Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Prog Ensemble Shumaun To Release Anticipated Second Album "One Day Closer to Yesterday" - February 22, 2019


If you like Rush–Porcupine Tree-Dream Theater, Shumaun is a must for you!

Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. “One Day Closer to Yesterday” touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through... the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.

Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, “Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term 'surprisingly' because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that's the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora's bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim's guitar textures throughout the album.”

Watch the Lyric video for first single off new album called “Go”:


Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain. After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. The band released their self-titled debut album on Nov 13, 2015 to rave reviews, and supported it with several shows. Both Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) played drums on the first record. Shumaun made it on many lists for best records of 2015 such as Decibel Geek, ProgMetal Zone, Metal Asylum, Rockway.Gr, Progressive Music Planet and The Deli DC Magazine.



Shumaun 
Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora: Bass
Tyler Kim: Guitars
Tanvir Tomal: Drums

Track listing: 
Sensus Divinitatis
The Writing’s on the Wall
Fear Is
Nafsi Ammara
City of Gold
Central Station
Prove Yourself
Go
Remember Me and I Will Remember You
One Day Closer to Yesterday

Mixing: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio (Pain of Salvation, Cynic)

Here's what the press has said about Shumaun:

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC PLANET REVIEW
“Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It's a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.” 

BACKGROUND MAGAZINE REVIEW
“Shumaun have recorded a perfect debut album that might appeal to a large audience. The music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant.”

METAL ASYLUM REVIEW
“Every part of the journey brings unexpected twists and fresh rewards, blending multi-cultural rhythms and sounds for one of the best rock/metal/prog songs of 2015.” 

THE GRIM TOWER REVIEW
“It's rock music with a lot of replay value, and some strong messages at heart. Shumaun is REAL music with REAL effort and REAL values put behind it. There's a definite positivity here, and it comes off as a rather heartfelt and passionate moment that I'm thankful to have been able to recommend your way.”

DECIBEL GEEK REVIEW
“AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year. A new band in age, this is a set of serious musos, with chops that your local butcher would envy. If you like the axis of Rush–Genesis-King Crimson, Shumaun is a must for you.”

METAL AT THE GATES REVIEW 
Bringing something fresh and invigorating to the world with their debut self-titled album, Shumaun paints a beautiful soundscape with progressive, rock, pop and touches of delectable South Asian flair. The writing ranges from outright gorgeous with ear-catching progressive rock grooves to straight forward pop-influenced rock.”

In closing Farhad has this to impart, “The message we want to convey through our music is that no matter how different we might view one another; our similarities far exceed those differences. We have the potential of exuding a profound love for one another, as we are all united in more ways than we might think.”

Shumaun is currently playing gigs in the Washington DC area to promote the new record and will start planning an east coast tour of the US in the late Spring of 2019.

Release Date: February 22, 2019

To purchase: www.shumaun.com/store

Website: www.shumaun.com
Store: www.shumaun.com/store
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shumaun
Youtube: www.youtube.com/shumaun

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

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Classic Rock Icons Humble Pie's Long Lost Vintage Album "Joint Effort" Finally Sees The Light Of Day!


Los Angeles, CA - In 1974, one of the biggest and best blues rock bands of all-time, the great Humble Pie, began recording an album at their own home-built studio called Clear Sounds. The result was a raw and fiery collection of originals and covers that was promptly and unceremoniously shelved by the band’s label, never to see the light of day…that is, until now! Joint Effort, a title given to the project early on that reflected the collaboration between Humble Pie founders Steve Marriott and Greg Ridley, is a reunion album of sorts in that Marriott had recently walked out of the group. But a near miss at taking Mick Taylor’s spot in The Rolling Stones plus renewed interest in the band Stateside coaxed Marriott back into the Pie alongside guitarist Dave Clempson and drummer Jerry Shirley.

With never before heard original compositions plus blazing covers of James Brown (“Think”), The Beatles (“Rain”) and soul icon Betty Wright (“Let Me Be Your Lovemaker”), Joint Effort is a must own for any self-respecting Humble Pie fan. The album comes packaged with full liner notes and rare photos on both CD as well as vinyl in your choice of purple or white! Available everywhere February 8.

Track List:
1. Think
2. This Ol' World
3. Midnight Of My Life
4. Let Me Be Your Lovemaker
5. Rain
6. Snakes & Ladders
7. Good Thing
8. A Minute Of Your Time
9. Charlene
10. Think 2

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/humble-pie-joint-effort-cd/
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/humble-pie-joint-effort-limited-edition-colored-lp/
Buy the digital: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/joint-effort/1449779979

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


DEADLINE MUSIC, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc.
Facebook @DeadlineMusicRecords
https://www.facebook.com/DeadlineMusicRecords/
Instagram @deadline.music
https://www.instagram.com/deadline.music/
Twitter @Deadline_label
https://twitter.com/Deadline_label
Youtube @Deadline Music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjP8yb8fuCEQoDu91qPuigg
Deadline Music Store
https://cleorecs.com/store/product-category/record-label/deadline/

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Richard Wright & Dave Harris – Zee "Identity" Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order


Zee feat. Pink Floyd's Rick Wright & Fashion's Dave Harris “Identity” Deluxe Box Set Includes Signed Remastered CDs & Posters

London - One of the most intriguing pop music partnerships of the eighties makes it's return – RICK WRIGHT, one of the founder members of PINK FLOYD and who played keyboards on their multi-million selling albums joined forces with DAVE (formerly DEE) HARRIS, best known to music fans as the former singer and guitarist with electro-funk band Fashion. The two, collectively known as ZEE's version of their album, IDENTITY is to be released this year. The album which was recorded at Wright's home studio and Utopia Studios in North London in 82 / 83, utilizes the Fairlight Computer, which has the ability to recreate the sound of any musical instrument.

The new partnership was born out of a Greek holiday that Rick Wright had in 1981. It was there that he met Raf Ravenscroft the well-known saxophonist session musician whose playing graced Gerry Rafferty’s huge hit “Baker Street.”

“Raf was interested in forming a band, and we got talking in the way musicians do,” Rick said. “When we got back to England we met again, along with several other musicians, including Dave Harris. We had some rehearsal time at a studio in Battersea but we weren't getting anywhere, mainly because no one had any material.”

At that time Dave Harris has just left Fashion – “I supposed you could put it down to the usual 'musical differences' – and was looking for fresh ideas. My decision to leave Fashion was good for both the band and myself, but I really needed to work with someone so that we could bounce ideas of each other,” Dave says. “It became more and more obvious that Rick and I would work well together, and eventually that is what happened. The other guys who had been initially involved understood that too, and in the end it was Rick and myself writing together.”

Rick and Dave started working on the “Identity” album as far back as September 1982, initially at Rick's small studio in the country, before moving on to Utopia six months later to do the overdubs. Unfortunately certain legal problems had to be ironed out first – and then there was also the question of mastering the Fairlight: “We spent hours and hours just experimenting with it at first,” Rick recalled. “The great thing about the Fairlight is that every time you go back to it you learn something else. We had to get control over it though because it would have been very easy just to have ended up making funny noises. We spent several weeks sequencing and scripting everything but it was all worth it in the end.”

He added “For me it is exciting working with Dave because there were things that he was doing that I had not done before and vice versa. I think that Zee has given us musical opportunities that quite frankly neither of us were able to explore in our previous groups.”

Dave Harris says, “When we started recording it, we didn't have any pre-conceived ideas of how it should be done, and we certainly didn't try to create a sound. The whole thing just evolved quite naturally. There will probably be a lot of Pink Floyd fans interested in what Rick had been doing, and equally I'm sure that a lot of Fashion's followers will want to know what I've been up to.”

Finally Zee is getting the deluxe treatment so many other seminal back catalogue releases have had done.

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/zee_identity_boxset?filter_name=zee&filter_sub_category=true

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

Friday, January 25, 2019

King Crimson Announces 2019 Tour Dates In Celebration of 50 Years


In celebration of 50 years, King Crimson announces 50 Concerts for 2019. The current eight musician line-up will perform 50 concerts across three continents as part of their 2019 Celebration tour.

Dates confirmed so far, are as follows:

King Crimson 2019 Tour Dates:
JUN 10, 2019 - HAUS AUENSEE, Leipzig
JUN 12, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 13, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 15, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 16, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 18, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 19, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 20, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 22, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 23, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 26, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 27, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 29, 2019 - ZITADELLE, Berlin
JUL 04, 2019 - ROMISCHES THEATER AUGUSTA RAURICA, Basel
JUL 08, 2019 - ARENA DI VERONA, Verona
JUL 10, 2019 - STUPINIGI SONIC PARK, Torino
JUL 12, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 13, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 14, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 18, 2019 - ARENA SANTA GIULIANA, Perugia
AUG 23, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 24, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 27, 2019 - TEATRO DIANA, Guadalajara
AUG 29, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
SEP 03, 2019 - GREEK THEATRE, Los Angeles
SEP 05, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 06, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 08, 2019 - PARAMOUNT THEATER, Denver
SEP 10, 2019 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, Chicago
SEP 12, 2019 - WARNER THEATRE, Washington D.C.
SEP 14, 2019 - BUDWEISER STAGE, Toronto
SEP 17, 2019 - ST DENIS THEATRE, Montreal
SEP 19, 2019 - BOCH CENTER WANG THEATER, Boston
SEP 21, 2019 - RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, New York City
SEP 23, 2019 - THE MET, Philidelphia
SEP 25, 2019 - HARD ROCK ROCKSINO, Cleveland
SEP 27, 2019 - THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville
SEP 29, 2019 - THE COBB CENTER, Atlanta
OCT 06, 2019 - SUNSET STAGE ROCK IN RIO - Rio de Janeiro



Since the band's return to live performance in 2014, with critically acclaimed sell-out shows all over the world including two defining shows at the Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, the audience has been reinvented, as much as the band itself:

“In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level.” Robert Fripp



The band's packed three-hour shows regularly include material from twelve of their thirteen studio albums, including many of the songs from their seminal 1969 album In The Court of the Crimson King, described by Pete Townshend, as an “uncanny masterpiece”. The new 8-piece line-up plays many historic pieces which Crimson have never played live, as well as new arrangements of Crimson classics – “the music is new whenever it was written”. There are also new instrumentals and songs, as well as the compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey, which are a regular highlight. A unique show, where eight of the best musicians in the world play music without distraction or adornment.

Physical music releases include:

February: King Crimson 1972 – 74 – the second boxed set of 6LPs from Larks' Tongues in Aspic to the expanded USA in 200 gram vinyl.

May: Heaven and Earth: Multi-disc CD/ DVD-a/Blu-Ray set covering the period from the late 1990s – 2008 – completing the availability of all King Crimson studio albums in 5.1 multi-channel audio.



October: Complete 1969 Recordings CD/DVD-a/Blu-Ray set – completing the availability of all King Crimson studio albums on Blu-Ray. A vinyl set of 1969 recordings is also being planned

Other planned music releases include: 200 gram vinyl editions of Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair, the 2CD 2019 King Crimson tour box – 6th in the series of releases issued to accompany each tour from 2014 onwards

50 Collectors' Club Releases:
2019 will see the release of CLUB48, CLUB49 and CLUB50 - the final three in the Collectors Club series, taking it 50 releases in the band's 50th year. CLUB48 will be a recently discovered board recording of the concert in Newcastle on 8th December 1972 by the complete Larks Tongues in Aspic line-up before Jamie Muir left the band.

October: In The Court of the Crimson King Companion & Boxed Set - Released to coincide and celebrate the original release date of King Crimson's debut album on 12th October 1969:
Limited edition expanded boxed set of In The Court of the Crimson King including all the live recordings, the expanded multitrack 1969 recording sessions, as well as a new 5.1 remix of the album. DGM Companion Vol 1, edited by Robert Fripp & David Singleton – Vinyl sized coffee table book covering the history of In The Court of Crimson King, with complete timeline, extensive photos, recollections and essays.

June: Sid Smith's long out-of-print acclaimed biography, In the Court of King Crimson will be published in a revised, updated and expanded edition.

50 special Digital music releases, KC 50:
50 tracks, 1 per week featuring a new, rare or alternate take from across the KC catalogue and available via all major download and streaming services. Each track will be accompanied by a special spoken word introduction by King Crimson manager/producer David Singleton.

Download the first of 50 tracks here: 
https://www.dgmlive.com/albums/kc-50-1-21st-century-schizoid-man

Documentary:
Cosmic F*Kc: The King Crimson documentary, directed by Toby Amies, who has been given unique access to the current band as well as interviews with past members and archive footage. To be released in late 2019. An accompanying soundtrack will also be issued.

Limited edition Silk Screen prints of Barry Godber's famous “Screaming Face” cover from In The Court of the Crimson King:



200 limited edition Silk Screen prints of the outer sleeve of In the Court of the Crimson King. 100 copies of the interior. Printed at actual size of the original art (46.5 inches x 27.5 inches including surround). All prints will be signed and numbered by Robert Fripp. Early purchasers will be given the option to buy matching numbered sets

Clothing:
12 special 50th anniversary T-shirts, complementing the artwork for the KC50 digital download series.



For more information: www.dgmlive.com
paintings by Francesca Sundsten
photographs by Dean Stocking and David Singleton

ROBERT FRIPP, though best known for his work in King Crimson, has contributed to numerous albums by players as diverse as Brian Eno, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blondie, Talking Heads, Daryl Hall, The Roches, Peter Hammill, Keith Tippett, David Sylvian, The Orb, and The Grid. His 1979 solo album, Exposure was described as “the Sergeant Pepper of avant punk.” He has appeared twice in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarist Of All Time poll, although Fripp claims these are likely to have been mistakes by the typesetter.

TONY LEVIN has been a member of King Crimson since 1981.  Internationally renowned and constantly in-demand for his distinctive bass work, he also tours with Peter Gabriel with whom he has worked since 1977. He has appeared on albums by Paul Simon, John Lennon, David Bowie and countless others and recently formed his own band, Stick Men alongside Crimson drummer, Pat Mastelotto.

JAKKO JAKSZYK was a member of Level 42, before working with Mel Collins as part of ex-KC alumni group, 21st Century Schizoid Band between 2002 - 2004. His solo album, The Bruised Romantic Glee Club (2006) was his first recorded collaboration with Fripp, followed by A Scarcity of Miracles in 2011. An acclaimed producer in his own right, Jakszyk has recently mixed Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson's UK Top 20 album, Homo Erraticus.
.
MEL COLLINS was previously a member of King Crimson 1970 - 1972 appearing on In The Wake Of Poseidon (1970), Lizard (1970), Islands (1971), Earthbound (1972) as well as a guest appearance on Red (1974), the final King Crimson album of the 1970s. He subsequently worked with The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and many others, before returning to King Crimson in 2014.

GAVIN HARRISON joined King Crimson in 2007, playing a series of dates in the USA the following year. A respected author and tutor, he has also recorded three albums with The Pineapple Thief, though Harrison is probably best-known for his work with Porcupine Tree. Modern Drummer magazine placed him in their Top 50 Drummers Of All Time.

PAT MASTELOTTO joined King Crimson in 1994 after working with Robert Fripp and David Sylvian. A member of the hugely successful American 1980s group and MTV favourites, Mr. Mister, he is at home in both experimental music working with KTU as well as pop and rock appearing on albums by The Rembrandts, Hall And Oates and XTC.

JEREMY STACEY is a British drummer. His early work included the 1990s band, The Lemon Trees (with twin brother Paul Stacey on guitars, Guy Chambers and others) and Denzil. He has also played with Sheryl Crow, the Finn Brothers, Nick Harper, Noel Gallagher, and many more. On March 7, 2016, it was announced that he would be taking the place of Bill Rieflin as the centre drummer on the 2016 King Crimson European tour, a position he retained even after Rieflin's return to the band.

BILL RIEFLIN is a multi-instrumentalist but is primarily known for his drumming with Ministry and industrial rock outfit KMFDM. From 2003 until their dissolution in 2011 he played drums with REM. He recorded with Robert Fripp on Birth Of A Giant and The Repercussions Of Angelic Behaviour (both 1999) and most recently in the ambient super-group, Slow Music in 2006 and 2014.

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

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Prog Ensemble Kinetic Element To Release Third Album "The Face of Life" February 28, 2019!


Kinetic Element, a band based in Richmond, Virgina (USA) that finally made a mark in the prog world in its tenth year in 2016 by performing at ROSfest and Terra Incognita, and in 2017 at Progtoberfest, has been through some changes in the last couple of years. Sporting a new guitarist and vocalist, and venturing into vinyl for the first time, they composed and recorded their third studio album, “The Face of Life,” during 2017 and 2018. The band, founded and led by veteran multi-keyboardist Mike Visaggio, after breaking into the genre with their first album “Powered by Light” in 2009, garnered acclaim from around the progressive rock universe with their 2015 release of their second band album, “Travelog.” They began becoming known for their epic pieces,containing spiritually uplifting lyrics and symphonic style arrangements following in the footsteps of the founders of the style like Yes and Genesis, as have other great bands like Transatlantic, Knight Area, Frost, Also Eden, and others like them. Reviewers have said that while they can clearly hear the influences, Kinetic Element has molded them into something uniquely their own.

Working alongside Mike is his longtime friend and fellow traveler, drummer Michael Murray, who undertook engineer duties with the recording of “Travelog,” Polish-born bassist extraordinaire Mark Tupko, vocalist Saint John Coleman, and their newest member, Los Angeles-based Peter Matuchniak (who replaced a great player in Todd Russell who left the band after Progtoberfest in 2017). Peter brings with him a world of prog experience, having been with the Gekko Project, The Steppes, and his latest project Bomber Goggles, and some name recognition that can only help the band's profile. His playing has given KE a change in style but the overall sound is still clearly that of KE. “The Face of Life” gets its guitar parts via file sharing, but they are so organically composed and played that they sound as if they are all in the same room. Mike, of course,has been the heart and soul of this project for thirteen years and Michael has been with him for twelve of those. Mark came on board early in 2014, Saint John in 2016 after the festivals, and Peter has really rounded them out sonically and with another talent for the recording process. Saint John's presence gives the band their first true full time lead vocalist. He had been playing with prog cover band DEJA in the Tidewater region of Virginia, and he says coming to KE has given him back his musical soul.

Mike has been the principal composer, and he is very tuned in not only to the ingredients that make up symphonic prog, but lyrically has been interested in spiritual themes (he's a Christian who doesn't fit the mold) and observations on the state of the world and the human condition. Somehow sci-fi lyrics have eluded him, but he's managed to make an eternity-based worldview into something everybody can relate to. One of the new pieces was co-written with former member Todd, but the rest of “The Face of Life” is all his. Of course the arrangements were done with the whole band. Early indications are that this new work will be received as warmly as was “Travelog.”

Mike discusses the writing of “The Face of Life”: “After recording All Open Eyes with Todd and then losing him, Peter re-did all Todd's guitar tracks. Our next piece was the third on the album, 'The Face of Life,' which evolved from a shorter song I wrote in 2015, and a melody theme I had written a year previously, which we mashed together successfully. Peter really made his mark on the band with his tracks on this song. 'Like All Open Eyes,' one idea led to another and next thing we knew we had yet another epic. The first song on the album is 'Epistle,' which originated as a blues song believe it or not, and is now a 'prog' blues/rock song. We reined it in from becoming another epic. It's more of a classic rock song with prog leanings. We actually got that arranged and captured in three sessions because everything was so straightforward. Of course the overdubs took a bit of time. We also had a moment of humor when I sang 'Ghost Riders In the Sky' during the solos and we left it in, but now that I look at it, it actually has something to say about the human condition that the song's lyrics are about. 'Last Words,' the final song, I wrote back in the 1970s and somehow it was nagging at me from the back of my mind to see how it would fit. And I got this idea to do the first verse as a string quartet which sound is a preset on the new synth I had bought. So we now have something totally out of left field. We recorded the quartet as three tracks (cello, two violas and violin).We sent all of it off to the Glass Hammer guys and we had a bit of difficulty getting it right but the month of November, while a bit torturous sending files back and forth with them, finally produced a great mix. They were so courteous and helpful!”  

Kinetic Element is already working on more pieces so as to follow up “The Face of Life” with another record dealing with the Apollo man on the moon project in a much more timely manner than in the past. It is their intention to get Peter more involved in contributing pieces. The band is all older men, and they are sensing the brevity and bittersweetness of life. “The Face of Life” will bring you “face to face” with that reality in a way that will leave your progressive rock itch thoroughly scratched, your soul lightened and your heart touched.



THE FACE OF LIFE  (A symphony in E Major)

Side One
1. Epistle  7:06 (Mike Visaggio)  (A letter from the Apostle to the Peacemakers)
2. All Open Eyes  15:52  (Mike Visaggio & Todd Russell) (Why it will be worth it in the end)

Side Two
3. The Face of Life  19:35 (Mike Visaggio) (What manner of people shall we be?)
4. Last Words  3:52  (Mike Visaggio) (The answer is already in our hearts)

Personnel
Mike Visaggio  piano, organ, synthesizers
Michael Murray  drums
Mark Tupko  bass
Saint John Coleman  vocals
Peter Matuchniak  guitars

The official release date will be February 28th 2019

Pre-orders from the band via check or PayPal at bigroad3@gmail.com

CONTACT INFORMATION: bigroad3@gmail.com to correspond with Mike Visaggio.

LINKS: 
www.facebook.com/kineticelementband
http://mrrmusic.com/kinetic-element/
www.kineticelement.com
www.mikevisaggio.com

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

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Progressive Rock Review: 3.2-The Rules Have Changed

Release Date: August 10, 2018
Label: FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL

If you remember the album The Power of 3(1988) then you will find familiarity with The Rules Have Changed. I remember the album but what really left an impression on me was Robert Berry. I interviewed Robert in March of 1999 in conjunction with the ELP Tribute Encores, Legends and Paradox. I still treasure all of those prog tribute CDs Magna Carta released. It was an exciting time with fond memories.

Robert and Keith Emerson were discussing reforming 3 and ideas were formulating. The unfortunate passing of Emerson put everything into a different perspective for Robert, as one would suspect. Indeed, The Rules Have Changed. After Emerson’s death in 2016, he was left with the keyboard legends final musical ideas for the project. Everything from old cassette tapes, keyboard parts written over the phone and long discussions between the two friends about style, the framework of the album were set and ready to be produced. 

I thought providing some of the back stories would be interesting. I also listened to an interview with Robert discussing everything and what I found was more than a multi-talented musician, but an honest and caring man that lost a dear friend. He was speechless when he visited Emerson’s grave. I can understand why.
So, Robert decided to move forward with the project in dedication to Emerson and in the true spirit of the music decided to create the 3.2 version of the band. The end result is a fantastic eight-track album. Robert said he could feel Keith while he was playing. I do not doubt that for a second. As I was listening, I was asking myself “Which part is Keith playing” not realizing the entire story and that Robert actually played all the parts!
The Rules Have Changed is an excellent recording from beginning to end in my humble opinion. It was not hard for me to appreciate it being a big ELP fan and admirer of Keith’s solo works and Robert’s as well. I saw this listening opportunity as a can’t miss experience. And it most certainly proved to be so.

“Powerful Man” is about Keith being a father from a distance with his son. And on the flip side, his son watching his father on stage and becoming inspired by the power of the music he was creating. I thought it was a great choice for a title and the words are inspirational and uplifting and the music is as well. I watched the video (included here) and got chills.

Two of the more interesting and entertaining tracks are “The Letter,” which starts with an acoustic guitar and Robert singing in uncharacteristic gruff tone (think whiskey-soaked blues like) and then the song continues to build and change into what you would come to expect in a Berry song.

“Your Mark on The World” is a track that I am sure Keith would have loved. It is a crazy prog rock track with a circus-like atmosphere. It made me think of one thing. Who can forget (if you were alive at the time) Keith spinning around in the air at ELP’s performance at the first California Jam? Man, that was unbelievable, but then again so was ELP and Mr. Emerson.

After hearing The Rules Have Changed, I felt inspired to write about it as soon as I could. I felt joy, elation, and some sadness while listening. But after all isn’t that what music is all about, people, the human condition. 

Thank you, Robert Berry, for a wonderful tribute to one of the greatest ivory ticklers the world has had the pleasure to enjoy. The beauty of the memories will carry on forever thanks to what he left behind.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 22, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Tracks:
1. One by One
2. Powerful Man
3. The Rules Have Changed
4. Our Bond
5. What You’re Dreaming Now
6. Somebody’s Watching
7. This Letter
8. Your Mark on The World
 

Friday, January 18, 2019

Keyboard Veteran Andrew Colyer To Tour With 3.2 featuring Robert Berry!


88 Keys, but Only 1 Player to Cover Emerson, Wakeman, Rudess, & Banks!

Keyboard veteran Andrew Colyer has secured possibly one of the most difficult gigs today – covering keyboard parts made legendary by Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Jordan Rudess and Tony Banks! Andrew will be performing with 3.2 featuring Robert Berry this coming spring! If anyone is qualified for the position, it's Andrew who has performed and collaborated with the likes of Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson), Jon Anderson (YES), The Tubes, Sound of Contact featuring Simon Collins, Ryche Chlanda (Fireballet, Renaissance), Max Flyer (CBS Records), Clark Terry, Louis Bellson among others....not to mention his own band, Prog-award-nominated Circuline!

Keith Emerson left a legacy of music. From his beginnings with The Nice in the 1960's, to worldwide fame with Emerson Lake & Palmer in the 1970's, to his reinvention in the 1980's with the #9 Billboard hit “Talkin' Bout” in the band “3” with Robert Berry and Carl Palmer, Emerson's name is one almost everyone has heard of.

In 2015, Emerson reunited with Berry, to resume work on the second “3” album, titled “3.2”, to be released on the Frontiers label. In 2016, Emerson tragically took his own life, leaving behind a half-finished record, Robert Berry with the loss of his long-time personal and musical friend, an unfulfilled contract, and a world grieving.

By the spring of 2018, Berry had worked out the details with the Emerson estate and Frontiers to complete and release the record. The first single, “Somebody's Watching” (released May 22nd), sent the album debut to #3 on the Amazon hard rock charts, and generated 7,000 YouTube views in the first 36 hours, and over 12,000 views in the first week. A musical phoenix had indeed risen.

The album, “3.2 - The Rules Have Changed”, was released on August 10th, 2018, and hit #1 on Amazon, selling out on the first day, and placed on two Billboard charts. The two YouTube videos from the album currently have over 64,000 cumulative views. The new album has met with unanimous positive international acclaim from over 100 magazine articles, blog and website reviews, and FM and internet radio stations.

Now it's time for a tour. The band - “3.2 featuring Robert Berry” will not only cover Berry's work with Keith Emerson, but also Berry's years on the Magna Carta label, producing tribute albums to ELP, YES, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and Rush. Who will Robert Berry get to cover not only Keith Emerson, but also all the keyboard players from these legendary bands? The world is watching and wondering. Keyboardist/vocalist Andrew Colyer (Circuline, Cell15, Awaken, Prog Rock Orchestra) got the call.



Berry tells the story of how Colyer got the gig: “When I met Andrew in December 2011, he was trying to reignite a career in music, after being out of the game for over 20 years. After one of our December People 'Classic Rock Christmas Party' shows, I introduced him to Dave Medd, and that's how he got the job as the backup for The Tubes in 2012. By 2013 he was playing ELP's “Tarkus” in progressive rock tribute band Downing Grey. In 2014 he performed on the Moody Blues cruise and the YES Cruise to the Edge with the Prog Rock Orchestra. He also formed his own band, Circuline, which has released two studio albums, a live CD/DVD/Blu-ray, and has toured and performed at international festivals. Plus he's my wife's brother's best friend!”

Berry says, ”All family joking aside, Andrew is a great player and the right guy for the job. He's a super nice guy, a hard worker, and with his immersion in the music business for these past 7 years, he's also been a big help in the business and marketing department.”

Colyer has some big boots to fill, and speaks to the naysayers. “I know there will be critics and fans who will say, 'that's not how Keith would have done it', or, 'he's just not the same as Wakeman, Banks, or Rudess', and I'm here to say, that's exactly right and true. There was only one Keith Emerson, and he was one of the greatest rock keyboard players of all time. Keith was groundbreaking in his approach to playing and performing; he was the first person in the world to ever use a synthesizer on stage; it is physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually impossible for anyone to ever replace him, or any of these other amazing keyboard players that I'm covering for the upcoming tour.”

“I am honored to have been asked to 'fill in' for Keith, Rick, Jordan, and Tony in their absence, and I will do my very best to faithfully serve the music that all of these great keyboard players throughout history have left for us to enjoy. All of my classical training, as well as my jazz and progressive rock experience, will be crucial in bringing this music to a live audience.”

Colyer continues, “I am also really excited to be performing with Robert Berry, who, besides being a ridiculously talented musician/composer, touring with Ambrosia, Alliance, Greg Kihn, and the holiday band December People, has also been a 'behind the scenes' producer for years, producing many progressive rock tribute albums for the Magna Carta label, and releasing his own solo albums. Some people have referred to Robert as a 'crafty American version of Trevor Rabin'.”

Berry concludes, “This new 3.2 band is excited to not only have Andrew Colyer from Circuline, but also the amazing drummer/vocalist Jimmy Keegan from Spock's Beard. I'll be fronting the band on bass and lead vocals, and we also have monster guitarist/vocalist Paul Keller, who toured with Keith, myself, and Carl Palmer on the original '3' tour in 1988. For the upcoming tour, we'll be performing not only music from the new 3.2 album, but also music from the first 3 album, and a few hits from my back Magna Carta catalog - some songs from YES, ELP, Genesis, Jethro Tull, etc.

“In addition to all the great music, you'll also experience first storytelling, performances, and insights from my work with Steve Howe, GTR, Ambrosia, Keith and Carl, and more. It's a presentation of my legacy of progressive rock from the past 30 years. We hope to see you in the audience and meet you in person after the show!”

For more information:
Website:  http://www.ColyerMusic.com
Artist Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ColyerMusicOfficial/
Personal Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ColyerMusic
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/colyermusic
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ColyerMusic
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/andrewcolyermusic 

Purchasing:
CDBaby:  https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/AndrewColyer
Bandcamp:  https://andrewcolyer.bandcamp.com/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Time-Andrew-Colyer/dp/B07K1NG6X9/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/andrew-colyer/988935849

Videos
http://colyermusic.com/video/cinematic-rock/

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