Showing posts with label New Album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Album. Show all posts

Monday, August 1, 2022

Original Crack The Sky Bassist Joe Macre To Release Second Solo Album “The Dream Is Free”

Hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed first solo album. Bassist Joe Macre will be releasing his second album “The Dream Is Free” on August 1st on Cuppa Joe Records. Joe is known as the original bassist for the progressive rock band Crack The Sky best known for achieving “debut album of the year” in Rolling Stone Magazine and still included in the top 50 albums of all time. Joe was a member of Crack The Sky from 1975–1980 and 2004-2009. Joe has also worked with The B. E. Taylor Group, Wild Cherry, King Friday, Jim Croce, David Sanborn, The Brecker Brothers, Marie Osmond, Keith Green, Clint Brown, and others.

In 2018 Joe began work on Joe Mac’s American Garage with the debut album, “Bullet Train” released in 2021 with a cast of musicians and superstars including Grammy Award Artists Oliver Wakeman (Yes), and Andy Timmons (Danger Danger), Robert Schindler (Johnny Nash), Madukwu Chinwah (Erikah Badu), Chris Elliot and Jerry Oxendyne (86 Bullets), Pete Hewllett (Billy Joel), John Palumbo, Rick Witkowski, Bobby Hird and Joey D'Amico (Crack The Sky).

Joe’s latest effort, “The Dream Is Free” was written immediately after the “Bullet Train” release and features him on all instruments and voices, with guest appearances by Crack The Sky’s Rick Witkowski and Al Macre (keys) and solos by Chris Elliott. It’s a collection of 10 songs with Bonus tracks. The first single is a light commercial song entitled “I Need You.”

Says Joe, “‘The Dream Is Free’ album is a reflection on my life experiences as a musician. The Dream Is Free BUT the pain’s sold separately. It takes some talent to get in but there are consequences if you have no idea of the BUSINESS of music. So, I guess it’s a loosely concept album but also a collection that was written during the covid times. I write all the songs and play all the instruments and vocals with the exception of some solos by Chris Elliott, Rick Witkowski and Al Macre. Two incredible soloists and a classical keyboardist who played on a few songs. My former bandmate Rick Witkowski co-wrote two songs with me on this album. My musical inspirations are The Beatles, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Strawbs. I grew up playing Funk as a bassist. These early years were filled with Motown, James Brown and anything with a cool rhythm. The context for my songs is positive, giving the listener the chance to explore what I'm saying. Most are based on my musical experiences and years on the road.”

Joe Macre’s Award-winning Post Production mixing credits in films include Monster in Law, House of D and Fire Down Below. His “Cuppa Joe Music” Library and Sound Design are chosen for many national spots, including the award-winning Super Bowl Tabasco’s “Mosquito”, Corona’s “Ship in a Bottle”, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Ford, McDonald’s, Corona, Hyundai, and Oprah Winfrey.

Joe was inducted into the board of directors for SPARS (Society of Professional Audio Recording Services) with Leslie Ann Jones, Audio Director at Skywalker Sound, Kevin Mills at Larrabee West Studios, Tim Butler at Chicago Recording (CRC), Jeff Greenberg at The Village Recorder and Steve Davis at Crawford Communications Atlanta. Joe is an active member of AES and the American Federation of Musicians.

Track List:
The Dream Is Free
Tell Me
Ride Or Die
Drop Me Off At The Rainbow
Life In The Theater
These Cool Years
Not Looking Back Tonight
Tomorrow Is Today
Get Up, Crack Down
The Dark Sky Sea

Special thanks to Chris Elliott, Rick Witkowski and Al Macre for their input and contributions.

To purchase:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/joe-macre/1554759535
https://joemacsamericangarage.bandcamp.com

For more information:
www.joemacre.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUnj3mE99udGF8QHZsDEPCQ
https://open.spotify.com/artist/671oRPBGK1PKkhvfwudawb
https://soundcloud.com/cuppajoemusic

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

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way To Release Unique Concept Album & Novel “The Rock Artist's Progress” on Sept. 23, 2022

Features guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion!

“The Rock Artist's Progress” is a unique concept and project created by legendary violinist Darryl Way that consists of an album and novel that are intrinsically linked together and sold as a bundle. The novel will also include musical illustrations created by Darryl, that can be clicked on and listened to, whilst reading. Both album and novel are due for release on September 23rd, on Spirit of Unicorn Music, Cherry Red Records, iTunes and Amazon.

The novel, written by Charles Shorwell, is set against the backdrop of the musical revolution that started with the Beatles and begins in 1968, a year after ‘The Summer of Love’ and follows the story of Daniel Luckham, a young classical pianist studying at the Royal College of Music. Seduced by the rock music scene and vibrant counter culture in London at that time, he contrives to leave college and pursue a career in ‘Rock’. But some bad decisions lead him down a dark and dangerous alley, populated by drug dealers, unscrupulous managers and femme fatales. On his journey to fulfil his dreams, Daniel finds his integrity challenged, and the innocence of youth cruelly stripped away.

The connection between the album and novel, unfortunately has to remain a secret, as to divulge that information would give away a key plot line in the novel. All that can be said is that the album represents a body of work recorded in the late 60s. Created by Darryl Way, the album features a guest vocal performance from Steve Hogarth of Marillion, on the track “Morpheus”.

Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/U1VAx4Sbixk

A playful and intimate account of one young man's experiences of London's vibrant music scene, in the late 60s”.

Available for preorders at www.cherryred.co.uk from 5th August

For more information:
https://www.darrylway.com/
https://www.charlesshorwell.co.uk

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

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Prog Ensemble Dario and the Clear Release New Album “Reflective Touch” Featuring Crack The Sky Founding Member!

Guitarist Dario Saraceno and his band Dario and the Clear has released his eagerly awaited new album “Reflective Touch.” Dario was born in Ripacandida, Italy and moved to London, England during the height of Beatlemania. After his mom took him to see the Beatles at an outdoor concert, he was profoundly influenced and became infatuated with becoming a musician.  

Fast forward to his teenage years and music became reality when he purchased his first guitar.  Dario took an unusual approach. When most musicians were aspiring to play covers, Dario was immediately drawn to writing original music and spent time learning multi-track recording.  

After graduating Berklee College of Music, Dario toured with his band, Decoy and worked as a session guitarist, touring and teaching. His instructional book, “The Shapes Remain the Same” was published in 2010. After his Decoy project came to a close, Dario went solo, starting a new band he named Dario and the Clear. Dario and the Clear has released seven albums since 2011. After the release of his previous album, “Optic Nerve,” the creative muse continued to provide inspiration for a new body of work that he named “Reflective Touch.”

Since the album is guitar-driven, he invited a number of his favorite guitarists as special guests: Rick Witkowski, founding member of Crack the Sky, Gabriel Marin, multi-ethnic instrumentalist and experimental guitar player, and Hudson Valley based session guitarist, Tony De Paolo. Dario continued experimenting with his sound palette using his classical fretless guitar on the title track “Reflective Touch” and Chapman stick on the track “Heavy Merge.” Adding to the unique flavor on “Heavy Merge,” is Gabriel Marin's use of the dutar (a Pakistani instrument) and guitar arpeggiator, a fretless electric guitar.


This album is great for progressive junkies who relish UK and Yes and other bands that are able to blend heavy guitar riffs with expertise, whimsy and creative intensity.” - Laurent Rejto, Executive Director, Hudson Valley Film Commission.  

Guitars are ripping my face hairs off one at a time. Then the vocals come in for the soothing aftershave and nice hooks all the way around.” - Steve Ball, Instructor at Guitar Craft.

To purchase:
https://darioandtheclear.hearnow.com/reflective-touch  

For more information:
https://darioandtheclear4.bandcamp.com/album/reflective-touch    
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dario-and-the-clear/430371436  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts7uemMlxXA

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

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Prog Legends FLASH Featuring Peter Banks “In The USA Live 1972-73” 3-CD Set Available Sept, 9, 2022

Available on Sept. 9th, restored live recordings from 1970ʼs classic prog rock group FLASH featuring ex-YES guitarist Peter Banks. Twenty-two tracks from seven shows across 3 discs; a majority of them previously unavailable. Best known thanks to their YES connections, the band nevertheless held their own across three Billboard charting albums, and the top 30 single hit “Small Beginnings.” Includes 32-page booklet with exclusive band interviews, unpublished photos and tour itinerary. A true time capsule back to the golden age of US rock concerts.

• Carefully restored and previously unreleased recordings
• For fans of progressive rock, guitar heroes & YES
• Previously unpublished photos & essay including detailed US tour history with exclusive band interviews and memorabilia

Capturing the collective during seven of their American shows of 1972-1973, one of those preserved for posterity in its entirety, the digipack will allow the listener to savor most of the three LPs in rather different performances than those laid down in the studio and the uninitiated will have the opportunity to see how brilliant these musicians were. Colin and Ray worked for a while under the old name relatively recently, but it’s the old recordings their followers are after, so there’s something to look forward to.” – Dmitry Epstein https://dmme.net

Says Ray Bennett: “What ‘Think Like A Key Music’ set out to do here, on this multi-disc set, is to gather together whatever was left out there of live FLASH stuff regardless of quality and present it in the best possible way. Whatever improvements could be made to the audio were done. Quite a bit of it is rough sounding, but I found that even with the poor sound issues there was something coming across from the live experience. Some surprisingly good moments. A fair bit of this material was fan-recorded, probably on cassettes, some possibly from rough mixing board recordings; some is much better studio type quality, and some has been online for years on obscure websites, but in the worst possible form – awful sound, complete with extraneous noise and talking in the recordings. So all that has been cleaned up and the sound mastered as well as possible. Overall, I think this is a worthy project for the historical record at the very least. Other than the ‘In Public’ CD which is already available, this new set is it as far as we know. Pretty much all that there is of live FLASH performance.”

Watch the promotional video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqi8AVksm7c

FLASH “In The USA” Tracklist:

CD 1:
Roslyn, NY, August 1st, 1972:
1. Black And White
2. There No More
3. Monday Morning Eyes
4. Small Beginnings
5. Children Of The Universe
6. Lifetime

CD 2:
Hempstead, NY, July 18th, 1972:
7. Small Beginnings
8. There No More
9. Children Of The Universe
10. Dreams Of Heaven
Passaic, NJ, December 16th, 1972:
11. Small Beginnings
12. Black And White
13. Children Of The Universe

CD 3:
Indianapolis, IN, December 27th, 1972:
14. Small Beginnings
15. Black And White
16. Children Of The Universe
Burbank, CA, October 9, 1973:
17. Dead Ahead
18. Psychosync
Miami, FL, October 26th, 1973:
19. Children Of The Universe
20. Black And White
Cape Cod, MA, August 24th, 1973:
21. The Bishop
22. Manhattan Morning (Christmas ’72)

To purchase: https://flash.biglink.to/intheusa

For more information: https://www.thinklikeakey.com

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

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Vanderwolf Releases “12 Little Killers” LP As Follow Up To His “Extinction” EP

Following the recent release of his EP “Extinction” which featured musical legends Robert Wyatt and Daevid Allen, Vanderwolf has put forth an album of 12 original tracks available on vinyl and digital download - his first LP under his own name.

Vanderwolf re-emerges with “12 Little Killers” an eclectic collection that includes the deliciously oozing slice of psychedelia of the single “Glisten,” which is heavily-slanted toward melting analogue synthesizers (Sam Sallon) and rich layers of acoustic guitars (Chris Cordoba) and an exquisite vocal by Max Vanderwolf.

Recorded by producer Chris Wyles at his south London studio, the 12 songs were selected, mixed and compiled by keyboardist and co-producer Sam Sallon. It’s available in a limited pressing of 500.

Says Max, “These 12-tracks, present human fallibility in its many forms - greed, anxiety, lust, self-debasement, our seemingly limitless capacity to hurt others – it’s all there. It was important to have a visual identity that carries these themes.”

Vanderwolf’s music spans a wide-range of genres from global beats to hard blues to fragile balladry to prog-rock monstrosities and beyond. With a vast back catalogue of songs to release, Vanderwolf is set to get his wild and restless music out to the world.

Born in NYC, working in London and as of 2020 residing in Los Angeles, Max Vanderwolf has recorded several albums and countless songs. Most of them remain unreleased. Notably, he was vocalist and creative-force behind the semi-legendary London band, Last Man Standing, whose sole album in 2008 received plaudits from many including Mojo and Uncut.

Concurrent to his life in music, Vanderwolf has worked under an assumed name as a music programmer and concert producer in some of the worlds’ most celebrated clubs and venues. He went from overseeing the legendary underground downtown NYC’s Knitting Factory to overseeing London’s Royal Festival Hall, where for 9 years he produced the Meltdown Festival where he worked closely with David Bowie, Patti Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Massive Attack and others. He has produced concerts in Brooklyn, Rome and Paris working closely with John Cale, Sparks and the Residents.

With more music from these London sessions being mixed and an album’s worth of new material being recorded in Los Angeles, Max Vanderwolf is diving headlong into the future.

Vanderwolf “12 Little Killers” will be released on July 20, 2022.

Vanderwolf:
Max Vanderwolf - Vocals
Sam Sallon - Keyboards
Chris Wyles  - Drums
Kevin Petillo - Drums
Chris Cordoba - Guitar
Oli Hannifan - Guitar
Will Muldrew - Bass
Malin-My Nilsson and Amy Langely: strings
Victy Silva - backing vocals

To purchase the new single “Glisten”: https://lnk.to/VanderwolfGlisten

To purchase “12 Little Killers”: https://vanderwolf.lnk.to/12LittleKillers

For more information:
Official website: www.vanderwolfmusic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VCMMZZYJ0QKriJy07ZJCg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanderwolfmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanderwolfmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vanderwolfband
Promotional materials: https://www.vanderwolfpromo.com/
Soundcloud link to album, “12 Little Killers”: https://soundcloud.com/vanderwolf-official/sets/12-little-killers

Videos:
“Glisten” from “12 Little Killers”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE1x25aXIkA
“The Existential Terrier” from “12 Little Killers”:
https://youtu.be/1BhnWCSKoJs (available to watch on the release date)

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

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

World’s Largest Prog Rock Supergroup THE PROG COLLECTIVE Revisit Folk & Rock Masterpieces On New Album SONGS WE WERE TAUGHT, Release First Single!

Album features performances by David Clayton-Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears), Rod Argent (The Zombies), Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Candice Night (Blackmore's Night), Dweezil Zappa, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N' Roses/Asia), Steve Morse (Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Steve Hillage (Gong) and more!

Los Angeles, CA – Producer Billy Sherwood has helmed the massive prog rock supergroup The Prog Collective through an astonishing 10 years and 3 studio albums with an ever-evolving cast of 50+ elite-level musicians, vocalists, and creative minds. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the project has always brought some of the most innovative musical arrangements, unique performances and cutting-edge production techniques, all in service of creating the most engaging, enthralling listening experience to the listener. The same holds true for the band’s newest effort, the gorgeous and sublime Songs We Were Taught.

As the title suggests, Sherwood and his cohort travel back in time to revisit some of the most formative and influential songs of the ‘60s & ‘70s. From Bob Dylan’s massively important “The Times They Are A-Changin’” to Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable classic “Sound Of Silence” to the folk standard-turned-chart-topping-rock-dirge “House Of The Rising Sun,” the compositions included here are not ones that would immediately be associated with the kind of progressive /art-rock players featured on Prog Collective albums. But just one listen to the astonishing musicianship Wishbone Ash’s Martin Turner and electric violinist Jerry Goodman bring to Dylan’s song or the mix of soul and atmosphere that David Clayton-Thomas and Steve Hillage add to “House Of The Rising Sun” and you’ll know why this album exists. Thankfully, the band has released “House Of The Rising Sun” as the album’s first single!

Check out the single: https://orcd.co/house_of_the_rising_sun

Watch for the whole of Songs We Were Taught to be released on all formats, including CD, vinyl and digital, starting July 1.

Pre-order the CD/vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=songs+we+were+taught&post_type=product

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

Track List:
1. The Sound Of Silence - Jon Davison (Yes) & Geoff Downes (Yes/Asia)
2. Year Of The Cat - Billy Sherwood (Yes/Circa) & David Sancious (Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band)
3. House Of The Rising Sun - David Clayton-Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears) & Steve Hillage (Gong)
4. In The Land Of Grey And Pink - Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N' Roses)
5. Summer Breeze - Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) & Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs)
6. Fire And Rain - Sonja Kristina (Curved Air) & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
7. The Weight - Rod Argent (The Zombies) & Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (The Doobie Brothers)
8. Wild World - Rosalie Cunningham (Ipso Facto) & Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues)
9. It's Too Late - Candice Night (Blackmore's Night) & Dweezil Zappa
10. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Jerry Goodman (The Flock)

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

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Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Multi-instrumentalist Mike Ian Releases New Conceptual Prog Album “The Learning Tree”

Mike Ian announces his return to original vocal music, bringing a new, large-scale, progressive sound to fans with the release of his next album, “The Learning Tree.” Now available, the new record brings back vocal elements not heard since his 2010 release, “Puzzle Pieces.”

Multi-instrumentalist, Ian recorded all the instruments and vocals for “The Learning Tree” in his studio, Eyeball Studios, in Cinnaminson, NJ casually spanning as far back as 2004 onward. Upon deciding to finally complete this massive project this year, freshly recorded drums and vocals were added to complete the project and give it its final touches.

Lyrics always eluded Mike for completion of this project. The music has such a grand quality about it. And to put lyrics to match such a project was proving difficult. A few phrases were sporadically laid out amongst the tunes in the early infancy years. And a few phrases stuck. But the project lay dormant for years until lyrical inspiration would come to complete this massive music project. But for Mike, the lyrical inspiration never did come. Finally, collaborating with lyricist “Troy Raleigh,” Troy brought life to “The Learning Tree” with his poetic, and explorative lyrics. The words fit seamlessly and take the listener on a spiritual journey of reflection, inspiration, exploration, salvation, and love.

Watch the promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTBnQA7fnP4


“The Learning Tree” is composed of 9 tracks each of which is an epic adventure within themselves. The opening title, “A Pirate’s Dream,” conjures up the thrill of the pirate life in the deep seas, and the adventures and dangers of the nautical, seafaring life. While “Something More Nothing Less” questions why love must be earned and fought for to have its rightful presence. The CD was mastered by Tom Volpicelli at The Mastering House, PA. Artwork for the project was done by Mike’s daughter, Ivy.

“‘The Learning Tree’ by Mike Ian is with ease the best album produced by the artist, it is one that has made its way onto my playlist of timeless choice, and it is one of the finest works in the rock and progressive rock genres I have heard for at least the last 5 years, this album is that good, is it totally unforgettable, and my advice to all those thinking about purchasing this album is, don’t think, buy it now, your senses will love you forever.” - Steve Sheppard Music Reviews

“The Learning Tree” is now available on all digital streaming platforms and CD. Also in limited quantities, a 5.1 surround sound Blu-ray, mastered by Scott Hull from Masterdisk, NY will be available.

The learning tree of life has many branches. Come experience its growth from its roots to its apex. How a dream in sleep awakened one’s spirit on a journey of reflection, inspiration, exploration, salvation, and love. Embracing the ever changing winds in one’s life with great fortitude…

Dream away into reality.

And climb the learning tree of life.

Track listing:

1. A Pirate’s Dream
2. Happily Ever After
3. Cast In Stone
4. Hereafter
5. Next Stop Anywhere
6. Saved
7. Letter To Home
8. Something More Nothing Less
9. Shine On

Produced by Mike Ian
Recorded/Mixed at Eyeball Studios, Cinnaminson, NJ
Stereo mastering by Tom Volpicelli, The Mastering House, PA
Surround mastering by Scott Hull, Masterdisk, NY

To purchase: https://mikeian.hearnow.com/the-learning-tree

For more information visit: www.mikeian.com

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

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

“Robert Berry’s 3.2 Band Alive at ProgStock” CD/DVD Now Available

In 1987, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer recruited Robert Berry to replace Greg Lake, with the resulting album “To the Power of Three,” and naming the band “3”. What was the result? The Top 10 Billboard hit “Talkin’ Bout” and a successful North American Tour.

In 2015, Keith and Robert reunited to resume work on the follow-up album. When Keith died in 2016, Robert worked with the Emerson Estate and Frontiers Records to finish writing and release their collaborative material on the 2018 Billboard-charting album, “The Rules Have Changed.”

When it was time to take the show on the road, Robert recruited Paul Keller from the original “3” touring band on guitar/vocals, Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard) on drums/vocals, and Andrew Colyer (Circuline) to handle keyboards/vocals. What was the result? A spectacular 3.2 band 29-date North American tour, and this CD/DVD product captures the band at the 2019 International ProgStock Festival.

This concert encompasses Robert’s 30-year history of progressive rock, which includes Steve Howe (YES), Geoff Downes (GTR), the Magna Carta Tribute album series, and more!

Track List:
1. Life Beyond L.A. - (5:01)
2. No One Else to Blame - (6:10)
3. Desde La Vida - (7:34)
4. Powerful Man - (4:53)
5. Last Ride Into the Sun - (9:58)
6. Minstrel in the Gallery - (5:27)
7. You Do or You Don’t - (3:29)
8. Roundabout - (7:38)
9. Can’t Let Go - (3:58)
10. Somebody’s Watching - (5:10)  
11. Talkin’ Bout - (3:59)
12. Eight Miles High - (5:28)
13. Deck the Halls - (4:38)
14. Watcher of the Skies - (8:08)
15. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, Part 1) - (9:10)

Recorded at the Union County Perf. Arts Center, Rahway, NJ
Mixed and Mastered at Soundtek Studios in Campbell, California

Release Date: Friday, May 20th, 2022 - 2nd Street Records

Purchase on Robert Berry’s website, Amazon, and iTunes
Streaming on Spotify and all streaming services

For more information:
Website: http://robertberry.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertBerryMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BerrySongs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRobertBerry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RobertBerryMusic

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

Monday, May 9, 2022

Bass Virtuoso Clint Bahr Releases New Solo Album “PUZZLEBOX” Feat. Members of King Crimson, YES, Van Der Graaf Generator, Sun Ra and Others!

Bass virtuoso Clint Bahr just released a new solo album “PUZZLEBOX” on Moonjune Records. The album features members of King Crimson, YES, Van Der Graaf Generator, Sun Ra and others!

Clint Bahr’s new band, also named PUZZLEBOX, is a multidimensional “Tabula Rasa” in both compositional and improvisational formats. PUZZLEBOX is a genre-defying global collaboration of artists, a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents.

Delightfully blurring both stylistic and structural approaches, the tight-knit unit Bahr has assembled proves as unpredictable as they are adept, articulate and gifted. “PUZZLEBOX” recalls prog in its heyday when albums as uninhibited and off script as King Crimson’s “Lizard” and Captain Beefheart’s “Trout Mask Replica” were celebrated, and the Canterbury renaissance was in full swing. It harkens back to the same “reaching beyond” mentality which defined his seminal NYC-based power trio, TriPod. Brilliantly arranged and produced, Clint Bahr has delivered a multi-faceted, timeless epic ... at such a time as this.

Says Bahr, “I decided to do a ‘solo’ album with friends from the UK and USA. They include former members of King Crimson, Anthony Braxton, Television, Van der Graaf Generator, Sun Ra, Flash, TriPod, Gloria Gaynor, YES, Andromeda, etc. The album is a 50/50 compilation of composed and improvisational pieces. More so, PUZZLEBOX is a recording & touring band with interchanging players from around the world with a core bass and drums section.”


Clint Bahr - Composer/Lyricist
(Vocals, 12/8/4 String Basses, Chapman Stick, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Harmonium, Mellotron, Theremin, Percussion, etc.)
Formerly of TriPod, Andromeda, Flash, 40 Familys, Menage a Trois, as well as the bass player for Eartha Kitt. He has toured nationally and internationally. Progressive Edge Magazine listed him in their “TOP BASS PLAYER of 2002” list. He has recorded for Columbia Records, MoonJune Records, and various independent labels, and was a recipient of the 2021 NYC Artists Corps Grant.

PUZZLEBOX” Track List
1. Tabula Rasa 1
2. New Design
3. Plate (Improv)
4. Shelter
5. As Tympani Melt In The Greek Heat (Improv)
6. Fall From Grace
7. Belt & Braces
8. Triangles, Circles & Squares (Improv)
9. Oslo
10. Kicking The Wasp’s Nest
11. Lifeguard In The Rain
12. Tabula Rasa 2

Featuring:
Clint Bahr - basses & vocals (TriPod)
Peter Banks - guitar (Yes)
Colin Carter - vocals (Flash)
Marilyn Crispell - piano (Anthony Braxton)
David Cross- violins (King Crimson)
Stephanie Feyne - dialogue (The Dotes)
Billy Ficca - drums (Television)
Dick Griffin - trombone (Sun Ra)
Mike Hough - drums (Flash)
David Jackson - woodwinds (Van der Graaf Generator)
Dan Parkington - sitar & violin (Andromeda)
Jeff Schiller - woodwinds (The Roots)

To purchase:
BANDCAMP: https://clint-bahr-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/puzzlebox?fbclid
AND also from Website: https://www.puzzlebox.band/

For more information:
https://www.puzzlebox.band/
https://www.facebook.com/ClintBahrPuzzlebox

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

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Guitar Legend Adrian Belew In Conjunction With US Summer Tour Releases His First Solo Digital Album “Elevator” With Bliss Entertainment / Ingrooves Music Group

Legendary Guitarist With Frank Zappa, David Bowie, King Crimson, Talking Heads

First Singlea13Now Available!

Adrian Belew is a legendary guitarist well-known for his diverse travels around the musical map. He is a multi-instrumentalist whose solo records are critically acclaimed. His moving singing voice and prolific songwriting has endeared a loyal fan base of music lovers. His music is being discovered everyday by more and more listeners thirsty for great music with a creative standard not often pushed by the commercial music industry.

Adrian has signed with Bliss Entertainment, distributed exclusively by Ingrooves Music Group. “Elevator” will be the first Adrian Belew solo recording released through streaming. Adrian and management chose the Ingrooves Music Group channel based on the Ingrooves technology and the Universal global distribution channel. As with all artists, the optimization  of music sales revenue is key to picking their distribution and marketing partners. The first single  “a13” is now available!

To purchase Adrian Belew’s new single “a13”: https://ingrv.es/a13-y4a-5

“Elevator” is Adrian’s 25th solo record and as with most of his solo releases, he writes the songs, produces the record, and plays and sings everything. “Elevator” includes 38 of Adrian’s recent digital paintings as well as the lyrics to his songs. There are 12 new songs, ranging from delicate ballads to raging art rock as well as Adrian’s unique brand of avant-pop music.

To promote his new solo album and digital distribution deal, Adrian will be touring the US and Canada this summer starting July 13th in St. Paul, MN. Adrian’s touring trio will include bassist Julie Slick and drummer Johnnie Luca. Adrian describes the “Elevator” show as “part ‘classic’ power trio, new power trio songs never performed before, and a short solo acoustic performance of favorites and new songs from ‘Elevator.’” Adrian will be performing fan favorites spanning his whole career!

Tickets are available Friday April 29th at 10 AM EST - for more information: https://adrianbelew.net/tour/

Adrian also continues to perform with the Remain In Light tour featuring Adrian and Jerry Harrison, and will finish out the year touring the states as guest artist alongside Todd Rundgren for the “Celebrating David Bowie” show.

Adrian Belew first appeared on the guitar-world radar when he toured with Frank Zappa in 1977 who later said, “Adrian reinvented electric guitar”. Adrian’s signature tones, unique use of effects and whammy bar remains completely different, and his techniques continue to be a huge influence on today’s guitarists. He was guitarist, songwriter and frontman Progressive Rock Powerhouse King Crimson for over 30 years. “Discipline”, Adrian’s first record with King Crimson, is listed among the most important rock records ever made.

Adrian has had a career that commands both awe and respect from fellow musicians and loyal fans, from his first solo record “The Lone Rhino” to the Atlantic Records hit album “Mr. Music Head” or any of his other solo records (25 total) that push sonic boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity. Adrian shreds on guitar but also writes beautiful songs that will make you cry. Yes, Adrian has taken his fans on a wild ride through countless world tours and albums with David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, and Paul Simon. He truly is the Twang Bar King!

Tour Dates:

7/13/22 - Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
7/14/22 - Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI
7/15/22 - Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
7/16/22 - Hi-Fi Annex, Indianapolis, IN
7/18/22 - City Winery, Chicago, IL
7/19/22 - City Winery, Chicago, IL
7/21/22 - The Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, OH
7/22/22 - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH
7/23/22 - Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI
7/24/22 - The Oaks Theater, Oakmont, PA
7/26/22 - City Winery, Nashville, TN
7/27/22 - City Winery, Atlanta, GA
7/29/22 - The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
7/30/22 - City Winery, Washington, DC
7/31/22 - Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
8/1/22 - Ashland Theatre, Ashland, VA
8/3/22 - Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
8/4/22 - The Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
8/5/22 - City Winery, Boston, MA
8/6/22 - The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
8/14/22 - Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY
8/16/22 - City Winery, Philadelphia, PA
8/18/22 - City Winery, New York, NY
8/19/22 - The Egg, Albany, NY
8/20/22 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT

For more information:
http://www.adrianbelew.net/
http://adrianbelew.net/shop
http://adrianbelew.net/shop/cds/fluxvol1/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianBelew/

Bliss Entertainment information:
Vicky Marianio - 518 331 9098
Kevin Benson - 310 717 8602
http://bliss-entertainment.agency/


Ingrooves Music Group information:
Steve Weatherby
SVP, Label and Artist Partnerships
T: 213-275-3016
15821 Ventura Blvd  Suite 420 | Encino, CA | 91436
https://www.ingrooves.com/

Booking information:
ARRIVAL ARTISTS, AGENCY ASSOCIATE
(o) +1.312.380.2271 x115 // (c) +1.203.415.0203
www.arrivalartists.com

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

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Symphonic Rock Ensemble Winter in Eden Announce the Release of Their Fourth Studio Album Social Fake – OUT NOW!

Northern Symphonic Rock ensemble, Winter in Eden, has released its new studio album Social Fake to an immense reception from fans and critics alike.  The band crafted the album over a long period, including during lockdown, but the end result takes their music to a new level.

Containing all new material which builds and further refines the unique style that is Winter in Eden, from delightful symphonic instrumentals to crunching aggressive rock.  With compelling vocals, muscular riffs, memorable hooks, and swirling keyboards coupled with pounding bass and thunderous drums; the result is powerful, modern and perfectly balanced.

Social Fake is the band’s fourth album and features a line-up of Vicky Johnson, Steve Johnson, Steve Hauxwell, Benji Lynch and Ian Heddle.  Its release coincides with the launch of the band’s new webstore with Townsend Music: https://townsendmusic.store/products/artist/Winter+In+Eden

Lead singer Vicky Johnson said of the release: “'Social Fake' is a very special album for us. We poured our blood, sweat and tears into this project and the results make me feel incredibly proud. I love every single song on this album.  The sound has evolved but it is still Winter In Eden at its best.  We can't wait for everyone to hear it.”

A video for the title track can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zTkYwnyZnY

The album is available on CD and on Digital Platforms here:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/SocialFake
Apple Music: https://geni.us/SocialFakeAM
Spotify: https://geni.us/SocialFakeS

Check out the band on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/winterinedenband

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Canadian Instrumental Prog-Fusion Ensemble Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser To Release Second Album “The Seven Ages of Starlight”

Featuring Steve Negus (ex SAGA) and guest artists Jamie Glaser (Jean-Luc Ponty Band), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Michael Sadler (SAGA), Frank Wyatt (Happy The Man)

Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser was assembled piece by piece over the course of several years to record the music of Art Griffin. First with guitarist Kelly Kereliuk, then with drummer Steve Negus (best known for his work with Canadian rock legends SAGA) and finally with the addition of electric violinist Victoria Yeh.

Work began on what was to be the first album in 2012. Gradually as the musicians rounded out the lineup, the first album, “Visions From The Present” was completed. Released in 2016, the album comes adorned with a stunning Roger Dean cover. Roger also designed the AGSC logo.

Now, with the help of some special guest artists, Jamie Glaser (Jean-Luc Ponty Band), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Michael Sadler (SAGA), Frank Wyatt (Happy The Man) and keyboardist Sarah Westbrook, along with the core four AGSC members, the second album “The Seven Ages of Starlight” is now available!

The new album was written by Art from 2015 to 2017. Recorded primarily at his Artsounds Studio with the exception of the drums. Steve recorded his drums at his Blue Room Studio and when Todd Sucherman came on board to record two tracks, they were recorded at his studio in Texas. Most of the guitar and violin solos were recorded at Artsounds but after the Covid outbreak were recorded at the players residences and takes/retakes were done online. The album was mixed by Art Griffin with additional mixing done with Adam Fair at his Villa Sound Studio. The album was mastered by Phil Demetro at Lacquer Channel , Toronto Canada.

Says Art, “AGSC III is already written and recording is underway. We are essentially a Recording Act but the possibility for a gig or two and the recording/filming of the same could potentially come to fruition. Video footage is always being posted on our FB page.”

Definitely an album to be celebrated. Brilliant songs and amazing instrumentation.” - Stan Hillborn, Host of “Adventures In Plasticland”, 98.5 CKWR


ART GRIFFIN’S SOUND CHASER:

ART GRIFFIN
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Art started on guitar at age 10. Adding bass (his principal instrument) and keyboards through his teens, he hit the road for two decades. Now with a studio in his home, Art writes and records music at some point every day.

KELLY KERELIUK
Kelly has been playing guitar for 35 years. His knowledge of varying styles and techniques is impressive and is brought to the fore within the eclectic range of Sound Chaser. Kelly is also heavily involved with guitar instruction and session work. Other projects include Prismind, Lost Symphony and Negus. Kelly has also done a series of guitar clinics for Canadian music store giants Long & McQuade.

STEVE NEGUS
Steve needs no introduction in the world of drums and percussion. A veteran of the music industry, Steve is known as the ‘human metronome’ and was a member of Canadian progressive rock legends SAGA for 26 years. Apart from his AGSC duties Steve is busy in his studio writing and recording his second solo album under the ‘Negus’ banner.

VICTORIA YEH
Dynamic and progressive defines Victoria’s style. Classically trained, Yeh combines the purity of her musical heritage with the edginess of prog fusion. Yeh performs constantly and is also a devoted educator, teaching Classical and Improv violin internationally as a faculty member for Christian Howes’ Creative Strings Workshop.

“The Seven Ages of Starlight” is available in a gorgeous 6 panel digipak CD. Both signed with postcards and stickers and available unopened.

To purchase CDs and Merch:  
Facebook Page Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser - Click on Shop
Shopify site: sound-chaser-merch.myshopify.com
Downloads: artgriffinssoundchaser.bandcamp.com

For more information:
www.facebook.com/ArtGriffinSoundChaser

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Experimental Musician Billy Yfantis Releases “The Nebula Voyager” Album Exploring Sounds From The Outer Space!

An album of 19 Spaced-Out compositions inspired by Astronomy and artists such as Tangerine Dream, Hans Zimmer, Steve Hillage and John Carpenter

Athens, Greece - Experimental musician and author, Billy Yfantis, releases his 5th album entitled “The Nebula Voyager.” A nebula is a gathering of interstellar clouds that forms a unique body (which can consist of cosmic dust, hydrogen, helium, molecular clouds; possibly as ionized gases). The great majority of Nebulas are hundreds of light-years in diameter. Billy Yfantis explores musically the “Nebula” concept by composing music inspired from the formation of existing nebulas as they are described in official astronomical catalogues.

The new album features 19 instrumental tracks including “City Lights” which was performed at the online edition of the Mrož festival 2020 and a 2021 remix of the previously released track “The Mysterious Trip.” The dreamy atmosphere of the album was created by using the Sound Design recording technique through the use of both hardware and software synthesizers. If you are familiar with cinematic soundtracks and music styles such as Avant-Garde, Krautrock, Experimental and Ambient, then you are definitely in the spirit of this release!

Billy Yfantis commented on the release: “The main scope of the album was to explore Astronomy beyond the popular science fiction concept. The 16 tracks of the album (except remixes and the festival performance) refer to real Nebulas that have been recorded in official astronomical catalogues by famous scientists. If you look for information about these Nebulas while listening to the album, then your listening experience will be an augmented one.” Billy Yfantis plans to experiment with new instruments and technologies for the recording of his 6th full album, with a release schedule in late 2022. Stay tuned for more information!

Promotional video (Cat’s Eye Nebula): https://youtu.be/xOC-jIWg0sE
Promotional video (Pelican Nebula): https://youtu.be/CKy5s7t9SjQ

The Nebula Voyager Tracklist

1. Crab Nebula
2. Cat’s Eye Nebula
3. Orion Nebula
4. Lagoon Nebula
5. Pelican Nebula
6. Red Square Nebula
7. Boomerang Nebula
8. Rosette Nebula
9. Ring Nebula
10. Tarantula Nebula
11. Eagle Nebula
12. Eskimo Nebula
13. Horsehead Nebula
14. Ant Nebula
15. Carina Nebula
16. Helix Nebula
17. Into the unknown (Cinematic Remix)
18. City Lights (Live at Mrož festival 2020)
19. The Mysterious Trip (2021 Remix)

Listen to the new album here:  
Napster: https://ar.napster.com/artist/billy-yfantis/album/the-nebula-voyager
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7vZUFLlym9Kiags4eIHB2n?si=GSwL2WxhQBaUOXcOWYjdcQ
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kqqNpsYAH4lKa5MtQKhO75ATgbDfNtNq4
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-nebula-voyager/1611721948
Tidal: https://store.tidal.com/gr/album/218156464
Bandcamp: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com/album/the-nebula-voyager

About Billy Yfantis
Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis holds 2 Master Degrees in Information Technology and is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of West Attica by conducting research on e-government. Billy has been working on music since the late 1990s by experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. Billy is playing digital keyboards, but prefers to express his artistic dream through the electronic sounds that come from unusual machines. He has experimented with the recording of vacuum cleaners, electric blenders and other strange sounds that have resulted in musical releases. Moreover, Billy has authored books on music, business and science while from times to times he speaks about the electronic governance at scientific conferences all over Europe.

Famous Quotes (What Others Have Said)
Krautrock legend Harald Grosskopf (Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze, Cosmic Jokers): “I always like electronic music made by younger musicians who consequently follow their personal instinct, rather than trying to copy what’s already been made in the past, in the spirit of: Whenever you meet Buddha kill him. Keep on tracking Billy!”

Tom McLoughlin (Director of the movie “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives”): “I really dug his music!! VERY cool stuff!!”

Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep): “I like the track 'Waiting for the battle.' Great riff. I can see this as soundtracks to Psycho - punk movies and the like.”

Bobby Borg, (Music Business Author, Consultant, Professor): "This is fkn bad ass music that everyone needs to hear… imagine the coolest meditation music out there and the coolest sci-fi movie soundtrack rolled into one! Stream it and trip out today."

Steve Whitfield (Producer and engineer of The Cure, The Mission UK): “This music is crying out to be used in films but at the same time it's great to just sit back listen and immerse yourself in them without any moving images and let your imagination run wild!”

Snowy Shaw (ex-King Diamond, Therion, Mercyful Fate): "I didn't know what to expect when I had this album sent to me by the composer Billy Yfantis. To be perfectly honest, 9 times out of 10 when people send me their new album it makes me feel a bit uneasy and awkward. Firstly because I don't listen an awful lot to contemporary music and secondly, even less to other metal & hard rock artists due to lack of interest and I don't wanna hurt their feelings. I don't mean that in any rude, disrespectful or arrogant way, but I'm into creating my own music, not so much into consuming music of my peers. However, this was something entirely different. I'm not even sure it's considered music, but it's the kind of atmospheric and meditative type of sounds that I've been listening a helluva lot over the past few years to try relax and cope with my stressful, turbulent life, constantly on the verge of being burnt out. That being said, I liked it and it made me calm, mindful and sleepy. Presumably the worst kind of reaction my metalhead peers would wanna hear about their new album but in this case it's probably the best sort of compliment one could get."

Discography
1. The Nebula Voyager (Full Album, 2022)
2. Cinematic Works, Vol. I (Full album, 2021)
3. Noises from the Outer Space (Full album, 2021)
4. Entering the Solar System (Full album, 2020)
5. The Noisy Whispers Compilation (Full album, 2019)
6. The Mysterious Trip (Digital single, 2018)
7. Dust Not Found (Digital single 2017)
8. Crossing The Line (Digital single 2016)
9. The Electric Blender Session (Digital single, 2016)
10. The Missing Link (Digital single, 2015)

Check out music by Billy Yfantis here:
https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com

Bibliography
1. Power Ballads And The Stories Behind (2021)
2. Is Prog Rock Really Progressive? (2020)
3. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I – Extended Version (2020)
4. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I (2019)
5. Metal Goes Science: The Academic Metal Bibliography (2017)
6. Disadvantaged Populations And Technology In Music (2017)
7. City Streets Of Europe (2017)
8. Punk Goes Science: The Academic Bibliography Of Punk (2015)
9. The Lost Lyrics (2013)
10. The Commercial Exploitation Of Color As A Consumer Stimulus (2013)

Find Books by Billy Yfantis here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vasileios-Yfantis/e/B00JNNL306/

Contact details:
E-mail:  Byfantis@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billyyfantis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis

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

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Italian-French Composer, Keyboardist Alex Carpani To Release Concept Album “Microcosm” Featuring Members Of King Crimson, Soft Machine, Van de Graaf Generator and Others!

Alex Carpani is an Italian-French composer, keyboardist, singer, producer, musicologist and artistic director. His forthcoming release “Microcosm” is a concept album about a world in miniature, opposed to macrocosm. Human beings can be viewed as an epitome of the universe, small-scale models of the universe, with all its variety and contradiction. When you think of microcosm, picture your home town inside a snow globe: the teeny tiny city is a microcosm of the one you live in. It is that place in miniature. All this is represented here with a series of slices of life, possible real-life experiences through the 12 songs of the album (11 original songs written by Alex, plus “Starless” by King Crimson, arranged by Alex).

“Microcosm” features guest appearances by David Cross (ex-King Crimson), Theo Travis (Soft Machine, Steven Wilson, David Gilmour), David Jackson (ex Van der Graaf Generator), Jon Davison (Yes), Bruno Farinelli (drums), Andrea Torresani (bass), Davide Rinaldi and Emiliano Fantuzzi (guitars).

Says Alex, “The album concept is philosophical and existential and concerns our life, our ‘personal universe’ regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger. Musically speaking I wanted to give this idea of a ‘human universe’ with its variety and contradictions, so Microcosm is very different from the 5 albums I previously released and has a richness and variety of instruments and artists on it: 9 musicians involved and as many parts including lead and backing vocals, various saxes, flute, lead synths, Mellotron, Hammond organ, piano, drums, bass, guitars, drum loops and electronics. Carlo Gnocchi, an Italian educator and writer, said that ‘Every human being is an unmistakable and autonomous microcosm’”.

Alex Carpani graduated in DAMS at the University of Bologna, Italy with a thesis on the music of Nino Rota in Fellini’s films that won the 1st prize of the Fellini Foundation. He graduated at CET, a famous Italian music school, in composition and arrangement of music for films with Stelvio Cipriani, an internationally known film music composer, after having won a European Union scholarship that allowed him to attend the school.  

He has written and self-produced a great amount of instrumental music for more than 15 years in several music genres, including new age, electronic music, symphonic music, music mixed with poetry, drum ‘n’ bass, electro-jazz, music for  

theatre shows and documentaries. He has won several National and International composition awards at that time.  

From 2007 he has dedicated himself to rock, releasing 6 progressive rock albums with Italian and International labels which had positive feedbacks with both audience and critics, allowing him to collaborate in studio and on stage with some well-known artists of the International rock scene like David Jackson of  Van der Graaf Generator, David Cross of King Crimson, Theo Travis (Soft Machine, Steven Wilson), Jon Davison (Yes), Paul Whitehead, graphic designer of early Genesis, Aldo Tagliapietra of Le Orme, Bernardo Lanzetti, former singer of PFM.  

He has performed about 130 concerts in 20 countries of 3 continents with his band, appearing in the most important live clubs and festivals of the International progressive rock scene. He has founded the band Aerostation with Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (former drummer of Ligabue, Clan Destino, C.S.I.)  releasing in 2018 the homonymous debut album with Aerostella/Immaginifica label, performing concerts in Italy, France, Germany and Canada and opening for PFM at major events as well.

In support of his new album release, Alex says, “I really hope I can perform this album live because of its predisposition to jamming and interplay and also because it would be great to share the stage with such great musicians like the ones that played in the album. We'll see what happens in the next few months. Some videos will follow: the album teaser and the single (‘Kiss And Fly’) lyric video.”

To purchase:
https://alexcarpani.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AX7GkJmOMWDavyqtkHhWS  
https://music.apple.com/it/artist/alex-carpani/202436739  
https://www.deezer.com/it/artist/4591322?autoplay=true
https://music.amazon.it/artists/B009541S94/alex-carpani  
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC2xkn0iiDNs5zWxE1Vv4biw  
https://www.pickuprecords.it/catalogsearch/result/? artista=CARPANI%20ALEX&q=CARPANI+ALEX

For more information:
www.alexcarpani.com
https://www.facebook.com/AlexCarpaniOfficialPage
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8gXXwYhfTqNsBZIGZvsJOA
https://www.instagram.com/alex_carpani/
https://alexcarpani.bandcamp.com/

Discography: http://www.alexcarpani.com/official-discography/

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

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Australian Cinematic Progressive-Rock Artist Ben Craven To Release New Album “Monsters From The Id” on May 6, 2022

Seriously well-distilled and blended” - Van Dyke Parks

“Monsters From The Id” is the logical realization of Craven’s musical trajectory thus far. It’s an album of two halves, each containing a traditional progressive rock “epic” the length of a side of vinyl. The two pieces comprise flowing parts and movements with both rock and Hans Zimmer-esque orchestral arrangements, punctuated by Ben's distinctive lead guitar and vocals. Yet the album is predominantly instrumental.

“Lyrics are incredibly important to me,” explains Craven, “but this music was not driven by words or language. It’s pure other-worldly escapism. It’s playing dress-up, wanting to make the world look much bigger than it seems right now, trying to recall the feeling that anything is possible, no matter how unlikely that might be.”

Visually, the album cover is a treat, featuring breathtaking artwork by Freyja Dean adorning the triple gatefold CD/DVD wallet. Sonically, things are equally ambitious. A 5.1 surround mix is included on the DVD, while both stereo and surround versions are available for digital download in 24-bit 96kHz high resolution.

For downloaders, Craven is offering unique optional extras he hopes will help personalize the experience. “I’ll personally dedicate and hand-sign a digital version of the album cover, creating a one-of-a-kind image. And for good measure I’ll also send you an individualized thank-you video! There are no NFTs here, just unique digital offerings for anyone who wants them. Downloading music can feel like a detached, intangible activity for both parties. This is one way of bringing the human element back into it.”

Ben Craven is a cinematic progressive-rock artist from Brisbane, Australia. He likes to make records.

His 2011 album, “Great & Terrible Potions”, blurred the boundaries between conventional songs and orchestral soundtracks. Augmented by a stunning cover designed by legendary artist Roger Dean (Yes, Asia, Steve Hackett), “Potions” was dense, complicated and unashamedly pretentious. That is, everything a good prog rock album should be!

2016’s “Last Chance To Hear” was a triumphant masterpiece of progressive rock. Expanding upon Craven’s one-person musical palette, the album featured legendary Star Trek actor William Shatner providing spoken-word vocals for the track “Spy In The Sky”. Meanwhile, the album’s opener, “Critical Mass”, went on to win the 2016 Australian Independent Music Award for Best Instrumental.

Here’s what the press has raved about Ben Craven's releases:

Heavy-duty prog rock monster” - Anil Prasad, Innerviews

Cracking virtuoso performance by an absurdly talented individual” - Classic Rock Society

Craven’s one-man-band production is a prog opus for the 21st century” – Musoscribe

Press play and this album does the rest” – Muzikreviews

Track list:
01 Die Before You Wake [19:32]
02 Amnis Flows Aeternum  [19:11]
03 Die Before You Wake (Single Edit) [4:47]
04 Wicked Delights (Single Edit) [2:40]
05 Guiding Voice (Single Edit) [3:31]
06 Amnis Flows Aeternum (Single Edit) [4:51]

Bonus DVD includes:
• main album audio in 5.1 surround (DTS 96/24)
• main album audio in high resolution stereo (24-bit PCM)
• Single Edit videos in 5.1 surround (DTS 96/24)

Release Date: May 6, 2022

CD/DVD pre-order:
Europe: https://justforkicks.de
North America: https://thebandwagonusa.com/
Australia: https://bencraven.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-from-the-id

Digital pre-order. Includes immediate download of the four “Single Edits”:
https://bencraven.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-from-the-id

Album trailer: https://youtu.be/VxCdUACi2nQ

More about digital optional extras: https://youtu.be/EUx6u1RfSJc

For more information:
http://www.bencraven.com

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

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Swiss Minimalistic Jazz Ensemble AKKU Quintet Release New “Live” Album

“Live” takes you on a 75-minute long musical journey and leads you into the cosmos of Swiss-based AKKU Quintet led by drummer and composer Manuel Pasquinelli (also known for his work with Sonar & David Torn). It contains five songs from different stages of the group's history, recorded at various locations between 2016 and 2020. You’ll hear the touch and character of each player, acting as a part of the ensemble to create this atmospheric, minimalistic yet livingly driving music.

Says Manuel, “Playing this music live is always an intense and beautiful experience. While not perfect, live versions often have a certain quality and spirit, which are hard to achieve in the studio. We want to share some live moments we captured on different occasions with this album, especially in this challenging time for live music. We didn’t do any editing. So you will hear truly handmade music. This album might be a good introduction to our work, and maybe one gets curious about the four studio albums we released before.”

They take the Swiss zen maximalist/minimalist approach of Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin, Sonar, Schnellertollermeier to a different, but utterly logical conclusion. Fabulous stuff. Recommended!” - Steve Feigenbaum, Cuneiform Records

AKKU Quintet is based in Berne (Switzerland), from where they dispense a minimalistic jazz groove to great effect. Drummer Manuel Pasquinelli, who is also responsible for the compositions, founded the band in 2010. Their first concert took place in 2011. Since then, the band has released four studio albums and is playing live regularly. Their latest studio album, “Depart,” was the first one released with 7d Media. Manuel Pasquinelli is also known as the drummer of Sonar, who are collaborating with David Torn and Bill Laswell.

Track List:

01 Waves
Recorded live on October 15, 2017 at bee-flat im Progr, Bern
Album version on “Aeon”

02 Polar
Recorded live on May 8, 2019 at bee-flat im Progr, Bern
Album version on “Aeon”

03 Deep Sleep I
Recorded live on February 18, 2020 at City Pub, Bern
Album version on “Stages of Sleep”

04 Schneemann
05 Deep Sleep II
Recorded on April 10, 2016 at Cully Jazz Festival, Cully
Album versions on “Molecules” and “Stages of Sleep”

AKKU Quintet:
Manuel Pasquinelli - Drums
Michael Gilsenan - Sax & Fx
Maja Nydegger - Grand Piano, Keys
Markus Ischer - Guitar
Andi Schnellmann - Bass

Music written by Manuel Pasquinelli
No edits loops or overdubs on this record

Here’s what the press has said about AKKU Quintet:

The group connect and lock together yet remain constantly in motion, maintaining a balletic poise and grace that skillfully builds and adds line upon line of long, sonorous notes. Though each one on its own might be gossamer-thin, when combined, they create something strong and enduring, something substantial and memorable” - Sid Smith

There is a spaciousness in these zeros and ones that AKKU Quintet allows to speak for itself. There is no unnecessary noodling to fill the gaps, every note has its place.” - Roger Trenwith, The Progressive Aspect

I had the great, great pleasure to see them on their final US show in 2018 and they take the ‘Swiss zen maximalist/minimalist approach’ of Ronin, Sonar, Schnellertollermeier to a different, but utterly logical conclusion. Fabulous stuff. Recommended!” - Steve Feigenbaum, Cuneiform Records

Taking a type of minimalist and mathrock, slowing it down with postrock atmosphere, bringing a tight clean jazz element to it, and creating a set of dreamscape styled equal balance between classical and progressive rock and you have the formula for Switzerland's unique Akku Quintet.” - Lee Henderson, Big Beautiful Noise

Very beautiful, spacious, minimalist groove.” - Anil Prasad, Innerviews

Groove becomes a compositional element, beauty an act of concentration, improvisation never a sure-fire success, but a dramaturgical stylistic device.” - Ane Hebeisen

To purchase:
US: https://akkuquintet7d.bandcamp.com/album/live
Europe: www.akkuquintet.bandcamp.com/

For more information:
www.akkuquintet.com
www.facebook.com/akkuquintet
www.instagram.com/manuelpasquinelli_akkuquintet/

www.7dmedia.com

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

Monday, March 7, 2022

Guitar Virtuoso Harvey Valdes’ Novare: J.S. Bach Lute Works on Electric Guitar Breaks New Ground with a Fresh, Ear-Opening Interpretation of Music for the Ages

Harvey Valdes is a fantastic guitarist” - Andy Summers

Guitar Virtuoso Harvey Valdes’ Novare: J.S. Bach Lute Works on Electric Guitar – to be released by Destiny Records on April 8, 2022 – features sublime scores long performed by the world’s greatest lutenists and classical guitarists, but these pieces sound more timeless than ever in the hands of Valdes on steel-string electric guitar.

Harvey Valdes is a fantastic guitarist – musical to the nth degree and with chops to spare, as anyone knows who has heard the way he handles standards and ballads with astonishing contrapuntal virtuosity. Now, with this new album, the special logic in his playing of Bach is wonderfully revealed.” - ANDY SUMMERS of The Police

Like the art of Shakespeare or Van Gogh, the music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been recognized the world over as universal and timeless – sounding as moving and miraculous now as the day these Baroque scores were written, some three hundred years ago. The lute works that J.S. Bach composed have been recorded by the world’s greatest lutenists and guitarists across the past century, from Segovia to Julian Bream to John Williams to Hopkinson Smith, among a myriad of others. It would take a stroke of something approaching genius to enable us to hear these pieces truly anew. But that is just what Harvey Valdes has accomplished with Novare: J.S. Bach Lute Works on Electric Guitar.

To be released digitally and on CD by Destiny Records on April 8, 2022, the album presents Valdes playing 10 of Bach’s pieces not on the age-old lute or the nylon-string classical guitar but on the modern steel-string electric guitar. The result is ear-opening; the notes are the same ones Bach put to paper in the 18th century, but Valdes performs them with a tone and texture that sounds extraordinarily fresh and of the moment, without ever trying to unduly “modernize” the music. Over the past few years, Valdes has attracted famous fans among iconic guitarists, including Andy Summers of The Police, ECM luminary David Torn and avant-garde notable Elliott Sharp, who says: “With Novare, Harvey brings Bach’s works into the 21st century with a sensuous tone and an articulation that is simultaneously precise and dynamic, even at breakneck tempi. His playing reveals the contrapuntal lines in all their permutational glory.”

But it isn’t just world-renowned guitarists who have been impressed by Novare. Classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein, celebrated for her playing of Bach on the modern grand piano, says: “Harvey Valdes brings an improviser’s sensibility to this music, which is in so many ways the most authentic approach to Bach. There is an understated quality to his interpretations that allows a listener to hear the architecture of the music, and there is a rhythmic malleability that gives breath and presence. The Prelude and Fugue in D-flat stands out in the way that Valdes enjoys the sustained possibilities of the electric guitar. It’s a beautiful new take on old gems.”

Why Bach on electric guitar? Says Harvey, “Why not?! The electric guitar has a capacity for tone, color and dynamics that moves beyond what the acoustic classical guitar can do. There have been some past recordings of electric guitarists who have played Bach or works by Mozart, Beethoven, etc. These often feature the instrument using high gain and distorted sounds with fast virtuosic playing. I respect this approach, but it’s not the one I wanted to take. I was interested in honoring some of the delicate classical guitar approaches and while also taking advantage of the sonic dimensions of the electric guitar.

“For listeners who are guitar players, I want to share with them how it’s possible to play Bach’s lute works on an electric guitar. You can bring a classical guitar approach to the electric guitar that expands the sonic landscape for this historical music and gives it a space to live in the present. As for everyone else, enjoy! I hope it can soothe a listener’s life. Making it certainly brought some peace into my life during a challenging time that has affected us all.”


More about Harvey Valdes

A guitarist of searching, sophisticated musicality, Harvey Valdes can traverse styles from avant- jazz and Middle Eastern/Balkan music to improvised film scores and the compositions of Bach. Harvey has an intrepid curiosity about the guitar’s sonic and expressive range; he is also a trained player of the Arabic oud, as well as the Turkish cümbüş. To date, he has released three albums as a soloist/leader: “Solitude Intones Its Echo” (Destiny, 2019), a set of concise, engaging solo improvisations praised by the likes of Guitar Moderne as “18 lyrical solo performances of compositions that hook you”; “Roundabout” (2015), his solo debut featuring lyrically inventive takes on jazz standards; and “PointCounterPoint” (2015), a bristling, Mahavishnu-meets-math-rock trio album with violinist Sana Nagano and drummer Joe Hertenstein. All About Jazz hailed “Pointcounterpoint” as “cosmic,” while the Free Jazz Collective described Roundabout as “sublimely beautiful.” In April 2022, Destiny Records will present Harvey’s newest album: “Novare: J.S. Bach Lute Works on Electric Guitar.” Underscoring his achievements, Harvey’s venturesome work in the studio and on stage has attracted fans among iconic guitarists, including Andy Summers of The Police, ECM luminary David Torn and avant-garde notable Elliott Sharp.

Based in Brooklyn, NY Harvey earned a BFA degree from The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. He has worked with artists from Butch Morris, Karl Berger and Rhys Chatham to Daniel Carter, and the Middle Eastern/Balkan ensemble Anistar, among many others. His score for Utopians, which premiered at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival, constituted “one of the longest-lasting guitar improvisations since (Neil Young’s score for) Dead Man.” The Valdes composition “Listen” was chosen as an Editor’s Pick by Guitar Player magazine. Harvey has also performed extensively in New York theater. He held the guitar/oud chair as an onstage musician and cast member for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Band’s Visit, having originated the role Off Broadway at The Atlantic Theater before moving with the ensemble for the hit run at Broadway’s Barrymore Theater. He played on the show’s 2019 Grammy Award-winning cast album, and he received a daytime Emmy Award for his broadcast performance with the ensemble, along with participating in the 10 Tony wins as a cast member. Harvey has also worked with renowned downtown theater ensemble The Wooster Group, including its presentation of Cavalli’s 1640 opera “La Didone”; for that production, which toured the U.S. and Europe, he provided a modern interpretation of the Baroque lute, playing electric guitar and guitar synth within an ensemble that also included harpsichord, theorbo and accordion.

Harvey has played on stages from Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and St. Ann’s Warehouse to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Chicago Cultural Center, CalArts’ Redcat Theater in Los Angeles, Scotland’s Royal Lyceum Theatre, the United Nations. Harvey has also featured in broadcast performances for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, The Today Show and WNYC-FM, as well as the 72nd annual Tony Awards. Additional collaborators over the years have included Noël Akchoté, Gerry Hemingway, Lukas Ligeti, Killick Hinds, Jamshied Sharifi, Sean Sonderegger, Henri Scars Struck and Bern Nix. Harvey has recently featured on multiple compilation albums, including the fifth in Elliott Sharp’s anthology series “Never Meta Guitar,” and “Walk My Way,” a five volume 577 Records set featuring 49 guitarists of 32 different nationalities from six continents and virtually every sort of musical background. He also played on Eight Hands, One Mind by the Dom Minasi Guitar Quartet with Briggan Krauss and Hans Tanmen, as well as recorded the duo album Nueva Guitarra with avant-metal guitarist Alvaro Domene.

About the imaginative virtuosity of Valdes, guitarist extraordinaire David Torn says: “When I first heard Harvey, I thought: ‘Well, here’s another badass mother on the scene – wow.’”

Harvey Valdes record release show at Barbes in Brooklyn, NY on April 9th 2022

For more information:
harveyvaldes.net
destinyrecordsmusic.com
instagram.com/harveyvaldes
facebook.com/harveyvaldesmusic

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