This new studio album from psychedelic rock icon Twink, best known as a member of Tomorrow, The Pink Fairies and The Pretty Things is a follow up to his seminal 1970 solo album Think Pink which is held in high regard as one of the founding albums of the psychedelic genre.
Think Pink V, the next instalment of this epic journey, was recorded in 2022 and mixed in early 2023.
Twink was playing tour dates around the world, even in countries such as China, before lockdown and he’s now looking forward to returning to the live scene armed with this album of new material.
Twink said of the release: "The time of Five has arrived. I am wondering what you will make of it? That’s the same question I had when the original Think Pink was finished in 1969 and released in the US in 1970 & in the UK in 1971. It has been fabulous working with Ed Sykes & Dionne Corona again. We did have fun putting it together…"
LEAH WAYBRIGHT is a life-long Composer, Pianist, Recording Artist, Teacher, Floral Artist, Wildflower Preservationist, and Dreamer. The common thread that connects these many professions is her role as a Storyteller. Hundreds of lectures and the wide variety of special floral programs she has presented for Garden Clubs and Civic Groups are the most obvious examples of her Storytelling.
However, her ability to tell a compelling story is not limited to words. Despite the instrumental nature of her music, her unique approach to composition and instrumentation means that each vignette reveals an unfolding and ever-evolving story rich with meaning. As a steward of the Earth, Leah’s creativity and mindset benefitted from the pauses in older projects, and the development of new projects, but throughout she consistently creates new music through improvisation and then hones it with a nurturing process similar to the way she cultivates her beloved plants and wildflowers.
Her newest CD, “Dreamed” will be released by Invasion Merch on July 17, 2023 and is the culmination of years of compositional crafting. In some ways it picks up the floral storytelling narrative where “Beauty Gone Wild” left off, and is a compositional masterpiece. Leah’s musical DNA is immediately noticeable in the melodies and the rhythms, but are even more elegant, captivating, and mysterious. What consistently leaps out of the speakers is the luscious sound of the grand piano, as there is more of a focus on her piano with “Dreamed.” Leah commands this fine instrument and presents each composition with confidence and verve. Somehow without using a single word, she pulls the listener into her private world where a story for each dreamy piece unfolds like a new plant in spring.
Leah has always been an active dreamer, both in a literal sense as well as in a more figurative sense. Her dreams have a huge influence on her, and she sees power and wisdom in exploring dreams. After experiencing a vivid dream she often incorporates elements of that dream into a piece of music.
Says Leah, “My DREAMED collection is gathered from a wide arc of experience and time travelled. This ‘new’ music is captured from the first song I ever crafted, to pieces invoked by powerful moments and turning points in my life. There are vintage songs from the past as well as imaginings through to my most recent compositions. Each piece emerges for me as special and meaningful.”
The innovative orchestrations on “Dreamed” reveal numerous, subtle aspects of the melodies. The skillful contributions of the other players support the harmonic and rhythmic content when needed, but at other times they shine via tasty solos. In particular, the guitar work of “Happy the Man” alum Stan Whitaker is stunningly effective, especially on the track “Dreamprints.” As with “Beauty Gone Wild,” Gary Blu, who has worked with Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen and Steely Dan was the only choice for saxes, flutes, piccolo and clarinet. His flute and piccolo work on “Candlewink” is breathtaking.
Mark Wood, master violinist and Trans-Siberian Orchestra co-founder uses violins of his own design to add bold and exciting swaths of sound. A fierce player, his Paganini-like virtuosity never overwhelms Ms. Waybright’s brilliant compositions. His playing on the somewhat classical-leaning “Sunwise” emphasizes complex interplay between violin, piano, and flute. Leah’s complex, shifting piano work in the piece is slightly evocative of both Erik Satie and Claude Bolling. Similarly, “Happy the Man” bassist Rick Kennell manages to both underpin and accent Leah’s every twist and turn. Rick deftly provides movement and support that reveals the glorious details of Leah’s sonic landscape. Rick also handled the production chores.
This is one of those rare albums that rewards the attentive listener with insights and delights. Play these tracks on your stereo or on your best headphones and let Leah’s dreams unfold around you. When you do, this master Storyteller will transport you to a wild world where anything can happen.
Featuring: Leah Waybright: Compositions, piano, keyboards and vocal musings Gary Blu: Saxophones, flutes, clarinet, piccolo Rick Kennell: Bass, drums, percussion, orchestration Stanley Whitaker: Guitars on tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 Mark Wood: Violin on “Sunwise”
Here’s what’s been said about Leah Waybright:
“Waybright’s compositions are intensely melodic and brilliantly orchestrated, each with its own spirited vision and expressive purpose; even though this is a concept album, any of these pieces could easily stand on its own: zero filler… nothing short of superb, and there is plenty here within to satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating progressive rock listener. Highly recommended.” – Expose
“Smoothly woven orchestral tapestry of melodic and rhythmic cross-currents, though heavier moments reflect hints of old Happy the Man.” – Progression Magazine
“A classically trained keyboardist, Waybright is first and foremost a floral artist, and with this album, combines both her passions successfully. The music is reminiscent of Happy the Man; new agey, serene, yet always with a solid, bouncy feel to propel the music along.” – Gnosis
“Leah Waybright has a very smooth sounding recording here. The songs are thoroughly addicting. Leah has a wonderful talent to make her keys sing. She is a very creative composer, who can really get to your heart. I'm impressed as this is a work of art and it is a must for any modern jazz, modern age, or easy listening music lover.” – Electronic Musician Magazine
A Narrative Exploration and Foray Into Cochran’s Jazz, Classical, and Electronic Music Palettes Available June 23 via Blue Buddha Productions
Notes for the future are the “imagined sometime in the past” tropes of a storyteller. Freed from every day “isms” of convention and released from the symbolic containment of the vault, the music is an allegorical exploration in futurism. The stream running throughout the musical narrative is a speculative commentary about our human search for meaning, and we’re reminded that as a version of our ancestors’ vision, this quest never ends.
“From The Vault” is structured around a sequence of recurring themes and develops as an unfolding tour of references, hints, and clues. Moving from one perspective to another, we connect with how our planet is perpetually in a state of seeking solutions. Within the soundscape, without words, an underlying language is speaking. Nature evolves for the sum of us, not the few. We are in a continual state of becoming. We are connected. Love is passed along, as is happiness. Nevertheless, expressly for the listener, an implied sense of reasoning encourages us to feel free and let go of all things familiar. And then, “over there” in the distance, we get a passing glimpse of the sacred structure.
Todd Cochran is an American pianist, composer, keyboardist, electronic musician, and conceptual artist. Early in his career he was also professionally known as Bayeté. Cochran started his career as a teenager with saxophonist John Handy. Two years later he joined vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson’s Quartet, and made his jazz recording debut composing and performing on a benchmark album for Hutcherson, “Head On” (Blue Note Records). Cochran’s first solo project “Worlds Around the Sun” became a #1 jazz album. From the mid-1970s forward Todd has experimented with and incorporated synthesizers, electronic and mixed-media concepts in his creative projects while collaborating with a wide range of artists in the genres of jazz, art rock, pop, R&B, and twenty-first-century classical.
Todd released two albums on Prestige Records in 1972 and 1973. He was keyboardist, principal composer and lead singer of Automatic Man from 1976–1978 which also featured drummer Michael Shrieve and guitarist Pat Thrall. He was also a member of Fuse One, a coalition of jazz musicians who released two albums on CTI Records in 1980 and 1981. The shortlist of his collaborations include Peter Gabriel, Joan Armatrading, Maya Angelou and Stewart Copeland.
Track list:
1. PAINTED BY THE SUN Mountain peaks, sea cliffs, oceans, opaque forests, desert savannas – and human faces colorized by the paintbrush of nature. The entirety of our planet is inhabited by intuitive human beings – all sun worshippers – collectively marking time in communal practices of decoding the mysteries of our existence.
2. IN YOU I SEE ENDLESS MEMORIES An imagined conversation between the sky and the wind.
3. ISMS PRISMS Not one thing, but all things… spontaneous change shuttles us through the cycles of life.
4. TRANSPARENCIES Being transparent is naturally imperfect and intensely human.
5. WE MAKE TWO, TWO MAKE WE Music is a language of interacting tones and colors through which one is able to experience the other; the abstract and the personal. The notion of two streams of thought merging into a unified idea makes for a wellspring of originality. At once distinctly different, yet in combination, resonating wildly.
6. EYE DREAMING “Within you, my love, I see endless mystery.”
7. MOON GLOW This duet of a middle-sized plucked string instrument and Balinese gong expresses energies I’ve experienced in Indonesia, where the nighttime sky sometimes seems so vast there appears to be an aura around the moon.
8. HYMN FOR THE HIDDEN PEOPLE This is a tonal essay – an homage to the poor, the rebuked, scorned, unseen, and unheard. The music challenges our lack of compassion and moves us to feel the many who toil and struggle in silence, yet stay in the light, with hope and determination.
9. THE SPINNING CIRCLE There are no simple explanations or a single equation that defines a circle. A circle has no beginning or end, there’s no start, finishing point, or conclusion. Only infinite revolutions rhythmically intertwined.
10. INSEPARABLE Balance in our lives and the spaces we occupy is a dance of opposites. “Om” and “Amen” are the same thing.
Blue Buddha Productions | Release Date: June 23, 2023
Hugh Hopper was a key member of Soft Machine and an accomplished solo artist but passed away in 2009. His legacy is now being celebrated with the re-release of two of his solo albums which had been hard to find until now.
Both “Jazzloops” and “The Stolen Hour” feature his Soft Machine bandmates guesting throughout including: Robert Wyatt, Elton Dean and John Marshall. Other guests include Gong alumni Didier Malherbe and French guitarist Patrice Meyer.
This double disc re-mastered set includes “The Stolen Hour’s” comic, created by Matt Howarth, in the booklet and has been endorsed by Christine Janet Hopper, Hugh Hopper’s wife, who also plays trumpet on some of the recordings.
Peter Pardo of Sea of Tranquility reviewed the original releases of these albums by saying, “Hearing Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, Robert Wyatt and John Marshall, all former Soft Machine members, jamming together again is another reason to celebrate…”
“False Readings” is drummer Mark Murdock’s third solo prog-rock release which features Fernando Perdomo, whom Mark performed with in the ‘Out to Sea Band’ on the 2022 Cruise to the Edge. Also contributing on selected songs are recurring guest artists from the band ‘Nektar’ with Ron Howden, Derek ‘Mo’ Moore and Nektar newcomers, Ryche Chlanda and Kendall Scott.
Mark says, “‘False Readings’ comes after the release of two experimental in my Cymbalic Encounters catalog; ‘Overexposure’ and ‘Cerulean Cathedral.’ There may be traces of these works on some elements of the music, as some of the material was composed near the same time frame, while offering some new dimensions to my works.
“False Readings” (Track List)
1. Distant Sirens 2. Volatility Swaying 3. Remain in Darkness 4. Until I Reach the End 5. Pure as the Driven Snow 6. False Readings 7. Symposium of the Greatest Failures 8. Singularities 9. The Extremities of My Dreams 10. Ending World Overture
Mark Murdock/drums, keyboards, synthesizers & percussion Tim Pepper/vocals Fernando Perdomo/guitar on songs 2, 4 & 8 Ron Howden/drums on songs 3 & 5 *Courtesy of Nektar Derek ‘Mo’ Moore/bass on song 2 *Courtesy of Nektar Ryche Chlanda/guitar song 2 *Courtesy of Nektar Kendall Scott/synth solo on song 6 *Courtesy of Nektar Ken Hall/guitar on songs 1, 6 & 7 Katsumi Yoneda/electric guitar on song 5 Dave Juteau/guitar on song 3 & 7 Daniel Kubota/12 string guitar on song 5/electric guitar on songs 9 & 10 David Rambeau/ending lead guitar on song 3
All compositions, lyrics and music by Mark Murdock Produced by Mark Murdock Mixed and Mastered by Mark Murdock Cover photo by Satomi taken in Kagoshima, Japan Copyright 2022
Prog music artist Leon Alvarado will be releasing his new album “Charging The Electric Dream” on December 15th! According to Leon, “‘Charging The Electric Dream’ is a very personal record without any collaborators or guest musicians. If I were to describe it, I would say that it is an album of what I like to call headphone music, because it plays out more like a soundtrack that stimulates the listener’s imagination. Like many of my other records, you can hear my inspirations throughout the album. There are definitely nods to Brian Eno, Wendy Carlos, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre. It is not a Prog album per se, but definitely something that Prog fans can appreciate.”
Says Leon, “‘Charging The Electric Dream’ refers to revitalizing material I recorded in response to the electronic music that influenced me throughout the years. I am giving it a new life by releasing it for the very first time.”
The music on the album was recorded periodically over a span of several decades. To reflect this, the artwork shows a collage of Leon’s face constructed of passport photos taken over many years. A video for the title track will be released concurrently. A short film titled “Outside The Dream” will follow the release.
Primarily known for his record label and music promotion artwork, in 2008 Leon Alvarado released his first album, “Plays Genesis and Other Original Stuff” as an ode to one of his favorite bands. Since then, he has released several records and worked alongside an impressive list of well-known musicians such as Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford, Billy Sherwood, Jon Davison (Yes), John Goodsall (Brand X), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, KC), Jerry Marotta, (Peter Gabriel), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Johnny Bruhns, (Circa), Edoardo Scordo, Damian Darlington (Brit Floyd), Ty Tabor (King’s X) to name a few.
Leon’s musical output can be categorized as a blend of Prog Rock with Ambient, some Classical and a measure of Fusion. Each piece, as well as his library as a whole, is a constantly evolving musical landscape that can simultaneously embrace the listener in familiarity, while embarking on exciting and experimental journeys of sound.
Release date: December 15, 2022 Personnel: Leon Alvarado all instruments Engineered by Leon Alvarado Engineering Assistance by John Douglass Mastering by Maor Appelbaum Label: Melodic Revolution Records
Claire Hamill is celebrating over 50 years in the music industry and she’s best known for her hit “Baseball Blues”, her work with Wishbone Ash and for writing Eva Cassidy’s hit “You Take My Breath Away”.
Claire Hamill released her much-loved debut album “One House Left Standing” on Chris Blackwell’s Island label in 1971 and worked with John Martyn, Steve Howe from Yes and a host of others as she developed her folk roots into new age music and beyond.
“A Pocketful of Love Songs” was written during lockdown and features songs from the heart on all aspects of love and life.
Claire Hamill said of the release: “There’s never been a better time to fall in love than now. I’m exploring the boundaries of my imagination and bringing together my thoughts and feelings in song form, to make sense of my life and my decisions. Maybe they’ll reflect some of yours too.”
Los Angeles, CA – On Dallas Perkins’ latest release “Experimental Truth” his stellar technical proficiency and dexterity are on full display. We are now hearing six-string wisdom come to full fruition. Showcasing a guitarist that is clearly steeped in melody, the music allows us to join the conversation with breathing room, suspense, and brilliantly placed pauses in these layered compositions. Perkins is not just a guitarist with attention grabbing technique, he is a composer reflecting influences spanning centuries of music history absorbed and personalized over decades finally distilled into a singular artistic statement.
Dallas said of “Experimental Truth”: “With this album, I really wanted to grab the listener’s attention with harmonic complexity and melodic simplicity. My hope is that it will satisfy fans of my previous work. But beyond that, my goal was to create a cohesive theme connecting each composition as in the spirit of the concept album. With the absence of lyrical content, I wanted the music to stand on its own and perhaps evoke a visual dimension. In short, I hope to inspire each listener’s imagination to create their own interpretation and imagery.”
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Dallas cites his original six-string inspirations as Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe and Ritchie Blackmore, among other heavyweights from the era. After paying his dues in clubs and festivals, lending his chops to various cover bands and original acts, he headed West.
In Los Angeles, Dallas became a respected member of the emerging wave of technically proficient players as well as an in-demand instructor at famed Hollywood music school Musician’s Institute and National Guitar Summer Workshop.
Taking on a few hired gun gigs, he eventually found himself relocated to the Tampa Bay area of Florida. During that time, he began releasing a series of critically acclaimed instrumental material. His debut release, “Looking Glass,” was hailed by critics in both Guitar World and Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazines. He was quickly recruited into Virgin recording artists Roxx Gang, both in the studio and on the road.
Dallas’ style has continued to evolve and broaden since the release of his self-produced, acclaimed solo CDs, including the breakout smash “Emergent Behavior” and the follow up “Unbecoming.”
Dallas currently performs live with his own solo band throughout Southern California. He is also a staple in the Los Angeles music scene, a sought after touring and session musician and a regular on Hollywood’s promo buzz show, Ultimate Jam Night.
Track List: 1. Beck Street 2. Deus XM 3. Dynamic Equilibrium 4. Mexican Puppets 5. Monolith 6. Intermeshing Spectra 7. Azul 8. In Via Domum 9. Jagwired
Twelve months on from the release of this hauntingly beautiful album, another event is changing our world.
The music is poignant for another host of reasons, showing that Kaye, writing from the heart, speaks for us all when words just cannot express the emotions we all feel when tragedy strikes.
An album 20 years in the making, the first solo work from former YES member Tony Kaye.
Conceived to commemorate the events and the journey that followed the world changing moments of 9/11, End Of Innocence is designed to be listened to in its entirety and to take us on a journey.
Featuring Dani Torchia who Kaye met in the wake of 9/11 has written and performed on the album. Tony Kaye retired from Yes in 1996, and came out of retirement the week following the events of 9/11 and began to write this album, the power of music helped Tony to process the day that became the End Of Innocence.
The album takes you on a journey from the peace of the night before, to the emerging hopeful looking to the future. This album has been interwoven with the growth of their relationship. Today the album throws light and solace following the death of Queen Elizabeth, which changes the landscape of the world for every person whose lives she touched in her 70 year Reign.
The artwork is painted by Roger Dean, the artist best known for his work with YES and Asia. It was created after Roger had heard the music and the images reflect the journey the music takes.
“On the 21st Anniversary of 911, a reminder to our leaders to stay vigilant. NEVER FORGET!” - Tony Kaye
End Of Innocence Track Listing: 1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Twilight Time 2. 911 Overture 3. NYC Blues 4. Battle Cry 5. 285 Fulton Street 6. Let’s Roll 7. Tug of War 8. Flight 11 9. Towers Fall 10. Sweetest Dreams 11. Aftermath 12. Heroes 13. The Battle 14. Hope and Triumph 15. Homecoming 16. Ground Zero
Produced by Tony Kaye
All tracks composed by Tony Kaye except “Sweetest Dreams” by Dani Torchia.
Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from End of Innocence to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.
About Tony Kaye Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their groundbreaking The YES Album its most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger, Flash and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success 90125 in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996. Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.
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.
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)
“AAF plays my guitar parts better than I do.” - Robert Fripp
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Guitarist/Composer Alex Anthony Faide has a decades-long international reputation for being the secret weapon in rock recordings, arrangements, and stage productions in Europe and Latin America. Now based in Seattle, WA, Faide will release his long-awaited solo record – “Particles of the Infinite” – a display of guitar pyrotechnics in nine parts, in March 2022 on Trey Gunn’s label 7d Media. Inspired by and developed from concepts found in songs such as King Crimson’s “Fracture” and “Lark’s Tongues in Aspic,” Faide takes the work beyond the stratosphere into the mirror dimension to find something completely his own. In the words of his mentor Robert Fripp, “AAF plays my guitar parts better than I do.”
Faide spent 2017-19 touring, songwriting, and arranging, with Mexican hard rock heroes Molotov on their MTV Unplugged Show “El Desconecte” and as a sideman for Molotov front man Tito Fuentes’ acclaimed solo record “El Ocaso.” He is currently working on a new project with legendary German producer/songwriter Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, founder and main composer for the band Nena.
Faide is the co-founder of cherished 3rd wave surf rock band, Los Twang! Marvels, in addition to Los Gauchos Alemanes/Electric Gauchos. He has also worked with artists including Markus Reuter, Namgar, Willie Campins, Crystal Beth, TROOT, Kathy Moore, Tiny Orchestral Moments, Los Primitivos, and Lutz Petersen, among countless others.
Says Alex, “It is difficult to determine the true origin of this work, though it stands undeniably as a tribute to my guitar instructor, life mentor, and friend, Robert Fripp. Ideas and compositions started taking shape in April 2016 in response to a challenge set forth by long-time collaborator and life brother Steve Ball (League of Crafty Guitarists, Electric Gauchos, Prometheus) to come up with my own version of King Crimson’s ‘Fracture’ and ‘Lark’s Tongues in Aspic.’ Mr. Fripp’s writing and guitar work in these monumental pieces strike me as expertly unique blends of influences in contemporary electric guitar repertoire, which inspired me to dive deeply into my own voice and personal practice to accept the challenge issued.
“What sparked my interest the most was the notion of a fierce, heavy rock attitude and sound, executed with pristine precision in a contemporary classical music tradition on an electrified instrument. I am mesmerized by the section of “Fracture” known as “Perpetuum Mobile” and with the guitarist’s capacity to execute intricate parts in an effortless fashion with a triangular plectrum. The challenge to evoke such intricacy seems to me both impossibly fragile and risky.
“Once the embryonic emergence of ‘Particles of the Infinite Parts I through III’ began to take shape, it became clear this was going to be a full-length record and require a full nine parts to complete the body of work I set out to explore. ‘Particles of the Infinite’ sums up 30 years of personal development and research on the guitar, derived and gleaned from direct guitar instruction as part of Guitar Craft, and the live practice of experiencing life as an international touring musician in myriad genres and settings. I traveled almost monthly between Argentina, Mexico, and the US from 2017-2019, developing this work between shows and collaborations, in hotel rooms and airbnb’s, with recordings intermittently in Seattle when the moment allowed.”
The 9 frameworks that make up “Particles of the Infinite” are presented in triptych (Pt. I-III / Pt. IV-VI / Pt. VII – IX) each containing particular techniques (alternate and cross-picking, stamina, release and flow for the left hand, exploration of diminished /symmetric scale relationships, rhythmic displacement & vector harmonization) - and interpretations of various themes, motifs and passages. There are many convergences imprinted in the music, playing style and overall tone.
Says Alex, “Obviously part of the material stands as a tribute to Fripp, however I am always pushing towards my own musical horizon and following the demands of the Muse. I hear it as ‘gold panning’ in musical form. One could arguably call this record “just a fancy collection of chops”…and I would happily agree with that. But I regard these techniques and interpretations as a cross-pollinating and ever-evolving body of work that points to a larger idea in the ever-expanding continuum of the electric guitar. Above all, these techniques are simply a means to an end, the end being the ability to let music speak freely and continually in real time.
“It’s interesting to experience the evolving arc throughout the whole record start to finish, personally it represents a sort of a surprising navigation chart helping me (and hopefully the listener as well) to find a center of gravity amidst the storm. May the Higher Powers grant Us the Patience to endure and the Strength to persevere. As they say: Ad Astra per Aspera.”
photo by Karen Moskowitz
“Particles of the Infinite” Track list: Pt. I (04:06) Pt. II (04:31) Pt. III (05:50) Pt. IV (04:37) Pt. V (11:05) Pt. VI (03:18) Pt. VII (03:38) Pt. VIII (06:28) Pt. IX (06:11)
All tracks composed and performed by Alex Anthony Faide on electric guitar and bass.
Guest drummers: Matt Chamberlain (Pt. I & VI) Pat Mastelotto (Pt. II) Alessandro Inolti (Pt.III, IV, V, VII & VIII)
Recorded at SoundVision Studios (Seattle) Mixed by Jonathan Plum / London Bridge Studios (Seattle) Mastered by Brian Lucey / Magic Garden Mastering (LA)
Featuring Tony Levin, David Cross, David Jackson, Derek Sherinian, Tony Franklin, Jonathan Mover and others!
Conceived and recorded over a few years with outstanding musicians and special guests, Bernardo Lanzettiʼs new work is presented as a collection of musical episodes that sail from Progressive Rock to Vanguard, making port of call at Modern Opera, Art Rock, Rock & Soul and Classix 2 B.
Eight songs in English, two lyrics written by friend Peter Jack Marmot, wordsmith and coach manager between London and Marbella, plus an Italian text for the song “Ero un num Ero”, built on an elementary and random numerical progression as if to point out that the so-called “inspiration”, at times, can only be a fairy tale to deceive the unwary listener.
Without exaggerating or forcibly imposing his vocal range exceeding three octaves, the vocalist makes available the complete range of his voice, including the one processed by his Glovox device and those written for a choir that, in “Different”, move on articulated bars, always different in their division and imperceptibly delusional succession.
In the album, passion, detached nostalgia, fury and irony unfold track after track with a mix of sounds that are as unpredictable as they are effective: David Jackson’s baritone sax replacing the double bass in “Lanzhaiku” or Tony Levin’s unmistakable stick in “Heck Jack”. The pressing guitars of Marco Colombo in “Genial” where not even Andalusia is neglected or those of Andrea Cervetto, excitingly painful in the desperate appeal of “Walk Away”, which finds Tony Franklinʼs precise fretless bass and, in contrast, the hectic synth of Derek Sherinian and the poignant violin of David Cross. Alternating solid and frantic episodes, Jonathan Moverʼs drumming stands out on four strong selected tracks.
With more than 120 songs already published to his credit, Bernardo also celebrates his being an author/composer with this new album where almost everything, including the artwork, is due to his talent and attitude. Including the above mentioned special guests, in all 19 musicians and a choir of 7 from Italy, UK, USA and Spain, numerous sound engineers and the careful and patient work of the producer Dario Mazzoli, make this work precious and unique.
Watch the video for “Heck Jack”:
(*) Alesia Baltach, Cello on 7// Marco Brioschi, Trumpet on 2// Andrea Cervetto, Gtrs, Bass, Keys, Arranger for 2 and 4// Kim Chandler, Backing Vocals on 1 and 2// Marco Colombo, Gtrs on 5 and 8 // David Cross, Violin on 1// Tony Franklin, Bass on 1// Pier Gonella, Gtrs on 6// Franco Grandoni, Choir conductor ** on 9 // David Jackson, all Saxophones and Flutes on 3//Bernardo Lanzetti: Lead and Backing Vocals, acoustic Gtr, Harmonica, pre production and programming // Tony Levin, Stick on 2// Dario Mazzoli, Bass on 5// Sara Wilma Milani: backing vocals on 3// Carlo Napolitano: Trombone on 2// Jonathan Mover, Drums on 1, 2, 5 and 8// Alex Polipo, Drums on 4// Giancarlo Porro, sax and horn section arrangements on 2// Derek Sherinian, Keys on 1// Pier Vigolini, Keys on 6. (**) Chorus on “Different”: Luisa Baiocco, Federica Bastianelli, Silvia Metelli, Michelle Rainone, Gabriele Santoni, Teo Tiburzi, Gabriele Serano.
Track List: 01-Walk Away 02-Heck Jack 03-Lanzhaiku 04-Time Is King 05-Genial! 06-Conventional 07-Ero un num Ero 08-Horizontal Rain 09-Different
All music and lyrics by B.Lanzetti except 02 and 05, lyrics by P.J.Marmot.
20th July 2021: Keyboard legend Tony Kaye announces the release of his debut solo album “End Of Innocence,” on 10th September 2021 on Spirit Of Unicorn Music (distributed via Cherry Red Records) to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Having retired from music in 1996, Kaye was moved, by the events of 11th September 2001, to commit his thoughts and feelings to a heartfelt personal musical interpretation.
“End Of Innocence” is a requiem for those who lost their lives and all those touched by the horrific events of 9/11. Primarily orchestral, “End Of Innocence” is a powerful and emotional suite that is both beautiful and sinister, reflecting the dark forces at work that day. It guides the listener through the day and touches on the response, to reach a hope that peace and calm may prevail.
As did many millions, Kaye watched the horrors of 9/11 unfold on his TV screen. “The next day I unpacked my keyboards for the first time in a long time,” Kaye recalls. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. It was one of those things that happened, inspiration on a musical level.”
The suite begins the night before 9/11 but, as Kaye’s wife Dani Torchia sings an innocent lullaby, menacing storms are gathering. The beautiful “9/11 Overture” was the first piece Kaye composed, the following day. “I had no recording equipment, just an 8-track cassette recorder and some of those recordings became what you hear now.”
Kaye continues to create vivid images of New York City life and a vibrancy around The World Trade Centre (285 Fulton Street) before the terror begins and captures the fears of those on the planes, “Flight 11” depicting the conversations stewardesses had with the tower. The track includes a powerful drum solo by Kaye’s friend Jay Schellen (CIRCA, YES) reflecting the struggles onboard.
Following the collapse of the towers, Dani Torchia sings her lament “Sweetest Dreams” and the album looks at the “Aftermath” and the “Heroes” before focusing on the response. “I wanted it, musically, to be about that day,” Kaye says, “but I felt compelled to extend it to deal with the repercussions of what happened. Musically, it was quite challenging to do the battle scene and then the 'Hope And Triumph,' a patriotic anthem and the consequences of war. 'Ground Zero' is the hope for the future, the rebuilding.”
The artwork for the album has been created by Roger Dean, known for his work with YES and ASIA, powerful imagery reflecting the journey the music takes.
“End Of Innocence” Track Listing: 1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Twilight Time 2. 911 Overture 3. NYC Blues 4. Battle Cry 5. 285 Fulton Street 6. Let’s Roll 7. Tug of War 8. Flight 11 9. Towers Fall 10. Sweetest Dreams 11. Aftermath 12. Heroes 13. The Battle 14. Hope and Triumph 15. Homecoming 16. Ground Zero
Produced by Tony Kaye
All tracks composed by Tony Kaye except “Sweetest Dreams” by Dani Torchia.
Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from “End of Innocence” to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.
About Tony Kaye Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their groundbreaking “The YES Album” it’s most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger, Flash and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success “90125” in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996.
Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.
Tony Kaye – “End of Innocence” Released on 10th September through Spirit of Unicorn Music Formats: Standard CD Jewel case
First single & video for track “Departure Tape” premiered
UK based Italian composer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Giancarlo Erra will release his new album “Departure Tapes” on July 2, 2021 through Kscope.
“Departure Tapes” is an album consisting of 6 contemplative recordings, written while travelling between the UK and Italy. The majority of these 6 tracks were improvised in the studio by Erra, so for the most part, are totally unique and hold a sincerity which cannot be replicated. It is the follow up to 2019’s acclaimed album “Ends I-VII”, with the new recordings reflecting what has been an extremely difficult year for Giancarlo, with the loss of his father to cancer. Erra comments “In 2019 my first solo album was just being released, and I already had the view that I wanted to be more experimental with the second one, but no precise idea how at that point. Then my father suddenly got ill with cancer, and everything changed.”
Erra, having had a fractured and conflicted relationship with his father since his early teenage years found a way to turn this distressing time into a cathartic experience, “He left when I was 14 and since then he wasn't really part of my life. Then I received the news of his terminal illness and somehow, I found myself in a situation where I was taking care of this man, someone who I have been distanced from for so long. During this period, I realized it had become a time for both of us to come to terms with many things. I wanted to get closure, but a positive one, for him and for me, and I think he was the same even though he maybe didn't know it; this was hard but at the same time 'healing' and in a painful twist, it was possibly the most close and positive few months I had with him since I was a small child.” He explains the influence this had on him creatively “It's the first album I have created without realizing I was actually writing it, as it is so intrinsically linked to one of the hardest and yet more healing parts of my life. The end result is the most experimental, and at times, the darkest material I have ever written, without compromise or set plan. It contains all the elements of my music in a very unconscious free flowing way.”
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THE NEW SINGLE “DEPARTURE TAPE” HERE
The first single to be taken from the new album is the extremely poignant and personal “Departure Tape” with the video dedicated to Erra’s father, he explains “This track was written I think when I came back from my first visit to Italy to see my father after he had been diagnosed. It really just began as a live experiment - born and finished within one afternoon. I remember I didn't really want to do anything; I was exhausted and down, but then, when I started playing the track took shape. I discovered there was much more going on inside my head that needed to be faced. For me, music has always been the only way I can do that, and from this introspection ‘Departure Tape’ was born. It's almost like a free subconscious stream of thoughts and feelings while recording everything that was happening.”
Giancarlo Erra began his musical career in 2005 with one man studio project Nosound. 2008 saw him signing with Kscope and released a string of albums under the Nosound banner before recording his debut solo “Ends I-VII”. “Departure Tapes” sees Erra play and record every instrument himself along with taking on full production responsibilities at his own studio (https://widescreen.studio). Max Richter, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and the more electronic / ambient recordings of Brian Eno may offer a reference point by which to enter Erra’s world, but the depth within his recordings is truly original.
“Departure Tapes” track list:
1. Dawn Tape [06:15] 2. Previous Tape [01:48] 3. 169th Tape [02:51] 4. Unwound Tape [08:24] 5. Departure Tape [16:51] 6. A Blues For My Father [07:31]
“Departure Tapes” will be released on the following formats and is available to pre-order HERE (https://GiancarloErra.lnk.to/DepartureTapes) • A gatefold LP on oxblood coloured 180g vinyl • 2-disc CD/DVD with the DVD-A/V including high resolution stereo & 5.1 mix: DVD-V: stereo 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround and DVD-A: 5.1 Surround 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes • Digitally (with digital pre-orders receiving the single “Departure Tape” as an instant download from 22nd April)
WITH FEATURED GUESTS TONY LEVIN, MARTY SCHWARTZ, PAUL WOLSTENCROFT, TOM GRIESGRABER, AND FARZAM SALAMI
Slightly Stoopid drummer Rymo (Ryan Moran) has released his new solo album “Kinetic” out now on all digital platforms here via Controlled Substance Sound Labs. Featured guests include progressive rock legend Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, ABWH, Pink Floyd, King Crimson), YouTube guitar sensation Marty Schwartz, Tom Griesgraber, Paul Wolstencroft (Slightly Stoopid), and film composer Farzam Salami. The album “Kinetic” arrives on the heels of his two singles “Kinetic” and “Skooby Snax” previously released this Spring.
“‘Kinetic’ represents some of the many influences and musical genres that I enjoy. Most of the songs were written and refined in a studio setting over a period of time. I was fortunate to have a bunch of great guests join me and add their talent to this project.” - Rymo
Rymo’s bandmates from Slightly Stoopid, OG, Dela, Paulie and AG all contributed to the album, playing multiple parts on songs and solos. Farzam Salami contributed tasteful Middle Eastern percussion and stringed instruments on several tracks. Tom Griesgraber helped record, produce, perform and engineer the album. The entire album was recorded at his studio with the exception of a few guest artists that recorded remotely.
“This album is a sonic journey. The music touches down in various sounding regions around the globe and takes the listener on a ride.” - Rymo
ABOUT RYMO: Born in San Francisco and raised in San Rafael, Ryan was bitten by the music bug shortly after his 10th birthday. He had two older sisters that provided a wide range of listening opportunities. One sister was full on punk rock and the other, a Deadhead. Sprinkle in generous amounts of 80’s top 40 radio and you have Ryan’s musical recipe. As far as early influences go, Ryan chooses Led Zeppelin and their drummer, John Bonham and Rush’s Neil Peart as particularly influential.
Inspired by his High School music teacher, Mark Peabody, Ryan continued his pursuit of knowledge by earning a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in 1993 for their 5 week Summer program. There he met musicians from all over the U.S. His continuing education led him to apply to several different colleges, but San Diego State University had all the right factors. Ryan attended SDSU beginning in late 1994 until 2000, when he earned his BA in Music. Since his graduation, he has continued his pursuit of the groove, which has led to involvement in several projects.
Ryan Moran has been a full-time member of the stylistically diverse band, Slightly Stoopid since 2003 and has recorded 7 albums with the band. They have toured internationally, and shared the stage with many legendary artists. Described by themselves as “a fusion of funk, rock, reggae and ska with hip-hop, metal and punk,” Slightly Stoopid gives Ryan a wide palette to paint his percussive contributions. “It’s been an incredible ride…We have done things I could only have dreamed of as a kid.” The band has all types of content on every major social media channel, and has achieved many landmark goals, such as headlining a sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, 10 years in a row.
In the studio, Moran has contributed to over 40 albums playing drums primarily, but also vibraphone, piano, didgeridoo, and world percussion. He has worked with various producers in a wide range of styles and projects. This has led him to recording studios all across the U.S., from sessions in New York City to Circle House in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to the legendary Sound City in Hollywood, CA.
In addition to his performing and recording credits Ryan is also an educator, being active in giving lessons as a private teacher both online and in person. His YouTube channel ‘rymostoopid’ has over 60 drum lessons posted and has over a million views. Ryan has also been involved in The Rios Music Project, a private music school in Carlsbad, CA. In the past, he has also taught at the A.R.T.S. music non-profit organization, also in San Diego. He has appeared several times at Notes for Notes music non-profit organization in Nashville, TN and Santa Barbara, CA.
In August of 2015 Moran was featured in DRUM! Magazine and was also included in the book, “Sticks ‘N’ Skins” by Jules Follett.
Some of Rymo’s personal influences include John Bonham, Danny Carey, Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Stewart Copeland, Peter Erskine, David Garibaldi, Neil Peart, Simon Phillips, Thomas Pridgen, Steve Smith, and many more.
Slightly Stoopid has performed live with many guest artists, ranging from Snoop Dogg and Chali 2na to Barrington Levy, Don Carlos and Stephen Marley, to Fishbone’s Angelo Moore and Dumpstaphunk’s Ian and Ivan Neville, to name just a few.
“Destinations 2” is a follow up to his critically acclaimed album “Destinations”, which was voted number 3 in Goldmine Magazine’s top 100 albums of 2020. Prog Rock said of this album: “This is ‘Guitar Hero’ as arch-melody maker, putting his chops in service of each song’s mood. This is an artist searching for and finding a fresh way to express his unquestionable talent.”
Talking about his new album Darryl says:
“Like ‘Destinations’, ‘Destinations 2’ sets out to take the listener on a journey to far off and exotic locations, something that in reality is very difficult for us to do at the moment. These tracks are journeys of the mind and are my interpretation of the atmosphere's and music of each different location, from Sun Baked Mexico to Bohemian Budapest.
Set mostly in a ‘Rock’ format, the tracks are tempered by my new found love of playing the Guitar and my continuing love for playing the Violin. So the pieces themselves lean towards genres where the Guitar and Violin are features of that particular style. However, when the music needs to be more expansive, I have not been able to resist orchestrating it for full orchestra, giving the piece more cinematic depth.
As this music is essentially ‘Program Music’, I've also included in the sleeve notes of this album my descriptions of the pieces. As with works like Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and Berlioz’s ‘Symphonie Fantastique’, it's sometimes helpful for the listener to know what the composer’s original intentions were.
Having said that, I’m just as happy for the listener to make up their own stories for the music.
Finally, I hope you enjoy this album as much as I did creating it.”
Laura Meade’s new studio album, The Most Dangerous Woman in America, due on May 21, 2021 on Doone Records, marks Meade’s follow up to her solo debut, 2018’s Remedium and 2019’s Don’t Panic with New York progressive rock septet IZZ.
The Most Dangerous Woman in America, co-written with IZZ bandmate John Galgano between March and December of 2020, explores the story of a woman whose voice was silenced and whose story was all but forgotten by her own country.
“As we wrote the music and lyrics for this album, John and I realized that the concept and story that inspired us was not just the story of one woman, but also the story of all of those who stay true to themselves regardless of the cost,” says Meade.
“There have been so many people throughout history – many of them women – who stand up for themselves, stand up for what they believe in, and experience great pain and suffering for doing so, their memories and voices lost along the way to gossip and rumor. I hope that this album, in some small way, honors and gives voice to the forgotten.”
From the pulsing forward-momentum of “Leaving” to the majesty of “Iconoclast” to the mystery and passion of “Forgive Me,” The Most Dangerous Woman in America explores the sincerity, emotion, and authenticity that so often lie beyond the gossip and sensationalism of fame and celebrity.
“This album was written to honor the forgotten: those whose stories remain untold, whose lives have been neutralized by those with unchecked power,” says Meade.
Meade’s new album features the songs “Burned at the Stake” and the title track, both available on April 23, 2021 for purchase by pre-ordering the full album at izzmusic.bandcamp.com and for streaming on Spotify.
Meade is joined on the album by IZZ members Tom Galgano (Keyboards, Production), Brian Coralian (V-Drums), John Galgano (Bass).
Laura Meade’s The Most Dangerous Woman in America is available for pre-order now on the IZZ Bandcamp page: izzmusic.bandcamp.com (download) and will be available for streaming on all platforms on May 21, 2021. CD and Vinyl versions of the album are also available for pre-order now.
Watch the video for “Burned at the Stake” here:
Track Listing: 1. On the Shores of the Seine 2. Leaving 3. Burned at the Stake 4. Iconoclast 5. End of the Road in Hollywood 6. Doesn’t Change a Thing 7. The Most Dangerous Woman in America 8. The Shape of Shock 9. Forgive Me 10. Tell Me, Love
Featuring Nathan East, Leland Sklar, Michael Manring, Tony Franklin, Doug Wimbish, Adam Nitti, Lars Lehmann, Cody Wright, Mohini Dey, David Pastorius
Alberto Rigoni's “For The Love of Bass,” simply put, it’s bass heaven.
After the success of his latest prog rock album “Odd Times,” Italian bassist & composer Alberto Rigoni (BAD As, Natural Born Machine, The Italians, Vivaldi Metal Project), now releases his 10th solo album. As the title suggests, the instrumentation is exclusively electric bass, spanning ambient, fusion, jazz and new age styles.
“It has been really challenging but the special guests contributed some gorgeous playing and we are all proud of the result,” says Alberto. “For The Love of Bass” is an all-star bassists album featuring some of the best players anywhere: Nathan East, Leland Sklar, Michael Manring, Tony Franklin, Doug Wimbish, Adam Nitti, Lars Lehmann, Cody Wright, Mohini Dey, David Pastorius,
Are you ready to face a new bass experience?!
Watch Alberto Rigoni's new video for “Masked Souls” feat. Nathan East & Michael Manring:
Other distributors: Disk Union (Japan), MVD (USA), Burning Shed (UK), Plastic Head (UK), Digital Platforms (Apple Music, Spotify etc.)
Tracklist: 1. Drops of Memories (feat. Tony Franklin) 2. In the Loop (feat. David Pastorius) 3. Dreamers (feat. Michael Manring) 4. Alone in the Dark (feat. Doug Wimbish) 5. Paranoia (feat. Cody Wright) 6. The Maze (feat. Mohini Dey) 7. Masked Souls (feat. Nathan East & Michael Manring) 8. Social Distortion (feat. Adam Nitti) 9. Mad World bass cover (feat. Leland Sklar) 10. Killers (feat. Lars Lehmann) 11. Misirlou bass cover (feat. Lars Lehmann) 12. Lost (feat. Adam Nitti)
Biography
Born in 1981, Alberto Rigoni is an Italian bass player and composer, internationally known for his career as a solo artist and as a member of the metal band BAD As, The Italians, Natural Born Machines Lady & THE BASS, co-producer of the Vivaldi Metal Project and member of progressive rock band TwinSpirits (no more active).
Between 2008 and 2020 Alberto has released worldwide 9 solo album (Something Different, Rebirth, Three Wise Monkeys, Overloaded, BASSORAMA, Duality, EvoRevolution, Prog Injection, Odd Times), spanning from progressive rock metal to fusion. His albums also featured legendary musicians such as Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson), Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), Göran Edman (ex Yngwie Malmsteen), Michael Manring and many others.
Alberto has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Bass Magazine (Japan), Bass Musician Magazine (USA), Bajos Y Bajistas (Spain), Basistas (Poland), TOP BASS (Poland). Moreover, in March 2015 the prestigious Bass Guitar Magazine (UK) released Alberto’s CD anthology called “Into THE BASS.”
Alberto has also recorded for several international artists such as Italian pop singer Alexia and he is also playing bass for Canadian rock singer and songwriter Kim Bingham (ex-Nelly Furtado) and The Italians, sharing stages with artists such as Alan Parson, Suzanne Vega, Jørn Lande, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore and others.
In 2016 founded a new metal band called BADASS (now called BAD As) which released three albums (More Pain More Gain, Midnight Curse and Crucified Society.
On December 15th 2017, Rigoni together with bassist Jeff Hughell (Six Feet Under) released a new studio project called Bassists Alliance. The first album “Crush” featured top notch bassists such as Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Steve di Giorgio, Colin Edwin, Mark Mitchell, Scott Reeder, Dmitry Lisenko, Brandino BassMaster, Ryan Martini, Leonid Maksimov, Tony Grey.
In 2019 founded a new AOR band called “Natural Born Machine” featuring famous Pink Cream 69 singer David Readman. Their debut album “Human” was released on February 19th 2021 by Pride and Joy Music.
Currently he is also collaborating with famous producer Hiro Furuya (Elton John, Eric Clapton, etc.) as session bassist.
His tenth album “For The Love of Bass” feat. all star bassists such as Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Michael Manring, Doug Wimbish and many others will be released on April 2nd 2021.
