Tangerine Dream’s “La Divina Commedia” (AKA The Dante Trilogy) Deluxe 6 Disc Hardback Book On May 27, 2022 on Kscope

Tangerine Dream has been a fundamental influence on electronic music since Edgar Froese founded the band in West Berlin in 1967. Providing the groundwork for multiple electronic music genres including ambient and electronica, inspiring musicians and other art forms, with seven Grammy nominations to their credit. In recent years their music has featured in the popular TV shows such as “Stranger Things” and video games including “Grand Theft Auto V.”

Edgar Froese was an artist with a truly clear vision. His life and work were characterized by holding on to the belief in the evolution of music as an art form. That became a predominantly principle within Tangerine Dream: the group he founded in 1967, following his encounter with painter and sculptor Salvador Dali.

Tangerine Dream went fully independent in 1996, launching their own TDI label and company and at the start of the new millennium, Froese met painter and artist Bianca Froese-Acquaye which subsequently led to the first part of “The Dante Trilogy,” “Inferno,” being recorded. This followed with seven live performances, partly with an orchestra, across Europe.

“La Divina Commedia” aka “The Dante Trilogy” was to be Tangerine Dream’s most ambitious and elaborate project to date, Edgar Froese's life work.

Now, the entire trilogy (“Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” “Paradiso”) is presented in a deluxe 60-page hardback book set via Kscope. All albums have been remastered by close collaborator Harald Pairits with the 2002 live concert DVD filmed at Castle Nideggen, Cologne featured as a bonus disc. The hardback book features extensive liner notes by noted author Wouter Bessels, an essay by Edgar’s close collaborator and wife Bianca Froese-Acquaye and previously unseen photographs from Edgar’s private archive.

Pre-orders available now: https://TangerineDreamKscope.lnk.to/LDC

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “LA DIVINA COMMEDIA” HERE (https://youtu.be/S5p4aZzqT8g)

DISC 1 - INFERNO
1. Before The Closing Of The Day [04:51]
2. The Spirit Of Virgil [02:39]
3. Minotaurae Hunt At Dawn [03:24]
4. Those Ones Broke The First Word [03:38]
5. Dante In Despair [03:25]
6. Io Non Mori [05:49]
7. Vidi Tre Facce [04:41]
8. At The Deepest Point In Space [02:38]
9. L`omperador Del Doloroso Regno [04:45]
10. Voices In A Starless Night [04:14]
11. Fear And Longing [03:06]
12. Fallen For Death [04:39]
13. Where All Light Went Silent [03:39]
14. Charon, Il Barchere [03:59]
15. La Grey De Los Almas Perdidas [07:28]
16. Justice Of The Karma Law [03:02]
17. As The Sun Moves Towards Heaven [07:57]
18. Beatrice, L`ame Infinie [05:11]

DISC 2 - PURGETORIO
1. Above The Great Dry Land [06:19]
2. Chasing The Bad Seed [08:48]
3. Slave To The Gods [06:31]
4. Hope And Glory [06:44]
5. Sun Son`s Seal (Part One) [08:21]
6. Beyond All Suns [06:34]
7. Sisiphus [04:37]
8. All The Steps To Heaven [13:12]
9. Mountain Of Destiny [10:52]

DISC 3 - PURGETORIO
1. The Glowing Zodiac Wheel [06:09]
2. Modern Cave Men [05:02]
3. Death Of Medusa [07:23]
4. Blinded By The World`s Desire [06:22]
5. Sun Son`s Seal (Part Two) [08:27]
6. Soulgate [07:59]
7. Till The End Of Silence [05:17]
8. Prison And Paradise [05:39]
9. Spirit Spiral [07:34]

DISC 4 - PARADISO
1. La Grande Spirale [10:09]
2. Beyond Sodom And Gomorrah [10:14]
3. La Ley De La Montana [07:38]
4. A Cielo Della Luna [12:50]
5. Mercury Sphere [06:15]
6. L`Era Della Venere [11:51]
7. Invisible Sun [09:26]

DISC 5 - PARADISO
1. Jupiter Lightning [08:13]
2. La Forza Del Saturno [18:18]
3. Star In Distance Glow [07:43]
4. No More Birth, No More Death [08:37]
5. Transformazione [10:46]
6. Truth Beyond Thoughts [06:08]
7. L`ultima Tromba d`Oro [08:20]
8. Leaving [07:02]

DISC 6 - DVD
1. Before The Closing Of The Day [04:34]
2. The Spirit Of Virgil [02:38]
3. Minotaurae Hunt At Dawn [03:23]
4. Those Once Broke The First Word [03:36]
5. Dante In Despair [03:28]
6. lo Non Mori [05:49]
7. Vidi Tre Facce [04:42]
8. At The Deepest Point In Space [02:37]
9. L`Omperador Del Doloroso Regno [04:47]
10. Voices In A Starless Night [04:12]
11. Fear And Longing [03:09]
12. Fallen For Death [04:38]
13. Where All The Light Went Silent [03:39]
14. Charon, Il Barchere [04:01]
15. La Grey De Los Almas Perdidas [07:29]
16. Justice Of The Karma Law [03:02]
17. As The Sun Moves Towards Heaven [07:58]
18. Beatrice, L`Ame Infinie [04:40]
19. Rehearsal [09:09]
20. Dressing Room [03:32]
21. Waldtanz [03:39]
22. Interviews [17:51]

The band’s current line up (Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoshiko Yamane and Paul Frick) have released their new studio album “Raum,” which sees the band develop the concept of its precursor EP (“Probe 6—8”) further. Composed and produced with full access to Edgar Froese’s Cubase arrangements (and Otari Tape Archive with recordings from 1977-2013), to deliver late-night real time compositions combined with classic studio productions, sequencer driven haunting soundscapes alternate with anthemic warm synthesizers.

Follow Tangerine Dream:
https://www.facebook.com/TANGERINEDREAM.OFFICIAL/
https://www.instagram.com/TangerineDreamQ/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TangerineDreamMusic
https://twitter.com/qtangerinedream
https://www.tangerinedreammusic.com/
https://linktr.ee/TangerineDream

For more hi-res images please see: https://kscopemusic.com/media/tangerinedream/

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

Renowned Artist Graham Dean “Strange Beauty” Deluxe Edition Box Set With Book & DVD Featuring Unreleased Soundtrack By Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel’s Soundtrack From 1981 “Undercurrents” Available For The First Time!

Graham Dean “Strange Beauty” Box Set limited to 50 copies including Book, DVD, Cassette of Peter Gabriel’s “Undercurrents”, Art and Reproduction Memorabilia plus Signed Numbered Certificate and Two Pieces of Original Graham Dean Artwork!

Also available:
Signed Hardbound Book and DVD
Softbound Book and DVD

Renowned British artist Graham Dean’s new book “Strange Beauty,” featuring many of his celebrated works along with unreleased paintings, is being released as a Deluxe Edition Box Set with Book & DVD that includes an unreleased soundtrack by music legend Peter Gabriel.

Graham Dean transmits an essential part of the emotions and psychological states of his characters whether they be beautiful models, athletes, crazy bondage enthusiasts, identical twins, people with skin imperfections, – all using their bodies as vehicles of expression.

He is essentially a painter of identity. But more than the identity of the body, it is the identity of the soul as evoked by these sumptuous watercolours. Like Egon Schiele who was researching in mental hospitals to study his subjects, Graham Dean loves these oddball characters who voluntarily use their bodies often in extreme situations. His images are recomposed in a creative alchemy, mixing people, body parts and time itself. Although the works are representational, they escape the illustrational to reach a universal form from something deeply personal. He has also used buildings, mysterious ships, confessionals in churches, forests, trains, to enhance these atmospheric moods.

Using a technique he calls “reverse archaeology,” Graham Dean re-invents the traditional uses of watercolour resulting in a unique technique. Contrasting layers of paint are applied separately on thick, handmade paper from Southern India. Each sheet has undergone a process of tearing and overlapping to create a final composition, this corresponds to the multiple layers of the epidermis which protects the human body. The process is organic and cyclical, the paintings appear fragmented and destroyed using sections (front and back) that lead to a renaissance in the form of a new composition. Adapted from an article by Galerie Maubert, Paris. September 2011

“Undercurrents” is a 14 minutes instrumental piece that was written and recorded by Peter Gabriel in 1981, originally as the ambient soundtrack for a short film made for an exhibition by artist Graham Dean. Peter allegedly recorded the music in one day. This is his first soundtrack, ahead of “Birdy,” “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Long Walk Home.” Peter supplied the music, in return for an original painting by Graham. This was Graham’s second film funded by the Arts Council. Dean, a pioneer in early video technology, shot “Undercurrents” on 16mm film featuring a series of images and live action footage and then manipulated. The film was shown on “Riverside” a BBC arts TV show.

Graham said about the recording of the soundtrack, “We were supposed to go into the studio for the afternoon for a few hours, but we ended up leaving at 6.00 am the following morning.”

When the people at Real World were looking for the master tape for “Undercurrents” they actually found the multi-tracks after 40 years! The music was re-mixed at the end of last year in the main studio at Real World and the remix version sounds AMAZING! The music has been described as dark and atmospheric, even ‘Birdy’-like at times.”

In regards to his new book Graham explains, “I have been painting and exhibiting since 1973 so naturally I had a large body of works to choose from when making a selection for this book. I was keen to include some of which have never been published before alongside the latest paintings, several fresh out of the studio. All the paintings are watercolour or watercolour with a few added elements like dye or stained glass paint though I’m now reluctant to use anything else but watercolour. The papers are either Arches or an Indian rag paper from Southern India. The rags which make up the Indian papers when pulped are recycled garments -mostly western t-shirts I’ve been told.”

Photo by Andy Hollingworth

In addition to “Undercurrents,” there are other films on the “Strange Beauty” DVD with David Rhodes (PG’s longtime guitarist and Random Hold guitarist) providing the soundtracks. Graham also worked on the official promo videos for Peter Gabriel of “Solsbury Hill” and “In Your Eyes” which are included on the DVD.

DVD Features:
“Waterproof” 2014
“Painting Music” 2011
“Solsbury Hill” 1993
“In Your Eyes” 1993
Paintings 1987-1990
Interview
“Undercurrents” 1981

WATERPROOF 2014
Waterproof was made with the intention of providing a background to how I work or at least to put into context. In the studio I usually have several paintings all in different stages of completion and as is often the case of them having a life of their own due to the amount of water I use. I’ve tried to get this across in the film, these ideas of controlled chance, experimentation in terms of colour and form. Nothing is too straightforward and I avoid the narrative as much as I can. The original soundtrack is by my long term collaborator David Rhodes and the camerawork, another collaboration is by Joe Murray.

PAINTING MUSIC 2011
In 1n 1984 I asked David Rhodes to produce a soundtrack to a film idea I had been playing around with. I had already used Random Hold on my very first film ‘Copy’ in 1979, then Peter with ‘Undercurrents’ in 1980. But this time I wanted to merge the music and the images so they became equally dependent on each other, to create an interesting hybrid. Also to get really close to the paint, to the mark making, as if the camera was my eye seeing what I was seeing as I made a painting. It was going to be visceral, sensual, full of colour and hopefully exciting. I think we succeeded and I’m surprised that it still stands up to this day.

SOLSBURY HILL 1993
Peter rang me up very late one evening in London to see if I would be willing to co-direct with Peter and co-ordinated by Gerry Chater, an excellent video editor, a new video for ‘Solsbury Hill’, which was to be re-released. We didn’t have much time and we were booked into studios in London in that fallow period between Christmas and New Year. It was thinking up ideas on the spot time. I wish we had more time, it was fun to work on but it was re-edited with new material a few years later, this is the second edit.

IN YOUR EYES 1993
I have mixed feelings about this one as it could have been much more than it was. The record was in the American charts but there questions about its chart placing from the record company who thought it may go down and were reluctant to pay for a video I had a small modest crew of the three of us booked and ready to go when Peter rang up the night before to say that the single had gone down in the charts so the record company pulled the plug. I managed to persuade Peter to go ahead with an experimental day of filming just to see what we could come up with –I’d already done a lot of research and had a storyboard of ideas. Peter had only just bought the Real World site in Box – it was basically a warehouse and outbuildings by the railway track. It even had an entrance barrier with a hut which we had to navigate. This was also my first introduction to the first of Real World’s employees – Mike Large and Dave Taraskevics, I took to them immediately and this was my first indication that Peter had a great antennae to get the right people around him. Only a quarter of the video was made that day which is a shame as there were some good ideas which could have been realised. Many years later it re-emerged with new footage but including my original material – again I had nothing to do with the final edit.

UNDERCURRENTS 1980
This was only the second film I ever made. It was to accompany a large touring show of my work based around the themes of water and skin. I managed to persuade Peter Gabriel, probably after a few glasses of a fine wine and the promise of a painting, to compose a soundtrack to it. This I think was to be his very first film soundtrack albeit on a modest scale and only 15 minutes long and we had a rough cut of the film to work to. Peter booked us into Crescent studios in Bath for what we thought was going to be a late afternoon to evening but we eventually emerged at dawn the following day. It was finished for the exhibition tour but also I was pleased that a then arts programme on BBC 2 called ‘Riverside’ showed a clip and did an interview with me, all live. I even think they included a massive painting from the show in the studio.

“Undercurrents”
(Peter Gabriel) (13:38)
Recording date: 1981
Recording location: Crescent Studios/Bath
Performed by: Peter Gabriel
First official release: 27th June 1981 - Graham Dean Exhibition at South Hill Park Bracknell

To pre-order:
Deluxe Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-deluxe-edition-box-set-feat-unreleased-soundtrack-by-peter-gabriel

Hardback Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-hardbacked-signed-edition

Softback Edition: https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/products/graham-dean-strange-beauty-softback-edition

For more information:
https://grahamdean.com/about/
https://grahamdean.com/about/chronology/

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

Oliver Wakeman Releases “Collaborations” Teaser Video For His New 3CD Box Set

3CD Box Set including re-issues of “The 3 Ages of Magick” with Steve Howe & “Ravens & Lullabies” with Gordon Giltrap

Oliver Wakeman has the honour of being one of the few musicians to have performed and recorded with some of Prog Rock’s most respected guitarists.

A new teaser video featuring music from all three albums featuring performances from Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap and Paul Manzi is now available to view on Oliver’s YouTube channel.

Oliver says, “Having a teaser video available really allows the listener to get a feel for the differing styles between the three albums and how, surprisingly, they complement each other. Putting this video together reminded me just how pleased I was with these albums. Hopefully this gives the music a chance to reach a new audience as well appealing to those who might already have the originals but are interested in the other projects and the bonus material contained in the Box Set.”   

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1GvGJiCbgL8

Back in 2001, many years before he became a member of YES, Oliver and guitarist Steve Howe worked together on the “The 3 Ages of Magick” album. Supplemented by an array of talented musicians, this album became a hidden gem in the YES family tree of recordings.

Following his tenure in the keyboard seat for YES in from 2008 to 2011, Oliver teamed up with another British guitar legend, Gordon Giltrap, to record their award winning “Ravens & Lullabies” album, a collection of rock and acoustic tracks featuring the singers Paul Manzi (SWEET) and Benoit David (YES).

20 years following its original release, “The 3 Ages of Magick” is teamed with the album “Ravens & Lullabies” in the new “Collaborations” 3CD Box Set. Including remastered versions of both albums along with the previously unreleased acoustic live album, “From a Stage” features music from Wakeman & Giltrap’s many years of performing together across the UK.

The “Collaborations” box set, comprising 3CDs each with a 16-page booklet and individual art prints of the sleeves, will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

“The 3 Ages of Magick”, released in 2001, is an instrumental album based in the style of the great 70’s prog solo records. Featuring Steve Howe across 11 of its 13 tracks, the album is both gentle and outlandish in equal measure. The album, based on stories from British folklore, utilises traditional instruments to help tell each story. This remastered version also includes 3 bonus tracks not available on the original release.

10 years later, Oliver and another legendary guitarist, Gordon Giltrap, joined forces after meeting at one of his father’s (Rick Wakeman) Christmas concerts in which they both performed.

“Ravens & Lullabies” allowed Oliver and Gordon to intertwine their acoustic musical abilities in the Lullabies section of the record. The Ravens aspect of the album allowed Gordon to be re-introduced to the Prog community in which he had been a leading figure during his heyday when releasing albums such as “Fear Of The Dark” and “Perilous Journey” (which contained his hit song “Heartsong”). This remastered version also features the bonus studio tracks, “The Forgotten King”, “Bach’s Praeludium” and a new version of Gordon’s classic “Roots” which were only included on the limited-edition double disc release of the original. Also included is a new recording, a piano and classical guitar version of Oliver’s track “The Wedding Approaches”.

This box set package also includes a third disc, “From a Stage”. During the lockdown, Oliver was approached by the sound engineer from one of the Giltrap/Wakeman concerts to say he had found a multitrack recording from a Christmas concert Oliver and Gordon had performed at along with special guest Paul Manzi (SWEET). This allowed a great opportunity to put together the live album “From a Stage” featuring Oliver and Gordon’s interpretations of songs from their collective 20+ years of back catalogues. Including the warmth and musical interplay that became a trademark for their often sold out shows, the recording features songs such as “Heartsong”, “Glimmer of Light” & “Roots”.

The “Collaborations” box set contains 3 CDs each with 16-page booklets including lyrics, previously unseen artwork and many stories behind the creativity of Wakeman and Giltrap. The first 250 box sets will also include the 4th art print of the box set cover numbered and signed by Oliver Wakeman.

“Collaborations” will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April. You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

About Oliver Wakeman
Eldest son of prog legend Rick, Wakeman filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album in “In The Present – Live From Lyon,” “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set featuring recordings from his time in the band released in 2019. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album (1997) “Heaven’s Isle” was inspired by the island of Lundy, and he has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums.  He has also released several collaborations with renowned musicians, including Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, bandmate to both Oliver and his father in YES, as well as writing and recording with guitar legend Gordon Giltrap. Oliver is currently working on his latest album “Anam Cara” due for release in late 2022.

For more information:
Website: www.oliverwakeman.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OliverWakeman/
Twitter: @OliverWakeman
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oliverwakemanmusic/

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

Robert Fripp “Exposures” 32-Disc Box Set To Be Released May 27, 2022

25 CDs, 3 DVDs (audio only), 4 Blu-Ray discs (audio only) Packaged in a 12” boxed set with 48-page booklet including extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus press releases, photos and memorabilia.

The long-awaited 32-disc boxed set of Robert Fripp in the studio and in concert 1977 - 1983 will be released on 27th May 2022. The set will feature many previously unreleased tracks, outtakes and rarities as well as numbers tracks becoming on CD for the first time.

The largest in the series, “Exposures” is the ninth boxset release collecting King Crimson / Robert Fripp material from 1969 to 2008.

Featuring 32 discs (25xCD/4xDVD audio/4xBlu-Ray audio) presented in a 12” box with a 48-page booklet containing extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus memorabilia such as tickets, posters, press releases, and more.

One of the most comprehensive boxed sets devoted to a single period of an artist’s career, “Exposures” features the complete collection of Robert Fripp’s studio and live solo material from 1977-1983, covering the period from the first “Exposure” sessions to the end of The League of Gentlemen and final Frippertronics concerts.

Steven Wilson mixes of “Exposure” in (in two versions), “Under Heavy Manners,” The League of Gentlemen studio recordings and numerous unreleased tracks from the albums’ sessions appear in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround and 24/96 hi-res stereo audio on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

David Singleton mixes of “God Save the Queen,” “Let the Power Fall” and the “Washington Square Church” Frippertronics album appear in DTS-HD Surround (Quad/4.1) and in hi- res stereo ranging from 24/48 (WSC), 24/96 GSTQ) to 24/192 (LTPF) on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

In addition, all editions and versions of “Exposure” (including previously unreleased), original masters of all of the albums from the period and a wealth of additional material, much of it previously unreleased appear on Blu-Ray in hi-res stereo audio on those discs.

Two further Blu-Ray discs present the complete DGM archive of Frippertronics loops, masters and concert performances - over 68 hours of music in 24/48 hi-res stereo.

Three DVDs feature the main albums in 5.1, quad and hi-res stereo. Twenty-five CDs present material including the earliest existing master loops, all of the albums in new Steven Wilson and David Singleton mixes, plus original mixes newly mastered and a number of studio and live discs featuring previously unreleased and/or music new to disc.

You can pre-order “Exposures” boxed set via Inner Knot (US): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp---exposures-boxed-set-p1917.aspx

For more information: https://dgmlive.com

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

Bill Bruford 'Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection' 6CD Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released April 29, 2022 - Includes tracks from YES, King Crimson, Bruford, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Guest Sessions and Collaborations

Over the past 50 years Bill Bruford has been one of the most original and innovative drummers across multiple genres. Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection is a 6CD Box Set that charts some of the many highlights of Bruford’s incredible career and is released on April 29th through BMG.

From early steps with progressive legends YES and a quarter of a century in King Crimson, to ground-breaking jazz fusion leading his own Bruford and Earthworks projects, Bill Bruford has always wanted to explore his chosen discipline to the full - and then push the boundaries further. This desire to challenge convention has created some breath-taking moments and made Bruford the drummer-of-choice for collaborations with leading musicians around the world.

“My interest was with the broader discourse on drums and drumming, rather than any notions of success or fame,” says Bruford. “The latter I could do little about but, in the 1960s, the former was wide open and meaningful contribution seemed everywhere possible. The context in which the first track in the set was conceived bears almost no relationship to the context in which the last was, four decades later.”

“There was a big premium put on the notion of difference. I wanted to sound different to contemporaries like Carl Palmer (ELP), Brian ‘Blinky’ Davison (Nice) or John Bonham (Led Zeppelin). I figured if I hadn’t heard it before, the other guys in the band probably hadn’t either. Thinking up interesting things to do on a drum kit was my reason to exist. I also thought that was what they were paying me to do. I didn’t care much what the critic, commentator or musicologist thought, and that was to remain my lodestone, my modus operandi for many years.”

For this anthology Bruford has selected tracks from across his whole career, comprising works from some 23 different artists and bands over a 40-year period. “I’ve deliberately avoided forcing them into industry categories such as ‘progressive rock’, ‘fusion’ or ‘jazz’,” Bruford adds, “on the grounds that most of the music I’ve been associated with fits very poorly into such straight-jackets - round holes and square pegs come to mind.”

The 6CD Box Set Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection includes tracks from YES, King Crimson, Bruford, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, his work with iconic global guitarists Al Di Meola, Steve Howe and Kazumi Watanabe and collaborations with keyboardists Patrick Moraz and Michiel Borstlap and many others. The package also includes a detailed biography, written by Bruford, featuring rare and unseen photos. The outer box artwork, gatefold CDs and booklet have been designed by Bruford’s long-time artist and graphic designer Dave McKean.

Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection Track Listing:

THE COLLABORATOR
disc One
1. Yes - I’ve Seen all Good People
2. Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
3. Yes - And You & I
4. King Crimson – The Great Deceiver
5. King Crimson - Fracture
6. King Crimson - One More Red Nightmare  
7. King Crimson - Starless
8. U.K. – Nevermore

disc Two
1. King Crimson - Frame by Frame  
2. King Crimson - Neal and Jack and Me
3. King Crimson - Heartbeat
4. King Crimson - Waiting Man
5. Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - Brother of Mine (Radio Edit)
6. King Crimson – Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
7. King Crimson – Larks’ Tongues in Aspic: Pt 2
8. King Crimson – Three of a Perfect Pair
9. King Crimson - Man with an Open Heart
10. King Crimson - Elephant Talk
11. King Crimson - Indiscipline
12. King Crimson - Big Funk  
13. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – The Still Small Voice

THE COMPOSING LEADER
disc THREE
1. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 1
2. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 2
3. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 1
4. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 2
5. Bruford - Palewell Park
6. Bruford - Joe Frazier
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - It Needn’t End in Tears
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - My Heart Declares a Holiday
9. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Downtown
10. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Pilgrims’ Way
11. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Temple of the Winds
12. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Candles Still Flicker in Romania’s Dark
13. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Nerve
14. Bruford, Towner, Gomez – Thistledown

disc FOUR
1. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Beelzebub
2. Bruford-Levin - Original Sin
3. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Revel Without a Pause
4. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Triplicity
5. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - The Sound of Surprise
6. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Speaking in Wooden Tongues
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Modern Folk
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - White Knuckle Wedding
9. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Footloose and Fancy Free
10. Earthworks Underground Orchestra - Thud

THE SPECIAL GUEST
disc FIVE
1. Roy Harper - Grown Ups are Just Silly Children
2. Roy Harper - Hallucinating Light
3. Chris Squire - Lucky Seven (Single Edit)
4. Chris Squire – Silently Falling
5. Al Di Meola - Calliope
6. David Torn – Voodoo Chile
7. Kazumi Watanabe - Andre
8. Kazumi Watanabe - Small Wonder
9. Steve Howe - The Inner Battle
10. Buddy Rich Big Band - Lingo
11. Pete Lockett’s Network of Sparks feat. Bill Bruford - Prism
12. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – Achilles Feel

THE IMPROVISER
disc SIX
1. Moraz-Bruford - Galatea
2. Moraz-Bruford – Symmetry
3. PianoCircus feat. Bill Bruford & Colin Riley – Stalling Between Two Fools
4. King Crimson - No Warning
5. Moraz-Bruford - Flags
6. Moraz-Bruford -Split Seconds
7. David Torn – Previous Man
8. David Torn - Three Minutes of Pure Entertainment
9. Bruford-Borstlap - 16 Kingdoms of the 5 Barbarians
10. Bruford-Borstlap - Stand on Zanzibar
11. Earthworks - With Friends Like These…
12. Bruford-Borstlap - Low Tide, Camber Sands
13. Bruford-Borstlap – Kinship

Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection will be released as a 6CD Box Set on April 29th through BMG. Pre-order it here: https://billbruford.lnk.to/MASDPR

photo by Dave McKean

About Bill Bruford

Bill Bruford was a founder member (1968 – 1972) of progressive pioneers YES performing on, and composing for, their genre-defining trilogy The YES Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge. He would renew this association as a member of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH) in 1989 and for the YES Union album and tour of 1991 and 1992. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of YES in 2017.

Known for his ringing metal snare drum, crisp cymbal work and knack for complex time signatures, Bruford sought new challenges and King Crimson’s ever-shifting musical horizons gave Bruford the opportunity to explore and experiment across the following 25 years. Bruford completed his hat-trick of prog giants by joining Genesis for their first tour with Phil Collins as frontman.

Alongside his work with King Crimson, Bruford was touring with National Health, was a member of another prog-rock supergroup UK and leading his own jazz fusion band Bruford.

In 1986 he formed Bill Bruford’s Earthworks to further explore his love of jazz, a project that would last until Bruford retired from music in 2009. Along the way Bruford founded two record imprints Winterfold Records and Summerfold Records. He was ever in demand for collaborations with the likes of Patrick Moraz and Michiel Borstlap whilst also appearing on works by Roy Harper, Al Di Meola, David Torn, Kazumi Watanabe and many, many more. Through all this he continued as an active clinician with workshops and clinics all over the world, supported by Tama Drums and Paiste cymbals.

Bill Bruford’s achievements were recognised by his appearance in Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 20 ‘Greatest Drummers of All Time’ list. Following retirement from public performance in 2009, Bill authored an autobiography (2009) and was awarded a PhD in musicology from the University of Surrey in 2016. His most recent volume Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer (2018) is published by the University of Michigan Press.

For more information about Bill Bruford:
https://billbruford.com/
Facebook @Bill Bruford

For more information about the box set Making A Song and Dance: A Complete Career Collection: info.uk@bmg.com

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

OLIVER WAKEMAN Announces “Collaborations” 3CD Box Set Including Re-issues of “The 3 Ages of Magick” with Steve Howe & “Ravens & Lullabies” with Gordon Giltrap

Release April 11, 2022 – available to pre order now from Burning Shed!

Oliver Wakeman has the honour of being one of the few musicians to have performed and recorded with some of Prog Rock’s most respected guitarists.

Back in 2001, many years before he became a member of YES, Oliver and guitarist Steve Howe worked together on the “The 3 Ages of Magick” album. Supplemented by an array of talented musicians, this album became a hidden gem in the YES family tree of recordings.

Following his tenure in the keyboard seat for YES in from 2008 to 2011, Oliver teamed up with another British guitar legend, Gordon Giltrap, to record their award winning “Ravens & Lullabies” album, a collection of rock and acoustic tracks featuring the singers Paul Manzi (SWEET) and Benoit David (YES).

20 years following its original release, “The 3 Ages of Magick” is teamed with the album “Ravens & Lullabies” in the new “Collaborations” 3CD Box Set. Including remastered versions of both albums along with the previously unreleased acoustic live album, “From a Stage” features music from Wakeman & Giltrap’s many years of performing together across the UK.

The “Collaborations” box set, comprising 3CDs each with a 16-page booklet and individual art prints of the sleeves, will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

“The 3 Ages of Magick”, released in 2001, is an instrumental album based in the style of the great 70’s prog solo records. Featuring Steve Howe across 11 of its 13 tracks, the album is both gentle and outlandish in equal measure. The album, based on stories from British folklore, utilises traditional instruments to help tell each story. This remastered version also includes 3 bonus tracks not available on the original release.

10 years later, Oliver and another legendary guitarist, Gordon Giltrap, joined forces after meeting at one of his father’s (Rick Wakeman) Christmas concerts in which they both performed.

“Ravens & Lullabies” allowed Oliver and Gordon to intertwine their acoustic musical abilities in the Lullabies section of the record. The Ravens aspect of the album allowed Gordon to be re-introduced to the Prog community in which he had been a leading figure during his heyday when releasing albums such as “Fear Of The Dark” and “Perilous Journey” (which contained his hit song “Heartsong”). This remastered version also features the bonus studio tracks, “The Forgotten King”, “Bach’s Praeludium” and a new version of Gordon’s classic “Roots” which were only included on the limited-edition double disc release of the original. Also included is a new recording, a piano and classical guitar version of Oliver’s track “The Wedding Approaches”.

This box set package also includes a third disc, “From a Stage”. During the lockdown, Oliver was approached by the sound engineer from one of the Giltrap/Wakeman concerts to say he had found a multitrack recording from a Christmas concert Oliver and Gordon had performed at along with special guest Paul Manzi (SWEET). This allowed a great opportunity to put together the live album “From a Stage” featuring Oliver and Gordon’s interpretations of songs from their collective 20+ years of back catalogues. Including the warmth and musical interplay that became a trademark for their often sold out shows, the recording features songs such as “Heartsong”, “Glimmer of Light” & “Roots”.

The “Collaborations” box set contains 3 CDs each with 16-page booklets including lyrics, previously unseen artwork and many stories behind the creativity of Wakeman and Giltrap. The first 250 box sets will also include the 4th art print of the box set cover numbered and signed by Oliver Wakeman.

A lyric video “Moneyfacturing” from the box set, is now available to view on YouTube.  The track is taken from the Wakeman/Giltrap “Ravens & Lullabies” record in the box set and features Paul Manzi (SWEET)

Oliver says: “This is one of my personal favourite band tracks I have ever written and recorded, allowing me to make use of a lot of my collection of keyboards. It is a radio-friendly song which also reminds people what a great electric guitar player Gordon is!”

Watch the video here: 

“Collaborations” will be released by Burning Shed on 11th April.

You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

About Oliver Wakeman
Eldest son of prog legend Rick, Wakeman filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album in “In The Present – Live From Lyon,” “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set featuring recordings from his time in the band released in 2019. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album (1997) “Heaven’s Isle” was inspired by the island of Lundy, and he has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums.  He has also released several collaborations with renowned musicians, including Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, band mate to both Oliver and his father in YES, as well as writing and recording with guitar legend Gordon Giltrap. Oliver is currently working on his latest album ‘Anam Cara’ due for release in late 2022.

For more information:
Website: www.oliverwakeman.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OliverWakeman/
Twitter: @OliverWakeman
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oliverwakemanmusic/

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

Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” Deluxe 16 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set Available For Pre-order

Esoteric presents Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” – an expanded edition of the classic 1977 live album!

• A DELUXE 16 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1977 LIVE ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• THE ORIGINAL ALBUM IS NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES RESTORING THE CORRECT ALBUM
RUNNING ORDER
• WITH AN ADDITIONAL 14 CDs FEATURING EVERY CONCERT RECORDED ON THE BE BOP DELUXE UK TOUR OF
FEBRUARY & MARCH 1977 ALL NEWLY REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES BY STEPHEN W. TAYLER
• INCLUDES A BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION FROM JANUARY 1977
• ALSO INCLUDES A DVD (NTSC / REGION FREE) OF THE STAR RIDER IN CONCERT TV FILM FIRST SCREENED IN 1977,
RELEASED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
• 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 a new re-mastered super-deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition release (comprising 15 CDs and a DVD) of “Live! In The Air Age” by Be-Bop Deluxe. This legendary live album was released in July 1977 and would prove to be the band’s most successful album, peaking at number 10 in the UK charts. The album was issued at a time of growing commercial success for the band and followed on the heels of two highly acclaimed studio albums in thirteen months, Sunburst Finish and Modern Music, both of which reached the top twenty of the UK album charts. Live! In the Air Age would be the band’s only live record and was recorded on a series of dates in the UK in February and March 1977 on the Rolling Stones mobile unit with John Leckie, who had engineered and co-produced the band’s previous two albums, supervising the location recordings.

The band’s UK tour began in late January and was an audio-visual extravaganza that featured the use of projection screens and excerpts from the 1927 German silent film Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s striking science fiction masterpiece. Continuing into February, the first concert to be recorded was at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on the 12th of that month. The following two nights saw concerts at the Grand Theatre in Leeds which were both captured on tape and saw Bill Nelson perform to an enthusiastic home audience. However, at this juncture fate would intervene to cause a postponement to the remainder of the tour. Travelling to a concert in Bristol on 15th February 1977, Bill Nelson and John Leckie were involved in a car accident which resulted in them being hospitalized at Huddersfield Infirmary. Thankfully, all involved recovered quickly from their injuries, but as a result of the accident, the remaining concerts were postponed until the end of March. The tour began again with two concerts at Hammersmith Odeon in London on March 25th and 26th 1977 which revealed the band to be on top form, feeding off the tremendous warmth of the audience. Further shows in Bristol and Bournemouth on the 27th and 28th March respectively also contained many fine moments. Bill Nelson and John Leckie selected the best performances for mixing at Abbey Road and Advision studios in London and “Live! In The Air Age” was released in July 1977.

Research of all of the Be-Bop Deluxe master tapes revealed that multi track tapes of all the shows recorded on the UK tour of 1977 had survived. After digitizing and listening through to all of the Rolling Stones mobile unit 24-track tapes it was decided to include each concert in its entirety in this expanded boxed set. The concerts were mixed over a period of several months by Stephen W. Tayler and are presented here for the very first time. They reveal the improvisational side of Be-Bop Deluxe, particularly on pieces such as “Shine” and “Blazing” Apostles which made each concert unique.

This set features the original album, newly remastered from the original master tapes, and restores the correct running order of the original LP release and has three bonus tracks drawn from a BBC Radio One JOHN PEEL SHOW session from January 1977. This box also adds an NTSC / Region Free DVD of STAR RIDER IN CONCERT – BE-BOP DELUXE, which was first screened on television in 1977 and appears exclusively in this boxed set for the first time. Finally, this limited-edition boxed set includes an 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 “Live! In The Air Age” is a fitting tribute to a fine live band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.

Released August 27, 2021

To pre-order:
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 15CD/1DVD Limited Edition Box Set: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-15cd-1dvd-limited-edition-box-set/
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 3CD Remastered & Expanded Edition: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-3cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

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

Prog Legends Caravan’s “Who Do You Think We Are?” 37 Disc Deluxe Box Set To Be Released On Madfish On August 20, 2021!

The ultimate tribute to the legendary Canterbury band – 2500 copies only worldwide!

The Canterbury scene combined elements of jazz, folk, rock and melodic pop into a sound that bridged the gulf between psychedelia and progressive rock, and ultimately shattered all genre barriers. At the heart of the Canterbury scene was a group of musicians whose career has now spanned more than half a century: the legend that is CARAVAN.

“Who Do You Think We Are?” is the ultimate tribute to the ultimate Canterbury band. This deluxe box set runs to a staggering 37 discs. All the official Caravan albums – studio and live recordings among them – are joined by eleven discs of previously unreleased live performances. A Blu-ray includes remixer extraordinaire Steven Wilson’s 5.1 surround sound mix of the classic In the Land of Grey and Pink album. In addition, a DVD includes vintage European TV performances from 1971 – 1981 (London Marquee, German TV’s Swing In, Bataclan, Paris & French TV show ‘Pop 2’).

The lavish packaging of the set reflects the band’s stature. A hardback coffee table book features rare Caravan photos and memorabilia, and a full discography. A second Fan Club book assembles historic press articles from across the band’s career, alongside a new interview with founder member Pye Hastings. Every copy of the box includes a photo signed by the three surviving members of the original Caravan line-up: Pye Hastings, Richard Sinclair and David Sinclair. The celebration continues with a selection of memorabilia: a Caravan-centric map of Canterbury; a specially commissioned Caravan family tree poster, charting their long and circuitous progress; and two replica 1970s gig posters.

Put together with the band’s full cooperation, the full list of contents is as follows:

• 16 NEWLY REMASTERED STUDIO ALBUMS & 4 OFFICIAL LIVE ALBUMS
• 11 DISCS OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDINGS
• ON BLU-RAY FOR THE FIRST TIME 48/24 STEREO & 5.1 MIX BY STEVEN WILSON OF IN THE LAND OF GREY & PINK
• DVD INCLUDING RARE FOOTAGE FROM THE MARQUEE 1971, ROCK EN STOCK 1972, BATACLAN 1973 & FRENCH TV PERFORMANCE 1981
• INDIVIDUALLY SIGNED PHOTO BY THE THREE SURVIVING MEMBERS PYE HASTINGS, DAVE SINCLAIR, & RICHARD SINCLAIR
• 144 PAGE HARDBACK COFFEE TABLE BOOK FEATURING RARE PHOTOGRAPHS & MEMORABILIA
• A4 FAN CLUB MINI BOOK FEATURING ARCHIVE ARTICLES & AN UP TO DATE INTERVIEW WITH PYE HASTINGS
• A4 REPLICA TOUR PROGRAMME FOR BLIND DOG AT ST DUNSTANS
• “FOR GIRLS THAT GROW PLUMP IN THE NIGHT” REPLICA PRESS PACK
• CARAVAN’S TRIP DOWN MEMORY LAIN MAP OF CANTERBURY
• ILLUSTRATED FAMILY TREE
• 2 REPLICA POSTERS

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “WHO DO YOU THINK WE ARE?” HERE

This box set will be limited to 2500 copies worldwide and released on August 20th 2021 on the Madfish label. This deluxe box set is available to pre-order HERE https://CaravanBand.lnk.to/WDYTWA

Follow Caravan:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCaravan
https://twitter.com/officialcaravan  
https://www.youtube.com/user/officialcaravan
https://www.instagram.com/caravancanterburyband/

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

Symphonic Rock Legends Renaissance feat. Annie Haslam Release “50th Anniversary - Ashes are Burning - an Anthology - Live in Concert with The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra”

Featuring special guest Jim McCarty!

Renaissance are proud to announce the release of their Blu-ray/DVD/2CD set of the 50th Anniversary Concert at The Keswick Theatre in Glenside PA, USA on October 12th 2019, featuring their own 10-piece Renaissance Chamber Orchestra and with special guest Renaissance co-founder Jim McCarty.

It is time to celebrate the culmination of the bands widespread touring and recording over the past 50 years with their first high-definition concert film and Blu-ray release.

Renaissance featuring lead singer Annie Haslam performed an impressive concert of high quality musicianship alongside a magical backdrop of paintings for each song in the show, created by Annie. The combination was stunning.

The concert film is a retrospective celebration of Renaissance classics songs, some of which have never been orchestrated before, including their most notably “Ashes Are Burning”!

Watch the video for “Day of Dreamer”:

Annie Haslam says: I am so proud I was chosen to be lead singer in this incredibly unique band and to have witnessed all the musicians that have been a part of our history, each person adding something extra into the mix and life of the band. Particularly the band that we are now, who have put their hearts and souls into this music. Rave Tesar, our keyboardist and MD has taken the band to a new level by creating our own orchestra of hand-picked musicians... when we go touring now it’s like a 16-piece band, and to have them with us on our 50th Anniversary tour was so natural and perfect. Personally, I have come full circle with our special guest and friend Renaissance co-founder Jim McCarty who was at my audition on December 31st 1970! He added such special moments and memories as we performed ‘Island’, written by Keith Relf and Jim, the song that got me the job!

Renaissance are: Annie Haslam - lead vocals, Rave Tesar - keyboards, Mark Lambert - guitars/vocals, Geoffrey Langley - keyboards/vocals, Leo Traversa - bass guitar/vocals, Frank Pagano - drums/percussion/vocals

Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band's career has now spanned fifty years spearheaded by the 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.

The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and additionally at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.

Retail release will follow through Symphonic Rock Recordings in the United States, Canada and South America on April 23rd other territories will be distributed through Cherry Red Records on April 30.

To pre-order: https://renaissancetouring.com/50

For more information:
www.renaissancetouring.com
facebook.com/renaissancetouring
www.anniehaslam.com
facebook.com/anniehaslamart

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

Dutch Music Legends Focus To Release “Focus 50 - Live In Rio” 3CD/1 Blu Ray Deluxe Edition

Released April 30, 2021

To celebrate 50 years of ground-breaking progressive rock, Focus are delighted to announce their “Focus 50” 3CD/Blu-Ray package to be released on April 30, 2021through In Focus Records distributed by Cherry Red Records.

The Coronavirus pandemic forced Focus to postpone their anniversary celebrations from 2020 and “Focus 50” will herald a year of celebration which will culminate in the release of a brand new studio album in early 2022.   

At the heart of the “Focus 50” package are 2CDs and Blu-Ray of “Focus Live In Rio,” a concert recorded in Nitteroi, Rio de Janeiro, in 2017. The concert features music from across the history of the band from “Focus 1” and “House Of The King,” on their very first album, through the classics “Hocus Pocus,” “Sylvia” and “Focus III” to “Song For Eva” first released in 2017.

“Focus 50” also includes a bonus CD “Completely Focused” with the classic Focus tracks numbered 1 through 12 re-recorded by the current Focus line-up of Thijs van Leer (keyboard, flute and vocals), Pierre van der Linden (drums), Menno Gootjes (guitar) and Udo Pannekeet (bass). The Focus tracks have been recorded during the lockdown period and mixed by Udo Pannekeet.

The discs are accompanied by a booklet with notes by the band, their long serving engineer Geert Scheijgrond and South American tour promoter Marcel Castro with whom Focus have had a long relationship and who brought together the recording of the show in Rio. The booklet also features photos from the Rio concert showing the energetic and fun side of life on the road with Focus together with personal photos from touring and in the studio - a more intimate view of the band away from the limelight. This captures the essence of the Focus family which includes Geert, Marcel and legendary artist Roger Dean, and is incredibly important to the band. The current line-up has been together since 2016 and has a magical chemistry which manifests into electrifying performances.

“Focus 50” is released on April 30, 2021 as a 3CD/Blu-Ray with book package through In Focus Records distributed by Cherry Red Records.

About Focus

Focus emerged in 1970 with a debut album “Focus Plays Focus” which became better known as “In And Out Of Focus.” Their breakthrough came with the worldwide success of singles “Hocus Pocus” and “Sylvia” the early seventies with a line-up which included founder member Thijs van Leer (keyboard, flute and vocals), Pierre van der Linden (drums) and Jan Akkerman (guitar). The albums “Focus II/Moving Waves” and “Focus 3” put the band at the very forefront of the progressive music scene.

Beloved by the student population, Focus’ music fused van Leer’s love of jazz and classical music and he employed a unique vocal style of yodeling and scat, using the voice as another form of instrumentation rather than singing in a conventional style. Focus played to sold out theatres around the world and, at that time, were quite possibly ‘the coolest band on the planet.’

Through many line-up changes across the years van Leer consistently sourced great musicians to join the Focus ranks. Focus went their separate ways in 1978, occasionally reuniting to perform on stage or record together on solo projects. Van Leer officially reformed Focus with a new line-up in 2001 and released the acclaimed “Focus 8” album the following year. Pierre van der Linden returned in 2004 while current guitarist Menno Gootjes joined the Focus family in 2010. Udo Pannekeet completed the current Focus line-up in 2016 contributing to the “Focus Family Album” (2017) collection, which includes re-recordings and previously unreleased material, before the band returned to the studio to record “Focus 11” (2018).

Focus are now looking forward to returning to live performance, once the Coronavirus pandemic has been controlled, and sharing their music with their fans - the extended Focus family.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE: LIVE IN RIO CD
1. FOCUS 1
2. HOUSE OF THE KING
3. ERUPTION
4. SYLVIA
5. SONG FOR EVA
6. ALL HENS ON DECK

DISC TWO: LIVE IN RIO CD
1. LE TANGO
2. P’S MARCH
3. FOCUS 5
4. HAREM SCAREM
5. HOCUS POCUS
6. FOCUS 3

DISC THREE: LIVE IN RIO BLU-RAY
1. FOCUS 1
2. HOUSE OF THE KING
3. ERUPTION
4. SYLVIA
5. SONG FOR EVA
6. ALL HENS ON DECK
7. LE TANGO
8. P’S MARCH
9. FOCUS 5
10. HAREM SCAREM
11. HOCUS POCUS
12. FOCUS 3

DISC FOUR: COMPLETELY FOCUSSED CD
1. FOCUS 1
2. FOCUS 2
3. FOCUS 3
4. FOCUS 4
5. FOCUS 5
6. FOCUS 6
7. FOCUS 7
8. FOCUS 8
9. FOCUS 9
10. FOCUS 10
11. FOCUS 11
12. FOCUS 12

“Focus: Focus 50 - Live In Rio” 3CD/1 Blu Ray Deluxe Edition Pre-order here: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/focus-focus-50-live-in-rio-3cd-1-blu-ray-deluxe-edition/

For more information: https://focustheband.co.uk/

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

OLIVER WAKEMAN and CLIVE NOLAN Announce “Tales By Gaslight” 3CD Box Set includes re-issues of “Jabberwocky” & “The Hound of The Baskervilles”

Released April 23, 2021

Oliver Wakeman reunites with Clive Nolan after 20 years to issue a 3CD Box Set – “Tales By Gaslight” featuring remastered versions of their ‘future prog classics’ “Jabberwocky” and “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” along with a new disc “Dark Fables.”

The “Tales By Gaslight” box set, comprising 3CDs each with a 16-page booklet and 3 individual Art prints of the three covers, will be released by Burning Shed on 23rd April.

Watch the video for the unreleased track “Why Do You Hate Me” from “Dark Fables”: 

Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena) and Oliver Wakeman (YES, Strawbs) first combined their considerable keyboard and compositional talents to create two rock opera/concept albums.

“Jabberwocky,” released in 1999, was based on the famous Lewis Carroll poem. It was followed by “The Hound of The Baskervilles” (2002), inspired by the Sherlock Holmes novel penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The project was always intended to be a trilogy of musical interpretations of literary classics, but an album inspired by Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” was shelved because of a lack of record company funding.

This box set package also includes a third disc, featuring previously unreleased pieces that were intended to complete the trilogy. This third disc, “Dark Fables,” contains over 30 minutes of music conceived for the abandoned “Frankenstein” album. Nolan and Wakeman also found pieces which were unused from “The Hound of The Baskervilles.” These include “The Man Called Sherlock” which was the original version of the “Overture” and “221B,” inspired by Sherlock Holmes’ famous address.

Unusually for the time, the first two albums featured a host of guest performances, including narration by Wakeman’s father Rick and actor Robert Powell. Former YES guitarist, the late Peter Banks, Magnum vocalist Bob Catley and singer Tracy Hitchings appeared on both albums. Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen lent his talent to “The Hound of the Baskervilles” along with members from the bands IQ and Threshold. The unique artwork was created by Rodney Matthews for the original “Jabberwocky” release. Peter Pracownik was the creativity behind “The Hound of The Baskervilles” artwork 20 years ago and has returned to this trilogy by lending his talents to the new “Dark Fables” artwork.

In keeping with the spirit of the two previous albums, the new recordings feature the talents of, amongst others, Gordon Giltrap, Paul Manzi (Arena, Oliver Wakeman Band, Sweet) Andy Sears (Twelfth Night) and David Mark Pearce (Oliver Wakeman Band). Also included is an original reading of the “Jabberwocky” poem by Rick Wakeman.

The “Tales By Gaslight” box set contains 3 CDs each with 16-page booklets including lyrics, previously unseen art work and many stories behind the creativity from both Wakeman and Nolan. The first 250 box sets will also include a 4th limited edition numbered art print of the box set cover signed by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman. “Tales By Gaslight” will be released by Burning Shed on 23rd April.

You can pre-order the set here: https://burningshed.com/store/oliverwakeman

About Oliver Wakeman
Eldest son of prog legend Rick, Wakeman filled the keyboard role, once held by his father, with YES from 2008 to 2011. His work with YES includes the triple live album in “In The Present – Live From Lyon,” “Fly From Here” and the “From A Page” box set featuring recordings from his time in the band released in 2019. During his tenure with YES, Wakeman also toured and recorded as a member of The Strawbs. Wakeman’s debut album (1997) “Heaven’s Isle” was inspired by the island of Lundy, and he has since released a number of solo and Oliver Wakeman Band albums.  He has also released several collaborations with renowned musicians, including Steve Howe, bandmate to both Oliver and his father in YES for “The Three Ages of Magick” album, as well as uniting with another guitar legend Gordon Giltrap for the award-winning “Ravens & Lullabies” album. Both of which are set to be part of an upcoming boxset.

About Clive Nolan
Aged just sixteen, multi-instrumentalist Nolan became the youngest musician (at that time) to gain an A.L.C.M. composition diploma from the London College of Music. At university he studied composition, orchestration, musical arrangement and conducting, gaining a B Mus and M Mus. He has played a prominent role in the development of progressive music, as a member of Pendragon since 1986 and as a member of Shadowland (1992 – present), Strangers on A Train (1993 – 1994) and by forming his own band Arena in 1995. Nolan’s interest in rock opera extends beyond his collaborations with Wakeman. In 2008 he wrote “She,” based upon the novel by Sir H Rider Haggard, and two musicals “Alchemy” and “King’s Ransom.” This year will also see the release of a new ‘Viking Inspired’ album “Song of the Wildlands,” as well as the new Arena album “The Theory of Molecular Inheritance.”

For more information:
https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OliverWakeman/
Twitter @OliverWakeman

http://www.clivenolan.net/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/clive.nolan.7
Twitter - @operafanatica

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

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

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

Rick Wakeman’s “Return to the Centre of the Earth” Deluxe & Super Deluxe Box Sets Available For Pre-order

Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman’s “Return to the Centre of the Earth” Deluxe and Super Deluxe box sets are now available for pre-order!

“Return to the Centre of the Earth” is a studio album released on March 15, 1999 on EMI Classics. The album is a sequel to Wakeman’s 1974 concept album “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, itself based on the same-titled science fiction novel by Jules Verne. Wakeman wrote a new story of three unnamed travelers who attempt to follow the original journey two hundred years later, including the music which features guest performances from Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Tony Mitchell, Trevor Rabin, Justin Hayward, and Katrina Leskanich. The story is narrated by Patrick Stewart. Upon release, the album reached number 34 on the UK Albums Chart.

“I AM IMMENSELY PROUD OF RETURN TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH, AS WHEN I LOOK BACK, IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ALMOST SUICIDAL TO HAVE RECORDED AND RELEASED IT WHEN PROG WAS AT SUCH A LOW STATUS, BUT THANKS TO RICHARD LYTTLETON, THE PRESIDENT OF EMI CLASSICS, WHO BELIEVED SO MUCH IN THE MUSIC, IT WAS RECORDED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD POSSIBLE AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT WITHOUT HIM, THE MUSIC WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY.” -  Rick Wakeman, UK 2020.

Details of what is in the boxes:

“Return to the Centre of the Earth” Deluxe:
Signed and Numbered Certificate
“Return to the Centre of the Earth” CD
“Return to the Centre of the Earth” - LIVE double CD from Canadian performance where the narration is in french.
CD of Radio Edits
DVD of;
surround sound mix and enhanced stereo by Simon Heyworth
Approximately 80 minutes unseen footage filmed in the studio, at the album launch as well as featuring Rick includes Bonnie Tyler and Justin Heywood
Reproduction Press Pack
Reproduction Press Photo
Reproduction ticket to the album launch
2 x A3 Posters

To pre-order: https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/products/return-to-the-centre-of-the-earth-deluxe-box-set

“Return to the Centre of the Earth” Super Deluxe:
Signed and Numbered Certificate
180 gram double vinyl album
“Return to the Centre of the Earth” CD
“Return to the Centre of the Earth” - LIVE double CD from Canadian performance where the narration is in french.
CD of Radio Edits
DVD of;
surround sound mix and enhanced stereo by Simon Heyworth
Approximately 80 minutes unseen footage filmed in the studio, at the album launch as well as featuring Rick includes Bonnie Tyler and Justin Heywood
Reproduction Press Pack
Reproduction Press Photo
Reproduction ticket to the album launch
2 x A3 Posters

To pre-order: https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/products/return-to-the-centre-of-the-earth-super-deluxe-box-set

Watch the sneak preview of what fans can expect from episode one of Rick's Plaice: 

Rick Wakeman’s official website: www.rwcc.com

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

All-Star Keith Emerson Tribute Concert Release Announced

Los Angeles, CA - In celebration of Keith Emerson's 76th birthday, The Keith Emerson Estate and Cherry Red Records announce the long-awaited release of The Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert on March 11, 2021 (the 5th anniversary of Keith's passing). This official 3-disc set brings you the historical 2016 tribute show in Los Angeles featuring a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musical luminaries performing music from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Powell, The Keith Emerson Band and the Three Fates Project.

The 2 1/2 - hour concert film features many stellar performances by over two dozen prominent artists in rock, jazz and classical music as well as artist interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, tribute speeches, and a gallery of personal never-before-seen photos from the Emerson estate. The concert will be released on Blu-Ray along with a bonus 2-CD set which features an exclusive audio recording of the show.

Performers include Brian Auger, Eddie Jobson, Jordan Rudess, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Marc Bonilla, Gregg Bissonnette, CJ Vanston, Troy Luccketta, Rachel Flowers, Terje Mikkelsen, Philippe Saisse, Joe Travers, Travis Davis, Ed Roth, Jonathan Sindelman, Mike Wallace, Mick Mahan, Karma Auger, Rick Livingstone, Kae Matsumoto, Aaron Emerson, Dan Lutz, and Michael Fitzpatrick.

This highly-anticipated concert captures the essence of what made Keith Emerson a pioneer of prog rock, a treasure among his many fans and friends, and a legendary keyboardist and composer with the iconic supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

“It was a great honor to be asked to play in tribute to not only a friend but a musical giant and hero to us all.  I hope he smiles from heaven knowing the spirit this was done in. So many unreal musicians and thanks to Marc for putting it all together like that! RIP Keith. You are so missed...” - Steve Lukather, 2020

All proceeds go to the charity The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, which was close to Keith’s heart. Artists, crew and all involved have donated their skills and time gratis for this worthy cause, which afflicts thousands of musicians annually.

For more information and updates on the Blu-ray release, please visit:
www.keithemerson.com  
www.facebook.com/officialkeithemerson
www.facebook.com/keithemersontributeconcert

Contact: Mari Kawaguchi, info@keith-emerson.com

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