Invincible Space Rock God, NIK TURNER, co-founder of HAWKWIND, Returns With A Brand New Album & North American Tour!

Los Angeles, CA - The Return Of The Thunder Rider! Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner teleports back to Earth with a brand new album, Life In Space, to be released on September 29 via Purple Pyramid Records. The album features some of Nik’s most mature songs in years including the emotional opener “End Of The World” featuring a special guest performance by former Hawkwind/Pink Fairies member Paul Rudolph. Another Hawkwind alumnus, violinist Simon House, jumps on board for the space trippy “Why Are You?.” Turner also revisits one of the Hawkwind classics that he co-wrote, “Master Of The Universe,” giving the tune a modern twist. Life In Space will be available on both CD and colored vinyl (your choice of blue or white).

Once again, Turner will be hitting the road in support of the album on a coast-to-coast North American tour alongside neo-prog rockers Hedersleben.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/NikTurnermusic/ for complete tour info:

10/15 - Sacramento, CA - Blue Lamp
10/16 - Portland, OR - Tonic Lounge
10/17 - Seattle, WA - High Line
10/19 - Calgary - Palamino
10/20 - Edmonton - Brixx
10/21 - Winnipeg, MB - The Windsor Hotel
10/22 - Milwaukee - Shank Hall
10/23 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
10/24 - Pittsburg, PA - Smiling Moose
10/25 - Toronto - Velvet Underground
10/26 - Montreal - La Vitrola
10/27 - Rochester, NY - Bug Jar
10/28 - Brooklyn - NY - Cape House
10/29 - Charlottesville, VA - Champion Brewing Company
10/30 - Knoxville, TN - Open Chord
10/31 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
11/01 - New Orleans, LA - Santos
11/02 - Houston, TX - Walter's Downtown
11/03 - Austin, TX - The Lost Well
11/04 - Dallas, TX - Granada

Frequently called “The Spirit Of Hawkwind,” Turner was a major creative force during that group’s most critically acclaimed and successful period, 1969-1976. His outlandish costumes, improvised sax and flute playing, and general wild man persona became iconic representations of the band, and we would go on to pen some of their most popular songs including “Brainstorm” and “Master of the Universe.” After leaving Hawkwind, Turner used his newfound freedom to travel to Egypt, where he soaked up the history and culture, and also made a recording of his flute music in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Cheops. In 1985, Turner relocated to the western side of Wales, where he set up a new age community in a fairly rural, isolated area. He has continued to release new music including 2013’s Space Gypsy, 2015’s Space Fusion Odyssey, and this year’s Life In Space.

Track List:
1. End Of The World
2. Why Are You?
3. Back To Earth
4. Secrets Of The Galaxy
5. Universal Mind
6. Approaching The Unknown
7. As You Were
8. Master Of The Universe

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turner-life-in-space-cd/
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turner-life-in-space-limited-edition-colored-lp/
Buy the digital version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/life-in-space/id1280767092

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

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Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

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UK Prog Ensemble CAIRO Releases Debut Album "Say" - Available Now!

“Intriguing arrangements with amazing layers, strong vocals and blazing guitar work. I recommend this to all…” - Steve Hackett

London - Touchstone founder Rob Cottingham's latest new band project CAIRO combines keyboard wizardry and electronica with modern rock values, dynamic guitar work and soaring vocals. This creates an enthralling sound that will capture the hearts and minds of modern music fans, as well as traditional and classic progressive rock aficionados. CAIRO has released their highly anticipated debut album “Say” available now on Heavy Right Foot Records via Cherry Red, and is available from all popular retailers around the world.

“I very much enjoyed listening to songs from the album ‘Say’ by Rob Cottingham and his new band, CAIRO. Intriguing arrangements with amazing layers, strong vocals and blazing guitar work. I recommend this to all…” - Steve Hackett

Watch the promotional video: 

After only a few months from launch, CAIRO was featured in the Prog Magazine Readers Poll Top Ten “Tips for 2017.” In March 2017 CAIRO won the prestigious “Best Newcomer” award at the Classic Rock Society's Best Of The Year 2016 ceremony, demonstrating that their sound reaches out to all across the broad rock spectrum.

“A stellar debut...jam-packed with epic moments, memorable hooks and heart-warming melodies!” - John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Frost*, It Bites, Arena, Kino) 

CAIRO features:
Rob Cottingham on keys & vocals
Lisa Driscoll on vocals
James Hards on guitars
Paul Stocker on bass
Graham Brown on drums

Track List:
CAIRO
SHADOW’S RETURN PROLOGUE
SHADOW’S RETURN
WIPED OUT
SAY
NOTHING TO PROVE
NOTHING TO PROVE REPRISE
KATRINA
SEARCHING
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS PART 1
BACK FROM THE WILDERNESS
DANCING THE GOSSAMER THREAD
KATRINA (BREATHE MIX)

To purchase CAIRO's “Say”:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Cairo
iTunes: http://geni.us/CairoDigital

In other news:
CAIRO is thrilled to announce that they will be playing the PROGDREAMS VII Festival at the Boerderij in Holland in the first weekend of March next year.

On behalf of the band, Rob stated: “At a personal level, I have wanted to play this venue for many years, having heard such great things about it – but never managed to get over there, so I am really looking forward to this. For the band, our Dutch market is the second biggest market for our CD sales in Europe after the UK. We have also had some stunning reviews in IOPages and Progwereld, so our music seems to be going down well over there, and we have been keen to find just such an opportunity. It will, therefore, be an absolute pleasure for Lisa, James, Paul, Graham and I to get over to Holland, make new friends and blow the roof off. We are all tremendously excited as this will also be the band’s first ever foreign jaunt – what a fantastic way to get our international gigs started.”

Listen to samples from the album: 

Watch the album's title track video: 

For more information: http://cairorocks.com/

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

Prog-Fusion Legends BangTower Releases New Digital EP "Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?"

Featuring Neil Citron, Robby “Pag” Pagliari and Frankie Banali

Los Angeles – Declassified Records is proud to announce the release of a special 7 track digital EP from progressive fusion legends BangTower entitled “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?”. Available on September 12, 2017 at all major Digital music retailers including iTunes, CD-Baby, BandCamp, Google Play and Amazon. Tracks from the EP will also be available on most major streaming services in early September.

The surprise 7 track eponymous album follows closely on the heels of the internationally acclaimed December 2016 album “With N With Out”. In early 2017 Neil began writing and demoing new material for a potential future release. With the subsequent departure of Percy and Walter to focus on other music endeavors, it became apparent that others involved with the last BangTower record would be needed again. Since they’d worked so well together on “With N With Out”, Neil invited Robby “Pag” Pagliari back the project to record these songs and co-write some new ones.

When a window of opportunity opened in Frankie Banali’s schedule it seemed only natural to ask him to appear as a guest again, since the tracks he recorded on the previous record were so outstanding. Not only was he graciously willing to contribute his excellent drumming skills, he also brought along some of the best of his vintage sets to the mix, adding even greater depth and personality to each track.

The album was recorded entirely in top Los Angeles studios, utilizing the best in vintage and boutique instruments and recording equipment. It was mixed and mastered by Neil Citron specifically for digital distribution.

BangTower “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?” track list
1. She Don’t Care - (Citron)
2. Lazy Afternoon - (Citron)
3. Frankie’s Silver Hammer - (Citron)
4. Bring You Back - (Citron, Pagliari)
5. Groove Alone - (Citron, Pagliari)
6. Right Hand Drive - (Citron, Pagliari)
7. Ali’s Midnight Wish - (Citron)

Neil Citron - Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals,
Robert “Pag” Pagliari - Fretless Bass Guitar, Vocals
Frankie Banali - Acoustic Drums

Produced, Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Neil Citron.
Released 2017 Declassified Records / Executive Producer Jon Pomplin
© 2017 Declassified Music BMI / S.B.I. Music BMI

For more information on BangTower visit:
Official Website - www.BangTower.com
Face Book - www.facebook.com/Bangtower
Twitter - www.twitter.com/BangTower
YouTube - www.youtube.com/bangtower
Declassified Records - www.declassifiedrecords.com ;

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

World-Rock-Celtic Review: Blackmore's Night-To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond...

Release Date: August 11, 2017

Label: Minstrel Hall Music

Website

I have been listening to Ritchie Blackmore play guitar since the 70s. He was always one of my favorites and so were his bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. I believe he made even more prolific music after moving on from DP.  Rainbow was an amazing project with a string of great albums, and the beginning of his change in direction. So, what happened after that? If you are a fan you know the answer.

It is hard to believe that this much time has already passed.  To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond… is the quintessential career retrospective for the band.  The 2 CDs are comprised of 26 tracks, bonus tracks, recent versions of older tracks and a bonus video.

You get the whole package, all the goodies wrapped up in a nice tight little package. And if you are a big fan that owns all the releases, it helps you appreciate the band’s accomplishments even more. It is also a reminder of how much great music this amazing group of musicians have produced over two decades. And that does not include several tasty DVD sets.

Great players like Blackmore have always surrounded themselves with a stellar supporting cast and this band is no exception. And yes, they are unique in a typically watered down repetitive pop hit culture. They are and always will be light years ahead of that curve. That is the very reason I was attracted to them so strongly, and of course all the previously mentioned reasons. 

This band plays music that takes you back in time, way back, hundreds of years. Blackmore and his mates offer up a lively combination of world, rock and Celtic music that would tickle any music lovers fancy. The musicianship is impeccable and his wife, the beautiful Candace Night, has the voice of an angel. That all combines for a stunning combination of sounds and visions of days gone by, when the knights of the round table ruled in ancient castles (where by the way they like to play concerts) and Robin Hood was stealing from the greedy rich to give to the poor. 

The band dresses up in period clothing and their audience members are glad to oblige. A concert from Blackmore’s Night (which I have attended) is something special. It’s like being serenaded at the Renaissance Fair by some of the greatest musicians in the world. It truly is a multi-dimensional experience that you need to experience at least once. Listening to the music will give you a good idea of what to expect. It is carefree, relaxed and sometimes their music just plain rocks. That is fine with me when Blackmore pulls out that white electric guitar and gives it a workout.

When you are finished listening to To The Moon And Back-20 Years And Beyond… it will feel like the title was a good description of the uplifting this music can give you. If you have not heard this music this it is a great starter set. If you are fan like me, you will love it without question.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 14, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Tracks:
Disc One:
  01. Shadow of the Moon
  02. Spirit of the Sea
  03. Renaissance Faire
  04. Play Minstrel Play
  05. Under a Violet Moon
  06. Spanish Nights
  07. Fires at Midnight
  08. Ghost of a Rose
  09. Cartouche
  10. Village Lanterne
  11. The Circle
  12. 25 Years
 13. Dandelion Wine
 14. Home Again (Live)
 
Disc Two:  
  15. I Surrender (Bonus Track)
  16. Moonlight Shadow (2017 Version)
  17. Somewhere Over the Sea (2017 Version)
  18. Writing on the Wall (2017 Version)
  19. Coming Home (2017 Version)
  20. Ghost of John (Bonus Track)
  21. Minstrel Hall
 

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Erik Scott-In The Company of Clouds

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Label: Independent

Website

I covered Erik Scott’s Spiritstwo years ago and I was very impressed with it. Anyone with the experience of Scott can accomplish some breathtaking jaw dropping sounds. And it all starts with his bass.

After a long period of illness and his eventual recovery he found the true meaning of faith and resiliency. His music has that kind of warmth and resilience as well. In The Company of Clouds gives you a hint what this music is all about.

The title of the first track puts it into perspective if you did not know what he went through on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. “Nine Lives” squeezes out as much emotion and god given talent the man has. He makes his bass an all purpose tool to create ambient and contemporary instrumental music. In other words, new age with some spice to keep it sharp and focused. The track serves as an introduction to what is coming next and it certainly warmed my soul. It is significant because of the title and meaning it holds for the artist but the music is poignant as well.

“Seven Veils” is another incredible track. I featured it on Rate The Tracks. Erik’s bass is hypnotic and Jaco-like. Yes this man is one of the very best bass players you will ever have the pleasure to hear. The spiritual connotations are evident by the track name. Once the masterful Scott takes the bass and becomes one with the music he begins transferring his heart and soul into the sounds he creates.

“Women of Avalon” (the longest track coming in at 5:45) is another stroke from the master on the canvas of your life. With the great Steve Hunter on guitar and Scott leading the way with his finely tuned instrument, it is an unbeatable combination of talents. When I say tuned in I mean more than just a guitar tuning, I mean dialed in, laser focused and purposeful use of his chosen instrument. 

So three tracks in and I am feeling as light as a feather, my energy level rises and my faith in the process of life is once again restored. There should be a genre called contemporary restoration music. As the music continues it does not waiver for a millisecond, it just keeps offering you more tastefully well done instrumentation. The effect is like the high tide of an ocean pulling you out and you are willing to go along for the ride. The tracks are dissimilar and that is what keeps you tuned in to all the wonderful sounds and feeling this fine release can offer.

You it did again Erik, you are a star among stars, your light will never dim it will just keep getting brighter with each successive release. Perhaps now that he is back full strength we can look forward to another album next year, I hope so because In The Company of Clouds was another chance for me to get to know the artist via the music. This is a superb rendering of contemporary instrumental music.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Nine Lives, Seven Veils, Women of Avalon

Tracks: 
1. Nine Lives
2. Seven Veils
3. Women of Avalon
4. Breathing Room
5. Victory
6. Open Door
7. First Cup
8. Waves
9. The Long View
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 29, 2016

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

King Crimson's "THRAK - The Complete Scores" Full Band Transcriptions Book Now Available!

King Crimson's “THRAK – The Complete Scores” is now available! For the first time ever, full band transcriptions of this classic from the King Crimson double-trio era. Six musicians: two guitar players, two bassists and two drummers.

All parts transcribed and most of the essential bits tabbed for the various instruments and tunings: Adrian Belew's guitar in standard tuning, Robert Fripp's guitar in new standard tuning, Tony Levin's fretted and fretless basses, Trey Gunn's Chapman Stick and Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto’s acoustic and electronic drum transcriptions.

Transcriptions by Gabriel Riccio
Editing and tabs by Trey Gunn

Produced on high-quality paper in 9"x12" format, spiral bound for lay-flat-open reading.

Official release date: September 24, 2017

Track listing:
VROOOM
Coda: Marine 475
Dinosaur
Walking on Air
B'Boom
THRAK
Inner Garden I & II
People
One Time
Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
VROOOM VROOOM
VROOOM VROOOM: Coda
and a bonus track from the “VROOOM EP”: Cage

To purchase: King Crimson “THRAK – The Complete Scores”: http://tinyurl.com/THRAKSCORES



From Trey Gunn:

A book of King Crimson transcriptions is a built-in contradiction – Crimson rarely steps in the same puddle twice.

This is a band known for stretching beyond even its own limits, meaning most of the arrangements are given freedom to grow and change as the spirit moves. My own experience in the group was that about every one to two weeks some part of the compositions had significantly morphed into something else. For example, in the VROOOM coda, the Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream “Spider Fingers Freakout” and THRAK every night saw the musicians heading into unexplored territory. As a result, any book of transcriptions can only reflect a slice in time of what this particular Crimson was doing on this particular day during this particular performance.

The approach Gabriel Riccio and I have taken with these THRAK recordings was to adhere strictly to what is on this record. While we’ve referred to the 2015 re-mixes and various live versions of the pieces, we have generally stayed with notating what is in the 1995 original mixes and performances. 

These particular recordings, made at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the UK, were live performances. In my memory, we played each piece as a group once or twice through, picked a take and then quickly added overdubs accordingly. In most cases the overdubbing was very minimal. The record was largely completed in two weeks time, including all of the vocals.

Gabriel Riccio on some of the challenges of this score book:

THRAK has been one of the most challenging records to transcribe thanks to the dense 6-player arrangements. This often made it difficult to tell who is producing each sound. The title track is perhaps the most exciting piece to see on paper, as many of the band's greatest tricks are on display – hocketed polymeters, symmetrical scales, and fiery improvisation.

The hardest part was figuring out how to write down the electronic drum parts. Bill Bruford provided some valuable input on that front, breaking down his sounds into four main categories which I used as labels throughout. The drums in the 'Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream' freakout are a great example of the complexity of this music - Bruford plays sextuplets phrased in 5s against Mastelotto's 4/4 groove.


For more information: 
www.treygunn.com
www.7dmedia.com

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

Dutch Rock Legends FOCUS Announce New Double Album Collection THE FOCUS FAMILY ALBUM feat. Extensive Unreleased and New Material! OUT NOW!

London - Focus is pleased to announce the release of its new 2 CD collection “The Focus Family Album” which has been prepared over the last 12 months. The 20 track set gives fans new insight into the band and includes 15 unreleased original songs, alternate versions from the Focus X sessions, solo tracks from each of the current members and tracks from the beginning of the Focus 11 sessions.

Many of the tracks have been recorded in a variety of countries in Europe and South America and are exclusively available on this collection. Thijs van Leer said, “Dear Friends & Fans! With pleasure we present to you our new double album 'The Focus Family Album,' it makes us so happy that you will listen to pieces recorded together as a band and solo songs too, in many different countries during our travels! We hope it will make you happy as well!!!”

The set includes all of the rarities from the “Focus X” era and is an ideal companion to that album and the forthcoming “Focus 11.” The set also introduces the band's new bass player Udo Pannekeet, who takes over the position from long term bass player Bobby Jacobs, who said, “Dear beautiful fans, after 15 years playing the beautiful music of Focus with my heart and soul I decided to stop and focus on new life adventures (music and a lot of other things). Thank you and love! Hope we will meet again...”

“The Focus Family Album” features artwork by Roger Dean and is being released to coincide with the band's South American and European tour dates. It's the latest release on the band's own 'In and Out of Focus Records' (via Cherry Red): https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/focus/

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Nature Is Our Friend - Thijs Van Leer
2. Song for Eva - Focus
3. Riverdance - Pierre Van Der Linden
4. Victoria - Focus
5. Two-Part Intervention - Menno Gootjes
6. Mosh Blues - Focus
7. Raga Reverence 1 - Swung
8. The Fifth Man - Focus
9. Song for Yaminah - Udo Pannekeet
10. Clair-Obscur - Focus

Disc: 2
1. Let Us Wander? - Thijs Van Leer
2. Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango) - Focus
3. Spiritual Swung - Pierre Van Der Linden
4. Santa Teresa - Focus
5. Hazel - Menno Gootjes
6. Fine Without You - Focus
7. Raga Reverence 5 - Swung
8. Five Fourth - Focus
9. Anaya - Udo Pannekeet
10. Winnie - Focus

“The Focus Family Album” is OUT NOW on CD and Download:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/IF008CD

Official website: www.focustheband.com

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