Emerson, Lake & Powell “The Complete Collection” 3 CD Box Available April 12, 2024

Spirit of Unicorn Music are proud to announce the release of Emerson, Lake & Powell “The Complete Collection,” a 3 CD box set which pays a fitting tribute to the power and creativity of this all-too-brief powerhouse collaboration.

In the early 1980’s, many of the established progressive rock artists were experiencing a rough ride. The musical landscape was changing. The arrival of punk rock and new wave meant that for many, the grand, creative indulgences which were de rigueur throughout the 1970’s, were fast becoming outdated. During a time of rapid change, bands had to adapt to survive. By 1979, Emerson Lake & Palmer, one of the biggest bands in the world during the 1970’s, were struggling and quietly called time on their once supergroup status band.

Having both explored solo careers, come 1984 Keith Emerson (The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and Greg Lake (King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer) were considering their next move. Carl Palmer (PM, Asia, Emerson, Lake & Palmer) was busy enjoying enormous success with Asia. Thus, the legendary Cozy Powell (Rainbow, Whitesnake) stepped in to occupy the drum stool.

“When Cozy came in, he really dazzled us. We didn’t intend to put the group back together but he was such a good technical drummer and such a good performer, we thought it might be a good idea to go back out with a new version of the band,” Greg Lake told the LA Times back in 1986. And so, Emerson, Lake & Powell came to pass.

This 3 CD box set includes the band’s one and only studio release: “Emerson, Lake & Powell,” featuring 3 bonus tracks. Also included is their live album, “Live In Concert” and a CD of rehearsals, “The Sprocket Sessions,” which has previously only been released as a bootleg.

All material included in the box set has been re-mastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce. It is also presented with an enhanced booklet with sleeve notes written by Prog Magazine editor, Jerry Ewing.

If you are a fan of ELP, you cannot afford to have this part of Emerson and Lake’s history missing from your collection.

The last word goes to Ewing, who says “Savor the music. We’re unlikely to ever see their like again.”

Pre-orders for Emerson, Lake & Powell can now be placed via Cherry Red Records: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/emerson-lake-and-powell-the-complete-collection-3cd-box/

Emerson, Lake & Powell were:
Greg Lake: guitar, bass and vocals
Keith Emerson: keyboards
Cozy Powell: drums

Track list:
DISC ONE: Emerson Lake And Powell
The Score
Learning To Fly
The Miracle
Touch And Go
Love Blind
Step Aside
Lay Down Your Guns
Mars, The Bringer of War
BONUS TRACKS
The Loco-Motion - B-Side
Vacant Possession - B-Side
The Score - Single Edit

DISC TWO:  The Sprocket Sessions
The Score
Learning To Fly
The Miracle
Knife Edge
Tarkus
Pictures At an Exhibition
Lucky Man
Still, You Turn Me On
Love Blind
Mars Bringer Of War
Touch & Go
Pirates

DISC THREE: Live In Concert
The Score
Touch & Go
Knife Edge
Pirates
From The Beginning
Lucky Man
Fanfare For the Common Man
Mars, The Bringer of War / Drum Solo
Medley
Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression)
America
Rondo

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

An Evening with Robert Fripp & David Singleton, Englishmen Abroad, California Tour Dates Announced!

An evening with Robert Fripp & David Singleton, Englishmen Abroad, is an opportunity to ask the questions that get us out of bed in the morning...

Where does Music come from? What does it take to survive the music business? When does the impossible become possible? Can Music change the world? Why did Fripp put on a tutu and dance to Swan Lake at the end of his garden?

Englishmen Abroad is touring California before Spring 2024. May the embers of Burning Questions now be gently fanned!

Friday, February 23 - Santa Cruz, CA - Kuumbwa Jazz Center - tickets
Saturday, February 24 - Sacramento, CA - Sofia Theater - tickets
Sunday, February 25 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel - tickets
Tuesday, February 27 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Cuesta PAC - tickets (soon!)
Thursday, February 29 - Agoura Hills, CA - Canyon Agoura - tickets
Friday, March 1 - Santa Barbara, CA - ETC at the New Vic - tickets (soon!)
Saturday, March 2 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - The Coach House - tickets
Sunday, March 3 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabes Guitar Shop - tickets
Monday, March 4 - Los Angeles, CA - The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever - tickets

Robert Fripp is a founding member of King Crimson, contributor and collaborator with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, Posh Poppers Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow, and a lot of other totally excellent people. Originating director of the Guitar Craft and Guitar Circle program.

David Singleton established DGM with Robert Fripp in 1993 and has reluctantly managed King Crimson since 2018. David is King Crimson's producer and author of The Vicar Chronicles.

For more information: https://dgmlive.com/news/englishmen-abroad-2024

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

British Prog Keyboardist Benjamin Croft To Release New Single “Wrestling With Plato” From Forthcoming Album “We Are Here To Help”

New Album Featuring Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Jeff Scott Soto, Greg Howe, Mike Stern and Frank Gambale!

Benjamin Croft is a British Prog keyboardist, music producer and songwriter. He will be releasing his new single “Wrestling With Plato” on February 2nd. The song features Lynsey Ward (Exploring Birdsong) on vocals and virtuoso drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats).

“Wrestling with Plato” is a tragic love story told over the lifetime of two people. A song about elaborate excuses; in the case of our protagonists, these are far reaching…

From a very young age, Benjamin developed a strong interest for music. At the age of 7, Benjamin began piano and trumpet lessons. “Around age 17, my life was forever changed after hearing the album ‘Close to the Edge’ by the band Yes. I quickly developed a love for progressive rock. Keyboard players such as Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson inspired me to practice for up to 8 hours a day,” says Croft.

At 19, he won a scholarship at Leeds College of Music. After graduating, he completed several contracts on international cruise lines, travelling and performing. He lived and played in the US, and toured the world twice, working with artists as diverse as Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and The Platters. “One night I was playing country, the next musical theatre and then jazz or rock.”

Benjamin relocated to London in 2012 and quickly began to make a name for himself. In 2018, he recorded for Beautiful South founder Dave Hemingway’s latest project ‘Sunbirds,’ and worked as a session musician, composer and arranger. He recently joined the progressive rock band The Gift.

While keeping up with a busy schedule performing and recording, Benjamin started composing his own music and released his first album “10 Reasons To...” on 33Jazz Records in March 2019. 12 original compositions blending jazz fusion, classical and progressive rock.

His second album, “Far and Distant Things,” was recorded throughout 2020 and released in the summer of 2021 on Ubuntu Music. It features some prestigious guest musicians such as Randy Brecker, Allen Vizzutti, Frank Gambale, Barry Finnerty, Mike Miller, and Chad Wackerman.

Both albums have been critically acclaimed in the UK, US and Europe.

Benjamin spent the last 2 years making his latest album, “We Are Here To Help,”. “It has been a great honour to record with legendary musicians including Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Jeff Scott Soto, Greg Howe, Mike Stern and Frank Gambale.”

“We Are Here To Help “ is an epic project with a heavier blend of progressive rock and metal, pushing further the boundaries of creativity, musical mastery and sonic excellence. The album also marks the launch of his record label "Galactic Receiver". It is due for release in 2024.

“Benjamin Croft is a force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with next.” – Sea of Tranquility

“Wrestling With Plato”
Produced, written and arranged by Benjamin Croft
Lyrics by Marsha Swanson
Lynsey Ward - Vocals
Benjamin Croft - Keyboards
Per Nilsson - Guitar
Dave Marks - Bass Guitar, Additional Guitars and Percussion
Marco Minnemann - Drums
Recorded at:
Sleeper Sounds
Engineer - Marcus Locock
Greystoke Studio
Engineer - Andy Whitmore
Mixed by Stephen W Tayler at Millside, Real World Studios
Mastered by Barry Grint At AIR Studios, London
Art Direction, illustration and design by Hugh Syme
Music video directed by Sam Chegini
A selection of analog keyboards have been used on this track including Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Oberheim ob-xa, Mellotron M4000, Hammond Organ and Steinway.

To pre-order: https://orcd.co/wrestlingwithplato

For more information:
Website: https://www.benjamincroftmusic.com/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BenjaminCroftMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminCroftMusic
Instagram: https://instagram.com/benjamincroftmusic?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@benjamincroftmusic8126?si=vPQwYyHhEPJOAoNY
TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeVaKVED/

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

Rick Wakeman’s “The Prog Years: Redux” 32-Disc Box Set Available February 23, 2024!

Here is some exciting news for those who pre-ordered Rick Wakeman’s “The Prog Years 1973-1977” CD+DVD box set: the expansive collection will now include 17 discs’ worth of never-before-released concert material totaling 300-plus minutes – or a whopping five hours – of live recordings all previously unreleased.

Now known as “The Prog Years: Redux,” the 32-disc box set is back in production, with a brand-new list of content and a new release date of 23rd February 2024. Explaining the decision to overhaul the collection at the 11th hour, compiler Rob Ayling says that he had a duty to do it for the fans:

“Totally out of the blue came a wave of previously unreleased concert recordings. I couldn’t believe it when I discovered them. I generally know what was recorded and what wasn’t – and then to find entire gigs from the 70s that had never before been released… I simply couldn’t ignore them! Especially if they got released later, the fans would rightly ask the question, why weren't these recordings in the ‘Prog Years’ ?

“It was a really tough decision to make, to stop a box set in full production. But it was also a no-brainer to remove releases which have already been available in different formats over the years  and replace them with a trove of music no one will own.

“My feeling is that the true fans will already have most if not all of the previously planned ‘Prog Years’ content, like the Winterland Ballroom and Hammersmith Odeon shows. They have been officially available for years. Yet how many fans have Rick Wakeman’s full 1975 concert from Boston Music Hall, or the opening night of that year’s Japanese tour, with the orchestra, or the Montreux concert from 1979?

“The newly discovered material will replace these recordings in what we’re calling ‘The Prog Years: Redux,’ which now boasts over five hours of previously unreleased music! That, to me, is a game-changer. I know it means fans will have to wait a little longer to receive the box but given that it will contain these newly unearthed gems, I hope everyone will understand why I had to make this decision. I am convinced that everyone will enjoy the gigs as much as I do.

“I also want to thank everyone who has pre-ordered the release for their patience, and promise that it will be worth the wait when ‘The Prog Years: Redux’ lands on your doorstep!”

The previously unreleased discs are:

1). The Six Wives… alternative versions
2). The Three Wives: Radio session, 27 February 1973
3). Boston Music Hall, Massachusetts, 10 October 1975, Part 1
4). Boston Music Hall, Massachusetts, 10 October 1975, Part 2
5). Missing Pieces and interviews
6). Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland, 7 May 1976
7). Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan, 21 January 1975, Part 1
8). Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan, 21 January 1975, Part 2
9). Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 16 January 1975, Part 1
10). Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 16 January 1975, Part 2
11). Live in Anaheim, 11 November 1975, Part 1
12). Live in Anaheim, 11 November 1975, Part 2
13). Reflections Of Winter (White Rock sessions), Part 1
14). Reflections Of Winter (White Rock sessions), Part 2
15). White Rock Original soundtrack music and FX soundtrack
16). Live From London 1979
17). Live at Montreux 1979

Previously released:

18). Live in Melbourne, 4th February 1975, Part 1*
19). Live in Melbourne, 4th February 1975, Part 2*
* this concert was previously released but in an edited form to fit on one CD. We are releasing the full concert, now fully remastered.

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

US Purchase link: https://www.popmarket.com/the-prog-years-redux-1973-1977-27cd-5dvd-box-set/5056083212941

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

Progressive Jam-Fusion Supergroup PAKT Featuring Brand X Bass Legend Percy Jones Heading To West Coast USA Tour To Promote New Album “No Steps Left to Trace”

PAKT, a true super group of master musicians merging & colliding new music in the realms of progressive rock, electric jazz, experimental, ambient, psychedelic and beyond, is an experience as much as a musical project. An IMAX film for the ears, PAKT takes its listeners on an improvised sonic voyage with no preconceived destination, minimal pre-planning and little use for forms and conventions. Rare is the musician who can thrive in such a spontaneous environment but Percy Jones (fretless bass guitar), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Kenny Grohowski (drums) and Tim Motzer (guitar and electronics) are all up to the task. Armed with enough tastefully used effects to stock a small music store, Motzer and Skolnick create sounds so atmospheric and ethereal that one might not guess their source is a guitar. Meanwhile, Grohowski and Jones approach their instruments in textural manners that seamlessly intertwine with each other and the quartet as a whole. The music runs the gamut from highly sensitive to intense, with all four musicians’ listening skills so strong that their collective playing is as cohesive as it is unpredictable. Welsh bassist Jones (now a New York resident) is known for his tenure in the legendary jazz fusion group Brand X (whose classic lineup included drummer Phil Collins, yes that one) and extensive studio work (especially with Brian Eno). Skolnick is a diverse improviser whose jazz and world playing and instrumental associations (including bass virtuosos Stuart Hamm and Michael Manring) forms a Jeckyll & Hyde dynamic with his high profile as lead guitarist of the metal band Testament. Grohowski's many recent associations include John Zorn, a reincarnated version of Brand X and masked avant-metal outfit, Imperial Triumphant. Motzer has a long background in free improvisation, including the bands Bandit65 (with fellow guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel) and Orion Tango, plus many other recorded collaborations for his 1k Recordings label.

Before this album, all of PAKT’s releases had been taken from live performances. This studio session took place during the band’s East Coast tour in December, 2021. Primed from several successful shows in Upstate New York (including musician Daryll Hall’s thriving venue in Pawling, NY, Daryl’s House), the band took the day off in the Catskills Mountains, where they tracked live at NRS Studios. NRS is located in the home of musician/recording engineer Scott Petito, whose studio has hosted such luminaries John Scofield, Chick Corea and James Taylor. The PAKT musicians set up in a circle, all in the same room and performed, just as they would at a live concert. This began in the late morning and continued past dusk. By day’s end, they had accumulated a bunch of material—quite a nice document of where the band was musically back in 2021.

Tim Motzer, who produced this recording as well as providing artwork, says the following: “One of the things we all realized is that this band isn't going backward...it may be fueled by what we've done in the past, but really it’s a forward-evolving band composing in-the-moment, finding new language, and discovering our music as we go along. It's in that feeling that the title, ‘No Steps Left To Trace’, came to me because our music is a continuum, and more like a journey or an experience. We are, in a sense, tunneling or boring through the musical abstract toward and through to the ‘other side’.” Skolnick adds “From the moment we did our first performance together, it was clear that this project had a special chemistry that doesn’t happen all that often. The fact that we found this chemistry in our favorite Brooklyn venue, called Shape Shifter Lab, is fitting. It being the height of the 2020 Pandemic, that first show was streamed, with no audience present. Our first studio album ‘No Steps Left to Trace’, is a return to us just playing to each other, only this time, we have a number of live shows and touring under our belt, recorded in a high-quality studio. It’s a great document of PAKT in 2021.”

Live, of course, they have an audience that takes the ride with them. It is a real shared experience in that regard. Motzer curated five such journeys for the Live CD, one from Buffalo, three from NYC (Nublu), and one from Philadelphia. Adding the live album to the double release shows the growth and evolving chemistry in PAKT from the 2021 studio recording to the newer live recordings in 2023. It's a nice contrast with a lot of great interplay and listening happening from all the players. It also makes the album an excellent introduction to the band’s music for anyone new to it, as well as a fine addition to their discography.

PAKT
with
PERCY JONES - bass
ALEX SKOLNICK - guitar
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums
TIM MOTZER - guitars, electronics

“PAKT recalls the fearless attitude and daring approach that originally defined progressive music: where the magic of the moment always triumphed over preconception. Templates be damned ... this music blazes its own path! This is truly exquisite fare, serving as a reminder to aficionados of what initially drew them to this most creative, visionary of genres.”

WEST COAST TOUR DATES
Feb 01 - Seattle, WA (Funhouse)
Feb 02 - Portland, OR (Alberta Abbey)
Feb 03 - Eugene, OR (WOW Hall)
Feb 04 - Redding, CA (The Dip)
Feb 06 - TBA
Feb 08 - Mill Valley, CA (Sweetwater Music Hall)
Feb 09 - Fresno, CA (Fulton 55)
Feb 10 - Los Angeles, CA (Baked Potato, 2 shows)
Feb 11 - Los Angeles, CA (Baked Potato, 2 shows)
Feb 12 - Costa Mesa, CA (Wayfarer)
Feb 13 - Phoenix, AZ (The Rhythm Room)

To purchase PAKT “No Steps Left to Trace” (2CD, 2LP, 24bit Download):
https://pakt-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/no-steps-left-to-trace

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

Prog Legends Happy The Man Return With New Single “Only Love” From Forthcoming Album

New single available January 15, 2024!

Prog legends Happy The Man have returned with the release of a new single, “Only Love,” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2024. The song is from the band’s highly anticipated forthcoming album of the same name.

Stanley Whitaker, Ron Riddle, Michael Beck, and Rick Kennell have reunited and recorded a phenomenal new song promising to please fans of the band and prog fans worldwide.

Says Stanley Whitaker, “The basic concept was to not only express my frustration and sadness in the world while shedding light and awareness. In late August 2020, while in a deep meditative state, I wondered what John Lennon would say about the state of affairs in America. I craved his voice and message and prayed for inspiration. In a blast of energy, I wrote over ten pages of lyrics and spent the next two weeks editing and laying down musical ideas. Recently, our former bandmate, Frank Wyatt, passed away on January 10, 2023, and the following morning, I awoke to, ‘Now it’s time to put HTM back together.’ Gobsmacked! I called Rick, Ron, and Michael, and everyone was on board to reunite as Happy the Man. All of the music was developed remotely from our studios across the country.”

Says Ron Riddle, “My work as a film and TV composer/orchestrator and my work as a drummer has always been at odds and very separate from each other. I would say that over 95 percent of the music I’ve written had no drums at all! Stanley and Rick approached me to get the band back together, and Stanley asked me to do the orchestration and drumming. I was smitten, thrilled, and, honestly, a bit nervous. ‘Could both exist in the same song?’ I wondered. It’s like Dr. Jeckel meeting Mr. Hyde!”

Michael Beck says, “Putting Happy The Man back together and creating new music is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I could not be happier and prouder to work with these incredible musicians and friends again.”

Says Rick Kennell, “How can you not enjoy working with musicians of this caliber? What fun!”

Born out of the intensely creative and artistic art rock and fusion movements of the 70s, Happy The Man is regarded as one of the most legendary progressive rock bands of all time. Although Happy The Man only released two official albums before breaking up, their impact continues to endear the group to a cult following that has been growing ever since. With the passing of many years, Happy The Man’s music has demonstrated a timeless quality that suggests that it was ahead of its time and beyond this world.

Original members Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass guitar) first met in Germany. They soon returned to the US, enlisting Frank Wyatt (keyboards, saxes, flute), Kit Watkins (keyboards), and Mike Beck (drums and percussion). They created two of the most deeply admired prog-rock albums of all time on Arista Records: “Happy The Man” (1977) and “Crafty Hands” (1978), with Ron Riddle taking over drumming from Mike Beck.

“This world is on fire, my friends and we desperately need to share our love and light to heal this planet earth!”

To purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-onlylove
Only Love (Original Version or OV)
Only Love (Radio Edit or RE)

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

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

Prog Legends Gentle Giant’s “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson Remix To Be Released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g Vinyl & Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl on February 16, 2024

Previously unreleased bonus track “Winning (outtake)”

In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album “The Missing Piece.” It was a time of change. Punk, disco and rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established progressive rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky pop (“Two weeks in Spain”), a grandiose power ballad (“I’m turning around’), syncopated funk (“Who do you think you are?”) and even the punky aggression of “Betcha thought we couldn’t do it.” Meanwhile the call and response soul shouting of “Mountain Time” hearkened back to the “big sound” of their Simon Dupree R & B revue days.

Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate progressive stylings to date. The breezily baroque “As old as you’re young” led into the yearningly elegiac “Memories of Old Days” with a particularly heartfelt vocal from Derek Shulman. The percussive tour de force of “Winning” then set up the blazing finale of “For Nobody,” another mind blowing complex collection of driving intertwining riffs that the band would nonchalantly thunder through with apparent ease.

It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. “The Missing Piece” certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA.

Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In addition, the digipak CD/Blu-ray version also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track. All remixes except the Atmos contain a bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of “Winning.”

Gentle Giant's “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson remix will be released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g vinyl and Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl variant on February 16, 2024.

Personnel:
Derek Shulman – Lead Vocals
Kerry Minnear – Keyboards, Vocals
Ray Shulman – Bass Guitar, 12 string Guitar
Gary Green – Electric and Acoustic Guitars
John “Pugwash” Weathers – Drums and Percussion

Track Listing:
SIDE A
1. Two Weeks in Spain 3:04
2. I’m Turning Around 3:58
3. Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It 2:16
4. Who Do You Think You Are? 3:37
5. Mountain Time 3:21
SIDE B
1. As Old As You’re Young 4:21
2. Memories Of Old Days 7:22
3. Winning 4:15
4. For Nobody 4:09
5. Winning (Outtake) 3:31 (Bonus Track)

To pre-order: https://linktree.com/gentlegiantband

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