curved Air Family Album” and “Live at Under the Bridge”.



“The Curved Air Family Album” features 26 tracks including rare and unreleased band and solo recordings, including by current and former members which Sonja Kristina described as “How appropriate that many Curved Air members past and present have contributed to a special collection called The Curved Air Family Album for our 50th year. I’m excited about this – it’s so great to hear all the unique sounds, surprising collaborations, eclectic songs and haunting instrumentals including from Francis Monkman, Darryl Way, Stewart Copeland, Kirby Gregory and Robert Norton – they all make for a very enjoyable double album.”

Amazon CD: https://geni.us/CAfamily
iTunes: https://geni.us/CAfamilyiTune
Google Play: https://geni.us/CAfamilyG
Spotify: https://geni.us/CAfamilySpotify



“Live at Under the Bridge” captures the band live playing Air Conditioning in its entirety, with special guests Darryl Way and Ian Eyre, as well as tracks from North Star and other Greatest Hits. Of this release, Sonja Kristina said “The 45th Anniversary of the release of Air Conditioning was a triumph of performance, musicianship, presentation and appreciative reception. Original and current members on stage together - what joy! Robert Norton’s pristine production perfectly captures the sound and energy of our night of celebration.”

Amazon CD: https://geni.us/CAbridge
iTunes: https://geni.us/CAbridgeiTunes
Google Play: https://geni.us/CAbridgeG
Spotify: https://geni.us/CAbridgeSpotify

Curved Air is:
Sonja Kristina
Kirby Gregory
Chris Harris
Robert Norton
Andy Tween
Grzegorz “Greg” Gadziomski

Photo by Howard Rankin

Curved Air is managed by Daniel Earnshaw at QEDG Management daniel@qedg.co.uk

Curved Air Official Website: www.curvedair.com
Curved Air Official Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/CurvedAir
Curved Air Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/curvedair1
Curved Air Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvedair/

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