Rick Wakeman “The Prog Years 1973-1977” CD/DVD Box Set Now Available!

1,500 units for the CD/DVD version

Rick Wakeman’s “The Prog Years 1973-1977” CD/DVD box set is now available!

Journey to the centre of the Earth? In a career that’s now well into its sixth decade, Rick Wakeman has voyaged through time and out to the furthest reaches of sound. And now, the 32-disc “The Prog Years 1973-1977” box set turns back the clock to the caped crusader’s imperial phase, when, as a solo artist, he released some of the most ambitious, virtuosic and just plain stunning music ever committed to tape.

Gathering together the original ‘The Six Wives Of Henry VIII’, ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’, ‘The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table’, ‘Lisztomania’, ‘No Earthly Connection’ and ‘White Rock’ albums, plus alternate recordings and a slew of live performances, from radio sessions to full concerts, the CD/DVD edition of “The Prog Years 1973-1977” is a must-have for all Rick Wakeman collectors.

Complete with a 60-page hardback scrapbook, 10 x postcards, 8 x full-size replica promotional photos and 4 x A3 posters, plus reproduction press kits.

The first 500 copies of this extremely limited box set will also come with a numbered certificate signed by Rick himself.

Order now, and prepare to immerse yourself in half a decade of prog-rock genius.

Check out the video below to see the full range of contents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nER9BgLka1w

The Deluxe 32 disc CD & DVD box set contains rare live material, demos, alternative mixes and live film footage all from the era of:

The Discs

1. ‘Six Wives of Henry VIII’

CD1 – Original Album
CD2 – Six Wives Alternative Versions
CD3 – The Three Wives – Radio Session 27th Feb 1973
DVD –Live in Melbourne 4th Feb 1975

2. ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’

CD1 - Original Album
CD2 – The Other Half
CD3 – Live in Melbourne 4th Feb 1975  part 1
CD4 – Live in Melbourne 4th Feb 1975  part 2

3. ‘King Arthur…’

CD1 - Original Album
CD2 – King Arthur on Ice - Live at Wembley 1975 + Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan January 21st 1975 part 1
CD3 – Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan January 21st 1975 part 2
DVD – King Arthur on Ice - Live at Wembley 1975

4. ‘White Rock’

CD1 - Original Album
CD2 – Original Music and FX Soundtrack.
CD3 – The 1974 Canadian Broadcast
DVD – White Rock Film

5. ‘Lisztomania’

CD1 - Original Album
CD2 – The Real Lisztomania
CD3 – Live from the Winterland Ballroom 11th Feb 1975.
DVD – Lisztomania film.

6. 'No Earthly Connection’

CD1 - Original Album
CD2 - Live at the Maltings 1976.
CD3 - The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland May 07, 1976
DVD - Live at the Maltings 1976.

7. ‘The 1976 Concert’

CD1 - Live at Hammersmith 1976
CD2 - Christmas in Rio Live December 21st 1975
CD3 - Missing Pieces  and Interviews
DVD - Live at Hammersmith 1976 (quad mix) +Success Story, The Story of Journey and other TV Extras

8. ‘And the rest...’

CD1 - Live in Anaheim 11th November 1975 live part 1
CD2 - Live in Anaheim 11th November 1975 live part 2
CD3 - Reflections of Winter (White Rock Sessions) part 1
CD4 - Reflections of Winter (White Rock Sessions) part 2

THE GOODIES:

HARDBACK BOOK
60 x page 12" x 12" SCRAP BOOK

POSTCARDS:X 10

FULL SIZE REPLICA PROGRAMMES
1974 Journey debut 8 pages
1974 Crystal Palace Garden Party 16 pages
1974/5 US tour 16 pages
1975 Japanese tour 24 pages
1975 Japanese tour 24 pages
1976 UK TOUR AKA FA Challenge 24 pages
1976 UK In Concert 8 pages
1977 White Rock Premier 24 pages

POSTERS:
Poster 1 – Myths and Legends
Poster 2 – Journey...
Poster 3 – Lisztomania - Movie Poster
Poster 4 – White Rock – Movie Poster

REPRODUCTION PRESS FOLDER CONTAINING:
PRESS RELEASES
Lisztomania x 4 sheets
Myths and Legends x 6 sheets
No Earthly Connection x 2 sheets
White Rock x 6 sheets

PRESS PHOTOS:
6 X Photos

To purchase: https://www.musicglue.com/rick-wakeman-the-prog-years/

US Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Prog-Years-1973-1977-Postcards-Reproduction/dp/B0C827QDGF/

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

Cairo Announce New Singer, New Single and Special Gig Date

Sarah Bayley has left Cairo due to other commitments. She leaves wishing the band all the best. On behalf of the band, Rob Cottingham, band founder, advised: “We would like to thank Sarah for the last four years. We had fun along the way, and wish her the very best of luck for the future.

“In happier news, we were blown away by this lady's voice recently and we are delighted to announce that Kat (pictured) has joined the band on vocals.

“She is ready to gig our existing material and is already working on new songs with us. Kat has an amazing voice and tone, and we would ask you all to warmly welcome her into the band, and into our prog family.”

Kat advises: “I was intrigued by Cairo’s music and instantly fell in love with the song ‘Glow’. Joining the band is different; exciting and an amazing adventure that I am thrilled to be a part of.”

In further news, Rob announces: “We are also pleased to release our brand new single 'Salvation' featuring Kat on vocals, and which will feature on our next album - details of which will be published in due course. We hope you enjoy our new song and video.”

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/sarQsKK7BqE

“We are also excited to announce a special one-off Nemesis Show on the 29th October when we invite you to party with us at Unit Nine in Milton Keynes https://www.unitninemk.com/ and to welcome Kat to the band. We will be playing the whole of the Nemesis album - plus some old favourites and some brand new material.”

The venue has an amazing state of the art sound and lighting system unique to the area and is situated right by a train station making it easily accessible for all - and has plenty of parking, too.

“We are also delighted to say that our special guests are Square Wild who will most definitely add to the party atmosphere. See more about them here: https://www.squarewildband.com/
This will be a very special one night only event for 2023 as we are in the process of writing our third album and planning a U.K. tour next year, so please get behind us and don't miss this!
Please support us; the venue and live music by booking your tickets in advance, it honestly helps more than you know.”

All tickets are available now direct from cairorocks.com/gigs page or from the venue. https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Milton-Keynes/Unit-Nine/Cairo-with-special-guests-Square-Wild/36652678/

“They say that the only constant in life is change so - onwards and upwards with Kat; enjoy our new single; thanks to you all for your continued unwavering support - and we cannot wait to see you at The Nemesis Show in Unit Nine.”

Nemesis album reviews can be found at this link: https://cairorocks.com/reviews/

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

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION Release New Album Celestial Songs & Video For ‘Look What You Do’

The fifth Downes Braide Association (DBA) album Celestial Songs is out today.  DBA are also launching a video for “Look What You Do” from the album. DBA are Geoff Downes world-renowned musician (keyboards) and multi award-winning songwriter Chris Braide (vocals). The album is available in 3 formats:  CD, 2LP and Box Set.

Watch the video for “Look What You Do” here: https://youtu.be/gAnF6w1Tcqw

And check out the video for “Keep On Moving” here: https://youtu.be/dEV_fIvDSpI

“I am super excited about the release of our forthcoming new album,” said Geoff Downes. “Chris and I worked really hard to create something that was special to both of us, and the result – ‘Celestial Songs’. We are certain that if you liked our previous albums, then you are going to love this one. Please sit back, listen and enjoy the DBA journey. All best, Geoff."

Chris Braide adds “It took a few years to make this new DBA album, through the various trials and tribulations of life, and Geoff and I are excited to finally share it with the world. It’s tempting to say that we think it’s our best album yet, but we will let the listener decide. Hope you enjoy the journey.”

‘Look What You Do’ is the opening track for Celestial Songs, Chris talks about the song: “It starts with a lovely minor key piano piece, written by Geoff and has a mournful, yearning guitar part. It then opens up into the major key of the song which is like the dawn after the darkness.

“I started the idea in Los Angeles at the piano and just sang a phonetic kind of lyric on the mic, one take. I thought I’d go back and re-sing it with a more structured lyric, but I just loved the emotion of the (original) vocal. Plus, the lyric ‘Give me time, that’s all I want ‘cause nobody knows’ seems to mean so much to me. I couldn’t better it really. It says what I wanted to say without me even realising it. It’s quite Beatley, I suppose. The second verse has those big Abbey Road-type strings blocking out the chords. I wanted to write a’ Something’ or a ‘Let It Be' - no small ambition then! The song returns to Geoff’s piano motif, but this time it’s major. It’s like the sun has risen and we are looking back at a life with love.”

You can order all formats of Celestial Songs here:
CD version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-cd-edition/
2LP version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-vinyl-edition/
Box set version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-deluxe-12-box-set-edition/

Celestial Songs Track Listing:
1. Look What You Do (6.17)
2. Clear Light (5.00)
3. Keep On Moving (6.36)
4. Darker Side Of Fame (3.56)
5. Hey Kid (3.28)
6. Will To Power (6.23)
7. Heart Shaped Hole (9.06)
8. Dear Petra (3.56)
9. On The Run (5.09)
10. Goodbye To You (Sister Shame) (7.30)
11. Beyond The Stars (10.19)
(Total running time: 67.40)

All tracks written by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes except “Keep On Moving” (Chris Braide/Francis Dunnery/ Geoff Downes) and “Goodbye To You (Sister Shame)” (Chris Braide/Andy Partridge/Geoff Downes)
Produced by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes

About Downes Braide Association

Downes Braide Association was formed as a studio-based project by Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and has previously produced four studio albums: Pictures Of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015), Skyscraper Souls (2017) and Halcyon Hymns (2021) and a live album Live In England (2019). The project draws on Downes’ and Braide’s rich musical heritage to create a delightfully accessible brand of progressive rock.

Keyboard wizard Geoff Downes was thrust into the limelight with the worldwide success of Video Killed The Radio Star in 1979. The single topped the charts in 16 countries for The Buggles duo of Geoff and Trevor Horn (vocals, bass guitar). They briefly joined prog legends YES before Downes became a founder member of the supergroup Asia with YES guitarist Steve Howe, ELP drummer Carl Palmer and the late John Wetton (vocals, bass guitar).

The Wetton-Downes composition “Heat Of The Moment” became a world-wide hit in 1982 heralding many years of success for Asia with their FM radio-friendly brand of rock. Downes later rejoined YES in 2011 and remains with the band alongside Steve Howe.

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

An Ivor Novello award-winner and Grammy-nominated, Braide has recently won a BMI Pop Award in Los Angeles for co-writing Sia’s Unstoppable, her eighth US Top 40 hit after making a surprise, and long, rise to the top having been released in 2016, becoming the biggest selling single in the USA.

For more information:
Twitter: Downes Braide Association.  @TheRealDBAMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downesbraide/
www.christopherbraide.com
www.geoffdownes.com

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

Prog Duo Days Between Stations Release New Video “Witness the End of the World” Featuring Pink Floyd Vocalist Durga McBroom & Billy Sherwood

Los Angeles based progressive rock duo Days Between Stations have released a music video for their song “Witness the End of the World” featuring special guest lead vocalist Durga McBroom, who is best known for her work with Pink Floyd. The song was originally released in 2020 on their album “Giants” but due to the pandemic, the music video production was delayed, which turned out to be an unfortunately apt circumstance given the lyrics.

Video production by Erik Nielsen of Supposable Productions. Filmed in the deserts of Southern California and BandProd Studios in San Fernando, CA.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/X_s7-oaWJM8

Durga: “Working with Billy Sherwood producing my vocal session was magic. He was very precise; in fact, he actually reminded me of working with David Gilmour. A haunting, timely tune. I’m very proud to be singing on it. As for the video, my Goth Angel is a pretty striking look. It also honors my Native American heritage.”

Sepand: “I remember hearing this song that Oscar had written. I’m always turned on to songs that become your companion through life, its notes and meaning altering with you through your path in life. When you feel the song is one thing it morphs into another. We filmed this video during the end of COVID... boy did it feel like the end of the world. I feel the apocalyptic imagery was inspired by how society and friends and family were all rattled by this disease.”

Oscar: “It’s no secret to anyone who’s followed the band for a while that we sometimes focus on dark topics. Sometimes even before any lyrics are written, the mood of the piece will sort of suggest an image or a mood. I tend to draw a lot of inspiration from - and crib titles from - books and films. So, I had written a waltz that I was calling ‘End of the World Waltz,’ inspired by Anthony Burgess’ ‘The End of the World News.’ I had started writing some lyrics for it, with a vaguely apocalyptic theme indirectly dealing with the many ways we seem to make the world hell for ourselves and other species, and then when my cat Matisse was diagnosed with cancer I had rewritten the lyric with the line ‘it’s not the end of the world,’ which was what a not very sympathetic non-cat person had told me at the time, and I was thinking about how subjective that is and how what seems trivial to somebody can literally feel like the end of the world to someone else. In any case, I had never finished the lyrics, so when we chose to work on the piece together with Billy Sherwood for Giants, we rewrote the lyrics together and added a lot of the Greco-mythical material that tied it in with the rest of the album. It’s interesting to work on lyrics as a trio. You would think it would be overly analytical and dry, but at least part of the time we managed to all three of us enter a sort of flow state where the ideas just seemed to, well, flow.”

“Witness the End of the World” released 2020 on the album “Giants”

Days Between Stations
Keyboards: Oscar Fuentes Bills
Guitars: Sepand Samzadeh

with
Lead Vocals: Durga McBroom
Bass: Billy Sherwood

Video Production by Erik Nielsen // Supposable Productions
Special Thanks to Brian Anderson of BandProd

The entire back catalog for Days Between Stations is back in print on CD:
“Days Between Stations” (debut album) 2007
“In Extremis” 2013
“Giants” 2020

Also “In Extremis” and “Giants” are available on vinyl. A new album is expected to be announced this fall and features another song collaboration with Durga.

To purchase:
https://www.daysbetweenstations.com/store/
https://daysbetweenstations.bandcamp.com/

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/DaysBetweenStations
https://www.instagram.com/daysbetweenstationsband/

Official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/DBSMusicOfficial

Manager: Erik Nielsen
erik@daysbetweenstations.com

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

ProgStock Festival, The American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ October 6 -8, 2023, With a Separately Ticketed Preshow on October 5

ProgStock Festival (https://www.progstock.com), The American Northeast’s Only International Progressive Rock Festival, will take the stage for its seventh straight year from October 6th through October 8th, 2023, at an exciting new venue, the Williams Center in Rutherford, New Jersey.

Doors open for regular passholders at 4:00PM on Friday, October 6 and at 11:30AM on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8.

In-person attendance at ProgStock 2023 includes a seat in our historic theater, opportunities to meet, greet and get to know our artists, and the chance to witness unique and spontaneous things that only happen at ProgStock. For those who can’t attend in-person, ProgStock offers live-streaming of our staged performances during the festival.

Performers on our main stage include AD ASTRA, Travis Larson Band, The Mahavishnu Project, Erik Norlander, Aziola Cry, Randy McStine, Matt Dorsey Band, Rachel Flowers, Dave Kerzner Band, Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear, Mystery, Unitopia, and special guest appearances by: Patrick Moraz of YES and The Moody Blues, Michael Sadler of SAGA, and Joe Deninzon of Kansas.

Just outside our theater doors, Bob Moog Foundation Plaza will host some of the most unique and memorable happenings at ProgStock, led by our very own Robeone, Robert Schindler. In our lobby, the Bob Moog Foundation will present a special exhibit dedicated to the life’s work of Patrick Moraz and in Spring Hall, Michelle Moog-Koussa, daughter of Bob Moog and founder of the Bob Moog Foundation, will host a reading from the biography of Bob Moog by Albert Glinsky, “Switched On: Bob Moog and the Synthesizer Revolution.” Spontaneous performances, listening parties, and many more once-in-a-lifetime experiences await you in Bob Moog Foundation Plaza every day at ProgStock.

Fine art exhibits and features will be provided by Paul Whitehead, album cover artist for Genesis, and a fan favorite at ProgStock; Annie Haslam of Renaissance, Intuitive Abstract Expressionist; and by Deane Arnold, the world-renowned pumpkin sculptor featured on the Food Network.

Additionally, there will be a separately ticketed pre-festival show on Thursday, October 5, starting at 8:30pm Eastern time, featuring an acoustic performance by the Dave Kerzner Band opening for the Argentinian Genesis tribute band, Genetics, just off their recent tour backing Steve Hackett in South America.

For more information contact: Ann Rinaldi, co-producer, ProgStock Festival, marketing@progstock.com, +1 252-402-5395 (cell/WhatsApp)

Tickets:
Direct Ticket Link: ProgStock.simpletix.com/
ProgStock Store: https://progstock-store.square.site/
ProgStock 2023 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/198154016487060
Livestreaming Ticket Link: Stageit.com/ProgStock

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

Greg Lake “Magical” Solo Career Spanning Limited Edition 7 CD Box Set Released November 10th on Manticore Records Through Spirit of Unicorn Music

A CELEBRATION OF THE SOLO CAREER OF ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST REVERED SINGER SONGWRITERS.

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY GARY MOORE, TOTO, CLARENCE CLEMONS, ROBERT FRIPP, STEVE HOWE, GEOFF DOWNES, KEITH EMERSON, COZY POWELL, CARL PALMER AND MORE.

STRICTLY LIMITED EDITION DELUXE 91-TRACK 7-CD
10” x 10” BOX SET WITH 64 PAGE DISPLAY BOOK FEATURING UNSEEN IMAGES AND INTERVIEWS WITH MANY OF HIS COLLABORATORS

While perhaps best known as the singer, lyricist, composer, bass player, guitarist and producer for one of the most significant and best-selling bands of the 1970s, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Greg Lake was a highly respected singer-songwriter releasing solo and collaborative material spanning four decades. He was also an incredibly in-demand musician playing with The Who, Ringo Starr and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Greg Lake “Magical” is a limited edition seven-disc set that brings together Greg’s solo studio and live material for the first time, along with collaborations with Toto, Gary Moore, Asia, Geoff Downes, Keith Emerson, King Crimson, ELP, Emerson, Lake & Powell and many more.

Presented in a 10” x 10” box, the limited edition seven-CD set has a 64 page coffee table book featuring extensive notes for each album along with unseen photos from the Lake family archive as well as sleeve notes by Jerry Ewing, Editor of Prog Magazine, who speaks with many of Greg’s collaborators about this once-in-a-generation artist.

“Magical” features Greg’s two solo albums, including his hard rock-infused debut, featuring Gary Moore.  Also included are two live albums, including “Songs of A Lifetime” where Greg covers artists such as The Beatles & Elvis Presley as well as a stunning version of The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield classic “People Get Ready”, all of whom inspired him to become such a celebrated songwriter.

The set also features rare tracks and live recordings such as Greg fronting King Crimson supporting The Rolling Stones at the legendary Hyde Park show in 1968, three previously unheard slices of FM Radio gold recorded in the early 80s with Toto,  along with songs from his time with Asia, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Greg Lake Band, Greg Lake’s Ride The Tiger, Emerson & Lake and one of Greg’s first ever recordings fronting The Shame in 1967.

This incredible collection of Greg’s career has been curated with his family’s full involvement and blessing, who have opened their archive to allow for the inclusion of rare material. All the audio within the set has been mastered from the best available sources by renowned engineer Andy Pearce.

Greg Lake “Magical” is a worthy tribute to a unique talent.

“The only music worth creating is music that comes from the heart” - Greg Lake

“Greg, you are the man” - Ringo Starr

Track list:

CD ONE: Greg Lake
Nuclear Attack
Love You Too Much
It Hurts
Black And Blue
Retribution Drive
Long Goodbye
The Lie
Someone
Let Me Love You Once
For Those Who Dare

CD TWO: Manoeuvres
Manoeuvres
Too Young to Love
Paralysed
A Woman Like You
I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love Tonight
It is You, You Gotta Believe
Famous Last Words
Slave To Love
Haunted
I Don’t Know Why I Still Love You

CD THREE: From the Underground Vol. 1 - The Official Bootleg
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Touch and Go
King Crimson - A Man, A City
The Shame - Don't Go Away Little Girl
Greg Lake - Medley: Still, You Turn Me On / Watching Over You
Greg Lake And Band - Daddy
Greg Lake And Band - Retribution Drive
Asia With Greg Lake - Heat of The Moment
Emerson, Lake & Powell - The Score
Shy Limbs - Love
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Affairs of The Heart
Emerson, Lake & Powell - Learning to Fly
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Lucky Man
Greg Lake And Band - 21st Century Schizoid Man

CD FOUR: From the Underground Vol. II - Deeper into The Mine. An Official Greg Lake Bootleg
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Black Moon
Greg Lake’s Ride the Tiger - Check it Out
Greg Lake’s Ride the Tiger - Love Under Fire
Greg Lake With Toto - Cold Side of a Woman
Emerson, Lake & Powell - Step Aside
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Preacher Blues
Greg Lake - Hold Me
Greg Lake And Band - Heart on Ice
Greg Lake’s Ride the Tiger - Blue Light
Greg Lake With Toto - You're Good with Your Love
Greg Lake With Toto - You Really Got a Hold on Me
King Crimson - Epitaph
Greg Lake Band Featuring Gary Moore - Fanfare for The Common Man

CD FIVE: Songs of A Lifetime
21st Century Schizoid Man
Lend Your Love to Me Tonight
Songs Of a Lifetime Tour Introduction
From The Beginning
Tribute To the King
Heartbreak Hotel
Epitaph/The Court of The Crimson King
King Crimson Cover Story
I Talk to The Wind
Ringo And the Beatles
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
Touch And Go
Trilogy
Still... You Turn Me On
Reflections Of Paris
C’est La Vie
My Very First Guitar
Lucky Man
People Get Ready
Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2

CD SIX: Live in Piacenza
21st Century Schizoid Man
Lend Your Love to Me Tonight
From The Beginning
Heartbreak Hotel
Epitaph/In the Court of The Crimson King
I Talk to The Wind
Ringo And the Beatles
Touch And Go
Trilogy / Still... You Turn Me On
I Believe in Father Christmas
Shakin’ All Over
C’est La Vie
People Get Ready
Lucky Man
Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, Part II)

CD SEVEN: Emerson / Lake - Live from Manticore Hall
From The Beginning
Introduction
I Talk To The Wind
Bitches Crystal
The Barbarian
Take A Pebble
Tarkus
C’est La Vie
Pirates
Moog Solo / Lucky Man

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/greg-lake-magical-7cd-10x10-box-set/

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

Prog Legends Nektar “Remember The Future” 4CD/Blu-Ray Box Set Released November 24, 2023

A NEW 4CD / BLU RAY BOXED SET 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THIS CLASSIC ALBUM.

NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES

FEATURING NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND STEREO MIXES OF THE ALBUM ALONG WITH A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE CONCERT FROM JANUARY 1974, THE 1973 QUAD MIX AND ADDITIONAL VIDEO CONTENT OF THE REMEMBER THE FUTURE PROMOTIONAL FILM, THE FILM OF WINGS FOR BBC TVs OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST AND THE LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “DESOLATION VALLEY / WAVES” FOR THE TV SHOW.

WITH ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET AND NEW ESSAY

First released in November 1973, the album was a conceptual piece comprising a musical cycle divided into two parts and was recorded at Chipping Norton Studios in England. “Remember the Future” became the band’s most successful album, being a chart hit in Germany, but also reaching number 13 on the US Billboard charts without the band having ever toured America. It was a pivotal album for the band and broke them to a wider audience and remains one of Nektar’s most well-known and highly regarded works.

This 50th Anniversary edition comprises 4 CDs and a multi-region Blu Ray disc and features a newly remastered original stereo mix of the album along with and additional two CDs featuring a previously unreleased concert recorded at the Stadthalle, Munster, Germany in January 1974 and stunning new 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo mixes of the album from the original multi track tapes. Also included on the Blu ray disc are the original 1973 Quad mix and additional video content comprising of the rare “Remember the Future” promotional film, the film of “Wings” shown on BBC TVs Old Grey Whistle Test and a live performance of “Desolation Valley / Waves” for the same TV show.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
Remember the Future – The 50th Anniversary remaster
1 Remember the Future Part One
2 Remember the Future Part Two
Bonus track
3 Let it Grow (Live Erbach, Germany April 1973)

DISC TWO
Remember the Future – The 50th Anniversary stereo remix
1 Remember the Future Part One
2 Remember the Future Part Two
Bonus tracks
3 Lonely Roads (German promo single version)
4 Let it Grow (German promo single version)

DISC THREE
Live at Stadthalle, Munster, Germany 28th January 1974
Previously unreleased
1 King of Twilight
2 Desolation Valley
3 A Day in the Life of a Preacher
4 Cast Your Fate

DISC FOUR
Live at Stadthalle, Munster, Germany 28th January 1974
Previously unreleased
1 Odyssee
2 That’s Life
3 Fidgety Queen
4 Ron’s On
5 Show Me the Way
6 Little Boy
7 Need Love
8 Smile / Lonely Roads
9 Let it Grow

DISC FIVE
Remember the Future
96 kHz / 24-bit 5.1 Surround Sound mix / stereo remix / original stereo mix / 1973 Quad mix
1 Remember the Future – Part One
2 Remember the Future – Part Two
Visual content
1 Remember the Future – (promotional film 1973)
2 Wings (BBC TV “Old Grey Whistle Test” – 10th July 1973)
3 Desolation Valley / Waves (BBC TV “Old Grey Whistle Test” – 23rd October 1973)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/nektar-remember-the-future-4cd-blu-ray-box-set/

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

Music Legends Soft Machine Release New Album “Other Doors” and Announce Forthcoming Tour Dates

Five years after the release of their last studio album, legendary UK musical institution, Soft Machine, return with a brand new album, “Other Doors.” Boasting new material and two numbers drawn from their extensive historical repertoire, “Other Doors” finds the band in their usual fiery form.

Featuring John Etheridge (guitars), Theo Travis (saxes, flutes, Fender Rhodes piano, electronics), Fred Thelonious Baker (Fretless bass), John Marshall (drums), Other Doors also features two guest appearances from long-serving bassist Roy Babbington, who retired from the band in 2021.

“Other Doors” was recorded at Temple Music Studios, a facility owned by the late Jon Hiseman during July and August 2022. It’s a location of which the band is particularly fond, explains John Etheridge. “Working at Jon Hiseman’s studio was special, especially with Ru Lemer who is a brilliant engineer. He’s fantastically quick and that’s very good as we record mainly live in the studio. It’s come out really well and I think it sounds great.”

That ability to work quickly on takes as an ensemble has resulted in a fresh-sounding series of top-flight performances whose typically knotty and sometimes complex themes frequently give way to explosively discursive improvisations. As Theo Travis observes, “The interesting thing about recording free improvisations is you're not playing to a plan or a grid or a blueprint, so you don’t know what's coming, and you don't know what's coming until it's gone. At which moment you're thinking about the next thing.”

The album is brimming with that fast-moving creativity. It’s been a kind of tradition with the group to include new arrangements of older Soft Machine numbers from the band’s illustrious back catalogue. These have included numbers as varied as “Chloe and the Pirates,” “Kings and Queens,” “Out-Bloody-Rageous,” etc.

Along with exciting new compositions, on “Other Doors” they’ve revisited the very first album, originally released in 1968, to include Kevin Ayers’ “Joy Of A Toy.” Fred Baker, makes his studio debut with Soft Machine. A well-known figure on the Canterbury Scene not only is he the perfect choice for the group but he’s also a long-term fan of the repertoire.

The album also contains “Penny Hitch,” a track originally heard on 1973’s Soft Machine “Seven.” This features the first of two appearances of Roy Babbington who provides the bass lines underpinning Karl Jenkins’ composition while Fred plays the sinuous lead melody on his fretless bass. The pair also worked together as a duo on “Now! Is The Time,” a number originally based on a theme Babbington brought into the sessions, with Fred and Roy both adding and expanding the scope of the piece.

If the album ushers in a new member in the shape of Fred Baker, it also acts as a fond farewell to drummer John Marshall, who joined Soft Machine midway through the recording of 1972’s “Fifth.” At the age of 81 Marshall has decided to retire making “Other Doors” his final studio album with the group, and the final album of his glorious career. Indeed, Marshall is in whip-cracking form throughout the album bringing his trademark musicality and decisive presence. With “Other Doors,” he brings his distinguished career to a rousing conclusion.

Intense, celebratory, and consistently impressive. “Other Doors” is the sound of a group determined to press forwards with an integrity and sense of purpose that’s quintessentially and definitively Soft Machine.

Photo by Wolfgang Gonaus

JOHN ETHERIDGE - guitars
THEO TRAVIS - tenor & soprano sax, flutes, Fender Rhodes, electronics
FREDDY BAKER - fretless bass guitar
JOHN MARSHALL - drums
special guest
ROY BABBINGTON - bass guitar (tunes 2 and 9)

The updated tour dates are (with Asaf Sirkis permanently substituting John Marshall who has retired):

After the first world tour date in Toledo at the MoonJune Festival

Sep 29 - Toledo, Spain (Circulo de Arte)

North American Tour
Oct 04 - Sellersville, PA, USA (Sellersville Theater)
Oct 05 - Baltimore, MD, USA (Keystone Korner)
Oct 06 - New York, NY, USA (Iridium)
Oct 07 - New York, NY, USA (Iridium)
Oct 08 - Woodstock, NY, USA (Colony)
Oct 10 - Rochester, NY, USA (Lovin’ Cup)
Oct 11 - Syracuse, NY, USA (Average Joe)
Oct 12 - Albany, NY, USA (Linda WAMC)
Oct 13 - Quebec City, QC, Canada (Salle d’Youville)
Oct 14 - Quebec City, QC, Canada (Salle d’Youville)
Oct 16 - Ottawa, ON, Canada (Rainbow)
Oct 17 - Toronto, ON, Canada (Garrison)
Oct 18 - Waterloo, ON, Canada (Jazz Room)
Oct 19 - Detroit, MI, USA (Joy's Manor)
Oct 22 - Milwaukee, WI, USA (Shank Hall)
Oct 24 - Chicago, IL, USA (Reggie’s)
Oct 25 - Cincinnati, OH, USA (Ludlow Garage)
Oct 26 - Indianapolis, IN, USA (Irving Theater)

Europe:
Nov 05 - Hull, UK (Wrecking Ball)
Nov 06 - Kinross, UK (Green Hotel)
Nov 10 - Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK (Forum)
Nov 11 - Lewes, UK (Conservative Club)
Nov 14 - Milton Keynes, UK (The Stables)
Nov 17 - Luton, UK (The Bear)
Nov 19 - Exeter, UK (Phoenix Art)
Nov 23 - Katowice, Poland (Rialto Theater)
Nov 24 - Warsaw, Poland (Hybrydy Klub)
Nov 25 - Bydgoszcz, Poland (Kuźnia Klub)
Nov 26 - Poznań, Poland (Culture Ctr)
Nov 30 - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg (Rockhal)
Dec 02 - Tilburg, Netherlands (Paradox)
Dec 03 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands (Boerderij)
Feb 07 - Guildford, UK (Boileroom)
Feb 08 - London, UK (Signature Brew)
Feb 09 - Canterbury, UK (Gulbenkian Theatre)
Feb 11 - Market Harbough, UK (Jazz Club)
Feb 18 - Farsley, UK (Old Woollen)
Feb 19 - Manchester, UK (Band On The Wall)
Feb 20 - Wolverhampton, UK (Robin 2)
Feb 21 - Brighton, UK (The Chalk)
Feb 22 - Cardiff, UK(Stepping Stones)
Feb 24 - Cheltenham, UK (DEYA Brewery)

More gigs to be announced, in the UK, Europe, Japan, South America as well another tour in the USA in the Summer of 2024.

To purchase Soft Machine “Other Doors”: https://softmachine-moonjune.bandcamp.com/merch/soft-machine-other-doors

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

Intergalactic Prog Legends Ozric Tentacles Announce New Album “Lotus Unfolding” Out Via KScope on October 20, 2023

Ozric Tentacles return with their new excursion into the worlds of the magical and brilliant with another aural treat!

“Lotus Unfolding” is the new release from UK based instrumental intergalactic travelers Ozric Tentacles. Six new tunes have been added to the Ozric universe, conceived, written and recorded in their own ‘Blue Bubble’ studio in Fife.

The album was recorded, written and produced during 2022 - 2023 by Ed Wynne with a little sonic help from Silas. Mastered by Adam Goodlet and illustrated with some nicely detailed ethereal artwork by Steve McKeown and Sally Clark.

“Lotus Unfolding” is another sonically illustrated excursion through the musical realms the band has explored in their latest chapter. Album opener “Storm In A Teacup” kicks the album off in spectacular style traversing the realms of time and space with flair and virtuosic poise. It’s followed by the groove driven “Deep Blue Shade”, whose melodies are vividly brought to life by Ed Wynne exquisite trademark guitar playing. This is swiftly accompanied by the serene title track - as close to a musical yoga session at the center of the hippocampus you’ll ever experience.

Ozric Tentacles’ aural synapses buzz throughout the album to channel the band’s limitless creativity, making “Lotus Unfolding” the perfect conduit of the spiritual and the physical. It’s an essential addition to the band’s catalogue.

Ed Wynne comments: The concept is, as usual, wide & open to interpretation but basically is a sonically illustrated excursion through some of the musical realms we found ourselves in this time around. Designed to elevate and delight the senses, should that be required, because if the day feels like an unfolding lotus, it’s probably going to be a good one!

“Lotus Unfolding” line up consists of Ed Wynne (Guitars, Synth and Bass) and Silas Wynne (Modular Synth and Keyboards) . Alongside Ed and Silas is Brandi Wynne (bass), Saskia Maxwell (Flute), Tim Wallander (Drums) and Paul Hankin (Percussion).

“Lotus Unfolding” track list:

1. Storm In A Teacup
2. Deep Blue Shade
3. Lotus Unfolding
4. Crumplepenny
5. Green Carnation
6. Burundi Spaceport

“Lotus Unfolding” will be available on CD Digipak, Limited Marble LP with limited die cut sleeve, Blue LP also with limited die cut sleeve, Black LP and available digitally.

Preorder HERE: https://ozrictentacles.lnk.to/Lotus_Unfolding

Alongside the announcement of the new album, the band will be heading out on tour for a co-headline run with fellow label mates Gong in November 2023 and picking up for the second run in 2024.

Photo credit: Glenn Povey

One of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK’s festival scene, Ozric Tentacles formed during the solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival 1983, going on to become psychedelic staples at Glastonbury and other festivals. The creative vision of multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne, the Ozrics’ uniquely trippy soundscapes connect fans of progressive rock, psychedelia and dance music culture.

Ozric Tentacles online:
https://ozrics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialOzricTentacles
https://www.instagram.com/ozrictentaclesofficial/
https://twitter.com/OZRICSOFFICIAL
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ozric-tentacles/464266722
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Iv00ucAIqr5KVS7bXGFa9

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

MAGMA Announce Lavish 50th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set of “Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh”

MAGMA is making the world of progressive music a massive birthday present in celebration of their iconic third album in the shape of a lavish box set, which is limited to 2,000 copies. Entitled “Une histoire de Mekanïk – 50 Years of Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh”, the French avant-garde pioneers and inventors of zeuhl follow the trail of their classic full-length from the remastered original recording through decades of various incarnations on 7 vinyl LPs!

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

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

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

The albums are numbered in chronological order:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Release date: October 6, 2023
Label: Prophecy Productions

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

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

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

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

Symphonic Rock Legends Renaissance Featuring Annie Haslam “The Legacy Tour Fall 2022” DBL CD Available August 8, 2023

In celebration of Annie Haslam’s 75th year, performing classic songs with the remarkable Renaissance Chamber Orchestra and music from Annie’s solo career, recorded at The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA October 21st 2022

Renaissance are true pioneers, known for their unique sound and Annie Haslam’s 5 octave voice they have graced the realm of Symphonic Rock since 1969, when Keith Relf and Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds originally created the band. Renaissance are known for their introduction of full orchestras into their already masterful music and poignant lyrics from early in the 70’s. They performed three sold out nights at Carnegie Hall with the NY Philharmonic and the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. The “Legacy Tour” double CD is a testament to the band and their lead singer Annie Haslam.

Photo by Brian Tirpak

“An orchestra can take a piece of music and lift it to a higher plane, it just does, and my dream was to hear and perform my solo work with an orchestra. The Legacy Tour was the vehicle for that, the timing was right and my dream came true.” – Annie Haslam

The Legacy of Renaissance spans over many years bringing with it talented musicians that played an integral role in the growth of the band and its music.

Renaissance “The Legacy Tour Fall 2022” double CD will only be available through the band’s website at: https://store.renaissancetouring.com

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

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

Family “Fearless” 3CD Expanded Edition Featuring Bonus Tracks and BBC Sessions Released September 29, 2023

NEW REMASTERED 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET OF THIS CLASSIC 1971 ALBUM BY FAMILY.

FEATURING 24 BONUS TRACKS INCLUDING THE ‘IN MY OWN TIME’ SINGLE AND BBC SESSION AND IN CONCERT PERFORMANCES FROM 1971

REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES.

WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FEATURING AN ESSAY AND A REPRODUCTION POSTER.

Featuring vocalist Roger Chapman, guitarist John ‘Charlie’ Whitney, drummer Rob Townsend, bassist and vocalist John Wetton and multi-instrumentalist John ‘Poli’ Palmer on vibes, keyboards and flute, Family’s “Fearless” was released in October 1971 and was the first album to feature new member John Wetton following the departure of John Weider following the band’s second US tour in 1971 and the UK Top Ten hit single “In My Own Time”.

The album was one of Family’s finest and reached the UK Top 20 upon its release, featuring such strong material as “Spanish Tide”, “Burning Bridges” and “Between Blue And Me”.

This new three-disc edition of this classic album has been newly remastered from the master tapes and also includes 24 bonus tracks drawn from the “In My Own Time” single, BBC Radio sessions and a fine performance for BBC Radio One In Concert in December 1971. This new expanded remastered release also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
Fearless Remastered
1 Between Blue and Me
2 Sat’d’y Barfly
3 Larf and Sing
4 Spanish Tide
5 Save Some for Thee
6 Take Your Partners
7 Children
8 Crinkly Grin
9 Blind
10 Burning Bridges
Bonus tracks
11 In My Own Time
12 Seasons

DISC TWO
BBC Sessions 1971
BBC Bob Harris Session 01.03.1971
1 Processions / No Mule’s Fool
2 Part of the Load
3 Lives and Ladies
4 Strange Band
5 Hometown
BBC Top Gear Session 02.07.1971
6 In My Own Time
7 Save Some for Thee
8 Seasons
9 Burning Bridges
BBC Bob Harris Session 08.11.1971
10 Children
11 Between Blue and Me

DISC THREE
BBC Radio One In Concert 28 December 1971
1 Good News, Bad News
2 Spanish Tide
3 Part of the Load
4 Drowned in Wine
5 Holding the Compass
6 Between Blue and Me
7 Children
8 In My Own Time
9 Take Your Partners
10 The Weaver’s Answer

To pre-order:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/family-fearless-3cd-expanded-edition/

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

TrancEnd Releases Debut Album “Lilac” Where Prog Meets Trip-hop, Electronica, Groove & Pop

What happens when Prog meets Trip-hop meets Electronica meets Groove meets Pop? A mind meld of 90s Euro-trance history savored in twenty-first century progressive techno-pop. TrancEnd defies the genre labels with their galvanizing auditory epicure of sultry vocals; ambient head-space environments; and surf-shimmer guitars - glued together with deep beats landing squarely in your chest compelling your body to sway and head to rock side-to-side.

TrancEnd’s debut album release, “Lilac,” brings the listener into the now moment with an awestruck delivery of soundscape and lyrical imagery. Their live performances are captivating - demanding your attention and immersing your senses in an unforgettable experience of color, shape, and sound.

TrancEnd brings their love for 90s Euro trip-hop while experimenting with constrained metal rudiments tempered by catchy pop-rhythms. They are a “must see” phenomenon that continues to amaze fans and impress venue managers.

“Are you experienced?” Have the “TrancEnd experience” and find out what thousands of fans are discovering about this new artist and how they capture the essence of what we all seek in sonic bliss.

Who is TrancEnd?

Brittany LeAnn - Vocals (song lyrics and melodies)
Evan Maurus - Guitar (song writer, arranger, co-producer)
Ian Maurus - Drums
Zachary Maurus - Guitar (audio engineer, co-producer, mixing and mastering, live show automation)

Backstory:

The band formed during the Covid Dark Ages in 2020 - a merciless time for performing musicians, but it did provide a focused space for song writing and collaboration. The Maurus brothers: Ian, Evan, and Zachary, originally from the Detroit area, were involved in death metal projects in Michigan, then moved to North Carolina in 2015, where they recorded a brilliant 10-track death metal album and an EP. They toured locally in North Carolina and surrounding states until 2018 when their vocalist departed. Although metal is still a passion for the Maurus brothers, they knew they may have to change musical direction to survive and appeal to a world-wide audience. Like water, creativity finds a path. They paused, and the great “inner-muse” took over.

Evan Maurus, the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, having an eclectic taste for not only a plethora of Metal subgenres, but Prog, Trip-hop, Trance Lounge, and Electronica, decided to experiment with writing in the vein of some of his favorite and most influential artist in those genres. Artists like Portishead, Hooverphonic, Mono, Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, Delirium, and other heavy-hitters of the 90s Trip-hop movement. Says Evan, “Hooverphonic and Portishead were the greatest influence and inspiration for the original instrumental tracks that later became the bedrock for TrancEnd’s debut release, ‘Lilac.’”

Once Evan had the pre-production of his instrumental works complete, about 20 tracks, the search began for a vocalist and co-writer. In the spring of 2020, Evan found singer Brittany LeAnn. Says Evan, “Brittany is an amazing vocalist and songwriter that seemed to be the jelly in the PB&J. She was writing lyrics and melodies about one song a week, and sometimes two.”

Everything came together almost effortlessly, and after the pre-production work was complete, the recording of the album began in the Maurus brother’s studio, “Maurus Audio.” This is where the magic happened and the TrancEnd original sound took shape. Zachary Maurus was the audio engineer and co-producer for the album. When he received the pre-production tracks from Evan, he was a little concerned about how to approach this genre of music. He explained, “As an audio engineer and producer for mostly death metal projects, I was a little apprehensive about how to mix Pop/Trip-hop/Trance music. I had to re-train my brain to stop myself from making the drums sound like guns and cannons.”

The scratchy drum loops and samples used traditionally in the Trip-hop sound were a part of the original pre-production tracks, but, during the recording of the album, Zachary wanted to experiment by putting live drums in the tracks. With the intention to tour and perform with live drums, the band replaced the scratch drums on the album. Ian Maurus then started learning the songs and cutting drum tracks. It transformed the sound of the pre-production intent giving it an edgy pop feel that the band felt set their sound apart from similar artists in the genre. What started as a Trip-hop project morphed into a Prog/Art-rock sound. When Brittany started cutting the vocal tracks, the harmonies and melodic imagery brought the “wow factor” to a new level of brilliance. When asked about how she writes her lyrics and melodies, Brittany said very candidly, “I channeled my soul - it just flows out.”

It was during the recording of “Lilac” that the band came up with the name “TrancEnd.” It was the perfect name for what seemed to be a transcendent experience for the band: Brittany had just moved across country stepping into a creative role in  the music; the Maurus brothers making the transition from death metal to Prog/Art-rock. The name TrancEnd is a play on the genre, Trip-hop/Trance Lounge. The album title, “Lilac” was chosen because it is the first word of the first song on the album, “Landing.” The lyric, “Lilac in the desert, shaded from the sun…,” inspired the album art (by Joon Lugo) - a desert scene with a lonely lilac tree in the foreground. Says Brittany, “It’s a metaphor for being in the perfect environment for growth yet constrained by living in a shadow.”

In December 2021, the band shot a self-produced music video to support the first song release, “Do Something.” Then, the moment of truth: three years after forming, TrancEnd released their 13-track debut album, “Lilac.” “Every track on the album is strong and could be considered the sleeper-album of the year,” says TrancEnd’s manager, Chris Maurus. “I had been in and out of the studio while the album was being mixed and thought, ‘OK, yeah - that sounds great,’ but when I got a copy of the master and sat down to listen to all 13 tracks, I was blown away. I knew right there they had something special - it plays like a concept album where every song flows together creating a mosaic of a larger picture - Lilac!”

TrancEnd has a vision to bring their signature sound to the world, share their joy with fans, and contribute to the collective good. Brittany explains, “We believe our music is a messenger - it creates a space where people can transcend their differences and unite within the sound…”

“Seldom do I find a band that has it all; that is destined for greatness; that has that magic synergy. TrancEnd are a hypnotic mix of genre-bending Prog with strong signature traits consisting of a distinct vocal style, skilled musicianship; dynamic song structure; and a stellar production. A talented band with authentic chemistry and a sonic and visual identity that transcends the ordinary and pleases the senses." - JD, Closer to the Edge, Asheville FM

“Lilac” Track List:

1. Landing
2. Meridian
3. Do Something
4. Waves of Rosetta
5. Flicker
6. Breathe
7. Another Day
8. Blurred Lines
9. Ethereal
10. One Thing
11. Twin
12. Mellow-D
13. Green-Yellow Lights

All links: https://Linktr.ee/trancendband

Streaming everywhere:
Spotify: TrancEnd | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/7v5ZMCoiaAqFOHm95yIneG

Purchasing links:
Bandcamp: Lilac | TrancEnd (bandcamp.com) https://trancendband.bandcamp.com/album/lilac

For more information:
Website: https://trancend.band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrancEndBand/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trancendband/

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

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION Launch Second Video “Keep On Moving” From New Album Celestial Songs

Downes Braide Association (DBA) announce the release of the second single and video “Keep On Moving” from their long-awaited new album Celestial Songs (released on 8th September). Following their previous critically acclaimed studio albums, Celestial Songs will be the fifth DBA studio collaboration for Geoff Downes (keyboards) and multi award-winning songwriter Chris Braide (vocals). The album will be released in 3 formats: CD, 2LP and Box Set.

Watch the video for “Keep On Moving” here: https://youtu.be/dEV_fIvDSpI

“Keep On Moving” is an uplifting track that picks up on the themes of DBA’s previous album, Halcyon Hymns, as songwriter and vocalist Chris Braide explains: “It’s a nostalgic song in that it's looking back at a kind of formative period in time, a love letter to the past, really. There's a reference to Prefab Sprout’s ‘Cars and Girls’ which is one of my favourite songs.”

The mood for “Keep On Moving” is set by Francis Dunnery’s sensitive guitar work before multi-instrumentalist Dave Bainbridge (guitarist for the remainder of the album) shows his prowess on keyboards.

“The track has a great guitar riff,” says Chris, “and an arpeggio guitar picking out the riff, played by Francis. It gives it that kind of shimmery, summery feeling and the keyboard solo is wonderful. Dave Bainbridge played that solo and, I think, it's one of the finest moments on the album.”

While “Keep On Moving” forms a bridge of continuity to DBA’s previous output, Celestial Songs includes a lot of variety and, generally, leans more towards classic rock.

“We were aiming to get quite a bit more dynamics into this album,” says keyboardist Geoff Downes, “because there were some very quiet pastoral moments. I think it makes it a more interesting listen for people to get their heads around and enjoy. I hope people will appreciate it and get behind it, not just the songwriting and vocals but the overall instrumentation and musicianship is very high on this album. I know that Chris really likes the depth of chord sequences that I put together. This particular collection just really grabbed him and he got it up and running very, very quickly, so I was really pleased about that.”

You can pre-order all formats of Celestial Songs here:
CD version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-cd-edition/
2LP version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-vinyl-edition/
Box set version: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/downes-braide-association-celestial-songs-deluxe-12-box-set-edition/

Celestial Songs Track Listing:
1. Look What You Do (6.17)
2. Clear Light (5.00)
3. Keep On Moving (6.36)
4. Darker Side Of Fame (3.56)
5. Hey Kid (3.28)
6. Will To Power (6.23)
7. Heart Shaped Hole (9.06)
8. Dear Petra (3.56)
9. On The Run (5.09)
10. Goodbye To You (Sister Shame) (7.30)
11. Beyond The Stars (10.19)
(Total running time: 67.40)

All tracks written by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes except “Keep On Moving” (Chris Braide/Francis Dunnery/ Geoff Downes) and “Goodbye To You (Sister Shame)” (Chris Braide/Andy Partridge/Geoff Downes)
Produced by Chris Braide and Geoff Downes

About Downes Braide Association

Downes Braide Association was formed as a studio-based project by Geoff Downes and Chris Braide and has previously produced four studio albums: Pictures Of You (2012), Suburban Ghosts (2015), Skyscraper Souls (2017) and Halcyon Hymns (2021) and a live album Live In England (2019). The project draws on Downes’ and Braide’s rich musical heritage to create a delightfully accessible brand of progressive rock.

Keyboard wizard Geoff Downes was thrust into the limelight with the worldwide success of Video Killed The Radio Star in 1979. The single topped the charts in 16 countries for The Buggles duo of Geoff and Trevor Horn (vocals, bass guitar). They briefly joined prog legends YES before Downes became a founder member of the supergroup Asia with YES guitarist Steve Howe, ELP drummer Carl Palmer and the late John Wetton (vocals, bass guitar).

The Wetton-Downes composition “Heat Of The Moment” became a world-wide hit in 1982 heralding many years of success for Asia with their FM radio-friendly brand of rock. Downes later rejoined YES in 2011 and remains with the band alongside Steve Howe.

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

An Ivor Novello award-winner and Grammy-nominated, Braide has recently won a BMI Pop Award in Los Angeles for co-writing Sia’s Unstoppable, her eighth US Top 40 hit after making a surprise, and long, rise to the top having been released in 2016, becoming the biggest selling single in the USA.

For more information:
Twitter: Downes Braide Association.  @TheRealDBAMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downesbraide/
www.christopherbraide.com
www.geoffdownes.com

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

JJ Chardeau’s Rock Opera “Magical Music Man” Adds a Second Album with Ombres And Lumières Feat. Members of King Crimson, XTC, Spirit, Supertramp, ELO and Others - OUT NOW!

Featuring Dave Gregory (XTC), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Light)

Ombres & Lumières (Shadows & Lights) is the brand new album by Chardeau, a.k.a. The Magical Musical Man. The French artist and composer continues his dreamy and musical trip around the world, started with the previous In Terra Cognita ? in 2019.

This second part (out of 4 planned volumes) is dedicated to Western Europe in 14 tracks, mostly instrumental, served by around fifty musicians, vocalists and guests. The production of this new album lasted three years, in conditions somewhat disturbed by the Covid pandemic and its effects. But the result is miraculous.

Among the guests who have participated to Ombres & Lumières: Danny Seraphine and Jason Scheff (Chicago), Mark Andes (Spirit), John McFee (Doobie Brothers), Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra), John Helliwell (Supertramp), John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters), Eric Troyer (Electric Light Orchestra), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Jimmy Haun (Arc of Life) and Dave Gregory (XTC).

JJ Chardeau said of the release: “With the help of my friends I’ve been able to continue my magical musical journey with this second album. The love for the 'In Terra Cognita?' album from fans has made it all worthwhile and I hope everyone will enjoy this new album!”

To purchase:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/JJOandMcd
Apple Music: https://geni.us/JJam
Spotify: https://geni.us/JJsp
The album is also available from Cherry Red directly: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/jj-chardeau/

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

Legendary Violinist Darryl Way Releases Physical Copies of the Album 'The Rock Artist’s Progress' Alongside The Novel of the Same Name!

Features guest vocals from Steve Hogarth of Marillion!

Legendary Curved Air violinist Darryl Way has launched a physical version of The Rock Artist’s Progress album, which was only previously available via digital download.

The music for the album was inspired by the novel of the same name, written by music journalist Charles Shorwell, which charts the brief yet eventful music career of the band Magenta Aura (Daniel Luckham, Brian Ester, Martin Sudley, Steve Matlake). Magenta Aura were a little-known cult psychedelic rock band who came to prominence in 1968 as part of the underground counterculture “Summer of Love” London scene. Although they were alleged to have recorded a debut album it was never released and  little or no trace of the band could ever be found. Shorwell’s book tells the story of the band’s success and then downfall at the hands of an unforgiving music business.

Violinist and composer Darryl Way was so inspired by the book, much of which resonated with his own experiences in music, that he decided to write and record the album which Magenta Aura should have made. Whilst the story which inspired the album began more than 50 years ago, Way’s music has its feet firmly planted in the here and now and in-cludes a guest vocal from Steve Hogarth (Marillion).

Now, for the first time, the book and album are available to purchase together.

photo by Guy Harrop

The Rock Artist’s Progress by Darryl Way/Magenta Aura is released on Spirit of Unicorn Music, via Cherry Red Records and can be purchased via Cherry Red Records: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/magenta-aura-the-rock-artists-progress-cd/

The Rock Artist’s Progress novel by Charles Shorwell can be purchased, along with the CD at Burning Shed:
https://burningshed.com/magenta-aura_the-rock-artists-progress_book-cd-bundle

TRACK LISTING
1. Life
2. Guiding Star
3. Chaconne
4. Back On The Road
5. Morpheus
6. Traveller
7. Time Machine
8. Here We Go
9. Chelsea Girl
10. Mods and Rockers

For more information, contact: Sarah Ewing or Steve Cadman, TASK Agency Ltd, for Spirit of Unicorn Music
sarah@taskagency.co.uk  07947 400 510
steve@taskagency.co.uk. 07521 272 397

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

Prog Ensemble ANYONE To Release 6th Album “Miracles In The Nothingness” – Fall 2023

TogethermenT Records is proud to announce the release of the Sixth studio album by the critically acclaimed prog rock band ANYONE. The album is entitled “Miracles In The Nothingness” and will be released in the Fall of 2023. The album will be available in download, streaming and CD on over 200 digital distributors including iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

This new DOUBLE CONCEPT album continues the highly progressive direction set forth on the critically acclaimed 2021 release “In Humanity” with founder Riz Story performing all instrumentation and vocals in an unprecedented display of virtuosity, as well as producing, mixing and mastering. Featuring a guest lead vocal appearance by YES vocalist (and founding ANYONE member) Jon Davison on the song “Symptom Of The Miracle.” BILLBOARD MAGAZINE said, “ANYONE has invented a new breed of rock, quite literally.” HERBIE HANCOCK said, “I’ve never heard anybody else do that – play all those instruments on that level.”

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREVIEW: https://www.anyoneden.net/miracles-in-the-nothingness

Says Riz, “This album is a meditation on the miracle of existing. It is a contemplation of the surreal reality that we find ourselves in as we float through a borderless expanse on a dust grain which has somehow come to life. Like the prior two albums the setting is a world in full collapse. And so, it is a bittersweet mixture of joy and bliss at the gift of existing intermixed with the tragedy of watching humanity destroy the planet and everything on it. This music is uncompromising and I’ve endeavored to push the limits of my creativity and instrumental capabilities with no considerations regarding its commerciality or accessibility – It is not meant for the casual listener, but rather those listeners who seek truly progressive music. ”

ANYONE was formed by Riz Story, along with Jon Davison (Yes) and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) in the early 90’s in Laguna Beach, California. Hawkins and Davison were replaced by the time the band signed with RoadRunner Records in 2000. Their self-titled debut album received much critical acclaim including a 5-star rating from Rolling Stone. In October of 2016 the single “Fly Away” was featured in Story’s debut feature film “A Winter Rose” and became the most listened to rock song in America on digital formats, hitting #1 on the DRT National Airplay Rock Chart. The 2020 album release of “On the ending earth…” was met with widespread critical acclaim. The 2021 release of “In Humanity” catapulted ANYONE into the prog elite with critics hailing this singular achievement by Riz Story as a “Masterpiece” and a “Magnum Opus”.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR “IN HUMANITY”:

"RIZ STORY with ANYONE has released the album of the year, nothing less!" - Alain Massard, profilprog.com

"5 Out of 5 Stars! IN HUMANITY represents a magnificent solo effort of virtuosity in terms of performance, production, mixing and mastering on the part of RIZ STORY... transcendent inspiration animates the entire album, combined with great skill and technique." - Didier Gonzalez, Highlands Magazine

"A turning point in ANYONE's career that subtly sets a new benchmark in progressive rock." - Michael Haifl, Saiten Kult

"This nearly has no equal.  I'm very impressed, it's an overwhelming experience, very ambitious. I am definitely delighted with the revealed inspiration and especially the technical finesse. One can consider it his (Riz Story’s) masterpiece." - Uwe Zickel, Prog Archives

“Riz Story has pushed the boundaries of his “Maximum Acid” sound. The contrasts and stylistic jackknife turns keep coming, but while Story might bamboozle as much as he bewitches, he’s certainly never boring.” - PROG Magazine

"IN HUMANITY is a riveting theatrical experience. Arrestingly atmospheric, and precious... the ensemble’s magnum opus." - Dmitry M. Epstein

"5 Out of 5 Stars! Impeccable. ANYONE has offered us music on a grand scale that does honor to the principle of the concept album - Modern neo-progressive touching the Avant Garde.” - Highlands Magazine, Didier Gonzalez

For more information:
www.AnyoneDen.net
www.facebook.com/AnyoneDen/

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