1. Listing of italian progressive releases with prices and description (Excel file)
2. Listing of Canterbury music released with prices and description (Excel file)
3. Newsletter or mails about new releases (automatically sent once you're registered in our database)

Here are for now what we thought you'd better know. Happy reading! Mail us if you need any price infos.

ZEUHL

• ZEUHL SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! ... ZEUHL SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! .... Those who are fans of the incredible drummer Tatsuya Yoshida will be soon rewarded by a flow of releases, events and reissues, just have a look here!
  - A new Acidmothers Gong - Live In Tokyo (Yoshida will play with them at the Gong Festival in Amsterdam in November)
  - A new studio album by Korekyojin
  - A new Koenjihakkei DVD (this time with 2 cameras )
  - A European tour with the Satoko Fuji Quartet this Fall.
  - And, last but not least, Koenji's 2nd album "II" (often wrongly referred to as "Viva Koenji") was remastered and will be reissued on the label Skin Graft this summer.
• Ad Vitam: Là Où Va Le Vent; second release by the french group with an inspiration drawn from Magma's lesser known aspects: their choir work. The second album features Christian & Stella Vander's daughter on vocals.
• Amygdala 2: Complex Combat. Soleil Zeuhl 18. 2008. This Japanese duo released their first album on the French label Soleil Zeuhl and are now ready with a second opus; the band has been expanded and will see the participation of drummer Daniel Jeand'heur, known by most of you as member of the bandOne Shot, as well as Kenichi Oguchi, one of the keyboardists in the band Kenso, featured on two tracks.
• Amygdala: S/T. Soleil Zeuhl 11. A Japanese duo of keyboards / guitar-bass-vocals for an energetic music. Even if synth programming can't replace a real drummer, the rhythm work is well done.
• Eskaton: Ardeur. Released on the french label Soleil Zeuhl. The 2 tracks from their debut single "Le chant de la terre / If" are included as bonus tracks.
• Eskaton: Fiction. Soleil Zeuhl 13. The 3rd album from 83 is released and also includes part of the until now unavailable album Icare
• Guapo: Black Oni. After two years of work, a limited edition - 500 hand-numbered copies on 180g white vinyl and super-deluxe gatefold jacket - of this album is released on December 12, 2007
• Guapo: Five Suns. A Cuneiform release. English trio of keyboards/dms & percussion /bass & electronics. Actually their 5th album. Enormous power, rhythmic complexity, harmonic atonality, hard-core energy.
• New Koenji Hyakkei DVD due to be released on the Magaibutsu label (MGDV-04). This will please and highly excite all fans of the band since it features fantastic special guests such as Tipographica's guitarist Imahori Tsuneo , violinist Tsuboy Akihisa (from KBB), keyboardist wizzard, producer and God Mountain's owner Hoppy Kamiyama and another keyboardist, Ishibashi Eiko . It was recorded on May 31th, 2007. The first half of the show is exceptional, with improvised performances by the various combinations obtained when shifting the guests. In the 2nd half they play Koenji Hyakkei songs with the one off twin keyboard line-up of this day. Imahori and Tsuboy also join on some songs. All in all, a must for EVERYONE!!! Did you hear me?
• Koenjihyakkei: Nivraym. Skingraft Records. The third album by the Japanese cult band, led by the much versatile drummer Tatsuya Yoshida has been extensively rebuilt for this 2009 worldwide release. The band has gone back to the original master recordings and the current line-up has added new flourishes, additional overdubs, re-recorded drum tracks and the entire album has been remixed and remastered at Japan's Magaibutsu Studio!
• Korekyojinn: Isotope. TZ 7257. 2nd album by this super group featuring Ruins drummer Yoshida Tatsuya and members of groups Altered States and Bondage Fruits. This is taken from a live concert in Tokyo. There is also a nice extra in the form of an unreleased track from their previous session "Arabesque".
• Magma live in Bourges, France, 1979. This is the latest release from Seventh Records archive department (AKT XV). Double CD featuring maybe one of the less heard Magma line-ups, with André & Michel Herve, respectively on Fender Rhodes/synths and el bass, Jean-Luc Chevalier on guitar and bass, Klaus Blasquiz, Stella Vander, LisaDeluxe, Maria Popkiewicz on vocals. This is a rarely documented period and the songs played include classics like Mëkanïk Dëstruktïw Kömmandöh, Hhaï, but also tunes from the Attahk album or in a similar spirit - like Retrovision, heard on the Retrospektïw album! And a few surprises!
• Magma: Mythes Et Légendes Volume 4. Seventh Records (SEVENTHVD7). This is the last volume dedicated to the coverage of the band's 2005 residency at the French club Le Triton in Paris. This volume is mainly focusing on the current Magma line-up but there is a version of Kobaïa featuring both Klaus Blasquiz & Jannick Top and a bonus documentary as well.
• Magma: Mythes et Légendes Epok 3. This is the 3rd DVD devoted to Magma's residency at the French club Le Triton in 2005. Epok 3 features the current formation with keyboardist and previous member Benoit Widemann as special guest. There is one more to be released!
• Magma Live / Attahk / Üdü Wüdü have been released by RCA/Victor (Japan) as CD "mini LP reproduction". You will loose the bonus tracks which were added on the Seventh Records releases but you will definitely win more dynamic and stereo details. For you guys who need thosae telluric bass sounds!
• Neom: Arkana Temporis. Soleil Zeuhl (SZ21). 2009. New French band who recently opened for Magma. All music is composed by Yannick Duchene Sauvage (he's in charge of vocals, electric guitar and drums). With Rhodes played by Carole Duchene Sauvage (his wife?) and William Pawelzik on bass, you have the complete line-up. The mastering is due to Israeli sound expert Udi Koomran, which in itself is a guarantee of a top notch end product! Go get them!
• One Shot: Dark Shot. Le Triton TRI-08515. 2008. This splendid CD + DVD release will certainly rejoy fans of this Magma offshoot. Recorded and mixed in the own studios of the French club (and label) Le Triton on January 13-14th (CD) or January 24th (DVD), this is the 4th output by the band, grooving like hell and really really hot! The DVD is taken from a concert and the entire unit will provide you with over 2 hours of revitalization and renewed NRJ!!
• Another Zeuhl nice surprise is the release of a new live album by the French group One Shot: Ewaz Vader. It is released on the label Le Triton and was recorded live at their own Parisian club in 2005. A video track of nearly 15 minutes completes this wonderful release! In case you don't know, the musicians of One Shot are, except from the drummer, all members of the current Magma line-up :)
• Since we are buzy with Zeuhl, please note the new release on the French label Soleil Zeuhl:
  Pienza: Indiens d'Europe (SZ14). The line-up is James Mac Gaw (Magma, One Shot) on bass (yes, NOT guitar, he plays bass too!!), Daniel Jeand'Heur (One Shot) on drums and percussions. Add to this Thierry Bruneau: electric hurdy gurdy. The music was recorded live during summer 2005 and is very heavy, the electric hurdy gurdy being treated like a guitar with a lot of power & distorsions. Folk is just a basis for this powerful great jam between 3 exceptional players who each push the boundaries of their instrument in very unusual ways : distorted electric hurdy gurdy, explosive drums & a Huge Zeuhl bass that goes chorus almost every minute. Difficult to name.....explosive-zeuhl-folk ?
• Pseu: S/T. This French band coming from the prog scene around Bordeaux existed between 1979 and 1983. This release presents us studio recordings from 81 & 82. The Zeuhl lineage is obvious but guitar gets here a more present role than in any Magma record, giving the music another flavour and originality which prevents it from being stamped as a clone.
• Shub Niggurath: Introduction. Soleil Zeuhl (SZ22). 2009. Also mastered by Udi, this is the CD transfer of the first Shub Niggurath demo, going back to the mid 80's and until now only available as a cassette recording. Presented in a nice flat digipack, here are 41 minutes of dark delirium!
• Jannick Top: Infernal Machine. Utopic Records (UR01009). Sensational news! Magma's bass player has finalized a new Zeuhl project: a new 57 minutes long composition, recorded with the help of many Magma members, from the boss himself on the drums and his wife to Klaus Blasquiz or newer members like guitarist James MacGaw. As usual with Top, you'll have to expect this slowly hypnotic spiral building up and up, magnifying musical tensions before releasing them; the soundscape is heavy throughout and has such a massive feel that you will expect your speakers to crater your floor boards! So welcome back Mr. Growl!


• Universal Totem Orchestra: The Magus. Black Widow BWR106. "The Magus" is the second album from Universal Totem Orchestra after the debut titled "Rituale Alieno" (Black Widow Records, BWR 022, 1999), and describe a host of influences to create a dark and dense experience such a combination of the grandeur of the best symphonic rock with the repetitive intensity of zeuhl music. It's a jazz/rock simphonyc composition which concludes a Trilogy ("Hidden Opera", "Rituale Alieno", "The Magus") dedicated to the Human Alienation; from the most esoteric state to the most psychal complex one, crossing extreme forms of analysis and autoanalysis
TO TOP


CANTERBURY

• Brainville 3: Trial by Headline. Recommended (RER0244). The spelling Brainville *3* is used to remind us that this is the third line-up by this Canterburian super band. After the loss of the late Pip Pyle, drummer Chris Cutler, of Henry Cow's fame, took up the torch, rejoining the two Soft Machine alumni, bassist Hugh Hopper and guitarist, poet, rebel Daevid Allen. This explosive meeting was recorded during their 2007 tour.
• More Brainville! A DVD is also available, presenting the shooting of 3 tracks during a concert at the French club "Le Triton" on June 8, 2007. Clocking just above half an hour, it is completed by a 52mn film consisting of an interview intersperced with music inserts. And oh! I was just about to forget to tell you that Didier Malherbe is guesting in the concert on tarobago ...
• Corte Aulica: Il Temporale E L'arcobaleno. Mellow Records MMP490. The progessive rock band Corte Aulica started playing in January 2006 with the objective to create music which reminds of the Canterbury setting of the seventies, Camel, Caravan and Hatfield and the North above all, but at the same time keeping its strong originality both in the composing and in the sound. In December 2006, nearly only a year after their birth, the group recorded 9 pieces of own composition.
• Clear Frame: S/T. Continuity Records (TINU001). Distributed by Recommended Records, here's a record between free jazz and Canterbury, commissioned by the BBC and scrutinized for the production by ex Soft Machine bassist, the one and only Hugh Hopper. The Canterbury link is further sensible in the presence of Robert Wyatt as guest artist on cornet. The connection with free are drummer Charles Hayward (The Heat) and saxophonist Lol Coxhill, while the last member is vibraphonist Orphy Robinson, also playing marimba and steel pans.


• Elton Dean & Sophia Domancich! This is the new release by HUX Records HUX 063, entitled “Avant” and due to release for March 25, 2005. It features a recording of a live concert which the duo performed in France last year. This fully improvised show was the first time they had ever performed as a duo. The accompanying full colour booklet includes a brief note from both Elton and Sophia.
• Delta Saxophone Quartet: Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening - The Music Of Soft Machine. Moonjune MJR017. The Delta Saxophone Quartet was formed in 1984 and whether performing works by Mike Westbrook, Steve Reich, Philip Glass or Terry Riley, their musical choices have always come with their own demands and challenges. This time, the challenge is to tackle Soft Machine's music, bringing it anew knowing it is already perceived as cult-like and legendary! It takes a love of the source and a strong desire to create something fresh and inviting that stands both as a tribute but also on its own terms! The repertoire chosen spans over many years in the band's career and stylistic periods and to help them reach the sacred goal without alienating the music's spirit or even the fans, we'll find special contributions by bass player Hugh Hopper (also standing for loops on Facelift) and vocalist Morgan Fischer (also playing hurdy gurdy and background electronics). All in all, a new angle of vision and new colours for a still much alive music!
• Santa Claus has surely flown over Canterbury this year and the brand new Egg archive release is a pure gift to all lovers of the genre. Egg consisted of Dave Stewart (keyboards), Mont Campbell (bass/vocals) and Clive Brooks (drums). Known for their uncompromising complexity and pinpoint accuracy of performance, the group was one of the most musically adventurous to emerge from the UK underground scene of the late '60s. The new archive release is titled "The Metronomical Society" and is a collection of live and studio recordings made by the pioneering trio between 1969 and 1972. It features archive material unheard for nearly 40 years, including a sizeable segment of Egg's last Roundhouse concert which demonstrates the group's live power. Also included are superior versions of tracks from the band's radio sessions, previously available only on poor-quality bootlegs. The CD lasts over an hour and ships in a full-colour Digipak with a 20-page booklet containing Egg's history in the musicians' own words, unique period photos and artwork. If not enough, a companion booklet called "Copious Notes" is also released and tells the inside story of Uriel, Egg, Arzachel and the Ottawa Company from the formation of Uriel in early 1968 to the making of Egg's final album The Civil Surface in 1974. The text is crammed full of personal memoirs, anecdotes, short stories, random recollections, social observation, period details, musical analysis and song lyrics, as well as a priceless collection of archive photos taken by Terry Yetton and the musicians. An essential read for Canterbury and prog fans, UK music historians and collectors. Available from Burning Shed!
• Equip’Out: Up! Voiceprint VP348CD. Equipe Out was the band Pip formed with Sophia Domanchich and also former Soft Machinesax player Elton Dean and fellow Softs member Hugh Hopper. Up was the bands second album originally released in 1991. This album has been unavailable for many years and this re issue has been remastered for this release.
• Patrick Forgas: Cocktail. Musea FGBG 4758. May 2008. Another welcome reissue! Forgas' debut album from 1977 got him to be often called the French answer to Canterbury! And in fact there is indeed an inspiration from the likes of Robert Wyatt or his band Soft Machine. But this is only one picture from the entire album. In his first album, Forgas has with him a serious and rock solid bass player in the person of Gerard Prevost, who has been member of groups such as Zao or Rahmann. Cocktail is an album that displays superb compositions, full of invention and melodic research. It has been OOP for many many years so pick it NOW and rediscover one of the best hidden secrets of the French scene from the late 70's!
• The Happy Accidents: Masters of the Balloonafon (DVD-Video). Burning Shed. July 07. A collection of songs, instrumentals and vocal narrative pieces accompanied by video sequences that enhance the mood and content of each track. The audio has been recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound and is also stereo compatible. Each track invokes the spirit of the Canterbury Sound, possessing the musical originality and multi-instrumental dexterity associated with the genre but leavened with large doses of humour and eccentricity. Featuring a cameo appearance by Robert Wyatt.
• Hatfield & The North: Hattitude. Following the success of Hatwise Choice, the Hatfield musicians continue their archive CD series with a second volume of rare '70s recordings. The series was given extra momentum by the discovery of a large collection of previously unheard live tapes, the highlights of which have been personally compiled by the band members themselves. As on Hatwise Choice (released in January 2005), the new CD contains a mixture of live and studio tracks (including extracts from the band's radio sessions) and features some hitherto unrecorded compositions. The CD comes in a full colour Digipak with a 20-page booklet containing archive photos and period artwork. The band history initiated in Hatwise Choice continues with the four musicians recounting behind-the-scenes events, road stories, musical reflections and descriptions of recording their debut album in Oxfordshire's Manor Studios. These personal memoirs provide a detailed chronicle of the events of 1973, a 'year in the life' of a young, talented and exciting British band. They will allow us one more time to think of and appreciate all facets of the late Pip Pyle, from solid and energic drummer to phenomenal entertainer
• A Canterburian Miracle! has got the name “Hatwise Choice”. This is no less than the result of years of hard work used to persuade the musicians of Hatfield & the North of finally setting up an official release showing their strength and magic as a live act. Initiated by drummer Pip Pyle, the CD presents a choice of tracks taken either from live concerts or first generation tapes of BBC sessions. The booklet contains many informative details by the musicians about the band’s history, the instruments used and a good dose of a humoristic approach. This CD can for the moment only be ordered here: www.burningshed.com. Not to be missed! This is vol. 1 of a series suggesting that more is to come ...


• Henry Cow: 40th Anniversary Box Set Volumes 1 & 2. This release is without any doubt one of the biggest hits for the rest of the year! 9 CDs and 1 DVD with 2 substantial books, in two solid boxes. Limited Edition. Pre-order taken directly by Recommended Records UK. In its about 10 years of existence, Henry Cow covered much ground and if the official studio releases are not missing, live performances are far less with nearly only "Concerts" giving us a complete idea of what the band was able to come with on stage! This boxset will definitely bring new light on those aspects since all material is chosen from all previously unreleased recordings, that include many compositions and improvisations new to anyone who only knows the official releases; there is also a rich documentation of a number of one-off projects and events and - where different or remarkable enough to justify inclusion - live versions of parts of the LP repertoire. Many of these recordings are high quality radio transcriptions taken directly from the original masters, others are less hi-fi, but justified we think by their historic and musical quality. And everything has been carefully transferred and re-mastered by Bob Drake to the best audio quality that current technology allows without interference or tampering. It's all a million times better than the terrible bootlegs that have surfaced until now. And then there is the DVD: 80 minutes of the 1976 Cow (with Georgina Born & Dagmar Krause) performing many unreleased pieces as well as "Living in the Heart of The Beast", "Beautiful As The Moon", etc... This is the only known video recording in existence - professionally made, multi camera - and has not been recovered since its original broadcast (just scour U-Tube, Cow is conspicuous by its total absence). And last but not least, there is a great deal of written, photographic and textual documentation. So let's the fest begin!


• Honduras Libregrupo : La Única Posición Es La Oposición (2008). This quartet from Argentina had previously interpreted Robert Wyatt's "Sea Song" (downloadable on their site at Sea Song). Here's their *real* first album and the spirit of Matching Mole is not quite far! A nice surprise!
• Brian Hopper: If Ever I Am. Voiceprint VP 337. If Ever I am is a fine album that has its roots in the revered Canterbury scene and its sights on perhaps wider pastures. The album is an eclectic mix of jazz and progressive rock and features performances from at least two other members of the Wilde Flowers in Brian's brother Hugh Hopper and also Robert Wyatt. Brian's other musical partner Robert Fenner is also featured throughout on guitar. If Ever I am is of course aimed at the huge cult following that the Canterbury Scene attracts but the album will also be of interest to lovers of finely crafted jazz tinged progressive rock.
• Hugh Hopper: Numero D'Vol. Saxophonist Simon Picard, keyboardist Steve Franklin and drummer Charles Hayward join Soft Machine Legacy’s Hopper for a session that also proves there’s plenty of room for a backbeat in extemporaneous music. A music which has somehow an obsessive feel due to a rather groovy and repetitive playing of the rhythm section; not the *straight ahead shake it baby* kind of groove, rather a haunting and lurking one, on top of which the sax improvisations fly with passion and intensity. Steve Franklin has a really impressive palette of sounds and structures here and he sometimes explodes as well, showing great chops and a playing rich in ideas. Hugh comes in the front a few times with his demonic fuzz bass playing, like a short but violent rain taking everyone by surprise. Hayward is definitely (together with Hugh) the clock of the entity and shows a real organic calm power. The CD is produced by Hugh but all compositions are collectively signed. A much recommended recording to Canterbury fans but beyond this genre as well!
• Hugh Hopper: Hopper Tunity Box. Cuneiform RUN 240. Remastered edition of the 2nd solo album by the ex-Soft Machine member. With him are taking part a great number of musicians affiliated to the Canterbury style: old time mate Elton Dean, drummer Nigel Morris, the head, heart and legs of National Health: keyboardist Dave Stewart, saxophonist Gary Windo, cornetist Mark Charig, etc...
• Jakko M.Jakszyk: The Bruised Romantic Glee Club. It is a stunning and beautifully packaged 2CD set containing one disc of powerfully haunting original songs and another comprising unlikely cover versions of material by Soft Machine, King Crimson and Henry Cow. Featuring sophisticated production values and inspired guest performances from a stellar cast that includes Robert Fripp, Mel Collins, Danny Thompson, Gavin Harrison, Dave Stewart, Hugh Hopper and many others, this is Jakko Jakszyk's most accomplished and heartfelt release to date. street date is October 16 and signed copies can be ordered on Burning Shed's web site!
• Matching Mole: On The Radio (HUX 083). Fans will certainly have got in hands this collection of BBC recordings, which was years ago available on the market, more or less bootleg. The good news is that even for those completists, the HUX release will have some interest in that more material, previously unavailable, has been added to the previously known! (some more John Peel sessions!). Both Dave sinclair & Dave MacRae are featured keyboardists on this record. This special digipack CD features an original cover photograph by Robert Wyatt, who also compiled the running order. The accompanying 12 page CD booklet features extensive liner notes by Matching Mole bassist, Bill MacCormick, plus rare period photo’s and comprehensive recording details.
• The new album by Phil Miller's In Cahoots is ready and called "Conspiracy Theories". Released on his own label Crescent Discs (CD8CD), it shows a few conceptual changes in that the band has morphed into a multifaceted group with a more varied personnel. The project for recording this CD started in November 2004 and was completed in July 2006. Fred Baker, Pete Lemer & Mark Fletcher are still at the heart of the group but many old friends are making this time their appearance, like Richard Sinclair or the duo Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, which was already heard in Phil's album "Cutting both Ways", many years way back. Also the presence of Didier Malherbe goes back to the time of Short Waves. Other guest appearances include guitarist Doug Boyle, Zappatistas members Annie Whitehead & Simon Finch and finally a musician who played with In Cahoots in July 2005, Simon Picard. Doing a CD this way implies that the band redefines itself by what is written for and attempted by it and who is in it.
• Miller / Coxhill: Miller / Coxhill - "the Story So Far..." "... Cuneiform RUNE253/254. After having met each other in 68 in the group Delivery, pianist steve Miller (Phil's brother by the way) and saxophonist Lol Coxhill released in the 70's two duo records which quickly became cult records. Cuneiform reissues them today with a gorgeous 20 pages booklet filled with notes, interviews and rare photos plus 20 minutes of unreleased music by Delivery, just as it was about to become Hatfield & The North. Those treasured minutes feature bassists Richard Sinclair & Roy Babbington, the late drummer Pip Pyle, supplementing Miller and Coxhill. A must for Canterbury fans!
• Shortwave! A Canterburian reissue.
  This album was previously released on the Gemini label and is now reissued by Voiceprint (VP 347) under the name of its drummer, the great Pip Pyle. The other mates were, let’s say it again, Phil Miller (Hatfield, Matching Mole), Didier Malherbe (Gong) and the ex Soft Machine’s bassist, the wonderfuzzy Hugh Hopper.


• Dave Sinclair: Full Circle / Into The Sun. During the sessions for "Full Circle" (featuring Richard Sinclair, Jim Leverton, Doug Boyle and Theo Travis amongst others), so much material was recorded that a decision was made to issue a further album, "Into the Sun". Available through Burning Shed.
• Music By Mail is now able to provide you with most CDs of Richard Sinclair. This includes his newest "What In the World" but also: Live Tracks / RSVP / Caravan of Dreams / Evening of Magic (double CD) / Somewhere in France.
• Soft Machine: Drop. Moonjune MJR 023. Leonardo has done it again! This time presenting an often overlooked phase in the long and complex history of Soft Machine, the quartet with the Australian drummer Phil Howard! He only assumed a five-month interim behind the drum stool between Robert Wyatt's departure and his eventual long-term replacement John Marshall. Until today only documented on half of the studio album "Fifth" (1972) and a couple of BBC radio sessions, Phil's buoyant and rather free drumming in a live environment is now perfectly highlighted by this release, also showing how he pushed the band - together with saxophonist Elton Dean into unchartered areas of electric madness, which certainly changed many things, from the way of composing to prospective thoughts of possible futures! This CD documents the German leg of the tour and, as veteran music journalist Steve Lake notes in his detailed liner notes, is a revelation - a glimpse of a highly exciting alternative route Soft Machine decided not to explore further.
• Soft Machine Legacy: Steam. The group’s new studio release combines collective freely improvised jams with new writing from Hopper, Etheridge and Travis. Gone are the keyboards that so defined 1970s Soft Machine. In their place are modernistic sampling/looping and sonic processing, creating expansive soundscapes not possible during Soft Machine’s heyday. Between John Etheridge’s broad sonics, Hugh Hopper's legendary bass loops and "fuzztonics" and Theo Travis’ system of ambitronics - allowing him to sample his saxophones and flutes in real time and naturally layer unpredictable harmonies - Soft Machine (Legacy) often sounds larger than a quartet. Powerful rock rhythms, funky jazz-rock grooves and abstract interaction are interspersed with muscular soloing and dense textures.
• Soft Heap: Al Dente. Al Dente is a Mid-Fidelity concert recording of one of only two public appearances given by the original line-up of Soft Heap (Hopper/Dean/Gowen/Pyle). Recorded on a consumer reel-to-reel machine, November 22nd, 1978 concert at London's Phoenix Club, and featuring a hitherto unreleased composition from the pen of Alan Gowen titled "Sleeping House". Release planned for Spring 2008
• Soft Machine still going strong!
  
  + Soft Machine: Alive in Paris 1970. Voiceprint VPDVD45. This Soft Machine DVD features a live performance captured by French Television on March 2nd, 1970. The concert was filmed at the Théâtre de la Musique in Paris, France and features the classic quartet line-up + saxophonist Lynn Dobson. At last a visual testimony of this cult band live which is long enough to set you in the right mood and give you the feeling of having been there! Absolutely recommended for Canterbury interested people and fans of the band! Lovingly restored from the original master, remastered sound track, 8 page booklet and extensive liner notes by Canterbury expert Aymeric Leroy. Street date: 05/05/08
  + Soft Machine: Middle Earth Masters. Cuneiform RUN 235. This is the remasterized, cleaned up presentation of one of their oldest recordings from before the first album. The original trio of Ayers/Ratledge/Wyatt was recorded in 1967 at the Middle Earth Club of the swinging London. And live .... they were a smokin' trio whose high energy can be rediscovered in this release. Even though everything has been carefully taken care of, the mix still reveals problems with the vocals or instrument levelling. Thus maybe only for the fans, collectors and completists!
  + Soft Machine Legacy: The Paris Concert (INAK6458). DVD. Unfortunately the last testimony of Elton Dean's fabulous playing, both on alt sax and Fender Rhodes. The concert was recorded at the French cult jazz club "New Morning" in december 2005. Elton passed away in February 2006. Great energy and a not to be mistaken pleasure in playing can be perceived throughout, guitarist John Etheridge in great form and always whipping with a brilliant guitar playing, followed enthusiastically by the strong veteran rhythm section of Hugh Hopper & John Marshall. An historical document not to miss!
  
  + Soft Machine Legacy!
  After Softworks comes now a new collaboration where guitarist John Etheridge replaces Alan Holdsworth, the rest of the band still being unchanged: Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall. The band has started its career with an extensive European tour in 2005. Available for now is a limited edition live CD from May 10, 2005 at De Kade, Zaandam, Holland.
  
  + Soft Machine Out-bloody-rageous: this is the title of a splendid book written by Graham Bennett, the definitive story of Soft Machine with forewords by Daevid Allen, Hugh Hopper and John Etheridge. It is illustrated with over eighty photographs, posters and clippings and includes a full Soft Machine family tree, concert file, discography and sessionography. Strong recommended!
  
  + Cuneiform Records has now (June 06) released the CD + DVD titled "Grides". The CD portion is from a show from fall, 1970 while the DVD is their performance on the German Beat-Club TV program, recorded March, 1971. Additionally, there is an extra 8 minutes of footage of the band performing "Virtually" that was filmed but never broadcast and which no one has ever seen. Both sound and image quality are amazing!
  
  + Moonjune Records will that same year present 2 releases: Soft Machine "Floating World Live", the Radio Bremen broadcast from a live concert on January 29, 1975 and featuring the breathtaking performances of the guitar-equilibrist Allan Holdsworth. This record can be ordered now and is available, distributed by Musea (FGBG 4651).
  
  The second release is an upcoming brand new studio album of the latest Softies, The Soft Machine Legacy with John Etheridge, Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper and John Marshall. In addition, another archival Soft Machine album will be released in 2006, and they also have plans for a Soft Machine "Legacy" DVD (maybe two!) and another live album of the current band with completely different material, taken straight from the road!


• Soft Machine: Breda Reactor 1971. Voiceprint VP 345. 2CD. The recording captured on this album comes from a very important and yet brief time in the history of the band. The recording features the short-lived quintet line up of Soft Machine, which consisted of Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge, Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean and Lyn Dobson. The concert took place at the 'Het Turfschip venue in the town of Breda in the Netherlands.
  (NB! the year indicated in the title IS wrong and must be corrected to 1970).


• Soft Machine BBC Radio 1971-1974. The second part of the Soft Machine BBC sessions (after Wyatt) has just been released by Hux Records. Most of the material has never been released before and the final 3 tracks on CD2 cover the interesting period around 1974 with guitar virtuoso Allan Holdsworth. Strongly recommended to collectors and Softsheads!
• Soft Machine BBC Sessions 1967 -1971. Long time OOP, those fabulous sessions are now rereleased on the HUX label. The present is a 2CD and includes all BBC sessions with Robert Wyatt in the group. The 1967 sessions are available from the first time directly from the masters.
• Cuneiform releases:
  - rerelease of Soft Machine Live In Paris (Olympia 1972)
  - University Of Errors: Jet Propelled Photographs. Daevid Allen revisiting his Soft Machine roots!
• Soft Machine "Live At The Paradiso" (1969) has been released by the italian label Turning Point as a 180g vinyl and a round cover (TMP02212).


• Uriel - Arzachel: Collector's Edition. Burning Shed. Completing the Canterbury batch of surprises for the late 2007, comes this CD, a re-mastered version of the legendary 1969 psychedelic album recorded under a pseudonym by Uriel, featuring the amazing 17-year old Steve Hillage on guitar throughout. The CD also contains four unreleased, ultra-rare Uriel studio demos, a spoken-word message from the past and a live snippet recorded in 1968. Steve Hillage plays on two of these bonus tracks. 61 minutes of mind-expanding music and the occasional freak-out in a full-colour Digipak with its own 20-page booklet. As in The Metronomical Society, the story of Uriel (told in the band's own words) is illustrated by a unique set of photos taken in the late '60s.
• Elton Dean & The Wrong Object: The Unbelievable Truth. Moonjune Records 2007. Saxophone legend Elton Dean shines on one of his final recordings with powerhouse Belgian improv group the Wrong Object. Recorded live less than four months before his untimely passing, "The Unbelievable Truth" demonstrates the remarkable breadth of the late British saxophonist’s reach. With Dean originals ranging from the 7/4 jam Seven for Lee to the tender ballad Baker’s Treat , the record also highlights The Wrong Object’s equally diverse writing and freewheeling improvisational ability. From quirky Zappa-esque complexity to ominous material reminiscent of Dean’s 1970s tenure with Soft Machine
• Robert Wyatt!. Nothing less than 2 new releases by the brilliant ex Soft Machine drummer, composer and singer Robert Wyatt.
  + on Cuneiform Records comes the CD "Solar Flares Burn For You", a collection of diverse material such his 2 BBC sessions for Top Gear in 72 and 74, the soundtrack of an experimental film from 73 and newer works with colleague Hugh Hopper as well as a demo tune which didn't end in ..
  + Cuckooland, his new studio record following "Shleep" from 1997. To be discovered!


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RIO

• Gilbert, Abel / Factor Burzaco: Factor Burzaco (2007) - Argentina - {Prog Rock / Contemporary Music / R.I.O.}. Born in 1960, the Argentinean composer and musician Abel Gilbert delivers here his debut album, a very promising one. The stylistic references are many, from Henry Cow or Egberto Gismonti to modern classical composers like Berio, Ligeti, Morton Feldman. The female vocalist and her at times dissonant voice could bring to mind groups like Thinking Plague as well. The rock combo with guitars, piano, bass and drums has allied forces with a chamber orchestra directed by composer Marcelo Delgado. A man and a band to follow!
• Art Bears: The Art Box. On Recommended Records. This superb boxset contains all 3 official albums (remastered by Bob Drake) + 2 CDs of Art Bears revisited by others + a live recording and a mini CD of their singles. Limited edition ….. hurry up!
• Music By Mail is now distributing the records of the Swiss band L'Ensemble Rayé and his founder, multi-instrumentalist Cédric Vuille. There are quite a few to pick so mail us if you want details about a specific title!
• Fastilio: S/T. ERH 003. A 6 members italian woman-band playing a very good music with a strong RIO touch (slight reminiscences of Picchio dal Pozzo or Samla Mammas Manna).On the Erosha label.
• Ferdinand et Les Diplomates: E-Pop. Outone Disc KBS-DDCO-1008. This is the same Ferdinand known in RIO circles, who had a record with Fred Frith in the 80's called "En Avant!" and whose bass player was member of the cult RIO band Etron Fou Leloublan. French avant garde or abstract hip-hop, this CD has been written and composed between 1998 and 2001. It is the trio of Ferdinand Richard, still playing a 1961 Fender-6 bass guitar and singing, drummer Gilles Campaux and DJ Rebel. It is evolving from a previous project called "Ferdinand et les Philosophes". If the main part is built on studio recordings, there is also some improvised music recorded live in Japan in 99 and an active mix of several improvisations recorded in 1998 in Slovenia and Serbia. Not for the fainted heart but a very charming album in its way!
• Flying Food Circus: S/T. Don't miss this solo project by Samla Mammas Manna's drummer Hasse Bruniusson. And with the help of Roine Stolt plus one half of the Mats & Morgan duo (Mats Öberg), you can't really go wrong! This record is from 2002 but was quickly out of reach. So here's another chance. Get it now!
• Hodgkinson / Gilonis: Woof 7 Inches. The label Woof was created by Henry Cow's member Tim Hodgkinson and Bill Gilonis. This fantastic compilation gathers all the singles they released between 1980 and 1984 in their respective groups and projects, plus a few unreleased. Noteworthy is the inclusion of the mythical "I Hate America" by The Work.
• Catherine Jauniaux: Fluvial. AD 02. Reissue of her first album from 83, co-produced with Tim Hodgkinson
• Mass Culture Control Bureau...: ...things From The Past. AD 01. In one CD, all the recordings + a few unissued tracks from the Anglo-Dutch label MCCB, who between 78 and 82 released the projects of saxophonist Geoff Leigh (Henry Cow). This includes The Black Sheep, Kontakt Mikrofoon Orchestra, Geoff Leigh, Red Balune, Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, Tim Hodgkinson, etc...
• Miriodor: Parade. Cuneiform RUN 208-209. This 2CD by the Canadian outfit present for their 6th effort a new studio album and a live recording from Nearfest 2002. Miriodor have been making adventurous, memorable and truly entertaining instrumental rock music for 25 years, performing on guitars, keyboards, violin, saxophones, bass and drums.
• Picchio Dal Pozzo: Picnic@Valdapozzo (AUD01704). This recording is much more experimental than the others previously recorded. They even used the voice of the great Demetrio Stratos, recorded and pasted in a collage of avantgardistic thoughts.Released by the label Auditorium
• Present: A Great Inhumane Adventure. Cuneiform RUN 207. Live and hot recording from a US concert in 98. The drums chair is assaulted by Dave Kerman
• Slapp Happy: Acnalbasac Noom. Recommended RER 3157. Album of demos recorded in the legendary Wumme studios owned by Faust musicians. On this reissue (remastered) there are unissued takes as well, which were not part of the original album, songs like Charlie & Charlie, Karen, Blue Eyed William, Everybody's Slimmin' and the very faustian Messages.
• Stormy Six: Un Biglietto del Tram (VM 096). This historical album by Stormy Six is finally available again on CD! Stormy Six best selling album was first released in 1975.
• Slapp Happy & Henry Cow: Desperate Straights is now available on Recommended in a remastered edition
• Tornando: Menù. Erosha ERH 005. Strong ironic touch in the music and the texts, sophisticated music reminding of Stormy Six or Picchio Dal Pozzo ….. a really good record for people who like the Canterbury/R.I.O.-style !
• Laboratorio di Musica E Immagine: a propos de... Erosha ERH 001. An italian answer to Henry Cow, Slapp Happy or 5uu's! Another release - Timetables (ERH 004) - features the experimental violinist Jon Rose.
• Univers Zéro: Live (2006 cuneiform RUN 220). Partly recorded at the Tritonales festival in Paris last year, this is their 10th album and the first live release since "Crawling Winds" in 1983. The Belgian sextet led by drummer Daniel Denis is in full form as this exceptionally well recorded CD will certainly not fail to prove ...
• New recording by the Belgian Univers Zéro entitled ”Implosion”. On Cuneiform.
• Zou: Bouzillator. Bouzillator" (1996) is a constant research of new musical ways sometime close to progressive music mixed with canterbury and R.I.O influences
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KRAUT & SPACE ROCK

• Amon Düül II. Carnaval In Babylon* / Lemmingmania* / Live In Tokyo / Phallus Dei* / Tanz Der Lemminge / Utopia* / Vive La Trance* / Yeti / Wolf City* are now available on remixed & remastered versions. Titles marked with * include bonus tracks.
• The Crack In The Cosmic Egg. After the success of the book written by the Freeman brothers, here's a vastly updated version formatted as CD-ROM, that will make you the ultimative expert of Kraut Rock. Thousand of pics and infos, loads of appendices, lots of extra features, sections on Austria, Switzerland and the ex DDR. All this and much more yet at the click of a mouse!
• Emtidi: Saat. Lion Productions (LION 627). Reissue on a US label of this classic kraut rock album, originally released in 1972 on the German label Pilz. Saat is an elevated cosmic folk brew of a refined and most magical kind; a richly textured sound thick with treated guitars, phased keyboards and trippy electronics, rendering a cosmic atmosphere similar to vintage Klaus Schulze or Ash Ra Tempel, and creating an album which has been called one of the most beautiful cosmic treks of all time. The Lion Productions edition comes with a 16-page booklet which contains band info, a history of Rolf Ulrich Kaiser and his OHR/Pilz/Kosmischen Kuriere Records empire, and a Pilz label discography.
• Released on the German label Garden Of Delights:
  + CD099 AMON DUUL II: Made In Germany 1975. Underrated sort of rock opera originally released as a double LP.
  + CD092 EMBRYO: Father Son And Holy Ghosts 1972. It includes one 20 minutes long bonus track.
  + CD088 AGITATION FREE: Fragments 1974. It includes one bonus track.
• Hawkwind: Hawkfest 2002. Release date: 27/10/03. This double CD was recorded at the first Hawkfest in 2002; as well as featuring an all star line up of Hawkwind (with many past members) it also includes many of the bands satellite bands, some even dating back to Dave Brocks busker roots.


• Simon House: Yassasim. Reissue and remastering of the debut album from 1994 by the violinist who was member of space rock group Hawkwind from 74 to 78 and moved thereafter to work with pop-rock icon David Bowie.


• V/A: Krautrock Meeting 2005. 2DVD. with the following bands: Guru Guru, Karthago, Peter Pankas Jane, Epitaph, Amon Düül II and Birth Control.
• M.A.R.S.: Tales Of A Reluctant Astronaut (DIY). A fine debut album from USA with spaced and krautrockish sounds. Ash Ra Temple meets NEU and Quarkspace. Especially tracks like The invisibles" and "Authorization code" is really nice tracks. File under Space Rock !
• Organisation: Tone Float. Organisation is nothing less than the band formed in 1969 which would become world famous under the name Kraftwerk. This CD presents the first musical attempts of the founding members, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider-Esleben and the sound which became the root of Kraftwerk's unique style. Butch Hauf, Fred Monicks and Basil Hammond are the other members completing Organisation.
• Radio Massacre International: Emissaries. Cuneiform RUN 211-212. This British trio formed in 1993 is considered by many as one of the leading forces in the return of 70's cosmic music, Berlin style. Moogs, mellotrons, sequencers and echo chambers are to be found here of course in a 2CD combining a live concert from 2004 in Philadelphia and a studio album with a comics in pdf format, which you can read on your PC.
• Klaus Schulze: Cyborg. Rereleased now as a 2CD on the Spalax label!
• Klaus Schulze remastered releases! Deluxe package, booklets including new photos and liner notes, biography, bonus tracks.
  - Mirage. 1 long (19:39 mn) bonus track: In Cosa Crede Chi Non Crede
  - X (2CD). Bonus track (21:32 mn): Objet d’Louis
  - Dreams. Bonus track (23 :52 mn) : Andromeda Constellation
  - Le Moulin De Daudet: Bonus track (15 :58 mn) : The Ion Perspective


• Tangerine Dream: L’Inferno: 1911. Label: Eye 4 Films. DVD (73mn). NTSC Region 0. L'Inferno (1911), a silent movie and the first Italian feature film ever made, is a fantastical journey into the imagination of Dante as we travel through hell encountering angels, demons and Lucifer himself. Release Date: 17/05/04
  
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THE PROGRESSIVE CLASSICAL CHAMBER MUSIC STYLE

• New record by the Italian chamber group Gatto Marte: Marachelle. BA 078 CD. Marachelle is the 5th album by Gatto Marte.
• Acoustic Asturias: Bird Eyes View. March 2005. FGBG 4583. Asturias is a band from the first generation of the Japanese Progressive rock scene. Published as a joint-venture between the Poseidon and Musea labels, "Bird Eyes View" (2004) offers five acoustic pieces with an original line-up : piano, guitar, glockenspiel, violin, clarinet, and female voice on one track. Here's an exquisite music, delicate and refined, with joyful and sensible atmospheres. The musicians are virtuosos, and this subtle chamber music sometimes recall Debussy's or Satie’s most melodious pieces, with also a more modern approach on rythms. Not to be missed !
• Cro Magnon. They're back! The "Brosella Suite" is their new album on Lowlands. Fresh, still chamber music but with a richer instrumentation and stylistic approach. The music was written to be performed with a theater troup (BUB)
• Donella Del Monaco is the well known voice of the extravagant group Opus Avantra. On top of a new release with the group - Venetia Et Anima - (unfortunately without Alfredo Tisocco), the whole body of her work is now available, from Venetian songs to reinterpretations of Satie, Schoenberg or Berio's repertory. Another glamorous and splendid release is the 4CD boxset of the italian group Opus Avantra led by Alfred Tisocco. The boxset features a live record with Opus Avantra, the rerelease of their late "Lyrics" album and the two remaining CDs deal with Tisocco's more recent solo carreer. Recommended for those who like progressive music with classical elements (even opera at the time of the fantastic female singer Donella Di Monaco) going from chamber to orchestral. From Akarma.
• Far Corner: S/T. Cuneiform (RUN 194). An exciting debut release by a chamber rock quartet from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Far Corner play carefully honed compositions, composed in a style that reflects influences from 20th century composers, such as Stravinsky and Bartok combined with classical/chamber rock greats like Univers Zero , early ELP, the Belgian group Present and more, combined in their own fashion. In addition to their compositions, Far Corner also perform purely improvised music.
• New release on Carbon 7!
  10 years after Louise Avenue's "Let's Take One More", cellist and composer Jan Kuijken is back with a new production and album: Vertigo. Basically the result of many years work done for several theatre and dance pieces, the music has been rethought and adapted to specific instruments and musicians, between free and fixed structures, but generally built more around a way of playing it rather than academic rules.
• Vlasnaald / Nicolas Roseeuw / Argo Ensemble. Erosha ERH 009. Instrumental and classical work with lots of cello, great piano parts,violin... and sophisticated compositions. In the vein of Gatto Marte.
• Maelzel Metronome: S/T. ERH 002. This Italian quartet presents an instrumental music with lots of cello sometime close to After Crying, sophisticated drums parts and, really, complex music reminding of the best Miriodor / Muffins works...
• Rick Wakeman: The Real Lisztomania. Back in 1975 Rick was asked to oversee and compose a lot of the music for the film „Lisztomania" which was directed by Ken Russel. Rick was also given a part in the film in which he played the god Thor. The label released the music material in another form as Wakeman wanted. So, after 27 years, when the master tapes have been finally found, Wakeman decided to release it again, in a remastered form, with many other tracks, which could not be released in 1975.
• Julverne: Emballade. Now released as a LP mini sleeve digipack CD on the label Pleasantville.


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MUSIC INFLUENCED BY FRANK ZAPPA

• Paolo Angeli: Nita, L'angelo Sul Trapezio. Recommended RER 2082. This new opus gathers 30 of the best musicians from Bologna. The huge mix of sounds, styles and ideas will remind us of Zappa in the "Uncle Meat" period. A luxurious colour booklet (28p.) follows and abound in photos, texts, comments about this ambitious project.
• Vladimir Bozar 'N' Ze Sheraf Orkestär: Universal Sprache. Imago VB 001. March 09. This French collective from Nice are heavily influenced by Zappa and deliver an evil patchwork of sounds and sequences based on prog-rock, gipsy music, black metal or jungle samples; destabilising at first but quickly addictive after the first listening!
• Ossi Duri: Scadenza Perfetta (2009) - LZRM 0030D. This new instrumental Cd features, among many musicians, the contrabass player Furio Di Castri, a well known jazzman. With this work Ossi Duri set themselves on a musical side which goes against every commercial logic; they are still inspired by their mentor Frank Zappa, but yet give fresh air to his music and take an original approach.
• Ossi Duri: La IV (VDUVDTU21218). 2009. DVD coming from the (ex)young Zappa disciples, featuring David Surkamp (from Pavlov's Dog fame).
• Ossi Duri: L'Ultimo Dei Nostri Cani (Electromantic FRFRFRZ 87453). 3rd album, sophisticated, complex and original music inspired by Frank Zappa.
• Ossi Duri: Gnam Gnam. 2nd album by this Italian band playing Zappa's tunes, this time helped by another Italian musician, Elio. Very professional recording with high sound quality, mixed and mastered at the Electromantic studios in Turin with a strong help by Beppe Crovella from Arti & Mestieri.
• The Purple Cucumber: A Tribute To Frank Zappa.
  The Purple Cucumber was a Frank Zappa tribute with music by Peter Vermeersch, Claude Coppens, George De Decker, Frederik Dí Haene and Peter Swinnen. It was performed on 30th April 1995 in de Singel, Antwerp, by the BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mark Foster. The concert was recorded by Radio 1 producer Zjakki Willems, but legal problems have so far delayed its commercial release. The concert was broadcast live on the radio, and was of course taped by fans, so copies have been available in the tape trading circuit. The cd now available on the label Auditorium is a real must for all Zappa’s fans.
• Ossi Duri: X. A unique tribute to Frank Zappa, X years later, with the participation of former Zappa member Napoleon ”Brock” Murphy but also Ike Willis & Mike Keneally
• Glauco Venier: Glauco Venier Suona Frank Zappa. Music Center BA204CD. 2009. Recorded in July 2005, this album is a great tribute to the music of Frank Zappa. Venier is the arranger and plays piano and el piano, leading a tentet that has no problems at all to give an appropriate and expert new life to classic tunes like King Kong, The Grand Wazoo, Zoot Allures and more yet.


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NEWS FROM THE ITALIAN PROGRESSIVE FRONT

• VIII Strada: La Leggenda Della Grande Porta. Ma.Ra.Cash MRC 016. 2008. A new musical workshop where harmony, sounds and words are forged together to create songs whose essential aim is to transmit a state of mind and share emotions with the listener. An unmistakable symphonic-classical influence mixed with the raw energy of rock defines the VIII Strada sound, enriched by diverse contaminations from various worlds, cultures, times and ages. If you like Banco, Le Orme, Locanda Delle Fate but also have feelings for Maschera di Cera, Ubi Maior, Deus Ex Machina... this album will certainly please you!
• Abiogenesi: Io Sono Il Vampiro (Black Widow BWR 088). 4th album by Tony D’Urso, this album is the soundtrack of the Italian horror movie “I Am A Vampire” in the usual dark prog style but also exploring a more psychedelic touch with the addition of great cover versions of Never Let go (Camel), Lady in Black (Uriah Heep) and Mary Clark (Black Widow) and with the help of Marco Cimino (mellotron) and Gigi Venegoni (Guitars) from the Italian band Arti E Mestieri... Beautiful artwork made by Anna Ferrari on the gatefold cover.
• Accordo Dei Contrari : Kinesis (ALT 003). Group formed in 2001 in Bologna. After some changes in the band, now they’re an instrumental quartet, and Kinesis is their first album. Recorded in two days live in studio in June 2006, Kinesis shows the main influences of the group, ranging from Seventies’ rock and jazz-rock to contemporary jazz and, least but not last, classic music of 20th century (in particular Igor Stravinskij and Olivier Messiaen). Their music is powerful and definitely rock, but subtle and rich of nuances, «like calculating the lightness of an imperceptible feather or measuring the perfection of a sphere».
• New Genesis tribute: The Cryme Of Selling Lambs by After Genesis. Genesis' music revisited in a classical style with a lot of piano and cello. It is a private pressing but a really professional release, excellent sound quality and, also, a really nice Genesis-style cover.
• Agora ..... at last! The italian guys behind the label BTF have finally taken the brilliant initiative of releasing for the first time on CD the two albums of this jazz-rock group who started in 1975 with an unforgettable performance at Montreux festival. Agora were moving in the same style as Perigeo and are really recommended to collectors or fans of that music genre.
• Ainur: Lay of Leithian (ART 2CD). At present, Ainur rank among the most important authors of Tolkien-inspired musical productions, as their CDs are aimed at transposing J. R. R. Tolkien's work, The Silmarillion, into music. After their first two works, "From Ancient Times" (2006) and "Children of Hùrin" (2007), both produced by Beppe Crovella and Electromantic Music, here comes "Lay of Leithian". The CD will be wholly devoted to one of Tolkien's greatest epics, written entirely in verse form and unfortunately never completed: The tale of Beren and Luthien. Several composers have been at work and adopted a quasi orchestral approach, juxtaposing classical instrument and modern electrical instruments, touching on various genres and different musical sonorities in order to re-create the whole mythology and cosmogony of J. R. R. Tolkien. In short, a huge conceptual work!
• Ainur: Children of Hurin. Electromantic ART 222. New release for this Italian band focusing on Tolkien's works. This CD is a fantastic opportunity to fall into Tolkien's universe with a progressive rock mixed with some classical music and some hard rock sketches. Also available in a CD+DVD edition.
• Airportsman: Letters. Lizard (LZ CD055). 2008. 3rd album by this band originating from the Piemonte area in the North-West of Italy: new soaring atmospheres, letters maybe stopped or never sent. Letters which pile up each over as wandering thoughts, curious and restless. Floating sounds close to Godspeed You Black Emperor, a touch of kraut-rock and dreaming post-rock, but once again.... more soul than post-rock.
• Ainur: From ancient times. 2007 (ART 420 CD). Inspired by "The Silmarillion" by JRR Tolkien. Ainur is a very special progressive project with lots of guests playing cello, violin, viola, horns, harp, flute as well as moog, hammond, piano and guitars, with a fantastic female voice!
• Alphataurus: S/T. AMSLP09. Exact replica of the triple gatefold original cover, with labels replicas and yellow vinyl. Alphataurus were one of the many unknown Italian bands who suddenly had a recording deal - with the newly born Magma label - made an album and disappeared into oblivion.
• Alphaterra: Planet In A Day. Ma.Ra.Cash MRC 011. This collaboration between guitarist Giorgio Gabriel and keyboardist Giovanni Viaggi presents us with a concentrate of prog with hints to celtic folk but not ignoring a certain jazz-rock feel, where some rarefied and introspective tracks take us back to a certain relaxed fusion style much appreciated by fans of Pat Metheny; to sum it up, a versatile quality recording, for all sorts of listeners!
• Anatrofobia: Tesa Musicale Marginale. A new band with an experimental edge. Andrea Biondello: drums and percussions / Alessandro Cartolari: sax, vocals, synthesizer, sampler, electronics / Luca Cartolari: electric bass / Alessio Pisani: bassoon / Roberto Sassi: electric guitar.
• Antonius Rex: Per Viam (2009). Black Widow BWR126CD/LP. The album releases a series of no rational blue-black visions, sometimes heavenly, sometimes terrifying, making each vision available to the listener for reaching the subliminal fusion. The mortals, listening to the album, get a praeternatural power and become able to live free, away from stupid, demented and alienating problems of the daily life.The guitarist Antonio Bartoccetti, as for the previous album, first wrote the video screenplay for each track, then composed the audio tracks and recorded all the album: all the work lasted 14 months. PER VIAM .... the most exceptional, fantastic, hyperbolic, mystic, progressive, dreaming, visionary, charming and terrifying Antonius Rex new album, including a CD-ROM video as extra track
• Antonius Rex: Switch On Dark (2006). Black Widow BWR099. The brand new Antonius Rex CD is now out on the BWR indie label; it presents an esoteric vision of a haunted castle lived in by witches, demons, wizards, ogres, gnomes, fairies... "Switch on dark" is obscure, dark and mystic, fascinating, sinister and occult. Still with the beautiful Doris Norton on keys: Yamaha, Moog, Mac G5 Quad Computer, Digital orchestra (EastWest).
• Antonius Rex: 2001 Anno Demoni. The repress of the Anno Demoni LP with a bonus 7" and three extra tracks + renewed artwork makes this a collector's object.
• Aphelion: Franticode. Lizard LZ0054CD. 2008. Aphelion is an all instrumental project formed in 2004 and featuring a mixture of tech-prog and fusion/jazz styles. Aphelion’s main goal is to reach a unique signature and groovy sound encompassing progressive, rock/fusion, technical metal, jazz ,experimental sides. It is the result of a hard work of structural, harmonic, rhythmic, melodic research, and of a huge arrangement effort. The dense texture between the instruments gives the opportunity to create new solutions, new proposals.
• Apostholi: Un'isola Senza Sole. MPRCD051 . Originally released in 1983, as a private pressing of 500 copies, it is surely one of the rarest italian progressive rock LP. After their first work "Ho smesso di vivere" (1979), the Apostholi made a much more elegant album, with better arrangements and closer to the progressive tradition, reminding Orme, Delirium And Locanda Delle Fate (in fact in this album there is the first appearance of the flute). Of course they still have some pop influences, but the music is much more elaborated.
• AREA!: Area International Popular Group. This special release includes a 96s. book + a CD of music dedicated to this legendary band. Written in English + Italian by Claudio Chianura and Patrizio Fariselli, keyboard player of Area and composer of most of their music. Housed in a special CD size Box. Fariselli goes through the carreer of the band, their albums, their concerts, their friendship and their unforgettable artistic experience. He has selected himself the tracks contained in this CD.
• Area Live 77'!
  Some censorship here! We previously pasted the following text, which was the press release from Akarma. At that time we hadn't received the CD. We leave the text now between brackets but we owe to tell you that the sound quality is far from *high quality* as Akarma proclaims ---> (Thanks to our hard working treasure hunters, Akarma has dug up this long lost high quality recording of Area performing live in Turin in 1977 and presented now as a 2CD (AK 1042/2)! This historic concert by one of the most internationally acclaimed Italian rock bands in history is only available from Akarma. Featuring the classic "La Mela di Odessa", "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre, Nero" and "Cometa Rossa" plus songs from their experimental Maledetti album, also released in 1977. The concert ends with a long and inspired improvised number.)
• AREA 2. After the death of their singer Demetrio Stratos, the famous italian band disappeared from the scene but their drummer Giulio Capiozzo reformed a more jazz-rock orientated version of the group in the 80's under the name Area II. The two albums, a self titled "Area II" and "City Sound" are now reissued and available again!
• Arti E Mestieri: Il Grande Belzoni (AEM 3391). 2009. Mini CD 4 tracks. This is something belonging to a far greater project; within this year Arti & Mestieri will release a full length CD containing 13 other songs about the entire life of Giovanni Belzoni, an Italian adventurer and a pioneer in Egyptology. For the first time, Arti & Mestieri craft just songs, not instrumental movements. They now aim at spreading Arti's music outside the progressive world.
• Arti E Mestieri: 33. Electromantic. What a story, what a package! Everything focuses on the figure 33! The box is titled "33", housed in a LP-sized deluxe package, the title being both a reference to their 33th anniversary and an homage to the LP (33½). This limited edition and numbered package will also contain a book, a photo of the current band, a bonus card which will allow each buyer to get exclusive "personalized" free audio material to pick on the net. The first DVD - named Il GUARDarti - will include 2 hours of video, dealt in 33 clips, mixing professional and "amateur" shots, live and studio ones, portraiting the most vital and expressive side of the band throughout the years, with added backstage and moments on the road, without forgetting some moments of pure humour. The second DVD - IL GUARDAmestieri - has a similar approach and, as the first one, is a full length DVD with 33 sections! There is also a CD - IL RECORDarti - a full length CD made of 33 never released before "audio episodes", taken from their long musical life and mixing studio, live parts; the listener is guided in this promenade by 33 new themes played by the current band. The result is a unique long composition/suite, which is totally original in the way it has been conceived and in its unusual "united fragmentation" structure. It is like a movie made of bidimensional musical images, Arti & Mestieri's story on one side and a new Arti's path on the other, giving life to a an intemporal and unusual long journey! The package will be available in 4 different formats: DVD PAL / Book in Italian // DVD NTSC / Book in English // DVD PAL / Book in English // DVD NTSC / Book in Italian // DVD NTSC / Book in japanese. As to end of March 2008, only the PAL versions are avilable for sale. Get it and enjoy!


• Arti & Mestieri: First Live in Japan. the Arti & Mestieri live performance of 2005, their first time in Japan, is now available on CD !!! This great live album is divided in three suites, the first one is dedicated to "Tilt", the second one to "Giro di Valzer per Domani", the third one to their most recent tracks. Arti & Mestieri is captured here in top shape during their japanese shows at Club Città in Tokyo: the band is still formed by seven musicians, as it was in the Seventies. The second part of this concert will be released in a special Arti & Mestieri deluxe box that will also feature 2 DVD and more rarities !!! The box is titled "33", housed in a LP-sized deluxe package and will be available soon! The title "33" is both a reference to their 33th anniversary and an homage to the LP (33½). This limited edition and numbered package will also contain a book, a photo of the actual band, a bonus card which will allow each buyer to get exclusive "personalized" free audio material. The first DVD - named Il GUARDarti - will include 2 hours of video, dealt in 33 clips, mixing professional and "amateur" shots, live and studio ones, portraiting the most vital and expressive side of the band throughout the years, with added backstage and moments on the road, without forgetting some moments of pure humour. The second DVD - IL GUARDAmestieri - has a similar approach and, as the first one, is a full length DVD with 33 sections! There is also a CD - IL RECORDarti - a full length CD made of 33 never released before "audio episodes", taken from their long musical life and mixing studio, live parts; the listener is guided in this promenade by 33 new themes played by the current band. The result is a unique long composition/suite, which is totally original in the way it has been conceived and in its unusual "united fragmentation" structure. It is like a movie made of bidimensional musical images, Arti & Mestieri's story on one side and a new Arti's path on the other, giving life to a an intemporal and unusual long journey!
• Arti & Mestieri: Estrazioni. AEM 95251. The long awaited new CD by Arti e Mestieri is finally available! Eleven new songs by Beppe Crovella, Furio Chirico and Gigi Venegoni. With "Flautofonia" written by Demetrio Stratos (Area).
• Arti & Mestieri. Both "Acquarius" (TJRS 1961) from 1983 and "Children Blues" (TJRS 1962) are now reissued.
• Arti & Mestieri: Prog Day. Released both in a regular and a limited edition including a nice tee-shirt. The CD is rather a mini CD with 4 tracks for just 30mn of music.
• Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso: S/T. Sony (88697545051). June 09. Limited LP edition. The first album, simply called Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, housed in a large money box shaped cover, is still one of the most representative examples of the Italian prog, with classical influences based on the twin keyboards interplay and the original operatic voice of Francesco Di Giacomo.
• Banco: Live 1980. AMS 102 DVD (available in Pal or Ntsc edition). It is a unique concert movie, professionally filmed in 1980 by director Luigi Faccini, now finally restored and released on DVD in a special ltd. edition box with an extensive booklet. This is one of the best live performances of Banco ever, featuring over 60 minutes of the band at its best, performing some of their greatest classics. Add to this a a 45 minutes interview with Vittorio Nocenzi titled "La verità darwiniana del rock". Area code 0 (all zones).
• Banco: Collezione Italiana. This is a greatest hits double CD shaped as a book. Released by EMI and with all tracks digitally remastered (catalog 0946 3647952). A nice collector item!
• Banco Live 1975!. Recently rediscovered and remastered recording taken from a 1975 concert at Teatro Verdi in Salerno. WOOOW!
• Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso: No Palco (SAS 5135072)
  No doubt this is one of the GREATEST news of november month. This live recording from 2002 in Rom celebrates their 30th anniversary. For this occasion, many guests came on stage and - fixed now on laser for the eternity - you will have the great pleasure of hearing original members Pier Luigi Calderoni (drums) and Gianni Nocenzi (keys) as well as eminent guest on violin Mauro Pagani! The choice of tunes is great and even if some may ask themselves how many more variations on "Darwin" this group may present us, you'll find here nice surprises like "Canto Di Primavera", "Moby Dick", "Traccia I and II", one piece taken from Vittorio Nocenzi's recent release "Movimenti". Now, when will we get a new studio album with NEW compositions? Stay tuned and let's hope they hear the call!
• Luciano Basso: Voci. AMS04. Deluxe LP. Finally available in vinyl edition, the debut album of acclaimed keyboarder Luciano Basso, originally released in 1976. This is a highly appreciated instrumental effort, being cited by "The Billboard Guide to Progressive Music" as one of the best-ever examples of classically-influenced progressive rock. Voci is one of the few Italian records dealing with electronics, representing an interesting mix of classical-influenced progressive music and avant-garde. The record contains five long instrumental tracks, with keyboards to the fore and backing electric instruments. Among the guest musicians on this album, the Nuvole Di Paglia bass player, Mauro Periotto. A long OOP and therefore must-have for lovers of Italian prog!
• Luciano Basso. The classical album "Voci" from 76 is now reissued (AMS123CD). Voci is one of the few Italian record dealing with electronics, representing an interesting mix of classical-influenced progressive music and avant-garde. The record contains five long instrumental tracks (plus one bonus track, taken from the 1975 recording session), with keyboards to the fore and backing electric instruments. Also available as AMS 124CD is his newest album "Free Fly". 12 sparkling piano gems nicely mixed with some violin and cello interplay. Luciano Basso plays expressive and somehow "real" progressive music, mixing the Italian classical tradition with a personal, spontaneous and colourful approach. Stunning audiophile recording quality.
• Franco Battiato again making actuality with a new recording in limited edition: Il Vuoto. Release date: 05/02/07
• Franco Battiato: Pollution. Now reissued on the label Water. Battiato's wonderfully lively 1973 concept album Pollution is an audaciously psychedelic album drawn from the space rock dimension with much electronics and keyboard layers. Drawing heavily on the VCS3 synthesizer, Battiato & Co (besides himself, 3 backing band members play synth as well) give Pollution an extreme electronic edge. With comparisons to Ash Ra Tempel, Faust & Pink Floyd, Pollution was declared "genius" by Frank Zappa. Extremely influential on the '90s Chicago post-rock mafia. Original artwork. New detailed liner notes.
• Franco Battiato: Dieci stratagemmi (2004). SONY 5185652 CD. Brand new studio album by Italian master musician Franco Battiato. Including 3 multimedia video tracks for PC.
• Franco Battiato. Quite a few new releases with this renowned eclectic italian composer. Perduto Amor is the original soundtrack of his first attempt as film director. Music is of course composed by himself. Released by Sony. La Convenzione comes from another label (D'Autore) and presents us with an avantgardistic composition going back to 1972. On this record Battiato also interprets other's pieces like Osage Tribe and Juri Camisasca.
• Lucio Battisti: Amore E Non Amore. Water 171. Considered one of the greatest Italian songwriters for his ability to reach the primal core of emotional matters, Battisti is helped here by members of PFM and guitarist Alberto Radius of Formula Tre. Battisti made this much adored cult masterpiece in 1971. Imagine Brazilian psych-pop combo Os Mutantes fronted by Southern soul legend James Carr and you'll get a glimpse of this inexplicably accomplished and adventurous album.
• Bella Band: S/T (Edel 0169252CRA). Finally released! Bella Band was one of the missing pieces of Italian progressive music of the late 70's. Originally released in 1978 on the historic Cramps label, this jazz-rock album was very very hard to find, and it had not been available on CD since decades! The new reissue of this Italian classic is available, distributed by BTF in remastered digipack edition! The music is in a vein not unlike Agora
• Biglietto Per L'Inferno: Complete works. 3 CD + 1 DVD + 1 Book in a special deluxe hardcover box edition. The European edition has DVD Area 0 and PAL Standard and book with english text!. A world edition is also available with DVD Area 0 and NTSC pic format.
• Biglietto Per l'Inferno: S/T (73). Trident TRI 1005. Brand new reissue of this classic album rated among the best Italian progressive rock releases of the 70's. As usual, the papersleeve reissue CD edition includes a detailed booklet with lyrics, vintage material and special notes.
• Sandro Brugnolini: Overground. AMS 157CD. This rare album from 1970 has been finally reissued on CD by AMS, in a limited pressing of 500 copies. It is a nice instrumental record not far from the style of Blue Phantom and featured among the players future Perigeo bass player Giovanni Tommaso
• Caboto: DidYouGetVisuals? RAV 002. 2nd album by this Italian band between jazz-rock and Canterbury
• Calomito: Inaudito. MPL 002. Calomito are a six-piece Italian band who use: violin/viola, guitars, alto/soprano saxes/percussion/weird vocal efx, Fender Rhodes/synth/organ, electric bass/double bass and drums, the sound is a mix of Canterbury and RIO sound with a mediterranean influence that sometimes reminds of the fantastic Area, Gong, or Zappa … complex compositions, skilled musicians, a really good debut album !
• Campo Di Marte: S/T. AMS - Vinyl Magic AMSLP01. This is a strictly limited reissue of 500 copies in 180gr vinyl, nice carton cover and a fully exact replica of the original (except that the new catalog number is on the labels), including the rare inner sleeve. Red vinyl pressing.
• Campo Di Marte: Concerto Zero - Live 1972/2003. Double live CD in papersleeve, double booklet, live pictures and detailed notes. It includes (disc 1) a historical unreleased concert, recorded before their first studio album "Campo di Marte", remastered from a test LP on United Artists Sugar of 1972!!! The second CD is a live recording from summer 2003, with the original band line-up reunited for that special occasion!
• Castello Di Atlante: Tra Le Antiche Mura (2009) – ARTP504. This is the seventh album recorded by the band, founded in 1974. A great come back on the prog rock scene after the good acoustic CD a couple of years ago ... this time with the original line-up and a strong will of digging again into the 70's sounds!
• Finally available, the concept album produced by Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (Mangala Vallis): Canossa. This is a rock opera based on the Canossa history (on the old and famous castle in the north of Italy), offering more than 75 minutes of great music performed by seven progressive bands: Mangala Vallis, Trama Sonora, Sequencer, Arcanoise, Type, Oltremare, Master Experience. 7 long tracks, seven suggestive stories in a really nice digipack set with a complete multimedia section in 3 languages to discover this record!
• Tony Carnevale: Piano. Artonica 96 (ARTCD 1/06). This album is based on piano improvisations around pieces by Chopin but the most interesting for most of you will certainly be the duo he plays with Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso's guitarist, the great Rodolfo Maltese.
• Tony Carnevale: Live-Rock Symphonic Concert. We already had the pleasure to listen to this incredible live gig (one track on the CD La Grita Da Vida) featuring Banco's members Francesco Di Giacomo & Rodolfo Maltese as guest stars: it's a fantastic effort which is highly suggested both to Tony Carnevale fans and those who are interested in a highly energetic, keybord-driven symphonic prog.
• Castello di Atlante: Concerto Acustico. ART 417 CD. It's a live recording of Castello di Atlante in Novara, performing acoustic tracks, with violin, piano, guitar, bass and drums.
• Furio Chirico: Father To Son. Electromantic This is the second solo Cd, following "Furiosamente" by Arti & Mestieri's drummer, who tragically lost his son last year and dedicates him this record. Old and new members of Arti & Mestieri have contributed to the Cd with their compositions as well as other close friends of furio in 2 compositions. Consequently it's a record rich of varied feelings and surrounded by Arti & Mestieri's colours!
• Cincinnato: S/T (1974). AMS 102. Never reissued on CD until today !!! Featuring some great progressive and jazz-rock tracks and an incredible 20-minutes long suite. This fabulous CD reissue was licensed by band members and is packaged in a gorgeous papersleeve CD including a detailed booklet with many unreleased vintage photos, lots of historical infos. The CD even includes 3 bonus tracks: a long suite recorded in 1972 and two new songs performed by Cincinnato today!
• Circolo Culturale Federico Magnani: Effetto Tindall. 7 members band from Rome playing a very sophisticated progressive music with originals themes and complex parts... sometimes close to Deus Ex Machina, Area, D.F.A. & Brand X.
• COD Trio: We Will Rock You We Will Jazz You We Will Mock You. Alessio Brocca Edizioni Musicali (BA 227 CD). 2009. Unusual Italian trio (sax, guitar & drums) for unusual task: reshaping classic rock hits made by the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Police and treating the "victims" with a healthy dose of European avant-garde, jazz and progressive rock.
• Combo Jazz: No Speed (TJRS 1965). Brand new reissue of a rare jazz-prog-rock album of the late 70's by an obscure band from Torino. A remarkable album, with ex-Procession Maurizio Giannotti playing sax.
• Conqueror: Sprazzi Di Luce (CNQCD002). While a third full CD is planned for 2010, the Italian band offers in the mean time a mini album of 4 tracks, two of which have never been released before; the third is a cover of "E mi manchi tanto" from "Alunni Del Sole", heavily reworked by the band. The fourth track is a live version of Pensieri Fragili, a song taken from the Istinto CD (2003). Very tasteful!
• Conqueror: 74 Giorni. Ma.Ra.Cash MRC 013. A concept album in 13 chapters, rich in emotions, coming from the fervent creativity of this great band from Sicily! There are hidden references to those who have been the pioneers of this musical genre that we love so much and basically call "PROG" but the band also looks at the British new-prog scene with great interest
• Conqueror: Storie Fuori Dal Tempo. Maracash MRC 006. Concept album by this band from Sicily, inspired by the ancient legend of Fata Morgana (The Fairy of the Waters), mythological figure of both Celtic England and Medieval Italy. Influences from both the classic groups like Locanda Delle Fate, Apoteosi, Goblin or newer outfits like IQ, Marillion or Arena.
• Another self titled album, from Italy this time: Crystals. This is the debut album of the italian super group - formed in 1973 by members of Banco and PFM - and finally available after thirty years! The album was recorded for the Cramps label. It includes now a new artwork and the lyric sheet (all songs are sung in English).
• Vittorio De Scalzi: Mandilli (0194292AER). 2008. A collection of charming musical frescos by New Trolls's composer, keyboardist and singer (...and more!). If you admire De Scalzi's skill in writing soundtracks you can't miss this new chapter of his career.
• Dedalus: Nomos Apache Alpha. 30+ years after their last work, the group gives us at last a new record. This is an interesting avantgarde rock album. CD is packaged into a beautiful gatefold papersleeve edition, with a deluxe cover artwork similar to ECM jazz products and booklet with liner notes and album details written by Dedalus historic member and leader Fabrizio Bonansone. A Vinyl Magic release (VM 097).
• Delirium: Il Nome Del Vento (2009). BWR 113. If we except the release of their first live record "Vibrazioni Notturne" in 2007, the band from Genova had last released a studio album in 1975!!! So we are indeed facing an important celebration! Concept album, many guests invited, a strongly crafted symphonic music embellished by the presence of a string quartet, beautiful melodies (an aspect that Italian always master!), majestic keyboards. CD and LP release!
• Deus Ex Machina: Imparis. Cuneiform (RUNE 259/260). 2008. New studio album recorded at the Parisian club Le Triton (in the club's own studios!) and DVD covering a concert at the same club, several excerpts from European and US concerts between 2002 and 1996, Italian TV in 1996 and a video clip from 1993. There is also a 22mn long interview with the band.
• Francesco Di Giacomo: Banco D'Acusa (EDEL digipack 112042). This is a reissue of the solo album by Banco's singer, formerly known as "Non mettere le dita nel naso". Slightly pop flavoured but intelligently crafted and recommended to any fan of the group!
• Dr. Hasbeen: Signs (2008). Black Widow BWR 104-2. CD. Technicians of spaceship Earth, take note: the legacy of Hawkwind lives on in Dr. Hasbeen's newest release. If you're looking for the psychedelic meltdown euphoria of The Space Ritual or the earth-shattering space rock of Doremi Fasol Latido, your search is over. Signs, a collection of studio & live tracks from various venues, evokes fond far flung memories of Hawkwind at its best: blasting off live in all its acid glory for the heart of the sun.
• Dunwich: Heilagmanoth (2008). Heilagmanoth, the long awaited 4th album by Dunwich, is finally available in an amazing digipack edition containing a 16 page color booklet, with original artworks depicting the themes of the album. Wonderful, intriguing and misterious songs with female vocals in English and Italian.
• Edera: And Mouth Disappears. Maracash MRC 009. A really progressive band close to V.D.G.G., Genesis, Iq, Twelfth Night & Marillion ... with lots of keyboards, sophisticated guitars works and a great vocalist!
• Electric Swan: Electric Swan. Black Widow Records (BC002-08). 2008. Here is a solo project from Wicked Minds guitarist and founding member Lucio Calegari. It offers a collection of new songs (some instrumental), 2 ten years-old Wicked Minds tracks never recorded before, and 3 covers: Tommy Bolin's "Teaser", Ruth Copeland's "Your Love Been So Good To Me" and Metallica's "Creeping Death".
• ELECTROMANTIC has recently added a few releases to their catalog:
  - Randone: Nuvole Di Ieri. Sicilian band with Beppe Crovella (Arti & Mestieri) guesting on vintage keyboards.
  - Marco Gallesi, Arti’s & Esagono’s bass player, signs his first solo album ”Riff”. From jazz to rock to fusion and with the superb drumming of his mate Furio Chirico on 9 tracks. Previous releases include:
  - Esagono "Vicolo". A Jazz rock band with several members of "Arti+Mestieri" among its ranks, leaning heavily towards progressive.
  - Arti & Mestieri "Live 1974-2000", a 2CD of live recordings; the first CD is from 1974, the second from after the reunion of the band in 1999.
  - "Rumore Rosso Live" is to my opinion an even more interesting CD of live performances by Venegoni. This too much unknown group was seducing with a mix of fusion and ethnic mediterranean rooted music. This is the first album available showing the group live! A very nice initiative indeed.
  
• Esagono: Apocalypso. Electromantic (TJRS&F005). May 2008. This jazz-rock outfit from the Torino area is back again! Opening up universes of sound with a rock-solid substancy and some elegance, the band delivers sincere and strong emotions without any mannerism and with the assurance of their past experience, bringing the essential of yesterday into the forms of today. The album also includes an hommage to film music composer Ennio Morricone, a new version of "Metti Una Sera A Cena"
• After 30 years, finally the comeback of Esagono!!!! Esagono was born as an offspring of Arti & Mestieri and inaugurated with their first album "Vicolo" the famous Italian indie label "MU", run by musicians themselves. Their style, whose sound is influenced by Arti & Mestieri, basically spins round a jazz-rock matrix full of soloist cues and virtuosities that may or may not be influenced by the moment's progressive scene. "Due", the album title, comes from it being the second album of Esagono (in Italian "due" means "two") and also because the album is divided in two parts, one recorded live and one in studio, plus recordings from the '70s never previously released. Electromantic TJRS&FOO3
• Patrizio Fariselli: Variazioni per Pianoforte. Cramps CD+DVD. Compositions of Fariselli or Area are here revisited and played for solo piano. The DVD is a film showing the process of the recording, including the difficult transportation of a grand piano through the narrow streets of a village and quite up to a castle's room where it is supposed to be used. Much fun indeed! An extra shot is also showing Fariselli's group in concert.
• Flashmen: S/T. Reissue (Mellow Records MMP 301) of their fourth album from 1973, originally released on Kansas PL catalog LDM 17005.
• Flora: S/T. Lizard (LZ 0039). 2006. A new prog band from Piacenza debuting with warm moods, grotesque poetic lyrics and minimalist jazz and post-rock sounds.
• Fonderia: Re>>Enter. 2006 (VMS506CD). 2nd album by this band from Rome. Will be available in July 2006 in a deluxe jewelbox CD edition with the usual nice booklet and glossy external sleeve found in Vinyl Magic's releases.
• Fonderia: S/T (VMS0503). Fonderia is one of the newer Italian bands enjoying an increasing reputation. From the old prog-rock of King Crimson and National Health to the fresh post-rock of Tortoise and Mogwai and the ethnic jazz-rock flavours of Indaco and Earthworks, Fonderia's debut album from 2002 had been out of print for quite some time and is now available again, remastered with a renewed artwork.
• Ivano Fossati: L'Arcangelo. The new release by ex-Delirium singer is due to February 3, 2006. Sony/BMG will have the first pressing released as a limited digipack edition that will not be available in future reprints.
• Gan Eden – Il Giardino Delle Delizie: Ritratto Di Ballerina. AMS 164 CD. Sept. 09. The project of keyboard player and vocalist Angelo Santo Lombardi has taken the world of Italian prog by storm, adding influences of such Italian prog giants as Banco, PFM and Orme to the keyboard wizardry of a Keith Emerson. Ritratto di Ballerina is the logic follow-up to its predecessor, while being more complex, compact and with a slightly harder edge. Quality standards remain unchanged, while the somehow playful atmosphere of the debut has moved to a stronger awareness. This record represents the artistic maturity of the Gan Eden project, that confirms itself as one of the best bands of the actual prog scenes. As usual, the album is available as a beautiful vinyl replica CD.
• Gap Party: Additives (2005 LZ 0033). New Italian prog band with psychedelic-rock sounds. Their CD includes a cover of the Van Der Graaf Generator track "Afterwards"
• Gli Alluminogi: Scolopendra (VMLP121). New vinyl reissue with the original artwork, label replicas and remastered sound. This trio from Turin, formed in 1970 by keyboard player Alluminio (hence the name of the band) and drummer Ostorero with various guitarists, only lasted for a couple of years and their only album, Scolopendra, was issued when they had already split. Their sole album is very well made, mainly based on Hammond organ and other keyboards, with good instrumental parts and an outstanding B side. A must-have for lovers of Italian prog!
• Goblin: Roller. Cinevox MDF 635 CD. Digipack, digital remastered edition! One of their most progressive rock albums, while at the top of their form in 1976!
• Goblin: Profondo Rosso. Now reissued as a 2CD. CD1 is the original record while CD2 is made of alternative takes. Also reissued with 5 bonus tracks and remastered is the seminal '77 album "Suspiria"
• Goblin: Zombi. Cinevox CDMDF 606. Great digipack reissue of the soundtrack album from 1978 by the champions of horror film music! This reissue includes 7 bonus tracks (nearly 20 minutes extra) consisting of alternate takes. All original session master tapes were found and used to bring you this reissue!
• Gruppo D'alternativa: Ipotesi (1972). AMS papersleeve CD (AMS 114 CD). Another great Italian rarity album from 1972 !!! Complex and excellent Italian prog, with classic moments, jazz-rock influences in the Canterbury vein, acoustic parts, sudden rhythm changes and complex arrangements, in a few words everything we love from vintage Italian prog! The nine tracks of the CD are connected to form two long suites. A superbe historical italian album and never released on CD before !!!
• Hero: S/T (1974). AMS 104. Hard-prog recording by Italian trio, originally released back in 1974 for an obscure German label. A very pleasant music style overall, at times close to harder New Trolls, but Hero are mainly influenced by the hard-prog style of the British bands of the 70's released on the historic Vertigo label.
• Hostsonaten: Autumn Symphony. Second part of a "musical painting" in four movements dedicated to the four seasons and called the "Sesasoncycle Suite", Autumn Symphony is following the releases of Springsong in 2002 (reprinted in a new version in 2009) and Winterthrough (2008), respectively parts 4 and 3. The brain behind this project is Fabio Zuffanti, one of the most creative and active Italian musician of the last 15 years, band leader in groups such as Finisterre or Maschera Di Cera. In the present album, the melancholic feeling (at its highest in the winter chapter) gives life to many moments of pure musical poetry. The music seems often like a lost soundtrack of some Andreij Tarkowskij' movie, a very important director and one of the greatest inspiration for Fabio's music and life. The jazzy influences (mainly British jazz, the one of groups such as Nucleus), more evident in this album, are united with a chamber music mood. The acoustic instruments (violas, violins, cello, trumpet, double bass, etc...) are often supported by a rock rhythm section with great mellotron and moog sounds. The voice, for the first time in the "Sesasoncycle Suite", flies high and brings the autumnal vortex to the winter spirals, falling deep in the abyss and leaving the listener alone with his emotions.
• Host Sonaten: Springsong (AMS153CD). This remastered edition will be launched on March 21st, 2009, the very day of the Spring equinox! Springsong is the 4th and final chapter of Hostsonaten's "Seasoncycle Suite", originally released in 2001. The original Cd has been out of print since a few years and AMS records decided not only to reissue it but to realize a brand new album only in little part based on the old version. Starting with the *exterior* aspect we find a wonderful new graphic work completely different from the previous one, in line with the 'Seasons project' and with excellent paintings by Davide Guidoni. All in a gatefold LP replica box with a deluxe booklet with new credits, informations, images and details.
  Musically speaking, the 2001 work has been completely reworked. The album has been remixed in high definition quality, every single track has been cleaned and re-equalized to give a new and strong dynamics to the music, now more powerful and trenchant. Fabio Zuffanti and Robbo Vigo, the authors of this restyling, have also added a great number of new musical details and, most important thing, have played a lot of new musical parts absent in the old version: new mellotron parts played with a real mellotron (the old parts were played with samplers), new bass parts on the whole album, new moog, bass pedals and percussion parts, a 13 minutes bonus track (Suite bretonne), an acoustic suite. If you love such works as Genesis' "Trespass" or Anthony Phillips's "The Geese And The Ghost", you will certainly enthusiastically welcome this album. But you will also feel at home if you are searching for jazzy and traditional echoes from other European latitudes. For this adventurous trip, Fabio Zuffanti united some former Finisterre members (Stefano Marelli, Agostino Macor, Boris Valle, Francesca Biagini) as well as some very talented musicians who normally approach rock music in a different way (Sergio Caputo, Federico Foglia, Edmondo Romano, ex Eris Pluvia and Ancient Veil). The result is a brand of powerful modern sounds and exotic and unusual voices of ancient instruments (woodwinds, pianos, strings, guitars and so on) that give "Springsong" its very unique and original flavour. With "Springsong" Fabio Zuffanti offers us his most painstaking recording, a work which shows the maturity he has reached and which goes beyond the fences that sometimes enclose the progressive rock world.


• Hostsonaten: Winterthrough. AMS 133CD. New concept album by prog mastermind Fabio Zuffanti (Finisterre, Maschera di Cera), Winterthrough is the 3rd section of SeasonCycle Suite, a musical celebration in four movements of seasons' power; it features a long instrumental suite of nearly 46 minutes, divided in several movements. The musicians involved in the project are mainly coming from Finisterre & Maschera Di Cera . Marvellous symphonic movements, highly influenced by the top notch instrumentals of Italian bands from the 70's, sometimes dreamy and pastoral, sometimes epic, but always highly emotional. And what a Mellotron!! This is Italian prog as we love it, a must-have for lovers of Finisterre and Maschera Di Cera but also a great way to get into Fabio Zuffanti's music.
• Hypnoise: St. Valentine's Porno Bar. Veneto West VW06-02CD. After their debut album "Opium" on M.P. Records, starring Trey Gunn (KC), here is the 2nd album and follower, this time featuring among guests the blues singer Cheryl Porter
• Il Balletto Di Bronzo: Live in Rome (2008) – Black Widow. Available from June 1st, 2008, This DVD captures what Balletto di Bronzo is today, as a trio. The great novelty is the inclusion of four brand new and previously unreleased songs, perfect syntheses of Leone/LeoNero’s multifaceted soul: dark, progressive, new wave, electropop, songwriter, rock, atonal, free jazz and avant-garde, at the same time. The performance was held on 21 September 2007 at the Stazione Birra, a club in Rome. And yes, those nostalgic of the 70's will also get a rendition of the cult piece "Ys". The version is deliberately reduced in order to give space to the more recent production, in accordance to Leone’s wishes.
• Illachime Quartet: I'm Normal, My Heart Still Works (2009). Lizard CD 0062. Illàchime Quartet is an instrumental ensemble based in Napoli (Italy) that joins electronics and acoustic instruments. It gathers sounds and noises from the surroundings as well as scattered fragments of acoustic memories, which form the texture for the interventions of the musicians along rough and terse lines, often improvised. Final target: to intrigue and to seduce the audience by means of an unconventional, highly kinematic sonic experience.
• L'Imbroglio: Krar/Qelt. MP Records MPRCD052. A step "beyond" jazz improvisation..... the CD starts and after a while you become yourself involved, wrapped, captured by a dense, original sound, in which a free-form structure (coming from a certain kind of improvisation) merge with an experimental sound, rough and dissonant. The basic sound is a combination of nervous rhythm, with long guitar riffs, with minimalistic electronics and a trumpet, sometimes classic, sometimes free. A kind of Henry Cow brought in the years 2000, even if the work doesn’t look back to the past but, after learning the lesson, is looking towards the future and beyond.
• Jumbo: Anthology live (AMS 101 DVD). The final rock documentary about this legendary Italian prog band! 90 minutes of interviews (in Italian language, with English subtitles), rare pictures (over 600 photos) and clips never seen before, including one hour of live footage from a concert recorded in the 90's by the original line-up. This is the first documentary regarding an Italian prog band and therefore not to be missed. A must for Jumbo fans and lovers of the historic Italian prog scene. Deluxe DVD packaging! Area code: 0 (all areas), PAL standard.
• Jumbo: DNA (VMLP 082) and "Vietato ai minori di 18 anni?" (VMLP 084) are now available on 180 Gr. LP as strictly limited 500 copies edition. Those reissues are faithful reproductions of the originals, housed in their wonderful gatefold cover made in thick carton, insert, heavy vinyl and present a superb remastered sound. Never before reissued on vinyl.
• Jumbo: both "Poche Parole" (DJ 009) and "Passing By (1991-2001) (DJ 007) are now available again. "Poche Parole" includes a Jumbo video bonus-track too. These are CD releases with old, new and material "from the vaults" compiled by Jumbo guitarist Daniele Bianchini.
• Kurai: S/T. Alt Rock (ALT 008). 2009. This new band could be seen as the far shadow of Yugen! Not only are 5 of Kurai's members coming from Yugen (Francesco Zago, Markuss Stauss, Peter Schmid, Maurizio Fasoli and Giuseppe Olivini but the music itself draws on some hints from their first album "Labirinto d'Acqua". The metronomic rigour has been this time dissolved in order to give room of such a huge breath that it sometimes sounds inhuman. There is a careful attention to colours, nuances and depth, favouring the acoustic instruments and atmospheres not unlike those found on the German label ECM. The two members not having belonged to Yugen are bass player Christian Weber (heard with British jazz musician Paul Dunmall and - on a not too often met instrument (the harp) - Enrica Di Bastiano.
• La Maschera Di Cera: LuxAde. QQ 1003 CD. The new record is finally ready for delivery since February 28, 2006! Released on Immaginifica, the label started by PFM's drummer Franz Di Cioccio. The album contains seven songs
• La Torre dell'Alchimista : Neo. Ma.Ra.Cash MRC-012. ... every single note is in place, done right and even perfectly, a musical construction that with extreme gentleness takes us immediately back in time to those great 70's when the history of Italian prog rock was written, a little unreal world that at first gets you dizzy with those tastes from the past, Hammond organ, Mini Moog, Fender piano ... and then reality is allowed to come slowly to the surface, bearing a new freshness rich in strong sensations and new flavours, the flute, the rythmic session, some aerial singing, thin but dramatic at the same time... so get ready, you who have great taste and always look for spicy emotions, the tumultuous creative breath of this band is going to astonish you once again!!!
• La Torre Dell'Alchimista: U.S.A....you know. Maracash MRC 004. Live CD by this talented italian band. The music is dominated by the powerful Hammond organ as usual. Great show!
• Lachaise: Silent Cries For Help. MP Records (MPRCD053). 2008. Debut album by Italian act whose name is taken from the famous graveyard in Paris, le Cimetière du Père Lachaise, where many artists (for exemple Jim Morrison) are buried. This links of course the music to the usual gothic-rock aspects but it also includes incursions into other territories like pop or progressive. The very talented female singer, Annallisa Monticelli, brings a real grace in her singing. The classic guitar/keyboards/bass/drums lineup is set to work to bring some freshness and ingenuity in the music and in fact the band tried to avoid all the cold perfectionism of studio electronic tricks and adjustments to give, at last, a real feeling of a playing band. They have been chosen as opening act for Christian Death 's Italian tour.
• New album by ex PFM singer, the great and only Bernardo Lanzetti! His new record "Eclecticlanz" is a true gem featuring brand new sounds as well as vintage instruments and stunning vocals experimentations carried out during a time span of 20 years and thereafter rearranged, creating a sort of "archaeological founds of the future". Intertwined with some of Lanzetti's original artwork, the album could be defined as the first example of a Concept & Code production. In other words Ecleticlanz is an amazing and exciting melting pot of foreign languages vocals and genres like avant-garde rock & prog, but also classical, pop, metal, contemporary music and even a tango!AMS decided to pack such a masterpiece in the incredible and unique gimmick called by the artist "CD Fashion Jacket" and, with this special packaging, all CD covers come out in different colours and patterns. There will be no identical artwork!
• Latte E Miele: Live Lasting. EDEL 0193582AER (2008). The historic Italian prog trio is back, 30 years after their last album Aquile e Scoiattoli! Live Lasting is recorded live in 2008 and features some of their best songs together with an unpublished track (Vision of Sunlight) and new sections for two famous songs of theirs: “Tiberiade” for Passio Secundum Mattheum and “Counter Dance” for Pavana.
• Latte E Miele. the folks at Akarma have done it again! They are this time releasing a 4CD boxset by the renowned progressive italian group; the boxset contains Passio Secundum Matteum, Papillon in both english and italian versions (one CD each) and Aquile E Scoiattoli.
• Lucio Lazzaruolo: My Favourite. 2006. Mellow Records MMP444. Debut solo album from Notturno Concertante's leader. Coming out in June 2006.
• Le Mani: S/T (1976). AMS 103CD. Italian progressive group formed in the early 70's by Claudio Fucci & Dario Piana. After professional mastering and sound restoration, five very interesting tracks recorded by Le Mani have been brought back to life and are now available in a special papersleeve CD in strictly numbered limited edition of 666 copies. This is good italian prog-rock from the vaults of the mid 70's
• Le Orme: Live in Pennsylvania (SBM 0001 LP). 2009. In 2008 Le Orme released a fantastic DVD+2CD of their performance in Bethlehem for the 2005 Nearfest. Now they reprint in a limited edition the triple vinyl of that concert. The 3 tracks making side 6 have never been released before!
• Le Orme: Live in Pennsylvania (2008). 2CD+DVD (SBM 0001). Finally Le Orme release this fantastic DVD plus double CD of their performance in Bethlehem for the 2005 Nearfest. It has a fantastic set list, including tunes from the 70's as well as some other picked from their most recent albums like "L'Infinito".
• The new Le Orme album – L’Infinito – is available as CD or LP. The cover is one more time due to Paul Whitehead and the music quite as strong as in the previous album. The group seems to have the same qualities as the best cellar wines! Better with age.
• Giorgio Libera: What's all this noise for (PRIVGIOR2). This new and 2nd album is maybe better than the previous “Red Powder”, just a little more sophisticated with many instrumental tracks and always close to Zappa, Keneally... Stravinsky !!! Also featuring Remy Strauly (YOLK) on drums !


• Out on 14/02/03: The Asimov Assembly on M.P. Records. This tribute to the mind and work of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov features nice surprises such as the presence of Fabio Liberatori, one of the most acclaimed soundtrack composers in Italy and of Sonja Kristina, who writes and sings here two songs.





• Lome’: Fiori Su Marte. Remember this name because it’s a great band who – I take a bet here – will stay for years. This debut album presents us a music strongly inspired by the jazzier side of Area with an incredibly funky acoustic bass, gorgeous piano playing and a singer who reminds much of Alberto Piras from Deus Ex Machina; not only by his voice but also by the impressive presence and energy delivered. Not to be discarded if you want my advice!
• Luna: S/T. First ever CD release CD for this forgotten early 80's album by Osanna's guitarist Danilo Rustici. It's an obscure rock CD from 1981, featuring a long suite of Stravinsky's "Firebird" that fills in the gap between Osanna's split up and later Rustici solo works. Coming out in June 2006 in deluxe gatefold papersleeve CD, with detailed booklet, the original LP labels, biography and historical liner notes.
• Magnetic Sound Machine : Chromatic tunes. Lizard (LZ 0053). May 2008. An instrumental jazz rock classic! Magnetic Sound Machine are really young (19 years old) but very skillful. If you like Perigeo 's music you can’t miss this new CD, the cross point between rock and jazz we were looking for. A bunch of tunes rich of groove, characterized by versatile dynamism and the highest instrumental cohesion.
• Malaavia: Vibrazioni Liquide (2008). CNT 08.01. After the good success of the previous effort "Danze d'Incenso", this new CD sets new standards for the quality of the band. Their skill in the writing process has fully developed. Still haunting in places, "Vibrazioni liquide" is structured in 2 long suites but the songs are well recognizable. Sung in Italian, Latin and English!
• Malaavia: Danze D'Incenso (MRC-002). Second release by Ma.Ra.Cash Records, a new label in Italy. Malaavia is a very professional band playing a sort of old & new progressive music really close to Osanna, P.F.M., Locanda Delle Fate, Renaissance and E.L.P.. An absolutely sophisticated musical project also featuring Lino Vairetti (Osanna), Michele Mutti (La Torre Dell'Alchimista) and many others.
• Malibran: Trasparenze (ARTP502). 2009. The spirit of the band is still really progressive and the 79 minutes stand among their finest so the album may become one of the finest italian prog rock CD of the year.
• Rodolfo Maltese Group: Il Gabbiano Jonathan (AMS146 CD). Woooow! I have been waiting for years to see this coming out! In 1987, Banco's guitarist had recorded this mainly instrumental concept album. You can find there the first ethnical Mediterranean sounds that became typical for Indaco, some laid back and high class Italian jazz-rock and some more epic and guitar-solo focused tracks. All in all it is an important missing link and a must have for fans of Indaco and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, since besides the guitarist the listener will also note the presence of another Banco member, pianist and keyboardist Vittorio Nocenzi!
• Mangala Vallis: Lycanthrope. Release date: 25/10/05. The new album still features Bernardo Lanzetti (PFM & Acqua Fragile) who sings all the tracks and regards today Mangala Vallis as his new band but the real surprise will be this time the guesting of another great musician, David Jackson from the newly revived and still legendary Van Der Graaf Generator... !!!!!!!!!!!!
• Mass Media: Opacità Scura (TJRS 1963). Live CD recorded in Torino on September 11, 1978. The band mixes the progressive rock influeces of Yes with the more experimental approach of Mahavishnu Orchestra. A great live CD by an obscure italian band from the Seventies!
• Maxophone: From Cocoon To butterfly. Vinyl Magic special set CD+DVD VM 100 A-B/MVA, marketed by BTF in late October, housed in a deluxe packaging with a special booklet including rare vintage photos. A brand new Maxophone recording will be available soon on BTF's own VM label! The new Maxophone is a very special deluxe box set including a CD with 10 vintage tracks recovered from outtakes and alternate demo material from 1973-1975 (4 tracks are unreleased), plus a DVD with Maxophone live footage from a 1976 concert at RAI studios in Torino. All recordings have been carefully remastered: the songs on the CD were recorded on 4-tracks equipment. The DVD footage was professionally filmed by Italian TV in 1976 and has a bonus video track of Maxophone re-formed in 2005, playing one live track at Radio Popolare studios in Milano. The DVD also includes bonus features, such as interviews with group members. The DVD will be available in PAL and NTSC formats BUT please note that the NTSC release will only be available in the first pressing of this special set! No reprint is planned so ... don't let it go and act NOW!
• Metamorfosi: Paradiso (GMP 003). Davide Spitaleri is back with a great new album, the long-awaited italian progressive-rock masterpiece dedicated to the third part of Dante's "Divina Commedia".
• Modal Sound Trio: S/T. VM127 CD (AMS papersleeve series). M.S.T. is an instrumental combo defined as a jazz-rock/prog band formed in Bergamo, Italy in 2002. As a matter of fact the trio made up of synth-guitar player Rudy Corbetta, drummer Vittorio Bonadei and 4/5 strings bass player Alberto Bigoni, aspires to overcome the above mentioned definition. The self-explanatory name of the group indicates a musical direction tied up to modal "fragrance" with a modern and relevant harmonic approach enriched with an unconventional use of MIDI devices. Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew" were and remain the pathways in which the group musically walks and tries to express its ideas. The tunes show a perfect blend of rock-fusion structures with jazz improvisations. Modal sound trio performs and records live without any kind of loop or overdubs wizardry. If you need stylistic references, those bands come to mind: DFA, Area, Baricentro, Dedalus.
• Moongarden: A Vulgar Display of Prog (DMF-CD01). 2009. This is the sixth album for the famous Italian progressive rock band Moongarden which after their two releases (Round Midnight and Songs from the Lighthouse) gained fame as an emerging reality. We can call it progressive crossover: it is a new style which Cristiano Roversi has forged. The band introduced a stylistic contamination without giving up their progressive roots. The lyrics are really modern as well, ironic and nipping. The final song "Compression" is a completely reworked cover of an Anthony Phillips & Mike Rutherford old tune.
• Morkobot: S/T. Lizard (2006 LZ 0038). Debut album and a high-voltage hard psychedelic rock mixed with early Black Sabbath. An instrumental, raving, electric space trip.
• Tom Moto: Junk (LZ CD 0057). Extreme-jazz-rock is perhaps the best definition for the music of Tom Moto. Tom Moto plays junk music, an extraordinary mix of schizoid jazz and derailed funk, but not just. A fantastic trio based on bass, drums and trumpet with intrusions of sax, contrabass, guitar, electronic stuff and reading. Tom Moto plays the misfit life of Henry Chinaski, prime character of "Post Office", a novel based on the dirty face of the big American dream.
• Albero Motore: Il Grande Gioco (AMS118). CD reissue in deluxe papersleeve edition with extended liner notes. Long time OOP record, finally available again!! A five-piece of very good musicians from Rome, Alberomotore (or Albero Motore as it was sometimes written) were aided and produced by 60's singer-guitarist Ricky Gianco (owner of the Ultima Spiaggia label). The musicians where involved with acts like Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno, Samadhi, Goblin, Libra, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Carnascialia. In this album the band recorded tracks that are not immediately recognizable as classic Italian prog, having a rural and genuine hard rock edge, full of suspense, highlighting the excellent and rough voice of Maurizio Rota.
• Nadma: Paura. (10 TES). What a super nice surprise! The distinguished legacy of the group has been hidden from view to nearly everybody until now. The discovery and classification of the original reel tapes owned by founding member Davide Mosconi enabled the Italian indie label Alga Marghen to reissue a large group of recordings by Nadma, their first output under the name "Quartetto" and the various offsprings that followed. A complete series of CDs will document those activities. The first Nadma title of this unique CD series is "Paura" (live concert at Circolo Lepetit in Milan in March 1973). Nadma was officially born in 1972. The identity and musical orientation of this collective - The Natural Arkestra Da Maya Alta - centered on the convergence of heterogeneous interests and sentibilities coming from avant-garde jazz experiences liberated by post-free curents, from classical studies, or from musicians also active as visual artists, who had cultivated an instrumental practice utilising spontaneous expression. All the group members assimilated and creatively incorporated the most progressive influences of Afro-American music and the contemporary neo-avantgarde, but shifted noticeably in the direction of the contemplative and ecstatic vitality of non-European, especially African, musical cultures. Nadma was, and still is, known to a limited group of devoted listeners on the merits of the only record released by italian RCA back in 1973. It was Davide Mosconi's experimental progressive group, their unique album "Uno Zingaro di Atlante con un Fiore a New York", originally released by RCA, is highly requested by collectors and is unavailable on CD since a very long time !!!
• Napoli Centrale/James Senese: "Jesceallah" (1992). Partly rereleased under the name Napoli Centrale but in fact more a solo project by its leader James Senese, this record is groovy like hell and features on two tracks Lester Bowie and Famoudu Don Moye from the Art Ensemble Of Chicago alongside acknowledged musicians such drummer A. Marangolo (Goblin), bassist R. Zurzolo or keyboardist Joe Amoruso (Pino Daniele). If you don't know Senese, it's time you get touched by his warm, rough and ultra expressive voice! The label Blue Angel behind this rerelease also took up another Senese album from 1994: "'Ngazzate Nire".
• New Trolls: Concerto Grosso N. 3 (The Seven Seasons). AER0182912. New Trolls latest album, with the original band's line up, featuring both Nico Di Palo & Vittorio De Scalzi, some 31 years after "Concerto Grosso n.2" !!!! This CD will be available in early July 2007.
• Nichelodeon: Cinemanemico. Self release. Street date: 13/07/09
  
  Claudio Milano is probably for most of you a new name on the Italian musical scene. He is a songwriter for theatre productions and the present CD was actually recorded live during a performance of the piece "The Room Plays What I Cannot See" in late 2007. The music played here could be described on many ways but is first of all a perfect vehicle for Milano's voice, one of the best I've heard newly from this part of the world: warm, rich in technical details, from sudden octave shifts to yodling reminding of the late Demetrio Stratos or a wide vibrato and velvet falsetto. The absence of rhythm section (no drums, no bass) force in fact to bring the focus back to his voice and multi facetted expression; the rhythm will have to be found mainly in the diction or the often arpeggiated piano playing of Maurizio Fasoli; his piano brings forth an acoustic feel very close to modern chamber music with here and there atonal touches; if he's the ying, then the yang is provided by the haunting guitar playing of Francesco Zago and the effectfull synths of Riccardo Di Paola; electric in contrast to the acoustic piano, they are heavily responsible for all tensions brought in the music, from dark sustained tones to avant garde like electronic blips and blurps (Di Paola is in fact mostly known as an avant-jazz player). Let's also remind you that both Zago and Fasoli are coming from the much acclaimed avant-prog outfit Yugen. One thing I hope will be fixed at release time will be to have (maybe in a booklet) an English translation of the Italian texts used; some are already sung or read in English (taken from works by the Italian writer Pellegrino Artusi) but having a complete control over the word would certainly add a dimension and allow the listener to better apprehend their relation to the music! This album is a first shot and will mainly appeal to people who appreciate the voice in all its possible and subtle meanders; it also has a falsely minimalistic character that could interest those digging this genre or experimental avant garde; seeing it performed on stage would certainly be the best so what about a DVD?


• Nicosia & C. Industria Musicale: Una favola vera. VM125CD. AMS papersleeve series. Named after their leader, guitarist Nuccio Nicosia, Industria Musicale were formed in 1972 with an unusual 12-piece line-up including a full horn section. Based in Piemonte, their sound was a mixture of melodic pop, rock, prog and jazz, strongly characterized by the heavy use of brass instruments. Their sole album "Una Favola Vera", released by Fonit in 1973, is a unique example of orchestral prog rock in the Italian scene and an interesting listening. It includes eight tracks, four of which are instrumental. Some similarities with Showmen (or their later incarnation Napoli Centrale) can be heard in the melodic vocal parts and the use of horns, but the sound is very rich and definitely jazz-styled in the solo interludes, much in the same direction as some foreign groups like Blood Sweat and Tears or even Chicago Transit Authority in their lighter side. Many of the group members remained in the music scene after the album. This edition includes 2 bonus tracks.
• Vittorio Nocenzi: Estremo Occidente (0197612AER). 2009. Nine new compositions for pianoforte by the maestro Vittorio Nocenzi (Banco del Mutuo Soccorso). The tunes are inspired by 9 esagramms from "I Ching". "I Ching" are something esoteric and apparently accidental, therefore the recordings looked for the same feeling. Only three takes for each track. Vittorio adopts also a strange technique: he keeps the piano pedal pressed longer than the usual to let the listener get strange sensations, as if someone listens from the coda of the pianoforte. A great work by one of the most important Italian musicians.
• Nodo Gordiano: Flektogon. AMS 162CD. 2009. After their successful debut dated 1999 and the rather experimental and improvised "Alea" from 2005, "Flektogon" is surely the magnum opus of this band hailing from Rome. Their spooky, dark and complex, yet pretty dreamy progrock has an irresistible hypnotic edge that catches the listener from the very beginning. Besides some shorter tracks, the most outstanding moment of this record is the 30 minute long psych-opus "Avventure di mastarna", a progressive firework in which the music develops its very different moods while keeping a regular pattern and taking the listener on an adventurous and never boring musical trip.
• Nosound: sol29. Giancarlo Erra, band's leader and multi-instruments player, seems to be Steven Wilson playing the first Porcupine Tree albums... the same fantastic atmospheres with hypnotic keyboards and fluid guitars... an incredible trip!
• I Numi: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard (AMS117). Reissue. This band from Pavia, formed around 1967 from the ashes of local beat groups, only released an album in 1971 for the small Polaris label (the same as I Teoremi). Alpha Ralpha Boulevard nowadays is considered a minor Italian prog classic , is housed in a very nice cover, while music is song-based, with soft and dreamy atmospheres and good lyrics by composer Guido Bolzoni. He had worked with some important names of the Italian pop music (like Mina).
• Luca Olivieri: La Quarta Dimensione. AG Prod (AG 2/500). 2009. Born in Milano in 1968, Luca Olivieri offers here his new album consisting of 12 instrumental tracks. I never really fancied what the fourth dimension could be but I can tell you that as musician and multi-instrumentist, composer and arranger, Olivieri has already produced in the past original musics for various companies and theatres, as well as studied electronic music. There is no doubt that the present album has a strong filmic character and may be felt as close to some kind of minimalistic expression. Not because instruments are scarce - there are indeed plenty - but because of the consistent low tempi and drone like tonalities (which I do find too monotonous after a few tracks of the same vein), small melodies of an insisting hypnotic nature. So if you are excited by quiet and rather dreamy atmospheres, there are plenty of goods here: excellent sound production and stereo field (especially the low panned Fender Rhodes), perfect placement and recording of the instruments, fresh waves of a folky nostalgic accordion swirling here and there; even when el guitar and drums occasionally appear, the music refuses to take off and remains as quiet as before, which to me sounds a bit strange and frustrating. More variation would have been appreciated. If you like things that move, don't stop here! Oh yes, a few guests show up and among them are musicians from the band Yo Yo Mundi, with whom Olivieri already had worked with in the past.
• Orange Shading Starlight: S/T. Released by W-Records in a 500 copies limited gatefold LP edition. Distributed by Black Widow Records. Orange Shading Starlight is the first Wicked Minds' official side project. The album is an instrumental jam where the band developes all its power and experiment some interesting possibilities! Of course we have on guitar and devices Lucio Calegari, Paolo "Apollo" Negri on synthesizers and electric pianos (yes, no Hammond this time!), Enrico Garilli on deep, deeeeeep bass and Andrea Concarotti on drums (this was his last recording before leaving the band).
• Osanna & David Jackson: Prog Family. AMS 150CD. 2009. Legendary Osanna is back! With a new line-up but still representing the spirit that was always typical for the original band, but with a new, dynamic, innovative and passionate sound. David Jackson from Van Der Graaf Generator joined this project, becoming much more than a guest but a stable element of the band, contributing with a strong added value, and so did guest stars Gianni Leone (Balletto di Bronzo), David Cross (King Crimson), Tim Stevens, Lello Brandi and the other guests, who enriched the project with their talent and creativity, creating a true and deep-hearted homage to this historical band. Lino Vairetti knew how to gather a real "Prog family" rearranging Osanna's classic tunes keeping the vintage sound of the electric and acoustic guitars, synths as Mellotron and Hammond, and especially the flute and saxophone of David Jackson. The Cd also includes a stunning version of Theme One by Van Der Graaf Generator! Over 70 minutes of music, deluxe limited edition papaersleeve. The first 1000 copies come with a hand numbered and signed litography by Lino Vairetti!
• Mauro Pagani, the unforgettable violinist from PFM is again making the news with a new studio recording, "Domani". The brand new CD will be available as a normal edition and a limited digipack collectors edition with a 40-page booklet (in italian I guess).
• Mauro Pagani: Sogno di una Notte d'Estate (1981). The second album by ex-PFM violinist Mauro Pagani is finally available for the first time ever on CD! Pagani wrote the soundtrack for this theatre musical. Released by Vinyl Magic (VM 095)
• Pangea: Invasori. AMS-Vinyl Magic (AMSLP02). Deluxe LP. This is a conceptual album with 10 tracks put together into 2 long suites, some long instrumental and much elaborated parts, Italian lyrics. It's spacey progressive music with some pop hints too. It was out on Philips in 1976 but only in promotional form and without a cover! It comes today in gatefold cover, obviously new artwork, great sound and is limited to 500 copies that will sell-out very fast! €17,50.
• Pensiero Nomade: Tempi Migliori. AMS 161 CD. 18/09/09. New effort from Salvo Lazzara, on vacation from Germinale. Salvo plays here guitars, basses and double electric bass, loops and samples; he has with him another colleague from Germinale, flutist Alessandro Toniolo and drummer Davide Guidoni (among other from Taproban); the music is a melting pot of new acoustic music, acoustic jazz and folk prog, sustained by a new impulse of more dynamic intentions. An album for relaxed but serious listeners, with a sense of deep lightness, somewhere inbetween Mauro Pagani and Hostsonaten
• Pensiere Nomade: Per Questi Ed Altri Naufragi (2007). AMS 119CD. This is the debut solo CD of former Germinale member Salvo Lazzara (guitar, bass and bassoon, stick). Germinale released 4 CD’s between 1994 and 2005 before splitting last year. Salvo Lazzara’s brand-new instrumental CD is an excellent and refined piece of work. It reminds the mellower and intimate side of the acclaimed Germinale sound, but with influences of David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri. A must not only for Germinale fans, but especially for lovers of dreamy, pastoral, laid-back and atmospheric sounds, highlightning a melancholic and lush approach to Mediterranean traditions, but always keeping a complex and adventurous structure.
• The 3rd album by the Italian group Periferia Del Mondo should be released in May 2006. This band is featuring woodwind player Alessandro Papotto, today member of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. The album should be released on the Electromantic label
• Perizona Express: Ora e' sempre. Lizard CD0043. Official debut CD for this experienced Italian ensemble. A journey into psychedelic-prog world with memories of the hard-psych-space rock played by Hawkwind.
• Prog curiosity? Desperate marketing? The label Winter Shine Records offers today gathered on one CD both English and Italian versions of early PFM albums: Per Un Amico / Photos of Ghosts (WSRD-9294K) and L'Isola Di Niente / The World Became the World (WSRD-9295K). They include the band's history and the lyrics
• PFM: PFM Canta De Andrè (0195603AER). CD+DVD(2008). Remember PFM backing De André in 1979? Well, PFM strikes back and releases this wonderful DVD+CD, filmed and recorded during their 2007/08 tour.
• SONY / BMG announces the new studio album by PFM! The new album will be a CD + DVD, released in two different packagings. The title is "Stati di Immaginazione" and it should be available on November 24, 2006. The album is made of eight instrumental tracks. The DVD will probably be area 2 encoded and pal standard, but I will keep you informed as soon as I know more!
• Dracula! Brand new Opera Rock by PFM! Released by Sony / BMG (82876723062) who announced this product for delivery on October 14, 2005.This is THE new PFM studio album! The Italian prog-rock masters have composed the music for a rock opera dedicated to Dracula and to be staged in Rome's theater during the spring of 2006.
• PFM Live In Siena. Following the great DVD from the Japanese tour in 2002, Sony is now releasing a special limited edition of a CD + DVD based on a superb live recording by the historic Italian prog dinosaur at Siena's Piazza del Campo in August 2003. This incredible and very inspired concert from PFM's summer tour also reunites them with original member Mauro Pagani guesting on violin and duelling with Lucio Fabbri! A great event indeed also featuring another special guest in the person of the violin player Piero Pelù. Buy it now!

• Premiata Forneria Marconi, better known as PFM toured Japan in 2002 with an incredible success. The result can be heard and viewed as it has been released by Sony both as 2CD and DVD. The 2CD features 2 bonus tracks, one of them featuring the italian singing of a certain Peter Hammill.
  
• New soundtrack album by PFM member Flavio Premoli. "RIS - Delitti imperfetti" is the soundtrack of a very succesful action tv serial that has been broadcasted on italian national tv company RAI.
• Pop Villa Pamphili is a 2CD released in 2002 to celebrate the then called "Pop Festival" taking place in Rome. This festival was breeding all the major progressive bands to come and the CD is therefore a cheap and fantastic opportunity to discover the very productive italian progressive scene: Banco, PFM, Area, Perigeo, New Trolls, Acqua Fragile, Osanna, Il Volo, Napoli Centrale, Cervello, Pierrot Lunaire, Delirium and many more ….
• Picchio Dal Pozzo: Abbiamo tutti i suoi problemi (1980). In the last decade the group's 2nd album was reissued briefly in Japan, then it disappeared again. A new remastered CD edition is now available (RERPDP). Copying no one, though there is some Frank Zappa influence - Picchio had a unique and highly developed style of composition that was not only out of step with it's own time but still sounds contemporary today. Highly composed and devoid of jazz phrasing and riffs with solos, this record achieves maximum musical effect with minimum instrumental means through close attention to timbre, dynamics and expressed tempi and a kind of deep complexity that sounds simple but changes with each listening. A lot of ideas subtly developed - rather than experimented with; a one-off classic.
• Postmeridiem: The Sun And The Blue (Lizard). 2009. Debut album by a new band leaning towards prog fusion and atmospheres full of charm and light. The keyboards have a major role in creating landscapes and colours helped by the classy work of bass-guitar-drums.
• Procession: Esplorare (ART 221). 35 years after this band was born, "Procession" are back with "Esplorare"...an album that has been played, recorded and produced today with the compositions of yesterday! The album includes all the tracks (but one) that were on the two records by Procession released in the '70s ("Fiaba" and "Frontiera") plus an unreleased track!
• Prophexy: Alconauta (UKD027). After opening for some major prog acts in Italy and having released some demos, including the tribute to King Crimson for Mellow Records, here is finally the first complete CD by this promising band from Bologna. Prophexy play what they call "pro-aggressive music", so be prepared for rather aggressive, hard edged and pretty complex sounds, though this is definitively not sheer prog metal. Closest comparisons that come to our mind are a sort of more evil Deus Ex Machina or even Gecko's Tear or Garden Wall.
• Quelli: "Same".Brand new reissue for this pre-PFM band! Quelli was the founding core of PFM in the late sixties, with drummer Franz Di Cioccio, guitarist Franco Mussida and several other gifted musicians. Now available in a brand new reissue in double CD format, priced as a single disc!
• Sony releases on LP the sole album by I Quelli, a group that everyone will recognize as they are the forerunner of PFM, evolving from beat and moving towards prog-rock. An absolute must for any PFM collector!
• Alberto Radius: Please my guitar (2004) - COM 151 CD. Brand new solo album and 10 new tunes composed by the talented italian guitarist and ex-Formula Tre axeman Alberto Radius!
• Randone: Hybla. Electromantic ART 416. Brand new album by this progressive group from Sicily. "Hybla" is a long prog suite dedicated to the city destroyed by an earthquake.
• Reale Accademia Di Musica: Il Linguaggio Delle Cose (DEDL21537). An unexpected but welcome comeback by this Italian prog band that has released two classics back in the seventies. Still led by songwriter Adriano Monteduro, tough this is not a 100% prog CD, it has has many reminiscences of the group's second album, with a predominace of beautiful songs with soft rock and folkish arrangements, while Adriano Monteduo's voice has even got better aging.
• Paolo Ricca Group: Volcano (TJRS&F 006). 2nd album for the Electromantic label.
• Riddle: S/T. LP 004. Brand new debut album by an interesting Italian prog band. Debut CD with 11 instrumental tracks of experimental progressive rock influenced by the 80's version of King Crimson. The work of Riddle's lead guitarist is very similar to Robert Fripp.
• Ripper:The Dead Have Rizen (2009) (BWR 111 CD/LP). Texas horror-metal monsters Ripper have come alive with a vengeance, and a new album entitled "The Dead Have Rizen", the long awaited sequel to 1986’s "And The Dead Shall Rise".
• Claudio Rocchi. Both ”Non Ce n'e' Per Nessuno” (79) and ”A Fuoco” (77) are now rereleased by EDEL (a Cramps license) as digipack remastered versions.
• Wonderful release! for all collectors of Italian prog. Rock Progressivo Italiano: The Complete Discography, written by Paolo Barotto and Marco D'Ubaldo (AMK 5003) is a brand new deluxe hardcover book about Italian progressive rock !!! This new volume includes complete discographies for all artists and groups. Many new entries and weird, obscure Italian prog bands rare discographies are mentioned in this new book, packaged in an oversized cardboard outer cover including a sampler CD of Italian prog-rock best tracks from the Seventies: 15 famous tracks representing the Italian prog scene, with one track each by Osanna, Delirium, New Trolls, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Raccomandata Ricevuta di Ritorno, Area, Panna Fredda, Orme, Procession, Metamorfosi, Genco Puro & Co. Osage Tribe, Libra, Cherry Five and Motowns. The book features reproductions in full color of hundreds of original LP and singles covers, plus rarity ratings, plus rare magazine covers of Ciao 2001 from the Seventies and text in Italian and English
• Rohmer: S/T. AMS 141 CD (2008). Rohmer is a project born from Boris Valle (piano) and Fabio Zuffanti (bass, electronics), founder member of Finisterre, one of the most important Italian progressive group of the last 15 years. Fabio and Boris has been joined by Agostino Macor (synthetizers, mellotron, electric piano, electronic, glockenspiel) and Mau Di Tollo (drums, percussion, guitars). Rohmer's music begins where Finisterre's "In limine" (1996) ends and continues its work between tradition and experimentation, mixing prog, ambient, electronic, postrock, contemporary, minimalism and jazz. So, if you loved those haunting, dreamy and yet catchy atmospheres you will fall in love with this shining little gem. Deluxe vinyl-replica packaging.
• Runaway Totem: Manu Menes (2009). RTR GMG 01002/Lizard. This is the seventh album released by the mystical Italian combo. 3 long suites (above 20 minutes), obscure, esoteric and charming as usual. The Magma archetype is always present but mixed with female vocals, clarinet, flute and vibraphone. "Manu Menes" means "Cosmic Intelligence" !
• Saint Just's eponymous album is finally reissued on CD! Released by Akarma (AK1045), this debut album from 1973 proposes a kind of contemporary folk that draws inspiration from the Italian culture of past centuries, in particular the Middle Ages. In the vein of Pentangle, Third Ear Band, and Steeleye Span, these rarified atmospheres and the skillful use of instruments, (i.e. Robert Fix’s creative sax playing and Jenny Sorrenti’s sweetly provocative vocals) create fascinating moments of unmistakable mastery.
• Samadhi: S/T (VMLP124). New vinyl reissue with the original artwork, label replicas and remastered sound. See description below for the CD edition
• Claudio Simonetti: Daemonia. Dario Argento Tribute Live in Los Angeles. CD + DVD. The CD part was already released by Sony in 2001 but has been added video clips this time. The DVD part is new.
• Alan Sorrenti: Aria. One more time reissued, this time on the label Water (water180CD). Originally released in 1972 on Harvest, it opens with the long title track, which occupied all of Side A of the original vinyl. It's a dreamy suite that starts with acoustic guitar, ends with a remarkable violin solo from future Mahavishnu Orchestra member Jean Luc Ponty
• Arturo Stalteri: Half Angels. Felmay (FY7131). Another great production from ex-Pierrot Lunaire member, a wonderful piano album... with Yasue Ito (violin), Laura Pierazzuoli (cello) and Pino Zingarelli (drums, percussions and electronics). A great album for Satie's lovers...but you can also hear Wim Mertens inspiration in it!!!!
• A new untraditional release from M.P. Records! A 2 tracks 7" composed by Arturo Stalteri, founding member of the progressive band Pierrot Lunaire; he is here featured on acoustic & sampled pianos, synthesizer and.....for the first time after the Pierrot Lunaire experience .... as singer! The single is released as a limited edition of 1.000 copies in clear vinyl! It has to be played at the same speed as LP's. MPRSIN049
• Arturo Stalteri: Early Rings - Compositions 1974-1975 (MPRCD046). This new release on MP Records is by the founder member of Pierrot Lunaire, now one of the most appreciated pianist for contemporary music; he has always confessed how he was charmed by Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" since he was a teenager and those early tracks were in fact composed just before the creation of Pierrot Lunaire. Those "old" tapes have been restored and remastered under the full supervision of Stàlteri and still gives the full flavour of the nordic saga and above all of progressive rock of an unforgettable era....... More over there is an absolute fantastic bonus track: a version for violin and piano of "After the Ordeal" from Genesis, by Arturo Stàlteri and Yasue Ito, a very talented young violinist from Japan, opened by "Before the Ordeal", a brand new track by Arturo Stàlteri. A nice supplement to his previous release from 2003 "Il Decimo Anello", also based on Tolkien's trilogy.
• Arturo Stalteri: ...e il Pavone Parlo' alla Luna. His 2nd solo album was released in 1983 (originally composed in 1979 during a trip to India and recorded between 1980 and 1981), after Pierrot Lunaire split. Remastered with a new sleeve (Digipack) by M.P. Records (licensed by Materiali Sonori), this work is the connecting point between the "progressive" past and the "avant-garde" future of the great Italian artist.
• Arturo Stalteri: Il Decimo Anello. This new release on the italian label Materiali Sonori is a concept album which stalteri had in mind for quite some time: an entire record dedicated to the fantasy world created by Tolkien. Special guests include Jenny Sorrenti & Arlo Bigazzi. The record is accompanied by a multimedia compilation (as has become usual for many recent Materiali Sonori releases) put together by Pier Luigi Andreoni with photos, video and three tracks.
• Stereokimono: Primosfera. A young trio from Bologna playing a mix of prog and psych-rock.
• Demetrio Stratos "Box". This new 5CD boxset from Area's singer documents one of the most important artists in the Italian musical panorama. These 5 albums (Cantare La Voce, Metrodora, Le Milleuna, Recitarcantando and Concerto All'Elfo ) span the career of the amazing vocalist who used his own voice as an instrument like few others had ever dared. 25 years later Demetrio's work is still extremely relevant, and he stands out as one of music history's true unique voices.
• Ubi Maior: Senza Tempo (AMS160CD). 2009. 2nd album by this outfit. The giants of the 70's Italian prog rock are not the one and only reference anymore; yet the 2009 Ubi Maior sound remains powerful, with its strong, dark and symphonic atmospheres. The sound of the band is still vintage, based heavily on Hammond organ, mellotron and pianoforte with a hard-edge guitar lines.
• More about Gigi Venegoni: Ante Tilt. Electromantic AEMS 0983 CD. "Ante Tilt" is a collection of tracks realized by Gigi Venegoni between 1972 and 1973, before the classic progressive album "Tilt" by Arti & Mestieri was released. Giovanni Vigliar plays on this album too: he eventually became an Arti & Mestieri member. This CD features embrional versions of "Aliante" and "Gravità 9.81", two classic Arti compositions!
• Venegoni & Co: Planetarium. New release by this absolutely great band! Recorded and mixed in September-December 2006 at Dynamo Sound Studio, Turin, Italy. After 26 years, guitarist Gigi Venegoni decided to take the challenge up and work on a new album; the work took 11 monthes and is soon ready for release! Stay tuned!
• The Watch: Live. 7 tracks recorded during the band's 2008 European tour. The long awaited live will be released in the first days of December, right when a new tour 2009 is starting.
• The Watch: Primitive. Lizard (LZ CD 0051. It consists of seven tracks for a total of about 48 minutes. Primitive is a step forward to what the audience have been already used to: an extensive use of vintage keyboards ( Mellotron M400, Moog, Organs & Arp Solina, Arp Omni & MK1 Synthesizers) plunged in a modern fairy atmosphere. Nature, love and friendship are the main issues tackled in this new album. As before the lyrics are often plunged in unreal atmospheres.
• Witchfield: Sleepless (BWR 112 CD/LP). New musical project involving the former drummer of Death SS and bass player of Paul Chain; the music shows influence of both metal and psychedelic as well as progressive reminiscences
• Yugen: Labirinto d'Acqua (2006). ALT001. Long awaited debut album for this group of international musicians. And surely one of the best things having come in 2006! This is instrumental music with roots in the RIO sound like Univers Zero but also with a biting rock edge. Surprisingly, one of the originators of the project is guitarist Francesco Zago, former guitarist of Genesis-influenced band The Night Watch. But here the music is far from symphonic rock, even if classical prog instruments like the mellotron can be heard. The compositions are complex and much written, leaning to contemporary classical music and with an omnipresent chamber feel. The work on the sound is BIG! and splendid, thanks to the presence of the invisible member Udi Koomran (which you probably have already met at work on other projects like the Belgian band Present or 5UU's or the Israeli band Sympozion). The dynamic is incredible, even more pathetic when Udi adds to it his sound treatments, the instrumentation rich and varied and what about a blast when you take a look at the cast of enthusiasts who sweat hard on the project: Markus Stauss (Überfall, Ulterior Lux ...), Dave Kerman (Thinking Plague, Present), Peter Schmid (Evan Parker), Tommaso Leddi (Stormy Six)... A must for lovers of strong dangerous sonic adventures!!
• Yugen Plays Leddi: Uova Fatali. Altrock ALT005CD. 2008. The 2nd album by the European collective is in the can! As implied in the title, Tommaso Leddi's (member of Stormy Six) compositions are this time highlighted, as well as new players enter ( Valerio Cipollone on clarinets and sopran sax), other leave (Markus Stauss & Peter Schmid, Dave Kerman), plenty of guests appear, new instrumental colours are added (accordion, oboe). One more time challenging their audience but themselves as well, Yugen delivers a complex body of quirky orchestral arrangements that are the fruits of a long work of love and passion!
• Zauber: S/T. MU (MU104). Deluxe LP. This is their brilliant, impossible to get first album, from 1978. It was a 500 units pressing, locally distributed by the small label MU. It's a truly fantastic album whose sound is compared to Pierrot Lunaire and the album features 7 nice songs with acoustic guitar, keyboards and a strong use of flute. This wonderful, very very rare album had never been reissued on vinyl before, so this is a very welcome release for all Italian progressive lovers. Label's replica, 180g vinyl and with the original printed inner sleeve.
• Zauber: Draghi e Vampiri. EDC 2369. Zauber is back with this new self produced CD after 5 years since "Profondo Blu", their last work. Seven new songs and three covers of classic tracks by Banco, Gravy Train & Lucio Battisti
• Zitta Ensemble: Volume 2 (LIZARDCD 0059). Following the first volume (2006) and "Quintet Sessions" (2007), here are now 7 instrumental tracks for more than 70 minutes of acid-psych-rock assaults, spooky landscapes spotted with Rhodes piano allucinations, jazz-rock disgressions. "Volume 2" ia a long breath-taking voyage (maybe a crazy run?), with all the acid evanescent colors from the guitar of Luca Vicenzi, the dynamic of Fabio Gatti 's drums and the bass of Marco Fortuna, enriched by the keyboards of Francesco Agostoni.
• Zitta Ensemble: Volume 1. This is the debut album of a very young group of musicians coming from Capo di Leuca, near Lecce, in Puglia - South Italy. Their music is always alternating: a dreamy, drunken violoncello, then a choir of mermaids, a trombone in Canterbury style, some sampling, then new wave, post rock and mobile phones come in... without any time and space references.
• Fabio Zuffanti: S/T (AMS155CD). March 2009 will see the release of Zuffanti's first solo album! He has composed, arranged, played, recorded and produced the whole CD on its own. Only the mixing work has been done at the Zerodieci studios. Zuffanti solo's music is a mix of electronica, songwriter, post-rock, psychedelia and lots of other influences. It contains moods between dream and reality, infuenced by a lot of non-musical factors such as snow, asphalt, rain, mud, wardrobes, fallen leaves, stones, strange novels and the soul of earthquakes...

.... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels ....



• Releases from the prog italian label MELLOW RECORDS:
  
  - DORACOR: Onirika (2007) MMP 495. 6th and best album to date by this new Italian prog band close to a Genesis style.
  - NOTABENE: Sei Lacrime d'Ambra (2007) MMP 496. 2nd album by one of the new Italian progressive revelations of the last years.
  - AARDVARK: Tuntematon Sotilas. MMP 487. New album by finnish prog band
  - NOTABENE: S/T (2005). MMP 486. Debut release by this new Italian prog band! A mix of old Italian progressive of the 70's (Balletto, Rovescio della Medaglia, Banco) with a touch of Yes and Deep Purple! Great musicianship with an incredible violin player.
  - YLECLIPSE: Opus. MMP 485. 3rd album for this new italian progressive band coming from Sardinia. Mellow Records
  - NODO GORDIANO: Alea (MMP 484). 2nd album by this Italian prog band influenced by King Crimson but this time the focus is on analog keyboards/synths and the music gets a more spacy electronic touch than on the previous one.
  - DORACOR: Evanescenze. MMP483. Brand new fifth album. Mellow Records MMP 483
  - ARIES: S/T (MMP479). A new supergroup led by the famous Fabio Zuffanti with a fantastic female vocalist and a deep italian symphonic sound
  - GROUP THERAPY: Nightmare in the college (2006). MMP 478. Latest album by this very interesting jazz-rock band from Japan, whose leader Hiroyuki Hitada sadly passed away in the beginning of 2006. Release planned for July 2006.
  - HOSTSONATEN: Springtides. Brand new CD with a collection of rare and unreleased Hostsonaten tracks from 1992-2002 selected by Fabio Zuffanti. MMP475.
  - GOAD: The Wood (dedicated to H.P. Lovecraft). This is the Italian new progressive best kept secret! Goad is a band active since the 80's and they released many private CD that never sold outside Italy. Goad is deeply involved with the progressive music of the Seventies (Procol Harum, Genesis, Pink Floyd), their brand new album will be a pleasant revelation for everybody. MMP474
  - FUNGUS: Careful! Debut album for this promising new italian band, deeply involved with psychedelic sounds (with reference to Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd and even Ozric Tentacles) and with a very good female vocalist reminding of Gong. Fungus could very well be the new italian revelation for psyched minds! MMP 473
  - ZAAl: La Lama Sottile (MMP 469). Another brand new fine side-project CD by the prolific and skilled Fabio Zuffanti, bass player and singer for Finisterre.
  - MARY NEWSLETTER: L'Attenzione Debole (MMP 468). Their 3rd album
  - GARDEN WALL: Towards The Silence (MMP 463). Less metallic than their previous "Forget The Colours" this album will surprise many adventorous listeners.
  - GROOVECTOR: Darklubing at Tavastia (MMP462). Live album from 2001-02
  - TAPROBAN: Outside Nowhere (MMP 461). 2nd release by this keyboard oriented band.
  - THE LETTERS / An Unconventional Italian Guide to King Crimson.
  (MMP 460 A/B/C). This 3CD boxset, a tribute to King Crimson features many talented italian prog bands, including Greenwall, Germinale, Ubi Maior, Malibran, Spirosfera, Taproban, Psychonoesis, Jet Lag, Floating State, Notturno Concertante, Caboto, Nodo Gordiano, Area Palea and many more... Most of the King Crimson classic tracks are included here. Each KC era is represented in this fantastic tribute: from the late Sixties to the late Ninenties, with great covers of : Frame by frame, Cat food, Discipline, One more red nightmare, The Sailor's tale, One time, Lark's tongues in aspic I and II, The Great Deceiver, Starless, Formentera Lady, Epitaph, Pictures of a city, Prince Rupert Awakes, Exiles, In the Court of the Crimson King, Red, Fracture, Lament, and more...
  - EDHELS: Saltimbanques. French Progressive band reissued. MMP459
  - CRISTIANO ROVERSI: The park. MMP458
  - MALIBRAN: Strani Colori. MMP456. New CD by the Italian prog group from Sicily, including 14 rare tracks from 1989 to 2002! - AZAZELLO: Wings. MMP452. Russian band, influenced by Dream Theatre
  - APOGEE: On The Aftertaste. Brand new album for this german prog band linked with Versus X. MMP 450
  - PHILIPPE GRANCHER: 3000 Miles Away (1977). CD reissue of Philippe Grancher's 1977 album, originally issued on the Pole label. Comparable to Vangelis or Clearlight, this recording is mostly made of instrumental music, piano and synthesizers. MMP449
  - SCARLET THREAD: Psykedeelisia Joutsenlauluja. MMP448
  - ALTAIR: 3 (live 2000). Third album for this great spanish new progressive band, recorded live in Barcelona in May 2000. This is instrumental-classical-progressive-keyboards-rock with ELP or Triumvirat as primary influences, plus a touch of Genesis and jazz/rock. MMP445
  - NOTTURNO CONCERTANTE: Transparent Music. MMP 444 - YLECLIPSE: Prime substance. MMP441
  - X RELIGION: Dances of the Gobelins. 2nd release of this band from Uzbekhistan with Vitaly Menshikov (yes, the one and only from the Progressor website) on bass. MMP440
  - THE GIANT HOGWEED ORCHESTRA: S/T (MMP439). Newcomers from Finland discovered by Mellow Records. Completely instrumental, they travel somewhere between space rock, prog, psychedelia and some hints of post rock.
  - TILION: Insolitariamente. MMP438
  - ONZA: Zona Crepuscolar. MMP437
  - THE FAR SIDE: Parallelebipedo. MMP434
  - LAZONA: Le Notti Difficili. MMP433
  - ANCESTRY: Discendenze. MMP 430
  - ZAQ: Zaq. MMP427
  - DJORDJE ILIJIN: Zabrabjeno Prisluskivanje. (solo project from the leader of ex yugoslavian band Tako) MMP426
  - GARDEN WALL: Forget The Colors. MMP425
  - OUTSIDE: Freedom. MMP423
  - MOON FOG PROPHET: Taunting Tin Bells. MMP420
  - SUBMARINE SILENCE: S/t. MMP419
  - OVERHEAD: Zumanthum. MMP416
  - EDHELS: Saltimbanques. French progressive band. MMP459
  - FREE WAVE SYSTEM: Nonostante tutto. 70's album re-issued. MMP410
  - MAHOGANY BRAIN: With/Without. MMP402
  
  

Papersleeve releases from Vinyl Magic

• Alluminogeni: Scolopendra. VM121CD. The album, from 1973, is very well made, mainly based on Hammond organ and other keyboards, with good instrumental parts
• Alusa Fallax: Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione (1974) VMCD 103. New superbe reissue of Alusa Fallax's progressive album from 1974. It includes a detailed 20 pages booklet with original LP labels, vintage photos and promo posters and a long long interview with their keyboards player!
• Area: Gli dei se ne vanno (VMLP142). This is the 7th release (1978), which has never been reissued on vinyl before! The record contains some good progressive songs and some close to free-jazz as well. Gatefold cover, label replicas and 180 Gr. vinyl.
• Baffo Banfi: Galaxy my dear. VMCD099. 1978 solo album reissue by Biglietto per L'Inferno keyboards player "Baffo" Banfi. Electronic keyboards influenced by Klaus Schulze, including one bonus track. Deluxe papersleeve CD edition, gatefold cardboard cover, detailed booklet with vintage photos and original LP labels.
• Luciano Basso: Cogli Il Giorno (AMS142CD). First CD release for the ultra-rare second work (78) by acclaimed keyboardist Luciano Basso. As usual a great instrumental work, mostly unknown, underrated and of course very rare in its original LP form. Musically it is the usual and great blend of classical-influenced progressive music and avant-garde, just as its stunning debut "Voci". Among the guest musicians on this album, Leonardo Dosso from Gruppo D'Alternativa
• Biglietto Per L'Inferno: Il Tempo Della Semina (1974). BTF papersleeve CD (TRI 1009 CD). The historical second album from one of the most famous and original Italian progressive band from the 70's scene. Now available in the brand new deluxe papersleeve CD edition.
• Califfi: Fiore di Metallo. VM119CD. A very good prog album by a band from Florence, based on organ and moog sounds, with two outstanding instrumental tracks.
• Campo Di Marte: S/T. AMS 101 CD. The new edition has been completely remastered under Enrico Rosa's direction, resuming the original feel and the original track list of the 1973 recordings! Their debut album rates among the best known records from the original italian progressive music scene of the 70's.
• Dalton: Riflessioni: Idea d'Infinito (1972). VM 012 CD. Reissue of a great album by prog outfit with nice flute playing. The remastered release also adds one bonus track
• De De Lind: Io non so da dove vengo (73).
• Duello Madre: S/T. VMCD127. Reissue of the band's sole album done in the 70's (73). This is a jazz-oriented album with just one single vocal track. Duello Madre was a sort of superband as it included 2 members of Osage Tribe and drummer Dede Lo Previte from Circus 2000 (he joined Nova after the band's split while the bass player went to Il Volo).
• L'estate Di San Martino : Febo. VM129CD. After the overwhelming success of the papersleeve release of their 1983 concert in Perugia (Alder, AMSCD126), Estate di San Martino decided to reunite with the original line-up, composing a brand-new work for the AMS label in 2006. “Febo” is an outstanding gem, a concept album in the best tradition of Italian melodic Progrock, highlighted by a superb musical production with complex but still beautiful atmospheres and skilful musicianship.
• Ivano Fossati / Oscar Prudente: Poco Prima dell'Aurora (1972) VMCD 104. New reissue for the second Ivano Fossati album, soon available in BTF's own papersleeve VM CD series, with detailed booklets including all the lyrics in Italian and German plus the original LP labels, extensive liner notes, a reproduction of the original poster that came with this LP.
• Garybaldi: Astrolabio (73). VM 116CD. This reissue CD includes a light booklet with liner notes only
• Garybaldi: Nuda. VM114CD. Packaged in a gorgeous three-folded papersleeve CD displaying the beutiful original artwork by famous italian comics designer Guido Crepax in full shape. The reissue CD includes a detailed booklet with vintage photos and lots of historical infos.
• Germinale: Scogli di Sabbia. VM 108. Germinale's brand new album! with unreleased material, live material and assorted live tracks.
• Ibis: Sun Supreme (74). Band issued from the split of New Trolls.
• Indaco: Amorgos (99). AMS 132CD. This was the debut album of Indaco - some will say their best! Here again a host of guests! Especially worth of note is the presence of trumpetist Lester Bowie and Banco's keyboardist Vittorio Nocenzi as well as one more time Mauro Pagani from PFM. also here one live bonus track
• Indaco: Vento Del Deserto (1997). AMS 131CD. Finally the papersleeve reissue of the long OOP second record by this ethno-prog superband who housed two fast members coming from the one and only Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso: guitarist Rodolfo Maltese and drummer Pierluigi Calderoni. If it wasn't enough to convince you, then please take note of the following guesting musicians: Francesco Di Giacomo (Banco's singer), violinist Mauro Pagani (ex PFM), percussionist Toni Esposito, bandoneon player and pianist Antonello Salis and more .... All in all a great blend of Mediterrean flavors and progressive rock, including a cover of Pink Floyd’s "Set The Control For The Heart Of The Sun!" and one live bonus track
• Latte E Miele: Papillon (73).
• Maxophone: S/T. AMS 138 CD. Finally the legit remastered version on deluxe vinyl-replica of one of the most legendary Italian prog records ever! Maxophone, released on the Produttori Associati label (along with Duello Madre) is a marvellous and timeless album, full of dreamy atmospheres and complex horn arrangements, with good vocal parts in a Genesis style. Other influences may be PFM and Gentle Giant, though Maxophone keep a very distinctive and unique sound. This remastered edition faithfully reproduces the sound of the original master tape, while the cover and artwork is the exact replica of the vinyl version of 1975, including extended liner notes in a separate booklet and two bonus tracks.
  At the same time, the English version (AMS 139 CD) will also be released as a limited edition (500 copies). This remastered edition faithfully reproduces the sound of the original master tape with English-sung lyrics and a slightly different instrumental mix while it must be pointed out that this English-sung version does not contain the bonus tracks of the Italian CD version.
• Metamorfosi: S/T (72). VM002CD. A classical record now remastered!
• Murple: Quadri Di Un’esposizione. AMS 145 CD(2008). Murple is back! Not the usual, odd reunion with just some few originals band members, but the original line-up of this Italian prog outfit of the 70's! "Quadri Da Un Esposizione" is a lovely concept album, in the style that made their debut and sole LP "Io sono Murple" so succesful over all these years. Murple still play vintage instruments, keeping the real Italian prog spirit alive. A welcome comeback and a great record. Deluxe vinyl-replica packaging.
• New Trolls! "Ut" and "Searching For A Land" (both from 1972) are now released as papersleeve CDs by Vinyl Magic (VM 138 & 139)
• Officina Meccanica : La Follia Del Mimo Di Fuoco (1976). AMS 116 CD. Officina Meccanica from Rome had several single releases in the 70's and this CD contains their best singles + 5 tracks never heard before (3 of them are over 10 minute long suites!!), planned for an LP release. Musically Officina Meccanica play a very theatrical, dramatic and complex Mediterranean prog like Osanna or Semiramis, but with a large use of horns that can remind Van der Graaf Generator
• Osanna: Landscape of life (VMLP 136). The last of good early 70's albums Osanna did for the Fonit label, released in 1974 just prior to splitting up. Gatefold cover, exact label replicas and 180 grams vinyl.
• Osanna: L'Uomo. VM131CD. This papersleeve reissue of the debut album from 1971 by one of the top Italian progressive bands has the great asset of reproducing exactly for the first time the original triple gatefold cover. For those who missed this album, here's a new chance for rediscovering the nice voice of singer Lino Vairetti (plus interesting lyrics indeed), the aggressive flute of Elio D'Anna, the fluid guitar playing of Danilo Rustici and the solid rhythm section of Lello Brandi and Massimo Guarino.
• Osanna: Palepoli. Vinyl Magic VMLP127. Delucxe LP. Now available again with the original gatefold cover, label replicas and the printed inner sleeve including the lyrics. Limited to 500 copies. Palepoli - Osanna's third album - was originally released in 1973 and contains three long tracks only, the first of them an amazing mixture of progressive rock with local Napoli folk. The whole album has excellent guitar and powerful rhythm section, and the production of the record is fantastic.
• Mauro Pagani: S/T. VM115CD. The fantastic debut album by PFM violinist in 1978, featuring his hit "Europa Minor".
• Pandora: Dramma Di Un Poeta Ubriaco. AMS 143 CD(2008). Pandora are a five-piece band form Piedmont, directly following the footsteps of Italian prog giants. Long tracks dominated by intricate vintage keyboards, a killing ballad and a delicious medieval folk song, a great guitar player, a really superb and outstanding drumming and a powerful voice; they follow the footsteps of giants like La Torre Dell'Alchimista or La Maschera di Cera while they also refer to the more hard and powerful side of Italian symphonic prog rock. Lyrics are strictly Italian. Dynamic and complex Italian prog with excellent musicianship. Deluxe vinyl-replica packaging
• Panna Fredda: Uno (71). VM118CD. 4 bonus tracks
• I Pooh: "Per quelli come noi" (VRM36033) + "Contrasto" (VMRS358). Two nice, licensed deluxe vinyl reissues of 60's beat Italian pop classics by I Pooh, both in strictly limited reissue of 500 copies. They are now nearly gone, so place your orders very soon if you want to get your hands on one! The first is the classic debut from 1966 and the other is their 2nd album from 1968. Both are presented with the original (and great) artwork and improved sound quality
• Procession: Fiaba. VM123CD. This band from Torino reappeared in 1974 with a new line-up and a new recording deal, this time with Fonit dueed to release their second album Fiaba. A mature work, much more original than their first and more in a symphonic vein with large use of sax and flute with guest appearances by drummer Francesco Froggio Francica (from Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno), Delirium's keyboard player Ettore Vigo and Circus 2000 female singer Silvana Aliotta.
• Quella Vecchia Locanda: S/T. A classic italian progressive masterwork from 1972! The self titled album is now available with deluxe gatefold papersleeve artwork in remastered CD edition. VMCD 054.
• Raccomandata Ricevuta Di Returno: Per Un Mondo Di Cristallo (1972). VM 117CD. This group was formed in Rome in the early Seventies by musicians that later on formed Samadhi and Procession. Their sound mixes typical italian prog-rock with acoustic guitar, flute and keyboards in evidence, with some jazz influences too. The new reissue CD includes a booklet with liner notes and photos.
• Raminghi: Il Lungo Cammino dei Raminghi + Live 1975. VM double paper sleeve CD. VM 102 A-B. New double release in BTF's own paper sleeve CD series: Raminghi's only album in remastered edition + a second CD with a very rare live recording from a 1975 concert!
• Randone: Linea Di Confine (ARTPQ 1112). 2009. The sicilian band is back with a new concept album based on the self-penned book by Nicola Randone
• Sado: Holzwege. AMS 129CD. 2008. Sado is a side-project by some of the members of the band Archansiel but don't expect a music in the same vein as they're taking their distance with the easy-listening neoprog sound that characterized the band. Sado lies somewhere in between the more aggressive spirit of Area (especially for what the stunning vocal experimentations by Boris Savoldelli concern), the happy nonsense of Picchio dal Pozzo and some weird and spacey psychedelia.
• Samadhi: S/T. (VM114CD). A sort of supergroup, as most of their members came from well-known bands, Samadhi were formed after the split of Raccomandata Ricevuta di Ritorno by singer Regoli and guitarist Civitenga, along with keyboard player Sabatini (from Free Love and Kaleidon), Aldo Bellanova from Teoremi on bass and drummer Ruggero Stefani (L'Uovo di Colombo), and two other members.The album mixes very good prog influences with some jazz and even pop, the best of the seven tracks being the closing L'ultima spiaggia with religious text.
• Showmen: Showmen 2 (VM126CD). This AMS papersleeve release is the very first legitimate reissue of this Napolitean masterpiece dated 1972! The Showmen from Naples had some soul influenced hits in the sixties featuring names like Mario Musella, James Senese (Napoli Centrale) and Elio D'Anna (Osanna). After a short time Senese and Del Prete, aided by the guitarist Botta, reformed the group with a new line-up, this time much more influenced by the current Italian prog tendencies and released the album called Showmen 2. The album contains a peculiar mix of rock, jazz and prog, somewhere in between Osanna and the more dynamic British bands of jazz influenced prog like If. The music is powerful, well played, with strong horn arrangements that make this album unique in the Italian prog scene of the time. The band disbanded after the album, founders Senese and Del Prete creating Napoli Centrale. Much confusion has been made about Showmen's name, with their album being reissued by the B.B.B. and Replay labels as Showmen 2 / Napoli Centrale; a later compilation on the same label mixed tracks from their 60's beat repertoire, the Showmen 2 album and even a Chicago track cover (Introduction). In the last years there have been some bootleg releases of this record, with material poorly mastered, wrong artworks or with music taken from previous demo sessions. So this is the first legitimate release (as the original LP is very hard to find), taken from master tapes and faithful to the original artwork. Not to be missed for lovers of the Napoli prog scene (Ref: Osanna, Uno, Nova, Città Frontale, Cervello, Luna, Napoli Centrale).
• Stormy Six: Al Volo (1982). Vinyl Magic VM144CD. Sept. 09. This was their swan's song and is still their last studio album to date. Maybe rockier than the other but still with plenty of creative ideas
• Stormy Six! Vinyl Magic releases on one CD two albums (Cliché + Pinocchio Bazaar - VM 140CD) consisting of music for different theatrical pieces. Cliché (76) contains completely instrumental songs that once again demonstrate how courageous and experimenting Stormy Six were at the time; for Pinocchio Bazar, the songs were recorded live during Autumn 1976 at Teatro Arsenale in Milan. Some of them appeared re-arranged on the bands next great studio album "Macchina Maccheronica" but here we get the original music used by the theatre company during the musical representation! This is undoubtedly the most difficult Stormy Six's album. On it appears for the first time drummer Salvatore Garau
• Stormy Six: Macchina maccheronica (1980) VMCD106. New reissue of the Stormy Six 1980 album with two very detailed booklets including all the lyrics in Italian and German plus the original LP labels, extensive liner notes, a reproduction of the original poster that came with this LP.
• Stormy Six: L'apprendista. VM 107. New reissue of their album from 77. Now again available in BTF's own papersleeve VM CD series with a very detailed booklet including lyrics and photos plus the original LP labels, extensive liner notes and historical introduction
• Triade: 1998: La Storia di Sabazio (VMCD 105). This is the only album released by this group in 1973. Sadly forgotten (even the keyboardist didn't remember the names of his partners) but now maybe getting a second life, this combo was mainly a trio in the vein of ELP.
• Ubi Maior: Nostos (2005) VM 110CD. Brand new debut CD for this talented new italian band. The influences of Biglietto per l'Inferno and PFM are melted with original stuff composed by the band. Sometimes obscure, sometime melodic and poetic.
• UNO: S/T (VMCD 109). Nice italian progressive album from 1973 by the same musicians that formed Osanna, later to become Nova. An amusing oddity: this recording features the same woman who performed the now famous vocals on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon".
• Riccardo Zappa "Chatka" and "Celestion" soon coming (VMCD 112 and 111). Zappa was a master of electronic sounding like music based on sequenced guitars. His debut album "Celestion" dates from 77

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DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ...



• BANCO: Ciò Che Si Vede È. Brand new reissue of this long time out-of-stock videotape of a great Banco live performance. The live video footage has been mastered onto DVD with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and stereo 2.0 audio format. This excellent Banco concert was recorded at Rome's Palladium Theater on May 12, 1992, and has a great tracklist with all the Banco classics: "In Volo", "R.I.P.", "L'Evoluzione", "Moby Dick", "Il Giardino del Mago", "750.000 Anni Fa... l'Amore" and "Non Mi Rompete". Banco line-up formed by Vittorio Nocenzi on keyboards, Rodolfo maltese on guitar, Francesco Di Giacomo (vocals), Pierluigi Calderoni (drums), and Tiziano Ricci on bass guitar. DVD tech details: Area 0, PAL format.
• Franco Battiato: Un Soffio Al Cuore di Natura Elettrica. Brand new live CD+DVD package, available in two different versions: CD+DVD double digipack or DVD+CD (DVD plastic case).
• Franco Battiato: La Cura. Fantastic DVD captured live in 1997! 23 classic songs
• Cantina Sociale: Catturati (live). From Electromantic.
• Fiaba: I Racconti del Giullare Cantore. CD + DVD. PC 005. Brand new album by Fiaba, including a special bonus DVD. Explosive and rich in fairytale, charming melodies and moods.
• Fiaba: I Sogni di Marzia (PC 001) + First cut (live). Two brand new DVD releases by italian prog-rock band FIABA. "I sogni di Marzia" is a 50 minutes movie based upon Fiaba's suite, with subtitles in Italian and English. The DVD is PAL standard, all regions. "First cut" is a live performance by Fiaba filmed in San Giuliano del Sannio, Italy, on August 15, 2004, at Fish concert opening. This is a double DVD of approx. 100 minutes, with remixed audio.
• Malibran: 10 Anni di Concerti. Electromantic ELEDVD52003. Ten years of live performances by Italian prog band Malibran.
• Mangala Vallis: Intergalactic Live Video Archives (2009) - DMF-DVD01. Recorded during the 2006 European tour, this is the first live DVD from Mangala Vallis, the progressive band which features Bernardo Lanzetti (ex-PFM, Acqua Fragile). The document highlights the great energy of the band and gathers the most significant tracks of their repertoire taken from their two albums "Book of dreams" and "Lycanthrope". It also features the two video clips produced by the band for 143 minutes of great live music.
• Opus Avantra: Viaggio Immaginario - Live in Tokyo (2008). CRSDVD 002. Opus Avantra was born during the first years of the seventies not just as a musical band but above all as an experimental aesthetic movement. An original project born from the union between progressive rock and classical music. Opus Avantra is very touched by the japanese following and they decided to record in the land of the rising sun this fantastic live DVD. All the tracks from Introspezione have been played and a selection from the other three records: Lord Cromwell, Strata and Lyrics. A musical and theatrical show where the historic members of the band prove their abilities in giving emotions.
• Demetrio Stratos: Suonare La Voce. DVD. This experimental session was available on CD and one could follow the vocal work approach of Demetrio. It is now available on DVD, the first dedicated to the great Area's singer!
• Un Biglietto per l'Inferno Tribute Concert. BG 007. Brand new DVD with many italian prog musicians bands involved in a tribute show for Biglietto Per l'Inferno!. The concert was held in Biglietto's hometown of Lecco, north of Milano, on January 29, 2005. A lot of musician friends took part in this event: Rodolfo Maltese (BANCO), Tony Pagliuca (ORME), Paolo Tofani (AREA), Patrizio Fariselli (AREA), Claudio Rocchi, all paid tribute covering one song from Biglietto per l'Inferno's songbook and own material as well. Moreover some new italian progressive groups took part in the event as well: Greenwall, Ubi Maior, Fonderia, GAS, etc... That magical winter night has been captured in a special DVD, released in area 0 format (all regions), PAL standard.

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SPAIN: A NEW BUT OLD PROGRESSIVE CORNER

Spanish prog has been there like all other countries but it is only in recent years that labels like Guerssen Records, Picap, Fonomusic, have started a fantastic program of reissues that could not been more warmly welcomed. If you are missing titles inside such music fields as basque progressive, spanish folk & psychedelic, then be ready to get surprised. Guerssen has an impressive distribution of titles, CDs as well as LPs, featuring important names such: Lisker, Errobi, Izukaitz, Guadalquivir, Itoiz, Granada, Pau Riba, Triana, Gualberto, etc... Music By Mail will be following this label very closely. If you need more infos, send us a mail! Here is an overview of great forgotten or still unknown stuff!


• Asturcón: S/T. Label: Dial (Dial-96727). This is the sole album by this group based in Asturias, in the north of Spain. It was recorded in 1980 and released in 1981 on the Diapason label. Musically it blends local folk influences with progressive and synphonic rock with great result. This first ever reissue has been remastered from the original mastertapes.
• Atila: Intención. Wah-Wah Records (WCD008). Originally issued in 1976, Intención is the perfect follow-up to "The Beginning Of The End", with Atila offering further pieces led by the strong guitar licks of Eduardo Niebla, Benet Nogué's organ & Moog and Joan Punyet's drums melting in top progressive freakouts, plus the addition of wordless vocal parts and even some catalan sung parts, besides adding a symphonic edge to the general sound. In addition to the original "Intención" LP this CD edition will feature one bonus track recorded back in 1999 and a gorgeous 16 page booklet full of info on the band.

• Banda Do Casaco: Hoje Há Conquilhas Amanhã Não Sabemos. CNM168CD. For the first time, Portuguese prog folk outfit Banda do Casaco’s third album is finally available in CD. Acclaimed in 1977 as best record of the year in its own country, “Hoje Há Conquilhas Amanhã Sabemos” has long been unavailable in any format. The complex sounds constructed here place Banda do Casaco among the best folk rock made internationally in 1977 – Steeleye Span’s “Storm Force 10”, Jethro Tull’s “Songs From the Wood”, Gryphon’s “Treason” or Brittany’s cherished treasures like Malicorne’s homonymous fourth album and Alan Stivell’s “Before Landing”.
• Companyia Elèctrica Dharma: El Misteri D'en Miles Serra I Les Músiques Mutants (910603 - barcode 8425845906041). New album by one of the best Catalan bands!
• Companyia Elèctrica Dharma are one of the bigger names of Catalan music. Still on the road, their blend of rock, folk and jazz has made them the most well-known Catalan groups all around the world. Many of their albums were released on the Picap label, which went down some time ago! The good news is that the label is reshaped and reborn! Up to eleven albums get now back in print, some of them maybe seeing light for the first time like "Ordinaries Aventures" from 1979, a transition period from the prog-folk based music towards a more rock & pop style in the 80's and 90's with albums like Força Dharma (85), No Volem Ser (86), Fibres Del Cor (89), Tifa Head (91) and Que No Es Perdi Aquest So (93). If you have missed the early period during the 70's, then rejoice and don't do the same mistake one more time. Get your hands on Diumenge (1975), L'oucomballa (1976), Tramuntana (1977) and L'angel De La Dansa (1978).
• Companyia Electrica Dharma: La Dharma l’arma! Musica Global 56506. 2CD + DVD. This double set captures the amazing live concert that the legendary Catalan group did for their 30th anniversary, in 2005. The concert was at Barcelona’s Palau de la Música Catalana and collects all the highlights from their succesful career. Gorgeous packaging!
• Electrik Consort: S/T. Quadrant Records (Q00011CD). Catalan group featuring well-known percussionist Nan Mercader. Prog-fusion, a good number of original tracks plus some covers, including a hurdy-gurdy version of Led Zeppelin's Cashmir. W/booklet.
• Franklin: Life Circle – Discografía Completa y Rarezas. Cocodrilo HMPE401. CD edition featuring the whole Franklin output: their two 45s, the unreleased "Life Circle" album remastered from the master tapes and a couple of rare live tracks. Includes liner notes and pictures. Their new line-up for those sessions featured two drummers and a new keyboard player. “Life Circle” is a conceptual album which sounds more prog-rock than their previous 45s, in fact we must say this is a must for anyone into Spanish progressive sounds: Nine tracks full of hard guitar, Minimoog, Mellotron, analog keyboards, some spacey and experimental-symphonic passages, English vocals.
• Gurth: Tormentes. 2008. MALS 269. Spanish group of progressive rock-fusion born in 1995, from the region of Penedes (Barcelona). Two guitar players, bass and drums, percussion are the core. It seems that keyboards are used but no one is credited! Guitar synth? Influences are based on groups like King Crimson, Gong, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Return to Forever, Iceberg, Secta Sonica, Musica Urbana, etc... they alternate instrumental songs with other sung in Catalan and some in English.
• Ia-Batiste: Chichonera's Cat. Picap 910550. 2nd album from 1975, originally released on the Edigsa label. The collaboration of two Catalan musicians, Jordi Batiste being member of the leading psychedelic-progressive group Maquina, one of the most legendary groups ever to come out from Barcelona and Ia Clua. Musically this album is a blend of progressive, rock & folk, entirely sung in Catalan language.
• Ibio: El Regreso (Artimaña AR0030). The legendary Spanish progressive 70’s group has entered studio again, and they’re here to please their old fans. "El Regreso" is a brilliant comeback that will satisfy everyone who dug “Cuevas de Altamira”; it has the same exact feel, keeping the influence of Italian progressive with lots of cool synths, great guitar work and adding their own local folk influences. Ten new tracks, plus a new version of “Cuevas de Altamira” with sitar!!! Recommended!!! Disc 1 is a DTS 5.1 audio surround version, only available for use in DVD. Disc 2 is the same but just the audio.
• Magdalena: Lanean Sartzen. S.P.A. (SPA1001). Sole album by this Basque band, a brilliant blend of progressive rock and folk-rock. It has a good dose of tasty flute, some acoustic guitar and powerful distorted electric guitar as well. Sung both in Spanish and Basque. 500 copies only papersleeve edition with fantastic remastered sound, and with insert.
• October Equus: S/T (MRC 007). New Spanish band who displays originality in their compositions, they are never easy but always pleasant and well structured; an album for everybody!
• Jorge Palma: "Com Uma Viagem Na Palma Da Mao" (VSL11962 - IPLAY - 5604931119623). Debut album in 1975 by the well-known artist from Lisboa. Nice jazz-rock, digipack reissue with remastered sound from mastertapes
• Panzerballet: Live At Backstage Munich 2006. German band shifting between heavy prog metal and elegant jazz funk


• Pan Y Regalis. This self titled album is a reissue of one of the rarest psych/prog albums recorded by a Spanish band in the early seventies. On the label Wah Wah Records


• Pan Y Regalis: S/T. Reissue in digipack deluxe edition. WCD004. One of the most celebrious Spanish prog bands!
• Planeta Imaginario: Biomasa. Cuneiform RUNE 268. 2nd album by this Catalan 8-piece, between some Chick Corea like jazz-rock and sophisticated Canterbury prog (In Cahoots for example). All this tastefully and effortlessly mixed with their Mediterranean roots and the best Spanish fusion from the 70's (Iceberg, Musica Urbana).
• Quarteto 1111: "Onde, Quando, Como Porque Cantamos Pessoas Vivas" (IPV 12412 - IPLAY - 5604931124122). A vinyl version will come out very soon on the Guerssen label too. Possibly the rarest of all Portuguese 70's albums, this was withdrawn shortly after its release, because of political reasons dealing with the government and the lyrics. Progressive rock monster with only one long 30 minute track, this is a real nightmare for prog collectors that now becomes a dream come true with this wonderful digipack reissue that has a fantastic remastered sound from mastertapes!
• Jordi Sabatés is one of the great Spanish pianists from Catalonia. Already active as a member of the band Jarka, he has since released a great and varied number of releases, fortunately reissued today on the newly reborn label Picap. Here's the summary:
  
  - Jordi Sabatés and Toti Soler. Jazz fusion from the early 70's with extraordinary guitarist Toti Soler.
  - El Senyor Dels Anells. From 1974 and often classified under the prog genre
  - Tot L'enyor De Demà. From 1976 and leaning towards jazz-rock, with Jordi playing on piano, el piano, organ and moog. One of his best and classic works. Noteworthy is the presence of the famous blind Catalan pianist Tete Montoliu on a few tracks
  - A Través Del Mirall. Originally released as double LP, recorded live in Barcelona in 1986. There is an operatic singer in the line-up. Another album going in the same direction (and with the same female singer) is "Noche Oscura" from 1984
  - The Ragtime Dance. Noting to do with prog but we include anyway this Scott Joplin tribute from 1983
  
  
• Senogul: Concierto De Evocación Sonora Para Conjunto Instrumental (Aural Impressions Concert For Instrumental Ensemble). Senogul is an instrumental band born in Asturias (Spain) in 2002 and who gained rather quickly a good reputation among the prog community. On this 2nd album, they have evolved from progressive rock into fusion, world and contemporary instrumental music. Yet, the driving force of the album is still a research and continuous reinterpretation of every sound that surrounds us. With an intensified media activity in the last monthes, Senogul will certainly prove they're a band to watch out!
• 3 albums are reissued in May 2008 on the new Picap label, all concerning guitarist Toti Soler. "El Gat blanc" (White cat) is definitely his best work ever and a well-known album among folk-psych-prog collectors around. It came out originally in 1973 and it is an instrumental and acoustic folk-psych album with many dreamy tripped out passages, but also some fuzz and wah-wah attacks. "Desdesig" is more Flamenco guitar jazz-rock (from 77) while on the 1985 album "Epigrama", Toti joined another brilliant guitar player, Feliu Gasull to produce a Spanish guitar instrumental album
• Tantra: "Mistérios e Maravilhas" (VSL11982 - IPLAY - 5604931119821). Symphonic progressive stuff, often compared to the UK prog sound of the 70's but this has a special flavour that makes it unique. Very skillful musicianship with lots of strong keys, electric and acoustic guitars. This beautiful digipack release is mastered from tapes, has two bonus tracks from a previous 45 and has extensive liner notes .... in Portuguese!

.... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels ....

• FONOMUSIC SPAIN!
  
  After the great reissues of classics like Eduardo Bort, Goma, Alfredo Carrión, etc., Warner-Fonomusic comes with a big bunch of new, fantastic digipacks. They’re all respecting the original artwork and are perfectly remastered for the collector’s pleasure. Check it out!
  
  + Azabache: Días de luna (50 5046770822 8). 1979.
  Jorge “Flaco” Barral and Gustavo Ros (both ex Azahar) joined Daniel Henestrosa and Ricardo Valle and took the name of AZABACHE. A good and rare album of progressive rock with some symphonic touches. This is the first of their two albums.
  + Azabache: No, Gracias. 2nd album by this post-Azahar group, originally released in 1980 and still a great progressive album!
  + Luis Emilio Batallán : Ahí Ven O Maio (50 5046746522). 1975
  Historic debut album by this man coming from Galicia, in the Northwest of Spain. Entirely sung in Galego, it’s a beautiful folk album that will also please most of progressive aficionados. Some members of Granada were involved in the recording and arrangements are courtesy of Carlos Cárcamo himself.
  + Hilario Camacho: La Estrella Del Alba. A collection of songs that were released on LP in 1976. This was the third album in his career. The result is a fantastic album much appreciated by progressive rock afficionados and showing his collaboration with Jorge "Flaco" Barral, whom he became friend withConexion: Harmony (50 5046770842 6). 1973.
  This very unknown group blended progressive rock with soul music, and this is their only album. Luis Fornes, one of the members, later went to other great Spanish groups like Agamenon or Dolores. Six tracks, one of them “Concierto uno” took the whole B side on the original lp.
  + Coses: Perquè no s’apagui l’aire (50 5046770812 9). 1978
  Catalan folk group with a slight progressive flavour, this one is the third and last of their albums.
  + Diego de Morón : S/T (50 5046771612 4). 1977
  Much sought after album and the only one by Diego de Morón. It features two Triana members (Jesús de la Rosa and Juan José Palacios “Tele”) who help on four tracks with arrangements, keys, drums and percussion. But also Carlos Cárcamo, best known from the group Granada who plays on the rest of the tracks. There’s some good mellotron on the album as well.
  + Granada: Valle Del Pas. 3rd and last album from 78 by this well known group. Instrumental symphonic, progressive folk-rock
  + Granada : Hablo de una tierra (50 5046771622 3) 1975.
  Folk, rock, symphonic and progressive rock get together in the debut album by this well-known Spanish group who actually didn’t hail from the city of Granada, but from Santander.
  + Gualberto: Otros Dias. In 1976, Gualberto lived in France and Holland for several months, composing the chamber music that would end in this record, released in 1979. It's a very special album in his discography as he was joined here by a classical music septet on the A side, and a quartet on the B side; he plays acoustic guitar only.
  + Gualberto : A La Vida, Al Dolor (50 5046732432 9). 1975
  Founder member of the legendary Spanish group Smash, Gualberto is no doubt the Spanish psych guitar guru. When he left Smash, he went to the USA for a couple of years, and he came back to Sevilla together with Tod Purcell, who would sing and play 12 string guitar in this, Gualberto's solo debut album in 1975. What you will find here is an outstanding blend of psychedelia with flamenco. Gualberto plays Spanish guitar, flamenco guitar, electric guitar and sitar; there's great violin work by another American, Arthur Wolh, some flute and great, all original songs.
  + Lluís Llach: Viatge a Itaca (50 5046747122). 1975
  Key album on Llach’s discography, this one is much acclaimed for its epical and synphonic feel. The title track filled whole side 1 on the vinyl.
  + Lole y Manuel : Nuevo día (50 5046771802 9) 1975
  The first longplayer recorded by this duo. Lole takes “cante” (flamenco singing) and Manuel takes care of flamenco guitar, while other studio musicians helped with mellotron (Carlos Cárcamo, Granada), bass and electric guitar.
  + Benito Moreno: Romance Del Lute y Otras Canciones. Here's an obscure album for all the progsters around, originally released in 75. The complete Triana is playing and handling all arrangements here!
  + Pau Riba: Electròccid àccid alquimístic xoc (50 5046771812 8). 1975
  4th album by Catalan hippie acid-folk weirdo.
  + Tílburi: Al Fin..! Progressive folk-rock with a psychedelic touch, made in Spain and sung in English. This is the first of their albums and was released in 1975 on Movieplay.
  + Tílburi: Alcocebre (50 5046772362 7). 1976
  2nd album by this obscure Spanish group. Rock, progressive and strong folk influences, using mandolin, violin, electric and acoustic guitar, and bass.
  + Triana: Hijos Del Agobio. New digipack edition of their 2nd album, for many the best of them all. A key album in the worldwide progressive rock scene.
  + Triana: Sombra Y Luz (50 5046617655 4). 1979
  The third album by Triana, symphonic prog-rock of the highest level, with a flamenco dose. Their best seller ever.
  + Vainica Doble: Contracorriente (50 5046658005 4). 1976
  This Spanish female folk-psych duo is probably the top cult group in the Spanish rock scene of the 70's together with Maquina! and Smash. Now we have the chance to rediscover their third effort, another fantastic blend of folk, pop and psychedelia with awesome songwriting, superb guitar work and even some sitar courtesy of Gualberto.
  + Various Artists: Rock Andaluz. Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor. Street date: 20/03/06. Awesome 2CD compilation set containing a big number of Andalusian Rock groups from 1967-1972. Rock and progressive music meets flamenco. Meet acts such as Smash, Mezquita, Iman, Goma, Gualberto, Triana and many others. But that's not all! There's also a DVD containing an amazing TV documentary entitled "Underground, La Ciudad del Arco-Iris", with a long length image history of Andalusian rock and especially the mighty Smash!!! Spanish language of course, but worth alone for the mega-cool images!!! And the price! .... €25 + Daniel Vega: "La Noche Que Precede A La Batalla". Warner-Dro-Fonomusic. Outstanding progressive folk record with acoustic guitar, electric guitar leads, flute, piano and the warm vocals of Daniel Vega. Fully remastered sound, original gatefold cover artwork and 500 copies only!
  
  
• Distributed by Guerssen
  
  + Asfalto: Al Otro Lado (Ref. 50611002) CD. Brilliant second longplayer by Spanish group, one of the all-time Spanish favourites in the field of progressive rock with some synphonic moves and strong guitars. Originally released in 1978 on Chapa Records.
  + Eduardo Bort: S/T. Limited LP edition of 500 copies. Finally available on vinyl again, you're fronting one of the most impressive Spanish rock albums from the 70's. Astonishing blend of psychedelia, progressive, synphonic, folk, rock and jazz. The production of the album is amazing, with lots of mellotron, and the in-your-face guitars by Eduardo will knock you out.
  + Brakaman: Same (Ref. 74321779622) CD. Rare Basque progressive rock from 1977 and their only album.
  + Canarios: Ciclos (Ref. 74321259972) CD. Originally released in 1974 and probably one of the best progressive/synphonic album ever to come out of Spain; its adaptation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with lots of synthetizers and guitars is really to be heard.
  + Esqueixada Sniff: Ocells. Another Catalan group from the mid-70's hitting hard with their blend of jazz, rock and slight flamenco moves. 2nd album from 1979. PDI
  + Fusioon: Minorisa (Ref. 74321511512) CD. The third and last album, in 1975. Another great work by the Catalan group, blending progressive, fusion and jazz with some folk elements.
  + Gualberto: A La Vida, Al Dolor. Limited LP edition of 500 copies with the original gatefold cover and remastered sound from the original mastertapes. What you will find in this wax is an outstanding blend of psychedelia with flamenco. Gualberto plays Spanish guitar, flamenco guitar, electric guitar and sitar; there's great violin work by another American, Arthur Wolh, some flute and great, all original songs.
  + Gualberto: Sin Comentario (Ref. LV-018) CD. Unreleased album by Andalusian psych guitar guru. Flamenco-rock fusion with some fuzz, sitar, flute... Very few last copies.
  + Hojas: Same (Ref. 74321779612) CD. Mid 70's Spanish/Brazilian progressive rock and their sole album.
  + Jarka: Ortodòxia / Morgue O Berenice. Progressive jazz-rock group by a group leaded by pianist Jordi Sabatés, with the collaboration of Max Sunyer as well. Both original albums together in one cd, from 1971 and 1972. (PDI)
  
  + Pep Laguarda & Tapineria: Brossa d'Ahir. Deluxe CD + 2 books + CD-Rom. (DM772) Discmedi. This, the only album released by Pep Laguarda, was originally released in 1978 on the Ocre label (a sublabel of the infamous Belter). Pep was helped by people like Daevid Allen and Pau Riba on this legendary album. Musically, it's the very highlight in the Spanish folk-rock history; melodic, hippie, well-crafted and with a strong Mediterranean feel. This deluxe edition contains the CD reissue of the album, plus two books (one with 36 pages, another one with 76 pages). The first contains the lyrics both in Valencian (the language Pep sang this album in) and Spanish, while the second contains lots of pictures, press reviews and comments of the album by many well-known artists. Besides this, there's also a CD-Rom with four alternate versions of tracks like "Alceu-vos, xe, que ja és de dia", and not only this, there's a video-clip of "Blues milanta anys-llum" which is surely the first rock clip made in Spain, from 1978!!! And all this, housed in a beautifully designed thick-carton box.
  + N.H.U.: Same (Ref. 74321779602) CD. One and only album (1978) by this Spanish progressive group with complex compositions and strong organs.
  + Ñu: A Golpe De Látigo (barcode: 74321933242). BMG exclusive pressing for Guerssen. 2nd album, originally on Chapa in 1980 after their succesful "Cuentos De Ayer Y Hoy". Maybe not as great as the first, but still an excellent progressive rock album, with some symphonic moves and again strong Jethro Tull influences. €13
  
  + Max Sunyer: Babel (79) + Jocs Privats (80) + Trio are now released on digipacks. The first started Sunyer’s solo career before he founded the group Pegasus. The latter features the great Spanish bass player Carles Benavent. On Picap


• The recently reborn Picap label (Spain) has finally come around a huge program of reissues that certainly will rejoice many, especially those into jazz-rock and fusion. Among the latest releases:
  
  - Musica Urbana: S/T (Picap 910811). This Catalan outfit was founded by two original Maquina! members, Enric Herrera and Luigi Cabanach, in 1975, together with Carles Benavent and Joan Albert Amargós, who actually wrote all these compositions. This is their debut album, from 1976, originally on the Edigsa-Zeleste label. Brilliant jazz-rock and one of the top names in the so called "Rock Laietà" scene formed in Barcelona at the time.
  - Barcelona Traction: S/T (Picap 910822). Sole album released in 1975, between jazz-rock and Latin jazz
  - Blay Tritono: Clot 20 (Picap 910810). Catalan jazz-funk album from the mid 70's, one of the lesser known bands of the "Rock Laietà" scene but worth the discovery for anyone into Spanish prog or related music
  - Pegasus. The two last albums are finally available: Coctel (88) and "El Setè Cercle" (90). The band featured the great guitarist Max Sunyer and keyboard player Josep Mas "Kitflus", both coming from the 70's outfit Iceberg. The rhythm section is composed of today reknown and acknowledged players: drummer Santi Arisa and bass player Rafael Escoté


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PROG LIFE SOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES!



• Akinetón Retard: Cadencia Urmana. The fifth release by this fantastic band from Chile. This CD features some themes that had already been debuted in their Editio Princeps's live release, "Ao Vivo", plus several new compositions. After more than ten years of existence, Akinetón keeps evolving but without leaving behind their essence, making sure their reputation as the best South-American ensemble in the genre still applies. The double multiple reeds section is this time augmented with a trumpet player and a trombonist; let's also notice the presence of Dj Vaskular, bringing in some scratches!
• Alas: Mimame Bandoneón. Digipack. Sonoram (2005). The return of a fantastic group with its original members + various guests on bandonéon. If the focus is on newer tango à la Piazzola, there is also a long progressive suite composed of new themes and adaptations of older material to the new style.
• Anacrusa: Documentos. Acqua Records 2005 digipack. Re-release of recordings from 1975-76, the outfit's third and fourth albums.
• Antihéroe: Entretejido Cósmico. Iscaro Records. 2007. Here's an interesting band from Argentina. Besides the leader, guitarist and composer Dario Iscaro will be found a trumpetist as 2nd solist and a solid electric rhyhtm section also calling here and there for electronics. No keyboards! Iscaro acknowledges a huge list of people having inspired him from King Crimson to Bill Frisell or Marc Ribot and even master Frank Zappa but the inspiration isn't limited to guitarists and both contemporary jazz players or modern classical composers will be found on his list. Iscaro has a strong technique and a rich sound palette as much as soloist as comping musician; his music is well structured, rhythmically inciting and rich in melodic ideas. Worth the discovery if you're after new names!
• Daddy Antogna Y Los De Helio : Belice. Viajero Inmovil (DAHO38VIR). 2009. This is the debut album by an Argentinean band formed by ex "Ave" drummer Daddy Antogna, together with members of the excellent band "Las Orejas Y La Lengua". The hypnotic quality of the music combines the essence of hard psychedelia, Kraut Rock, Avant Prog, and touches of experimental sounds in the RIO vein.
• Arco Iris: Los Elementales. Leader Music (1977). After the departure of founder member Gustavo Santaolalla, the group began to work in a brand new musical direction. The result of this was this brilliant concept album which merges Progressive Rock, Folk, Psychedelia and fusion, while preserving the mysticism and quality of their previous efforts. Official digipack re-release which includes two bonus tracks.
• Bandhada: Alcanza El Tiempo. Mylodon Records. New album by the Chilean band!
• Cabezas De Cera: Fractal Sonico 1995 - 2005. New album by this exciting band. Not too many news available yet except that the music has been composed in a 10 years period and that the trio plays one more time on some of those fantastic metallic instruments presented in their previous album Metalmusica from 2004. Here is the present instrumentation in the new recording:
  - Ramsés Luna: Flute, clarinet, saxofon, midi wind (EWI) and voice
  - Francisco Sotelo: Acoustic drums and electronic pads.
  - Mauricio Sotelo: self built instruments based on metal structures (Jarana prisma, tricordio, charrófono), 6 & 12 string guitar, stick grid, electric guitar.
• Casa Das Máquinas: Lar de Maravilhas. Witness PG1209. A mid-70's Brazilian band from São Paulo borne out of the disenchantment of two musicians from glam/dance pop band Os Incríveis, namely drummer/percussionnist Netinho and guitarist/vocalist Aroldo who wanted to take a less commercial route. Recruiting three other musicians, they recorded 3 albums between 1974 and 1977; this one, their 2nd, is considered a national prog classic. Donning a slick production, it incorporates the intensity of the first album with more sophisticated elements such as stronger melodies, better arrangements and an emphasis on spacious, multi-layered symphonic keyboards (particularly the synths - mini moog). It is a strange collection of tunes in that it ranges from superb symphonic flights to some rock pieces.
• Carlos Cutaia: Ciudad De Tonos Lejanos. Solo album by the keyboardist of La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros released in 1982. This is an instrumental work completed together with Oscar Moro, drummer from Seru Giran and the music could be related to the solo projects of Tony Banks
• Diapasão: S/T. Masque Records (2006). Street date: 04/10/06. This is a trio of very young musicians from Minas Gerais in Brazil (the oldest is only 21!). The line-up is Rodrigo Lana (piano, keyboards), Gustavo Amaral (bass, acoustic guitar) and Fabiano Moreira (drums). The bands main influences are some masters from the 70s, such as Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Triumvirat, L'Uovo di Colombo. Lots of classical music and jazz enrich their instrumentation.
• Embrujo: S/T. New release on Amort Records and 1st time on CD! This can be considered as one of the real South American masterpieces when it comes to psychedelic music, but you will also notice the folk influence in many tracks, with the use of flute, acoustic guitars, piano and beautiful soft melodies. Available in May 2004.
• Enfasis: Vencer o Morir (GDRCD0710). A true rarity from Venezuela, between prog and pop, originally released in 1984 and slightly in the vein of the neo-prog sounds that where quite fashionable in those times. The band featured a female vocalist with a strong and effective voice. Deluxe limited and numbered CD reissue in the original 1:1 LP-Sleeve. Numbered 777 copies edition.
• Entrance: Odisea. Progressive rock band from Chile, formed in late 1997 and led by keyboardist Jaime Rosas. Its music keeps the spirit of the 70's with contemporary sound and attitude. "Odisea" has been recorded during the 2003 edition of the famous Baja Prog festival. It is now released as a joint-venture between the Musea and Mylodon labels. Clocking at more than one hour and a quarter, the CD also includes two bonus-tracks captured live one week before in Aguascalientes. To be discovered !
• Escuchame Entre El Ruido. This is a double album in homage to the 40th anniversary of Argentinian Rock. Lito Vitale - ex keyboardist from the prog group MIA - next to some of the most outstanding artists of the genre is playing totally new version of classic songs. The unusual fact is that every artist performed songs by other authors, which never have been part of their repertory.
• Especies: S/T. Digipack 2006. Noteworthy debut by this young Argentine combo, who have adopted a Retro 70's Progressive sound under the welcome influences of Pescado Rabioso, Invisible and Vox Dei, and blend it together with a more updated trend in the Pez line.
• José Luis Fernandez Ledesma Q. is certainly one of the most creative and productive composers and multi-instrumentists from Mexico. Here are the two newest releases, also featuring his companion in life, singer Margarita Botello
  
  - Saena: S/T. Luna Negra CDLN-37. 2008. New group formed by the tandem of José Luis Fernández Ledesma (guitars and keyboards) and Margarita Botello (vocals, piano, accordion and percussion) with violinist Alejandro Sánchez (Decibel), Hugo Santos on fretless bass, grand stick and loops and drummer Adrián Zárate. The band is displaying a symphonic type of music, in the grand South-American tradition. Let's not forget some great experimental or jazz-rock parts. Here are eight long and mostly instrumental tracks, ponctuated by Botello's melancholic vocals (plus some parts sung in Spanish) and enriched by the Chapman Stick sonorities. The group tells the story of Saena, king of birds and owner of the Feather, who lives in the mountain Haraiti Bareza. Convoked by their liege, the birds went on an initiatic quest, musically illustrated by the five musicians. To be discovered !
  - Jose Luis Fernandez Ledesma Q. & Margarita Botello: Hibridos. Musea FGBG 4738. The new album will once again treat us with an incredibly subtle and complex music, mixing electronic, ethnic and classical music with progressive rock, to create a sort of experimental music. Sometimes contemplative, always suggestive, intense and colourful, this beautiful music is played by numerous guests on violin (Alejandro Sanchez), cello, saxophone, horn (German Bringas)... Listening to this modern symphonic music is a beautiful experience to live !



• Forma Y Fondo: S/T. Discos Mucha Madera 006 (2008). This newly resurrected recording is from an Argentinean band and sends us back to 1977. The music is very close to jazz-rock but with incursions into Brazilian rhythms or other South-American genres. The instrumentation itself is an hymn to those glorious times: Fender Rhodes, clavinet, Selmer Mark IV sax, Fender Jazz Precision, Les Paul custom guitar, etc... so definitely an album for nostalgia lovers and collectors, well worth the listening!
• Gong Global Family: Live in Brazil 20th November 2007. Voiceprint (VPDVD62). Street date: 24/08/09. In late 2007 Daevid Allen along with Josh Pollock and Michael Clare embarked on a series of South American concerts. Along with members of the Invisible Opera Company of Brazil the band played a concert in Sao Paulo, performed under the name Gong Global Family. The DVD, filmed at the first concert of the tour, captures the magic of the evening and of course the eclectic and diverse music that is drawn from the extensive Gong catalogue.
• Hexatónica: Formas. Elefante Records (2006). After a lengthy wait and abundant deal of efforts, this much-looked-forward-to studio album finally sees the light of day. This talented quintet from La Plata, province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) has come up with a brilliant piece of work, which brings the band's first phase to an end. Their style is powerful and complex, with bombastic keyboards and Hard Rock-edged guitars.
• Hexatónica: En Vivo. CD. La Plata Producciones (2005). Symphonic prog band inspired by the likes of Liquid Tension, Yes, Dream Theater. Recorded during the event which took place in 2005 (Rock En Vivo 2005) in La Plata.
• Honduras: 3. Azione Artigianale 029. April 2009. This Argentinean band, whose complete name was originally Honduras Libregruppo, releases here their third opus (hence the title) and it is overall under the sign of "mini"; minisleeve formatted and mini CD (running time is 22 minutes). Between psychedelic, Kraut Rock and Soft Machine Canterbury, here's the status or current musical picture of a band that quickly arose much interest throughout the world
• La Mujer Barbuda (the bearded woman): Música Para Cuando Aparece Un Monstruo (2008). Created by bassist Franco Fontanarrosa and with guitar, drums, sax and clarinet, this project is strongly connected to complex instrumental avant prog, even RIO, with some Crimsonian connotations (in the power rhythm lines for example. Solid and well thought, full of contrasts and surprises, this is definitely a band to discover!
• Los Gatos Savajes: Reunion 2005. For their 40th birthday, the group formed in 1965 by Litto Nebbia reformed and played concerts in Buenos Aires and Rosario between July and August 2005. The group's reunion was one of the most celebrated events of the year in Argentina, and this DVD gathers the best renditions of all the songs they played for the event.
• MediaBanda is a Chilean group created by ex members of Fulano, one of the best bands ever created in Chile. Christian Crisosto and his wife Arlette Jequier, together with newcomer and reedman Marcelo Maira and other musicians (including Christian and Arlette's daughter Regina who is one of the lead singers with mom), they took their experience of Fulano and combined it in an attempt and the will to reach the next generations; at times their music sounds like a mix of Hermeto Pascoal (the quirky harmonic approach) and Frank Zappa (the contrapuntic percussive marimba lines, the guitar soloing). They have a real fresh approach and a perfect blend of complexity and immediacy; they fly on top of any musical style they like, including reggae or modern classical arrangements. In other words, they equally address body and soul! 2 records are so far released, the newest being a double CD titled "Dinero y Terminación Nerviosa", released in 2007. "Entre La Inseguridad Y El Ego" is the title of their first album, released in 2004. A great band and music to discover! Of course a MUST for fans of Fulano!
• Great, great news from Argentina! Mamma Mia, Viajero Inmovil Records is releasing a double CD of several unreleased gems recorded in the studio, as well as some done live, by the legendary short-lived band (actually an association) MIA!! The 2CD also features some tracks which until now, hadn't seen the light of day on CD. Not only this: included is the only known filmed footage to exist of the members of such a legendary collective. This "rescue" took many years of painstaking labour and reflects the varied musical options offered by this great independent musical association during its various incarnations. Released in a special double digipack. Enjoy!
• Litto Nebbia: Bazar De Los Milagros. This new edition includes four bonus tracks culled from the soundtrack to the Argentine cult movie "Bobeta, ilusion y despertar". The original album was recorded together with guitarist and bassist Daniel Homer, while Mirtha Defilpo took responsibility of almost all the lyrics and some vocal parts too. This is a record comprising very personal songs of a certain melancholic touch, and under the obvious influences of Brazilian sounds and rhythms.
• Fernando Otero / Nick Danielson: Revisión (2006). Argentina. Talented Argentinian pianist and composer of international renown and prestige, who in the company of violinist Nick Danielson, performs a mixture of Chamber Music, Avant Garde Tango and Jazz, creating complex musical structures comparable to those of Gatto Marte.
• Overflow: Overflow (Orfeon, CSM-221). Nice mini-lp replica of this excellent Mexican progressive album from 1985. Fantastic, very well-crafted, classic progressive sound with influences of Enid, Barclay James Harvest, Yes, Genesis, Cathedral. Comes with insert and official reissue from Orfeon Mexico.
• Progressive rock from El Salvador distributed by M.P. records. The name? OVNI. The recordings? En Algun Reino (95) / Entre Seres Y Sus Raices (2000) / La Experienca (2001 and live recording). Melodic keyboard orientated neo-prog.
• Quaterna Requiem: S/T. Released by Rock Symphony, this DVD captures magical moments commemorating the band's 15 years of existence, one of the most highly regarded prog rock bands from Brazil, playing a music in a classical vein not unlike After Crying, though maybe less complex and more accessible.
• Pescado Rabioso
  led by Luis Alberto Spinetta, this band is considered to be one the best from the Prog Rock scene of South America. They started in 1971 and they recorded 4 albums which are now available: Desatormentandonos (1972), Pescado Rabioso 2 (1973), Artaud (1973), Lo mejor de (1976) - all priced €16 - + the 2CD Obras Cumbres (with Invisible) (2001). €24.
• Pollo Raffo: Guarda Que Viene El Trzzarden - Música de Flores Volúmen 1 (2006). Juan "Pollo" Raffo is a composer, arranger, musical director, keyboardist and music teacher from Argentina. The music presented in this album is multi facetted with glimses of fusion jazz, contemporary music, tango or Latin jazz ... and more!
• Andrés Ruiz: Los Deudos. Viajero Inmovil (2008). Here's a songwriter from argentina who ventures with this third album in a prog-pop musical territory, not unlike Spinetta Jade (his voice and intonation added to the harmonic structure reminds me a lot of him) or Lito Nebbia. A conceptually-themed common thread weaves very nicely and naturally throughout the entire disc, allowing the composer to pour his own distinctive trademark of melody and emotion into his songs. Keyboards (lovely Rhodes) are effectively used to bring a maximal emotion and sustain the dark dramatic feelings.
• Diego Souto: Ciudad De Grises. Parásito de Luz (2005). New and 2nd album by an interesting stick player offering a very personal fusion of Guitar Craft and tango. Both electronic and progressive and including 5 arrangements for stick of themes by Robert Fripp
• Tá. Difficult to find a shorter name for a group! This one comes from Uruguay, a trio featuring familiar names if I say Osvaldo Fattoruso ... do you remember Opa or even before a band called Los shakers ? Two albums are now released on the label Melopea. The self titled and first album from 1992 and their 2nd, lazily titled "Vol. 2" (1993). If the first tries to merge jazz-rock with candombe, the second sees a change of musical orientation, the band bringing now Latin Jazz and Brazilian Music influences into their grooves. The two other third of the band are Mariana Ingold & Leonardo Amuedo.
• Tanger: Mundos paralelos. Viajero Inmovil. May 2008. The 4th album by the Argentinean band is now ready. Still headlined by Crimsonian cross rhythms and a great flute playing!
• Tanger: Ciudad. New album from 2006.
• Tarkus: A Gaze Between The Past And The Future. This brazilian band was created in 2000, and this first album was recorded in 2002. The name "Tarkus" may sound like a reference to E.L.P., but these six pieces reveal a personal music, with heavy moments sometimes but all in all of a general symphonic inspiration. There are two covers (one taken from the Argentinean band Nexus, the other from the Italian Devil Doll). It's a brilliant symphonic rock with strong melodies and great enthusiasm
• Lito Vitale & Víctor Carrión : Nuevo Trio. Ciclo 3. Recorded and mastered in June 2008, this new trio is actually partly gathering old friends since the special guest here is guitarist Lucho González , who already contributed many years ago to other trio recordings with Vitale. Both bring here some of their own compositions while the rest is carefully picked among songs from the historical North Argentinean folk repertory; no need to say you can expect musical links to tango, Vitale has done this in most of his long musical career. Víctor Carrión is a wind instrument player, featured on soprano sax and quena. So the rootsy aspects are counter-balanced by jazz improvised parts, which make this CD a new fresh output by the very productive and always emotionally breathtaking pianist and his two mates
• Lito Vitale has also composed the music of "Adios Hermano Cruel", especially for the ballet by Julio Bocca. This show is part of Bocca's last world tour, just before his retirement. The music is glamourous and much symphonic, extremely lyrical and emotionally strong, as is always the case with Vitale!
• Viajero Inmovil is a label focusing on progressive music from Argentina and South America. Among their newest own or distributed releases are:
  - Los Barrocos: Sin tiempo ni espacio (1974). The outfit featured some very rare particularities: twin lead guitars, permanent presence of a violin throughout all of their songs, almost handled as a lead instrument; and excellent vocal arrangements. They mixed Psychedelia, Prog Rock and Classical Music very successfully and were finally able to boast this unusual yet inspired concoction on this, their only album, which was recorded during the latter stages of 1972. The record didn't actually see the light of day until 1974. This CD has been remastered from the original master tapes
  - Rockaphonica: Fuera de tiempo (2006). After many years of attempting to solidify his project, the talented flutist and composer Ricardo Luna was at long last able to form and establish his own band and record this heavily classically-influenced Symphonic Rock debut album. There is a certain stylistic proximity to Kollar Attila (from Solaris), and reminiscenses of Focus and Camel.
  - Espíritu: Espíritu III (1982) - Argentina (Remastered with bonus tracks)
  - Kells: Sur (2004)- Argentina.
  - Grimsditch, Andi: The Tolkien Song Cycle Vol. 1 (2002) - Argentina
  - LA Sed: ¿ Y después qué ? (2004) - Argentina
  - Uqbar: S/T (1995). This surprising and one of a kind Contemporary Chamber Music fivesome is comprised of 2 classic guitarists, a clarinet player, a cellist and a flutist. Their sound is full of fragile notes which effortlessly flow into intricate and off the wall arrangements. A distant proximity in style to Oregon is the only comparable parameter that comes to mind. A totally unknown gem which is begging to be discovered!!!
  - Rodolfo Alchourron: Tálisman (94). Unreleased album by one of the most prestigious composers and arrangers of Argentine music as a whole. Rodolfo produces a very personal brand of Fusion, via the combination of Jazz, Rock and elements culled from our territory's Popular music, through pleasant and memorable melodies, complex arrangements and constant (yet many times totally unexpected) rhythm changes, which altogether provide an amazing concoction similar to the Canterbury sound from the '70's (Hatfield & The North or National Health) or certain passages which easily remind us of Frank Zappa
  - Pacífico's sole album "La Bella Época" (1972)- a short lived prog folk trio
  - Las Orejas Y La Lengua and their 2nd studio effort "Error" from 2003
  - the sole album of the group Anima (1989)
  - Julio Presas album "Amaneciendo en la cruz del sur" (1978)
  - Litto Nebia's "El vendedor de promesas" (1977)
  - the 2002 release of the young group Tanger
  - Vytas Brenner: Lo máximo de Vytas Brenner (1975/77). At least 3rd album by this musician from Venezuela
  - Fulano: Trabajos Inutiles. The last record of this chilean group has been remastered and has one bonus track too
  - Contraluz: Ramos generales (2003) - Argentina
  - Espiritu: Fronteras mágicas (2003) - Argentina
  - Tracción A Cuerda: Circo de la Costa (1997) - Argentina
  - Mar De Robles: MdR (2003) - Chile
  - Terreno Baldio: Terreno baldio (1976) - Brasil
  - Nono Belvis/Kike Sanzol (M.I.A.): Qué están celebrando los hombres (1982)
  - Argentina will be their next release on own label.


• Mini LPs CDs from Argentina!
  Here's a list of releases presented now on the popular format called mini sleeve LPs or mini LPs digipacks.
  ESPÍRITU - Crisálida (1975)
  GABIS, CLAUDIO - Claudio Gabis y la Pesada (1972)
  GABRIELA - Gabriela (1972)
  LEBÓN, DAVID - David Lebón (1976)
  MELIMELUM - Melimelum (1976)
  MESTRE, NITO - Nito Mestre y los desconocidos de siempre (1977)
  MESTRE, NITO - 20/10 (1977)
  PEDRO Y PABLO - Yo vivo en esta ciudad (1970)
  SERU GIRAN - Yo no quiero volverme tan loco (1970)
  SPINETTA, LUIS ALBERTO - A 18' del sol (1977)
  VARIOS ARTISTAS - A través del tiempo Vol. 1 (197?)
  VARIOS ARTISTAS - Rock para mis amigos Vol. 1 (197?)
  VARIOS ARTISTAS - Rock para mis amigos Vol. 1/3/4 (197?)
  VIVENCIA - Mi cuarto (1973)
  VIVENCIA - Vivencia (1978)


TO TOP


EASTERN CORNERS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK



• 7 Ocean: The Mysterious Race of Strange Entities. 2008. MALS 270. The 80-minute "The Mysterious Race of Strange Entities" is the debut album by Seventh Ocean, from Belarus, although the band consists of mature musicians with an experience of many years behind them. The group performs symphonic progressive rock that, while being predominantly vocals-based (which is certainly not the same as “song-based”), is highly diverse – not too dissimilar to mid 70's Van Der Graaf Generator in this respect. This is in all senses a concept recording, i.e. both stylistically and lyrically, and has a genuinely epic magnitude, obvious throughout its ten tracks.
• Android: East of Eden (AND 01). The Android group was established in 1980 as a university band. Most of the founding members are featured in the current line-up. The music of Android combines the classic progressive rock with new age, jazz, and folkloric song motifs. It is predominantly for those who have grown up on the music of SBB, Fermata, Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP, Mike Oldfield, Tomita and Kitaro and who like complex rock music. Double keyboards, guitar, bass and drums are the instrumentation used here.
• Colorstar: De Luxe. CSDVD 01. DVD. With two guitars upfront, this Hungarian band with already 3-4 albums behind them releases today a DVD. The main inspiration to create their own music style had come from the discovery of new technical instruments (midi and sequencer programmes). Their music is mentioned together with other psych/alternative groups such as Korai Öröm or their English counterpart and predecessor Ozric Tentacles.
• Djabe with Steve Hackett: Sipi emlékkoncert (Sipi Benefit Concert). 2CD (GR080). Djabe said farewell to their percussionist and singer András Sipos in a 5 hour monster concert. This was an incredible concert, which became a real cultural event. World music, jazz, hard rock and metal elements were all present. Everybody added something to the production. Djabe were in their best form and Steve Hackett managed to blend into the band like an organic member, playing unusually freely. He apparently enjoyed every single moment. It was a triumphal homage and the musicians said goodbye to their always cheerful joker as he deserved it.
• Fromuz: Overlook. 10T Records. This is the 2nd album by this fusion prog outfit from Uzbekistan. Fromuz originally burst onto the prog and fusion scene last year with the release of their live debut CD "Audio Diplomacy," garnering spots on many critics' top 10 lists and drawing comparisons to such stalwarts as Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and Liquid Tension Experiment. Newly reenergized, Fromuz returns with a new selection of intensely melodic hard prog-rock fusion. Displaying nearly 70 minutes worth of blistering instrumental prowess, they keep moving in the musical direction they already have established, while simultaneously stretching into adventurous new territory on "Overlook", their first studio release. All original members are back for the five epic tracks that make up Overlook, as they once again prove themselves to be among the most passionate and talented musicians on the scene today.
• Fromuz: Audio Diplomacy CD + DVD. This band from Uzbekistan is a fantastic new fusion band very similar to Frogg Café, Bolt, Mats Morgan Band & Spaced Out! This incredibly energetic and expressive live performance is a testimony of the intense musical statement that Fromuz is. This is their debut performance from April 2005 at the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan, in Tashkent. Filmed with multiple cameras and produced as a DVD, along with an audio CD of the same performance in pristine clarity. Featuring over 70 minutes of material, “Audio Diplomacy” archives a live performance by a band bound to be regarded as one of the most dynamic live bands performing on stage anywhere in the world today. The amazing level of musicianship and interplay between its members show that Fromuz is truly ready to take the current progressive music scene by storm. They have already been invited to perform at the 2007 edition of the Baja Prog Festival in Mexicali!
• The album "The Sun of the Spirit" was recorded in 1998 and the first officially published solo album by Russian composer and keyboard player Gennady Ilyin; the earlier version, originally released by Boheme, appeared as a limited edition and under the band name Little Tragedies. Since the year 2000, however, the band has played with a different line-up and a decision was made to reissue "The Sun of the Spirit" and "Porcelain Pavilion" as Gennady Ilyin's solo projects. The new release contains a bonus track that was recorded a bit later, but has never appeared on a CD.
• Indukti: Idmen. Street date: 24-07-09. 2nd album by the Polish quintet. Defined by themselves as a musical conglomerate of 5 individuals set up together to express their varied experiences, the outfit still offers a challenging instrumentation (dulcimer, trumpet, saz), with the dynamic Ewa Jablonska on violin having an important role in the band's overall sound. Dense, complex and highly energetic, the music is often based on improvisational sequences tried during rehearsals and completed thereafter with the final polish.
• Korai Öröm: 2009. They're back after a 4 years break! The techno-psychedelic Hungarian outfit has released nine albums which also received a warm welcome on the international scene. The new album is still anchored in world music with titles such as "New Arabian", "Chinese", "Mbira" (a name for thumb piano) or "Latin". A few guests also appear (voice, guitar) here and there
• Little Tragedies: Cross (MALS 289). 2009. New album by this prolific Russian band. In the 72-minute recording, the music ranges from powerful and bombastic to delicate and mellow featuring the best of the Little Tragedies' style. The band shows even more skillful musicianship than before, and all the instruments get more room to play.
• Little Tragedies: The Sixth Sense. Mals Records (MALS 162). Street date: 08/09/06. Read on the GEPR: "Overall, "The Sixth Sense" has much common ground with the group's previous two CDs, "Return" and "New Faust", and features the same musicians: Gennady Ilyin - keyboards, vocals, Yury Skripkin - drums, Oleg Babynin - bass, Alexander Malakhovsky - guitar and Aleksey Bildin - saxophone. "The Sixth Sense" is a good album, but a bit more sedate than "New Faust". The heavy Hammond sound has been superseded by polyphonic synthesizers and piano to a large extent .... Even the organ sounds cleaner on this album, less distorted"
• Lizard: Spam. After the successful album "Tales From Artichoke Wood", here is the newest offering by Lizard, one of the top bands on the Polish art-rock scene. The album enchants with originality of sound and composition; the music is surreal, modern and very jazzy.
• Lizard: Tales From Artichoke Wood. From Poland. This band has already quite a few recordings under their wings. This one is their sixth or so, offering hard and complex compositions in a conceptual 70's spirit. Power and melodic lyricism are perfectly balanced. Absolutely to discover and with no doubts for fans of ELP or Crimson
• Lunatic Soul: S/T (Kscope). Released on Steven Wilson's label, this is the debut solo record from the lead singer and creative force behind the post-progressive Polish band Riverside. It features amongst the players Wawrzyniec Dramowicz, drummer in another well known (if not, discover it) Polish band: Indukti. There are plenty of spicy musical *oddities* in the instrumentation, from e-bow to kalimba
• Ádám Török & MINI: Magic Night (RTLDVD 1103). 100mn. The DVD also features interviews, photo gallery and biography.
• 2 Re-releases by the Czech group Olympic!
  - SU 5534 Olympic: Zelva. Remastered, new packaging + bonus tracks
  - SU 5535 Olympic: Ptak Rosomak. Remastered, new packaging + bonus tracks.
  
• Olive Mess: Cherdak. Mellow Records MMP501. Nearly unnoticed - but we saw it!! - here's the 2nd output by this band from Latvia, who had their debut album on the french label Soleil Zeuhl.
• Omega: Égi Jel (Sign In the skies). 984181-7. CD+DVD. The Egi jel is a new Omega studio album with 13 tracks. This release contains a CD and a DVD. On the DVD you can see some backstage videos and you can follow up how they completed the new album.
• Rational Diet: At Work (ALT004). 2008. 2nd album for this band from Belarus. Another unusual mix of styles and sounds but with a greater attention to melody and composition. Univers Zero seems to be the nearest comparison but also modern classical composers like Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Webern, Ives or other RIO outfits like Henry Cow, Art Bears, Debile Menthol may come to mind. This is another adventurous album strongly recommended to all the lovers of Rio, Avant-prog and contemporary music.
• Roz Vitalis: Compassionizer. The band's name comes from the latin "ros vitalis", meaning "living water" and is used here as a word play with the man's name. This self released CD - already the seventh - is indeed mainly the work of Ivan Rozmainsky alone, playing keyboards, samples, virtual synths, percussion, helped by a few friends like Sydius (of Diogenium) and Yuri Verba on clarinets. The music has a modern classical (for ex. Stravinski) inclination which brings forth some chamber moods and the sound research is great! The writing is at the opposite maybe a little too weak (scale fragments instead of real melodies or themes, rhythms unfortunately generated by drum machines). To add some mistery to the band, check out the reviews on the net and you'll see so many diverging bets on what they sound like that you're better fared not to believe it: Deep Purple versus Univers Zéro, RIO avant-prog versus metal prog, etc... a real nightmare of this and that! Check them by yourself if you like moody, rather unconventional music; maybe not top notch or essential but with enough stuff to tease your curiosity until their real masterpiece comes!
• Rubycone: Pictures For Susceptible Housewives (MALS 310). Digipack. Young band from Moldavia, moving into the fields of technical metal prog with influences by bands like Gordian Knot. Classic format of twin guitars, bass and drums.
• Satellite: Evening Dreams. Ltd. Edt. DVD + CD. NTSC Region 0. The DVD is approximatively 205mn. long. This classic collector's item also includes: Animated menu / Bonus video: nearly 30-minute rehearsal and backstage footage! / Bonus video clip: "Love Is Around You" / 4 bonus audio tracks! / Interviews with all the band's members / Biography / Discography / Desktop images / Weblinks / Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The DVD can also be ordered in a stand-alone plain edition.
• SBB: Four Decades. Limited edition CD+DVD. SBB keeps coming up with new stuff, here live at Wyspianski Theater, Katowice, November 19th 2007 (15 tracks) + Live At Spodek Hall, Katowice February 2006 (7 Tracks). There is also bonus material, interviews & bios, discography, photos gallery, etc... Dolby Digital 5.1. Surround Sound. Also available is the 2CD "Complete Tapes 1974", a digipak containing complete material recorded live during two shows promoting SBB's debut album in April 1974; CD 1 features material from the concert played on April 19th, 1974 while CD 2 presents tracks played in different arrangements on April 18th, 1974.
• SBB: Live In Spodek 2006. Unusual live album from a concert where SBB were the first act supporting Deep Purple! (Spodek, Katowice, February 24th, 2006). The band played in a 4-piece line-up. With a perfect choice of tracks, they kept a good balance between compositions from their last studio album "New Century" and their own classics.
• SBB: Live In Theatre 2005 Ltd. Edition DVD + CD. in special Digipack, approx. 220 minutes. This is the first live DVD of SBB performing in their new line-up with Paul Wertico on drums (prev. in Pat Metheny Group). The DVD is a bridge between the past and the future. In the concert they presented their older, cult compositions, as well as songs from their newest studio album "Walkin' Around The Stormy Bay" performed on two drum sets by the incredible duo Anthimos-Wertico! The DVD also includes: Animated menu / Band's biography / Discography / Interviews with Józef Skrzek, Apostolis Anthimos and Paul Wertico / Bonus video clip "Music Is My Life" / Desktop images / Weblinks /Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
• SBB: New Century. First Polish album released in DVD Audio format, incl. three soundtracks; High Definition Stereo 96/24, DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound! -SBB has been one of the most important bands in progressive rock/jazz music since the very beginning of their career
• SBB - Anthology 1974 – 2004. Still in stock ONE copy of this luxurious 22CDs boxset released by Metal Mind Productions and covering the entire production of the Polish prog group, inclusive 2 CDs of unreleased material only available in this box!
• Signal To Noise Ratio : "Stan Nieustalony" (MALS 270). This is the debut release by Polish band Signal To Noise Ratio. The music is strongly reminiscent of early '70s progressive rock with psychedelic tendencies, the band's main sources of inspiration being classic Amon Duul II, King Crimson and Jethro Tull and early Pink Floyd.
• Józef Skrzek: Viator 1973 - 2007. After the 22CD boxset of SBB, the two 9CD boxsets of SBB lost tapes, it is now the turn of Jósef Skrzek, pianist and leader of SBB. The 20CD boxset to be released on September 17, 2007 is again a monster of remastered stuff, unreleased albums and a real orgy of bonus tracks. "Viator 1973-2007" makes for a great summary of Skrzek's solo career and includes 20 CDs with music from various genres: rock, jazz, electronica plus music for films and performances created by Skrzek in the period of over 34 years! The first ever CD release of the album "Ambitus Extended" and a re-release of the album "Pokój Saren" (piano versions of the soundtrack to the opera by Skrzek and Lech Majewski) will be a real treat for all fans. The box was enriched with several previously unreleased piano tracks plus music for movies, theatre performances etc. As usual, we're dealing here with a numbered limited (1000 copies) edition
• Slivovitz: Hubris. Moonjune (MJR026). 2009. With mentors like Frank Zappa or John Zorn, the Italian outfit Slivovitz, hailing from Napoli, could be described as a hard to tame hybrid musical beast, much receptive of the various ethnographic sounds of the globe, from the Balkans to Hawaiian surf guitars or reggae, feeding at times their music through the jazz rock mincer and serving it with a zest of Zappaesque humour.
• Varga János Projekt: Elixir (VJP01). János Varga was one of the founders of the legendary Hungarian prog-rock band East! He plays here (guitar, synthesizer, bass) together with original East-drummer István Király and keyboard player Zsolt Nagy, a name that is more and more heard, not alone in Hungary but Europe as well. The album offers a variety of musical styles and instrument sounds, driven by a powerful drumming.


• PERIFERIC RECORDS / HUNGARY
  
  
• New from After Crying! The internationally acclaimed Hungarian band is again making the actuality with two releases on the label Peripheric Records
  
  + "Opus 1" (BGCD198) is the very first After Crying material released in 1989 on cassette. The compilation is based on the live recordings made in February 1988 in the Szkéné Theatre, in May 1989 in Porto and in January 1989 at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. It features of course their original pianist Csaba Vedres and the Victoria Chamber Choir
  + "1989" (BGCD197). This is the second After Crying material, released on cassette in 1989 after the Opus 1. Added to the core of the group are guest musicians on trombone, trumpet, vocal, flute and viola.
• After Crying Show. Finally after 6 years a new studio record by After Crying. And a fantastic one, maybe their best ever! Splendid orchestrations and arrangements with some recurring motives taken from Ravel, Dvorak and King Crimson. Hat off!
• Ankh: Expect Unexpected. The music of Ankh can be described as the combination of the heaviness of Anekdoten and the violin chops of Curved Air. Hard, edgy, brutal and heavy in one minute but romantic and gentle in the other.
• Winkler Balázs: Tárt ablak (Open Window). BGCD185. Also related to After Crying is this solo piano album by the group's pianist, trumpet player and composer. This album reflects well Winkler's philosophy on arts and offers a real spiritual and artistic experience to the audience, the key words of his playing being interpretation, message and articulation.
• Iván Folk: Sea Of Glass. Folk Iván is a very talented musician who recorded his second album in 2002. This is an istrumental progressive rock album featuring guitar in the main role, But all the other instruments like soprano sax, keyboards, percussion, bass make the music exciting and very close to the greatest jazz-rock names of history: RTF, Soft Machine.
• Fugato: Neander Variations (BGCD 121). Progressive symphonic rock by a young band formed in 2000 and whose Hungarian composer, Balázs Alpár, is born in 1982 in Budapest. The pieces, combining different styles, aim to retain a classical approach despite a lighter character. This is most evident in the rhythmic and harmonic diversity, the carefully elaborated voices, mood and emotional changes spanning the compositions.
• Kada: U.F.O. Spotters (BGDVD 01). The new release by this great Hungarian outfit is a DVD! Most of the tracks were recorded in December 2004 but the DVD also features a recording of the presentation of their CD Búcsúzás in Bárka Színház in 2001 as well as excerpts from concerts in the Roxkwell Klub (Miskolc) in 2004 and on the Pesti Est Stage at the Sziget Festival in 2005. Don't let this one go!
  At the same time, another CD is also available from a new formation evolved from Kada, which started during a studio recording on March 28, 2005. The name is Kada Ad Libitum and the title is "Approximationes" (BGCD 152). The music is still in a jazz vein based on collective improvisation. To make it complete, let's also mention the trio album put up by Kada's saxophonist Dániel Váczi: Akron (BGCD 156). A more traditional form of modern jazz with guitar, bass and drums. All tracks are Váczi’s own original compositions. The emphasis in the music is on the psychological touch and the complex beauty.
  
• Kada: Ohoáé (BGCD 132). Every track from this new album has been recorded at different concerts (Sziget Fesztivál, Petofi Csarnokban, Millenáris Park…) between 2001 and 2003, but the sound is as good as it was a studio-recording. Due to this Ohoáé reflects the atmosphere and penetrating force of the concerts, which are also illustrated with two videos (Tokaj, Ambientry) on the disc. On the digipack cover, the graphic artist used for the artwork the great drawings of the band leader’s 4 year old child.
• Musical Witchcraft II: Utopia. This is the second release by ex-Solaris guitarist Attila Kollár. The new CD is slightly more acoustic than the previous and this is due to the focus on guitar-flute on some compositions as well as a renewed interest in middle age and renaissance music atmospheres.
• Musical Witchcraft III: Zsoltárok és Filmzene (Psalms & Soundtracks). BGCD 175. This is the 3rd opus by Attila Kollár, guitarist of the legendary Hungarian band Solaris. Revised old psalms and hymns of the reformed church, new compositions, new musicians but also the desire of showing this time what they play during concerts. Among other in the concert *section*, three songs from the „unplugged" concert - April, 2004 at the Concert Hall of St. Margarete Secondary School, Budapest where they played with guests.
• - Periferic 2006 Symphonic-Art Rock From Hungary. Periferic Records - though they had a break last year - are known to release every year a few compilation albums presenting the various artistic lines in Hungarian music. This year, the present compilation is made even more interesting in that it includes 7 unreleased tracks of albums to come! Among other we can find Solaris, Musical Witchcraft, Inkább Holnap.
• Random Deeds: Basis Of Comparison. BGCD 171. The Random Deeds is a new Hungarian progressive-rock group (guitar/singer, keyboards, bass & drums). Very much in the vein of Pink Floyd with emphasis on lyrics. Among their issues we can find criticism of politics, self-exploration, human relationships, moments of everyday life, the atmosphere of weekends, an outstander's view of the world, and big questions of relativeness.
• Satellite: A Street Between Sunrise And Sunset. Atmospherical compositions full of space, considered arrangements, beautiful, gentle, and yet powerful sounds; close to Collage's "Moonshine" and also featuring ex members of this polish group as well as special guest Maciek Meller of Quidam!
• Solaris: Nostradamus - Live In Mexico. SMPDVD 0702. This great CD + DVD package covers a concert recorded live at Monterrey Teatro de la Ciudad on March 23th and 24th, 2004. It features the Nostradamus suite concert version, 3 short trip documentary from Mexico City, Monterrey and Baja, small excerpts from the Musical Witchcraft concert in Monterrey and the "Welcome to My Brain" concert in Monterrey. The CD contains the full concert
• As a follow-up of the cult band Solaris , Solaris Fusion was founded in May 2007. Their fist maxi has just been released: Mystica (BGCD183). The instrumentation of the new band is keyboards, guitar, flute, bass and drums (the rhythm section being the ex-members of Solaris). Their main objective is to increase the recognition and acceptance of progressive rock music.
• Solaris: NOAB - Archive 2 1980-2005 (Back to the Roots – Official Bootleg). BGCD 154. The long-awaited second part of the Archive Trilogy of Solaris with rare and unreleased songs. Noab is a more than 20-minute long suite and also was one of the basic Solaris compositions, which should have been the A-side of the very first Solaris album. As there wasn't even one complete and good recording of this composition, this final edited version on this CD was compiled and put together into one from 11 different concert recordings. That's why we had to wait so long!
• Ádám Török & Mini: Magic Night. DVD (100mn). This band, known as one of the best Hungarian prog-rock and blues-rock bands in the 70’s, celebrated its anniversary with a fantastic concert, where they invited famous guest musicians too. There also can be found interviews, photo gallery and biography on the disc.
• Turquoise: On the Other Side. 2nd album reminding of early Quidam; this time with the help of 2 female and 1 male singers.
• János Varga Project : The Wings Of Revelation Live! The DVD contains songs of the solo albums Wings Of Revelation I. and II. In addition to János Varga (ex-East) and drummer István Király (ex-East), the chapman stick player Péter Háry (who helped in concerts) and keyboardist Szabolcs Nagy, joined the band for this time.
• János Varga: The Wings Of Revelation II. This is ex-East guitarist's second album. This features another East musician: István Király (drums) but also among the musicians present is the Chapman stick player Péter Háry.
• Csaba Vedres: Breathed Prayer - The Editor's Favourite (BGCD127). A selection of Vedres compositions taken from his 5 albums released to date. In addition small piano works which could not have been placed on previous records find their place now on this album. Vedres was one of the main composers in the two first albums of After Crying.
• Xenn: Offworld. Debut album of ex members of Abraxas. Somewhere between rock avant-garde and Peter Gabriel's world music.



• INDIES RECORDS / CZECH REPUBLIC
  
  + Bittová, Iva: Superchameleon. Indies Scope Records (MAM320-9). Exclusive digipack DVD by the extraordinary Czech violinist and vocalist! The DVD is divided into three parts. The first is an exceptional, ninety-minute concert with the New York-based contemporary music ensemble Bang On A Can All-Stars. The concert was recorded in the Palace Akropolis in Prague on 26 March 2006. The concert repertoire is from the BOAC All-Stars and Iva Bittovás Elida studio album recorded in New York, which won general appreciation and critical approval. The second part, no less important or impressive, is a selection of clips taken from the Czech Television archives. The result is a treasure of 18 carefully selected songs. Totalling some sixty minutes, this material captures Iva Bittová in varying incarnations and in a variety of projects rock, folk, folkloric and classical. The oldest footage is with the band Manana from 1984. Other performances include collaborations with the Czech string quartet, the Skampovo kvarteto (Skampa Quartet), the Czech band Dunaj, the Dutch group N.B.E. and Pavel Fajt. The last and shortest part of Superchameleon is an exclusive 12-minute long video-collage created specially for this project. The five-part collage includes footage from her first major film appearance in the film Rosy Dreams also known as Rose-tinted Dreams and an assembly of rare scenes. The whole is a flicker-book of impressions of an indefinable artist.
  + Iva Bittová with Bang On a Can All Stars: Elida. The most famous Czech vocalist, composer and violinist experienced the stage of the renowned Carnegie Hall in a joint performance with the ensemble of contemporary music "Bang on a Can All-Stars" for which she wrote the musical project titled Elida.
  + Iva Bittová & Javas: The Party. Techdubby House. Iva Bittová has been working together with DJ Javas for several years and gradually, their joint performances reached the point where they decided to record it on an album, to be released soon.
  + Gulo Car: Long Way (MAM 207). Gipsy band of 9 players.
  + Jablkon: Oslava. On the 28th of July 2005 during one of the best Czech festivals, the band gave its year's concert, inviting various guests including among others the violin virtuoso Jaroslav Svecený with whom they previously had recorded an album in 1991. This concert is now released both as CD and DVD!
  + Jablkon: "Cestující v noci" (Traveller in the Night). This album will guest singer Iva Bittová as well as instruments such as tuba and trumpet. Less folky than the previous maybe.
  + Tomas Kocko & Orchestr: Do Tanca! The album "Do tanca!" contains 11 songs, variations and modifications of Moravian folk dances and original pieces by T. Kocko inspired by folk dances or folk songs.
  + Magic Music (MAM 209): a selection of 13 artists representing the roots of Moravian folklore.
  + + Maraca: "Longe". This relatively new group moves into ethno-jazz and has set the most famous modern portuguese author Fernando Pessoa into music.
  + Psi Vojaci: Tezko rict (MAM 210). The music of Psí vojáci has its roots in the world underground and is influenced by romantic composers of the second half of the 18th century.
  + Raus: Sramy. Young czech rock group.
  + Šarkösi: Magoria (MAM 198). Second album by this female singer, this time finding inspiration in electronic, film music, dance rhythms and samples.
  + Tara Fuki: Kapka. World music.
  + Uz Jsme Doma: Rybi Tuk (Fish Oil) MAM 216. New album after 4 years. 11 songs and 11 musicians guesting.
  + Vladimir Vaclavek: Jsem Hlína, Jsem Strom, Jsem Stroj (I’m Earth, I’m Tree, I’m Machine). MAM 244-2. Václavek was one of the creators of the Brno alternative scene in mid 80's. His underlying guitar riffs on this remastered solo record (including 3 new tunes as bonus) are once in a while interwoven by the motifs of the Japanese violinist Takumi Fukushima or the guitar of Josef Ostranský.
  + Vladimir Vaclavek: Pisne Nonpisne (Songs, Non Songs) MAM 225. Known from the groups Dunaj or Cikori (with Iva Bittová), this is his second solo album where he has this time set to music the lyrics of poets Bohuslav Reynek, F. G. Lorca, Antonín Pridal and some of his own.


TO TOP


ENGLISH LABELS -- ENGLISH ARTISTS -- ENGLISH LABELS -- ENGLISH ...

• 21ST CENTURY SCHIZOID BAND. No less than 3 releases by this cover band have recently appeared! "Live in Japan", Official Bootleg Volume Two is recorded live at Shinjuku Kouseinenkin Hall, Tokyo on 6 November 2002. This CD features the Schizoid Band performing 14 songs from the first four King Crimson albums plus songs from their individual solo albums. The band features Mel Collins, Jakko M Jakszyk, Michael Giles, Peter Giles and Ian McDonald. Available both as DVD and CD!. "Live In Italy", Official Bootleg Volume Three, is captured live in Italy in March of 2003 and documents the band’s new era with drummer and former Crimson member Ian Wallace. As well as five Crimson tracks, a live rendition of the McDonald / Sinfield tune ‘Let there be light’, McDonald and Giles’s ‘Birdman’, there is an additional bonus track - a new Schizoid piece currently being performed live, but included here in its studio recorded demo form and featuring all the band.
• Some new releases by Daevid Allen!
  + Daevid Allen: Australia Aquaria. Voiceprint VP294CD. This recording was originally released in 1990 and at the time was the first "planned" Daevid Allen solo album release for some seven years. It also features contributions from another member of the extended Gong family in Harry Williamson
  + Daevid Allen: Live In 1988 - The Return. Voiceprint VP 337. 2CD. This live CD was recorded at the Old Tabernacle of Portobello Road, London
  + Gongmaison: S/T. Voiceprint VP350. Gongmaison was the first album to be recorded following Daevid Allen's self-imposed exile to Australia between 1981 and 1988. It also saw the reunion between Daevid Allen and former Gong sax player Didier Malherbe. The album was recorded during the night of the Summer Solstice in 1989.
  + Gong Matrices: Parade. Voiceprint VP353. Gilli Smyth’s project with US musicians from the band Azigza. The music is written by bass player Pierce McDowell. Release date: 28/02/05.
  + University of Errors: Live in Chicago. BMOVP005CD on the label Bananamoon Obscura. This recording by Daevid Allen's "space rock band" was in the main taken from one of the best gigs on the 2000 tour although four tracks are included from a gig at the Knitting Factory in New York. The album forms part of the Bananamoon Obscura collection and has been re mastered for this release.
  + Daevid Allen & Nicoletta Stephanez: Live at the Knit NYC. BMOVP006CD. This recording is another one from the Bananamoon Obscura Collection and finds Daevid Allen in performance with Nicoletta Stephanz in New York. The duo performs several pieces together with Daevid contributing glissando guitar and vocals and Nicoletta contributing Theramin and vocals.
• Art Bears and the remastered releases from Recommended
  One could have thought that the splendid boxset recently released by ReR and celebrating Art Bears 25th anniversary was the definitive words about them. Nope! Hopes And Fears (RER 3177), Winter Songs (ReR 3178) and The World As It Is Today (ReR) are all available separately in their remastered edition due to Bob Drake and in digipack format. Furthermore, Recommended also comes with “Revisited”, a double CD featuring the 33 remixes of the boxset, to which have been added the singles “Collapse” and “Hail” as well as an unreleased track by Frith & Cutler finished last year.
• Atlantic Bridge: S/T. Breathless 52015. First released in 1970 on Dawn Records, this British band presented an interesting jazzy/prog album, that did not forget its rock roots. Great bass work and interesting covers of "Dear Prudence" and "Something." This edition also contains two bonus tracks from a rare EP, making this CD the group's complete works.
• Atomic Rooster: Homework (SJPCD241). Street date: 04/02/08. This is the forgotten *new* album required to back up the singles deal with Polydor in early 80's. Unfortunately, Polydor *passed* after the lack of single chart success and the album never saw the light of day - until now. John Du Cann, lead singer and songwriter of the group had spent nearly 9 months writing and recording his songs for that killer album. He has been the supervisor of the mastering and provided himself the masters. The album also features long time partner Vincent Crane as well as Paul Hammond
• Audience: S/T. Akarma AK357CD. Audience is one of the most interesting groups in the British panorama of the late sixties / early seventies. Their sound was a manifestation of their desire to experiment with and masterfully blend different musical styles, such as rock, folk, jazz, and blues.
• Baker Gurwitz Army: Still Alive. Wet World (WWVII). The Baker Gurvitz Army was formed in late 1974 by drummer Ginger Baker, formerly of Cream, and brothers Adrian (guitar) and Paul Gurvitz (bass), formerly of Gun. The band was filled out by vocalist Snips and keyboard player Peter Lemer (today heard in f. ex. Phil Miller's In Cahoots). They released three albums between 1974 and 1976, the most successful of which was their self-titled debut, which charted in the U.K. and the U.S. Having dispensed with the history, we can turn our attention to this triple-disc set of recordings. This archival collection, licensed from the band, consists of live material recorded on the Baker Gurvitz Army's 1975 and 1976 tours. The third disc is a bonus DVD, which features a German TV performance from the same era
• Tony Banks: A Curious Feeling. 30th Anniversary Editions are getting released by Esoteric Recordings. A standard CD edition and a limited 2-disc deluxe edition with additional surround sound mix and promotional videos on DVD. "A Curious Feeling" was Tony Bank's first solo album.
• Maggie Bell gets the spots! 2 releases coming from the British label Angel Air make it happen. The reissue of her '74 debut album "Queen Of The Night" (SJPCD200) is due to release on January 16, 2006. It has been remastered and includes two bonus live tracks from Maggie's personal archives. Later in February, Maggie's 2nd album from 1975 - Suicide Sal (SJPCD201) - will also be released. Fellow label mate Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame even played on one of the tracks.
• The self titled album from the british group Ben is now available as 180 Gr. audiophile LP on the italian label Akarma. This classic example of 1970s British jazz-rock, led by guitarist Gerry Reid and saxophonist Peter Davey, was originally released on the Vertigo label in 1971.
• Blackfield: Blackfield II. This is the second collaboration between Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree/No-Man) and acclaimed Israeli songwriter Aviv Geffen. Following the success of their debut release, the band's second album continues with 10 more highly crafted songs of beauty, power, and melancholia. An exceptional production, full of glorious hooks, lush harmony vocals and edgy guitars.
• Blackfield: S/T. A collaboration between Israeli singer songwriter Aviv Geffen and British musician and producer Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree).
• Terry Bozzio: Prime Cut. This album released on the label Magna Carta is now available again with new unreleased material. This is furthermore an enhanced CD featuring a 15mn. Long interview and bonus tracks in MP3 format.
• After his decision of quitting the scene, drummer Bill Bruford has got plenty of time to take care of his label. The last idea he came up with is to reissue on 180 gr. vinyl in a limited edition of 1000 copies his 3 albums "Feel Good To Me", "One Of A Kind" , "Going Gradually Tornado + for the first time on vinyl the concert performance of "Rock Goes To College" (already available on CD and DVD). Street date: 03/11/09
• Bill Bruford's Autobiography will be released on March 1st, 2009 by Jawbone Press. After a 40-year career spanning some of the greatest prog rock groups ( Yes, King Crimson) and his own inimitable jazz ensemble Earthworks, drummer/composer/bandleader Bruford announced his retirement from the scene in January 2009. To those curious about what's behind the decision, he replied that he didn't need to justify anything but the book would certainly satisfy the curiosity of those asking! Paperback, 352 pages.
• Camberwell Now: All's Well. RER 9022. This is the remastered complete output by the group, led by drummerCharles Hayward, group which followed in the mid 80's the short lived The Heath. The present reissue gathers on one CD the complete LP, Eps collection (Meridian, The Ghost Trade, Greenfingers) recorded between 1982 and 1986. The booklet following the CD offers a biography, photos, lyrics and more.
• Camel: Stationery Traveller. Esoteric Recordings (2009). Although destined to be Camel’s final studio album for Decca Records, it was a fine effort, inspired by the Cold War (then at ist height) between the Eastern Block countries and NATO. It allowed the band to reach new heights of creativity. This reissue has been re-mastered from the original master tapes and includes the full 12” single version of "Pressure Points" and the song "In the Arms of Waltzing Fraulines" as bonus tracks.
• Carmen: The Gypsies/Widescreen. Angel Air (SJPCD225) 2-CD Set. After a 44 date tour with Jethro Tull in 1974, Carmen went to Massachusetts where they recorded their final album 'The Gypsies'. Fast forward 20 years and band leader David Allen commenced work on 'Widescreen' which has occupied David for the past 10 years and is now released for the first time. One of the more interesting bands of the 70's, Carmen's music could possibly be described as progressive flamenco rock. [Release date 07.05.07]
• Carmen's first two albums "Fandangos in Space" (73) and "Dancing on a Cold Wind" (74) will be re-released in October 2006 as a 2 CD set by Angel Air Records! This is the first legitimate re-release of Carmen's records, with songs remastered from the original tapes. The package will also contain two rediscovered Carmen tracks, never before heard on record, and a 20 page booklet with new pictures of Carmen from the bands personal collections. Carmen was the brainchild of flamenco guitarist and vocalist David Allen .... and we insist on saying Da-vid, not Dae-vid :) !
• Centrozoon:Never Trust The Way You Are. Centrozoon's long-awaited album with No-Man singer Tim Bowness finally arrives on Berlin-based Resonancer Records. Also featuring contributions from King Crimson's drummer Pat Mastellotto. The album presents some free jazzy stuff and bits that sound like the King Crimson ProjeKcts.
• David Cross: Closer Than Skin. Without doubt the most coherent and artistically successful album of rock songs released by the ex-Crim alumni. With ten songs co-written with bass guitarist Mick Paul and lyricist Richard Palmer-James (another name from Crimson’s past), it’s a remarkably powerful and confident collection, forceful and energetic throughout.
• Db-Infusion: Dreamscape. Superb musicianship and equally spellbinding material make for a superb listen. The basis of Danny Berdichevsky, Gonzalo Carrera (also known from the bandKarnataka), Rob Statham, Ollie Usiskin and the late Steve Stephenson is high-energy in itself, but when they can draw on the saxophonic’s of Supertramp member John Helliwell, the cello of Hugh McDowell (Electric Light Orchestra), the guitar of John Etheridge (Soft Machine) and the flute of jazz musician Rowland Sutherland (Mistura) plus a whole host of excellent guests, then ... it comes out of the mincing machine as something very special, a strong cup of jazz fusion!
• Created around the core quartet of Jakko Jakszyk (21st Century Schizoid Band), Porcupine Tree's Gavin Harrison, Pandit Dinesh and the legendary Danny Thompson, Dizrhythmia is the much acclaimed Indo-Fusion project, which also features performances by a stellar group of Indian Classical and experimental musicians such as sarangi player Sultan Khan. Especially noteworthy, since he hasn't appeared much lately, is the presence of keyboardist Dave Stewart (National Health, Hatfield & The North).
• Keith Emerson: Keith Emerson Band feat. Marc Bonilla. EDEL (0192328 ERE). 2008. The king of the Hammond is back! A brand new album in a real symphonic prog vein. Together with Marc Bonilla (guitars and Vocals) and Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth), Keith Emerson rediscovers his roots and delivers a fantastic suite lasting most of the album. This release is also available as a 2LP and CD+DVD
• Keith Emerson: Inferno. Cinevox CDMDF605. New wonderful reissue in digipack edition of this soundtrack for an historic Dario Argento thriller! One of the best soundtracks ever recorded, now with 3 bonus tracks!
• Brian Eno / Robert Fripp: Equatorial Stars. New collaboration after many years passed. Released in late 2004 and available either on DGM or Eno’s web shops!
• Ex-Wise Heads: Liquid Assets. With their fourth album Liquid Assets, Ex-Wise Heads mainstays Colin Edwin & Geoff Leigh create a subtle blend of timeless and contemporary sounds. A focused development of the band's unique approach, Liquid Assets intelligently blends ambient atmospheres with elemental rhythmic structures, striking solos, and refreshingly unusual instrumental combinations, all underpinned by Edwin's trademark powerful, deep, basslines.
• Fish: Return to Childhood . March 09. This double CD (EX 27350)or 2DVD (EX 47272) was recorded and flmed in Holland on the tour that celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the Marillion album Misplaced Childhood. In addition to the entire Misplaced Childhood album Fish and the band perform other live favourites including both solo material such as Credo, Raingods Dancing Big Wedge and Moving Targets and Marillion material including Market Square Heroes, Incommunicado and Fugazi.
• Fred Frith: Cheap At Half The Price. Recommended RER 3100. Now available as redesigned and remastered edition.
• Genesis: Chapter And Verse. Since August 2007, this 360-page hardback book (very high quality, printed in colour with loads of photos - it's a weighty tome!) or illustrated CD audio book read by David Baddiel (4CDs - abridged) is available for pre-order. It is THE biography of the band AND the first time in over 20 years that Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford have collaborated creatively on a project, working together to create the complete history of Genesis. Key fellow members of the band, management, road crew and entourage have also been interviewed, including Jonathan King (their first manager, who got Genesis signed to Decca in 1967), long-time cohort and road manager Richard MacPhail, Anthony Phillips (guitarist, founder member to 1970), Tony Smith (manager since 1973), drummers Bill Bruford, Chris Stewart and John Silver, and Ray Wilson, the Genesis vocalist after Phil Collins.
• Gentle Giant: King Alfred's College 1971. Bassist Ray Shulman produced this CD of one of the earliest Gentle Giant live gigs at King Alfred's College in Winchester. It's available from Alucard Music (as of June 18 2009).
• Gentle Giant: Live in Stockholm '75. At the top of their career and part of their Autumn tour, here's a concert recorded at the Students Union's own venue: Club Karen (Karhuset)on November 12th. Mastered directly from the original radio station tapes, the sound is superb as the band play a selection of new tracks and stage favourites from earlier albums. Street date: April 20th, 2009
• Gentle Giant: Three Friends. Repertoire digipack release (RR5114) with street date 25/01/08. Also available are : S/T (RR1015), Octopus (RR5095)
• Gentle Giant: In A Glass House, Power & The Glory, Free Hand, Giant for A Day, Interview, Playing The Fool and Missing Piece are available as part of a so called 35th Anniversary Edition, released by DRT Entertainment, Derek Schulman's company. They are all remastered and repackaged, most with bonus live tracks, bonus video track in the case of "Playing The Fool".
• The Giles Brothers: 1962 - 1967. Voiceprint VP500CD. 28/09/09. The two brothers are famous for being founders of the band Giles Giles and Fripp in 1967 but what we have here comes from a period when they were members of a number of pure pop, R&B and soul influenced bands. All the tracks come from the personal archives of Peter and Mike and as such are an interesting look into a period of time during the Giles brother's careers that has previously been less than well documented. The recordings have all been remastered for this release, giving them the best possible quality and it is the first release that gathers together all of these historic performances on one disc.
• The British label Glass House Records has in 2003 an important batch of live recordings by the prog legend group Gentle Giant. This includes:
  GLASS104CD "Artistically Cryme". A 2CD recorded at Olympen-Sparta in Lund, Sweden during September 1976.
  GLASS105CD "The Missing Face": a previously unreleased live recording from The Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio in November 1977.
  GLASS108CD "Endless Life": another 2CD recorded on the Free Hand tour of the U.S. in October 1975. The first disc was recorded at Music Hall, White Plains, New York and the second at The Community Theater, Berkley, California.
  GLASS107CD "Prologue": double CD recorded live in Munster, Germany in 1974 and Philadelphia 1975.
  GLASS106CD "Playing The Cleveland": recorded live at the Agora Ballroom, Cleveland 1975 and Academy Of Music, New York, 1975.


• Gravy Train: Staircase To The Day. Repertoire UK (RR1089). Digipack. Gravy Train was a Lancashire based progressive rock outfit, noted for its top class musicianship and songwriting skills. This was the band's second release for the Dawn label and famed artist Roger Dean designed the original LP sleeve for the album, which proved to be the band's final album, and is now a much sought-after collectors item. Original vinyl artwork in square CD digisleeve format (card wallet - no plastic) plus inserted fold-out poster. Four bonus track - featuring both A & B-sides of two rare singles! Booklet with authoritative and extensive liner notes by respected author and journalist Chris Welch. Expertly remastered
• Guapo: Elixirs. 2008. Neurot Recordings. 6th studio album by the British trio, here reduced to duo but calling for a few guests, string players and vocalist. This reinforces the chamber aspect of the music and this time, the music is slightly quieter than what we've heard on other records. But the characteristics of the group, long ascending sequences, mystical atmospheres, darkness, trance melodic lines are still there, completed with moves towards new musical territories (ethnic elements musically originated in the Asian culture, reinforced post-rock touch, etc...) to avoid being stamped as so or so. Guapo is still there, on the move, like a magma flowing further down to the coast ...
• Steve Hackett. Both "Cured" and "Highly Strung" will be released as Japanese Mini Vinyl Papersleeves on May 30, 2007. They're digitally remastered with bonus tracks and each title includes a miniature replica of the original album sleeve, obi strip, and Japanese insert/info sheet.
• Releases from Camino Records
  
  Steve Hackett: New Horizons. Here is an album of Hackett compositions arranged for grand piano and pipe organ, performed and transcribed by international organist & pianist Marco Lo Muscio. It features pieces from "Voyage Of The Acolyte", "Bay Of Kings", "Guitar Noir" and "Momentum". Depending on the track Marco either plays a Steinway grand piano or the mighty Ruffati pipe organ of the Canadian church in Rome. There are also 2 bonus live tracks including a "Firth Of Fifth" piano solo performed in Russia.
  - Steve Hackett: Metamorpheus. New release by the guitarist in the form of a songs cyclus for acoustic guitar and chamber orchestra (The Underworld Orchestra)
  - Steve Hackett: Wild Orchids. Released in Europe on the German label InsideOut Music. The Japanese edition will be released at the same date through WHD Entertainment Inc. This edition contains 2 exclusive tracks - 'Eruption' & 'Reconditioned Nightmare'- but to make room, the tracks 'Blue Child' or 'Until The Last Butterfly' have been omitted.
  - Steve Hackett: Live Archive 04 (2CD). Live in Budapest (CAMCD 34). This 2CD set captures the last night of Steve's 2004 European tour with his full electric band, recorded on 3rd April 2004 at Petofi Csarnok, Budapest, Hungary. The band line-up is Steve Hackett - Guitar & Vocals, Roger King - Keyboards, Rob Townsend - Sax, Flute, Percussion & Vocals, Terry Gregory - Bass & Vocals & Gary O’Toole - Drums, Percussion & Vocals.
  - Steve Hackett: Hungarian Horizons - Live In Budapest 2CD (CAMCD 30) progressive
  - Steve Hackett: To Watch The Storms -Special Edition CD (CAMCD 31 SE) progressive.


• Peter Hammill: Thin Air. Due to June 8th, 2009, this is the 28th album by Van Der Graaf singer and this time - in the singer's words - the new album is about "assembling a loose collection of tunes". The process started in July 2008 and it is a real solo project (no guests came to appear) with an instrumentation mainly based on piano and electric guitars at the upfront, while - says Peter: "various elements of sonic disturbance - strings, synths, light percussion washes - peep out from behind the curtains. The voice is, in general, right at centre stage, speaking directly (although it's at times contradicted by various backing vocals....) to the audience. The sonic territory is not exactly comfortable or comforting. In the end the structures, both musically and lyrically, are impressionistic. There's something just out of sight, glimpsed out of the corner of the eye, going on. The shadows are shifting".
• Gavin Harrison / 05Ric: Drop. Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison's collaboration with singer and Extended Range bass player 05Ric. With contributions from Robert Fripp, Dave Stewart and Gary Sanctuary. Nine carefully crafted songs combined with ground breaking multi layered guitars, vocal harmonies and rhythms. Shipping planned for the first week of October!
• Hawkwind: Minneapolis 4th October 1989 (HAWKVP45CD). Street date: 16/11/09. 2CD. Concert coincidin with the bands 20th anniversary
• Henry Cow: Concerts. This is the long awaited remastered reissue of this cult record from 1975, including some of their collaboration work with Robert Wyatt (among other his last apparition on stage in Rome, 1975) and the 5 pieces from 73 made for the compilation album Greasy Truckers.
• Steve Hillage Band: Live at the Gong Unconvention 2006. G-Wave (GWVP101CD and GWVP101DVD). Street date: 03/08/09. This CD or DVD contains the performance captured at the UnCon and also bonus tracks which have never been released before including a rare Gong performance of the Solar Musick Suite which was recorded in 1974. There are also two Steve Hillage band performances in Holland from what would turn out to be Steve's final concerts in 1979 with the Steve Hillage Band. This performance was the first Steve Hillage band performance for over thirty years. The DVD contains the performance and also interview footage with Steve filmed at the time of the performance.
• Hugh Hopper & Yumi Hara Cawkwell: Dune. Moonjune Recordings (MJR-019). To be officially released in July 2008, here's a new project by Soft Machine's bass player, here in close collaboration with a Japanese keyboardist and vocalist living in London. Time's back for plenty of bass fuzzology again, multi-layered bass sound with various effects and loops but this time they are either coupled, intertwined to or smashed against a rather free keyboard playing and ghostly vocal escapades rooted in the Japanese culture, all contributing to build strong sonic sculptures, bring forth spacy whirlwinds from other stratospheres, icy moments detached from time. Intimacy, intense nearness and concentration, cerebral sensuality will defeat here all attempts to give this music a useless stylistic stamp. You'd fare better experiencing it as an awaken dream or some meeting of a fourth type!
• I.E.M.: 1996 - 1999. Burning Shed. This is a remastered and repackaged collection of all of the music recorded and released by Steven Wilson's krautrock inspired IEM project between 1996-1999. It contains the whole of the 1996 debut album, the 1999 "Escalator to Christmas" EP, and an extended 13 minute version of the title track from the Escalator EP. Total running time of the CD is 70 minutes.
• Karda Estra: The Last of the Libertine. The seventh Karda Estra album continues their unique exploration of progressive and classical stylings using both modern and orchestral instruments. To their trademark classical instrumentation and etheral female voice this time is added some melodic trumpet work and a more uptempo rhythmic feel to the whole album.
• Karda Estra: The Age of Science and Enlightenment. The sixth Karda Estra album continues their unique exploration of progressive and classical stylings using both modern and orchestral instruments. The long suite “The Return of John Deth” is something of a new departure for the group where each part has its own atmosphere that evolves around the main theme point. Classical instrumentation and ethereal female voice mix with electric guitar/bass/keys/drums to give haunting and melancholic melodies bound together by beautiful production ideas and great progressive arrangements.
• Latest news from the King Crimson's Collector's Club series:
  + CLUB 35: King Crimson Live in Denver, Colorado, March 13, 1972. This is the classic quartet line-up of Fripp/Collins/Burrell/Wallace.
  + CLUB 34: Live in Alexandria, VA, 03/03/03. This is a recording of the ProjeKct Three,
  + CLUB 33: Live at Park West, Chicago, IL, June 4, 1998. 2CD by ProjeKct Two
  + CLUB 32: Live in Munich, Sept. 29, 1982. Discipline line-up with Bruford, Levin and Belew
  + CLUB 31: Live at the Wiltern, July 1, 1995. 2CD recorded at The Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA with the double trio
  + CLUB 30: Live in Brighton, October 16, 1971. 2CD recorded at the Dome with the line up of Boz, Ian, Mel, Robert and Peter.
  + CLUB 29: Live in Heidelberg, 1974. Recorded March 29, 1974 at Konzerthaus Elzerhof, Heidelberg, Germany.
  + CLUB 28: Live in Warsaw, June 11, 2000. With Trey Gunn & Pat Mastelotto
  + CLUB 27: ProjeKct Three Live in Austin, Texas, March 25, 1999.
  + CLUB 26: King Crimson Live in Philadelphia, PA, July 30, 1982. With Belew, Bruford & Levin
  + CLUB 25: King Crimson Live at Fillmore East, NYC, November 21 & 22, 1969.
  + CLUB 24: King Crimson Live in Guildford, November 13, 1972. With Cross, Muir, Wetton & Bruford
• King Crimson: In The Court Of The Crimson King. Now remastered from the original master tapes which were recently re-discovered.
• King Crimson "Ladies Of the Road". The ever inventive Robert Fripp has recently put up this 2CD record on the market. Disc 1 is a collection of KC tunes played in 1971 while disc 2 is a gathering of different sax and guitar solos from 21st Century Schizoïd Man played throughout the tune's life and edited as a continuous superjam.
• Geoff Leigh & Yumi Hara: Upstream. Moonjune (MJR027). This is a collaborative work between the ex-Henry Cow member and the Japanese pianist, lately often seen in team work with Canterbury legend Hugh Hopper and with ex-King Crimson violinist David Cross. Their musical exchanges blur the line between written and improvised; although a multi-instrumentist, Leigh concentrates mainly on the flute, although it's frequently fed through an entanglement of electronic effects, lending a subtly harmonised burr. Hara plays keyboards, changing her palette from acoustic piano to hard-edged organ sounds. Often, she can be gently ruminative, but there are also spells where Hara rumbles with great intensity on the piano's bass notes or charges up to a Gothic organ sustain. Their music possesses some highly contrasting densities. Leigh coats his small gongs with an effects burnish, spangling into infinity. Hara also alters her voice at times, again with a subtly harmonised displacement. Leigh and Hara have produced a deeply sensitive soundscape, populated by a number of surprising (and exciting) forays into a more intense form of expression.
• The collaboration between Magenta and Annie Haslam - Night and Day - has arrived. This four tracks EP contains three versions of the song written by Rob and Christina especially for Annie, plus a lovely instrumental written and performed by Rob called "Essence of Love". The song also features the entire Magenta live band plus a stunning contribution from Troy Donockley on Uilean Pipes and Whistles. Track listing:
  1. Night and Day (lead vocal by Annie)
  2. Night and Day (evening mix)
  3. Essence of Love
  4. Night and day (duet with Christina of Magenta)


• Marsipulami: S/T. Released now on the label Breathless as digipack. This album, originally released in 1970 on Transatlantic, is made up of dark, foreboding music that touches upon the early prog scene (lots of organ, flute, electric guitar) but also throws in some folky passages and jazz experimentations as well.
• Phil Miller's In Cahoots are back again with a new release on Cuneiform. "All That" is the title and there is now a new drummer, Mark Fletcher. The album is getting a lot of good reviews and there should be a slight move towards fusion jazz.
• Moraz/Bruford: In Tokyo. Winterfold BBWF011CD. Street date: 07/09/09. Live recording from Laforet Museum, Akasaka, Tokyo, and the only official Winterfold live album available from the duo. There is a strong jazz vibe in the exchanges played by our two men and more than a hint at their background as symphonic proggers. The music is much accessible and has a dancing elastic quality with plenty of dynamics, as you may expect from Bruford!
• News From Babel: Complete Recordings. RER 9123. This gorgeous boxset gathers the two LPs "Sirens And Silences: Work Resumed On The Tower" + "Letters Home" as well as the 7" originally released as a limited edition to the subscribers. the new remastered edition contains new illustrations and texts. A unique occasion for those who missed this band born from the ashes of Art Bears!
• Nico: Nico In Tokyo (MGOTH19LP). Format: LP 180 g (with printed inner sleeve). This live LP, recorded in April 1986, just two years before her ultimately death, is perhaps Nico's last live recording ever. Many of Nico's earlier performances feature her performing songs by other artists (Browne, Cale, Reed, Dylan, etc.) often written especially for her, but the first six items on this LP were written by Nico herself.
• Noir: We Had To Let You Have It. Breathless 52016. Released in 1971 on Pye's Dawn label, this is the only known album from the British progressive combo. Exceptional guitar work! Features Barry Ford, later of Clancy and Merger.
• No-Man: Wherever There Is Light. Acting as a bridge between No-Man's elegiac 2008 return "Schoolyard Ghosts" and the forthcoming live concert DVD "Mixtaped", "Wherever There Is Light" is a strictly limited edition CD EP release. It features 2 new tracks especially written for the EP, a powerful preview from the Mixtaped DVD and a few other things as well
• No-Man: Schoolyard Ghosts (KScope 103). May 2008. A distinctive combination of beautifully detailed songwriting, haunting melodies and inventively cinematic production, Schoolyard Ghosts sees No-Man’s Tim Bowness & Steven Wilson expanding the band's sonic palette by collaborating with, amongst others saxophonist Theo Travis, KC's drummer Pat Mastelotto, another drummer in the person of Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and the London Session Orchestra (arranged by Dave Stewart). Featuring the sweetly hypnotic Wherever There Is Light, the warped dynamics of Pigeon Drummer, and the subtly evolving explorations of the uplifting 13 minute semi-orchestral epic Truenorth, Schoolyard Ghosts reveals the band taking its music to an even more focused and personalised place than before. The cd/dvda comes in a lavish digi-pack with booklet and also features a 5.1 mix of the album, a photo gallery and videos for 3 songs.


• Anthony Phillips: Missing Links Volume 4: Pathways & Promenades. Voiceprint VP526CD. Street date: 02/11/09. This is the latest release in a series of recordings that have featured some of Anthony Phillips commissioned music for film and television. Tracks include The Golden Road To Samarkand, Promenade, Cascades and Sleeping Giant.
• Ozric Tentacles: The Yum Yum Tree (CD + A2 Poster). One of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK's festival scene, the Ozrics layer ambient and ethereal landscapes with freeform dub trips, incredible rave grooves and psychedelic progressive rock. The Ozrics return in April 2009 with a new studio album, their first since 2006's "The Floor's Too Far Away".
• Anthony Phillips is on the front again with those releases:
  
  + Anthony Phillips & Joji Hirota: Wildlife. Voiceprint VP435CD. Between 1994 and 2000, Anthony and Joji collaborated on a number of outstanding soundtracks for wildlife television programmes in the award-winning "Survival" series. In addition, Anthony also wrote and recorded the music for a programme in the BBC series "The Natural World". Now for the first time highlights from these richly atmospheric and evocative soundtracks are available as a new collection "Wildlife". Release date: 21/04/2008
  + Anthony Phillips: 1984. Ant's 6th solo album, the keyboard-based 1984 was originally released in 1981. For this 2CD reissue it's been remastered by Simon Heyworth. The extra CD includes new mixes from the original 8-track masters which allow parts of the album to be heard for the first time in their original basic form. Also released for the first time is some of Ant's original music for the ATV Series "Rule Britannia" which was recorded at the same time as 1984. Other extras include the previously unheard keyboard piece "Ascension" (which was rediscovered on the original multi-track tapes during the research for this reissue, and has been mixed for the first time) and the 16-minute demo version of "Poly Piece" - a track originally written for inclusion on the album "Sides" and then considered by Ant as a possible track for 1984 when in the formative stages of the album. New liner notes feature contributions from recording engineer Chris David, the writer and presenter of Rule Britannia Dr James Bellini and Ant's own memories of the album.
  + Anthony Phillips: Wise After The Event. Voiceprint VP433CD. Street date: 19/05/08. This reissue has been remastered and contains a second disc of rarities and outtakes recorded before and during the sessions for the album. Amongst the tracks are various pre-release mixes of tracks alongside demos of a number of the tracks including tracks that never made the finished line up.
  + Anthony Phillips: The Geese And The Ghost. Voiceprint VP432CD. 30th anniversary 2CD remastered reissue of this album from 1977. It features among others performances from Genesis members Mike Rutherford & Phil Collins as well as flutist and Steve's brother John Hackett. The extra CD features a fascinating "behind the scenes" view of the initial stages of the recording of the album with the basic tracks of Ant and Mike Rutherford's original acoustic guitar parts for The Geese & The Ghost (Parts One & Two), "Which Way The Wind Blows" and "Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times" being mixed for the first time in isolation from the later overdubs that were added to the album. Complimenting these unique versions of the original tracks is the only unreleased track from the original sessions (a planned new version of the co-written "Silver Song" that never progressed beyond this initial recording), Ant's original demo of Collections (which was recorded for Charisma Records boss Tony Stratton-Smith in the Spring of 1974) and the original basic instrumental tracks of "God If I Saw Her Now" and "Sleepfall". Last but by no means least the final track is the unreleased single version of Silver Song, recorded in November 1973 by Ant together with Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins which receives here its first official release.


• The Pineapple Thief: The Dawn Raids 2. The Pineapple Thief return with two four track EPs, entitled The Dawn Raids. The EPs are available as limited edition CDs. The CDs will be strictly limited to 2000 copies of each and will be available only via the Kscope store. Volume 2 features 'Bitter Day' a track specially written for this release and 'Freefall', a previously unreleased track but a live favourite, along with 'Second Chance' which was previously available on a digital only EP.
• New Pink Floyd Tribute!. "Back Against The Wall" is built of course around the famous Pink Floyd album. In fact the project is to present personal reinterpretations of some of the original tunes. Again the master of ceremony is ex-Yes member Billy Sherwood and he has gathered here an incredible list of performers: Chris Squire, John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Morse, Ian Anderson, Keith emerson, Steve Howe, Adrian Belew, Rick Wakeman, Gary Green, Tony Levin, Jason Scheff (from Chicago), Alan White, Steve Lukather, ... ooof ... more yet, the Olympiades of prog isn't it?
• Porcupine Tree: The Incident. 2CD. Written and recorded between September 2008 and May 2009, "The Incident" is the tenth studio album by Porcupine Tree. Released worldwide by Roadrunner on 14th September, the album is a 2 disc set, the first disc containing the 55 minute title track / song cycle, and the second CD featuring 4 shorter pieces.
• Porcupine Tree: Fear of a Blank Planet. Steve Wilson has always been an impressive businessman along with being a very productive musician. The new Porcupine Tree album will be available in no less than a CD edition, a special limited edition DVD-A audiophile 5.1 surround sound version ( it also includes all 4 tracks from the "Nil Recurring" mini album in surround sound and three video works directed by Lasse Hoile: a special Blank Planet Introduction short film, the uncensored version of the Fear of a Blank Planet promo video, and the full length 17 minute film for Anesthetize as seen during the band’s live shows) and finally a double vinyl edition also featuring the 4 tracks from the mini album, all on 180 gram vinyl, packed in a state of the art heavy gatefold picture sleeve with innerbags!
  
• Porcupine Tree: Stupid Dream. A brand new edition of their long out of print 1999 studio album, considered to be one of their best. The album contains classics such as Even Less, Pure Narcotic, Tinto Brass, and Stop Swimming, and has been lavishly revamped into a definitive double cd set. Disc one is a CD containing a pristine remix / remaster of the original stereo album, while disc two is a DVDA (playable on any DVD player) containing the album remixed into 5.1 surround sound (in DVDA and DTS versions), as well as a 24 bit high resolution version of the stereo mix. Also included are 5.1 mixes of bonus tracks Ambulance Chasing and the full length 14 minute version of Even Less, the promo video for Piano Lessons, and a photo gallery. The artwork has also been completely revamped, with exceptional new images by Lasse Hoile, and a beautiful package designed by Carl Glover. This is the definitive version of one of the essential albums in the PT catalogue.
  Also available as a deluxe double LP set on US label Gates of Dawn. The remaster of the original album is on sides 1-3, and side 4 contains bonus tracks Ambulance Chasing and Even Less (full length 14 minute version). Comes in a lavish thick gatefold sleeve using the new artwork created by Lasse Hoile, and designed by Carl Glover.
• Porcupine Tree: Metanoia. A remastered reissue in digipack sleeve of this album of improvisations recorded during the sessions for Signify in 1995/96. No songs here, just 65 minutes of PT in spur of the moment flow.
• Porcupine Tree: Warszawa. The second CD to be issued on Porcupine Tree's Transmission label (Fan club) is a live in the studio recording made by the Polish Radio during the band's 2001 tour (the last with Chris Maitland on drums).
• Angel Air Records. Coming up in September, an unusual and rare release featuring someclass musicians in jazz rock mode: Ray Russell, Mo Foster and Simon Phillips together with special guest Gil Evans. There was talk before Hendrix's untimely death in 1970 that Gil Evans was going to collaborate with him and this concert features a Hendrix composition.
• Samurai: S/T. Akarma AK341CD. British band risen from the still smoldering ashes of Web (just after the release of their third and best LP). They only released one album in 71. One more time reissued on CD!
• Slapp Happy: Live in Japan May 2000. Voiceprint VP523CD. Street date: 26/10/09. This recording was made in Japan in May 2000 at three concerts which took place in Tokyo, Sapporo and Kyoto. The material performed was drawn from four of the bands albums (Sort Of, Slapp Happy/Acnalbasac Noom, Desperate Straights and Ca Va). The band chose to perform the concerts by playing all the instruments themselves without the aid of other auxiliary musicians. Previously available in Japan only on the FMC label.
• It has been called for some time Software. Now it is Softworks. Their recording is called Abrakadabra and is finally coming on Universal Records, Japan on March 10, 2003. Yes but who is this?
  Hugh Hopper/Elton Dean/John Marshall/Alan Holdsworth. The new Soft Machine?
• Sparks: The Sparks Guide Book 1971 - 2006. Outone Disc. Who but Japanese fans would have got the idea of putting up such a book? This guide is written in both Japanese and English and includes mutual interviews by Ron & Russell Mael, previously unpublished photos, a comprehensive discography and album reviews, essays, artwork and a CD with Spark's earliest recording - Computer Girl - plus an interview with Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), taken from the US radio show "Jonesy's Jukebox". A huge collector's item! Younger fans ... or your kids will also be able to dress Ron & Russell with various cardboard clothes .... yeah I told you, Japanese! They love that kind!
• Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin: Green And Blue. This long-awaited new album is the most varied Stewart/Gaskin album to date, combining heart-rending ballads, poppy toe-tappers, lengthy musical explorations and a heavy metal thrash, but the diverse material is united by the duo's trademark musicality. In a departure from style, the album contains only one cover version. Dave & Barbara are joined by long-time collaborators Andy Reynolds (guitar), Gavin Harrison (drums), Peter Blegvad (narration) and the Amorphous Choir of Wales. The CD ships in a 4-page Digipak with a 12-page colour booklet containing the song lyrics and a short sleeve note by Dave. Accompanying Green and Blue is the companion CDR 'Hour Moon', featuring five bonus tracks, two of which were originally intended for the album. Other tracks include a cover of a classic '60s instrumental and an extended version of 'Henry & James' which appeared on a Flexidisc in a 1980's issue of Keyboard magazine (USA). Hour Moon ships in an eco-friendly cardboard wallet with its own custom artwork and explanatory notes. The two CDs will be released on March 27th 2009 and can be pre-ordered now from the Stewart / Gaskin Online Store.


• The Work: Both "Slow Crimes" (AD15) and "Rubber Cage" (AD 14)are now available in a remastered edition. Founded in 1980 by ex Henry Cow member Tim Hodgkinson, the band was one of the most illustrious followers of the musical lineage defined by Henry Cow, together with Art Bears, Cassiber, Skeleton Crew, News From Babel, etc...
• Third Ear Band: Live Ghosts. Materiali Sonori MASOCD90004. This reissue, featuring an english group which pioneered the idea of "world music" and influenced a lot the psychedelic and progressive era, may be considered a true fusion between Eastern and Western music. This CD was recorded live in concert in Italy in 1988. It features a studio bonus track.
  
• This Heat: Out Of Cold Storage. This special package released on Recommended (RER 8007) gathers for the first time the 5 official albums by this British trio who affected at the same time audiences from punk, new wave and industrial rock between 1976 and 1981. All carefully remastered and accompanied by a 48 pages booklet offering photos, interviews and infos of all kind. There is also a CD of unreleased live material.
• This Heat: Deceit. Recommended Records RER 8002. Reissue of the 2nd album by the British trio who more or less federated the amateurs of punk, post wave and industrial. "Health And Efficiency", their 3rd album originally released as a maxi single is also available!
• This Heat: S/T (RER 8001). This cult record was released in 1979 and features drummer Charles Hayward together with guitarist, singer, clarinettist and more Charles Bullen and bassist/keyboardist Gareth Williams
• Travis & Fripp: Thread. Burning Shed. This unique and almost inevitable collaboration has yielded a beautiful sequence of recordings - 9 improvised pieces - that artfully avoids the clichés routinely associated with ambient and *improv*, while wholly encompassing the core elements of both forms of music. Recorded at DGM Soundworld by David Singleton, with subsequent editing, mixing and mastering by Steven Wilson
• Theo Travis: Double Talk. Eighth solo release by the renowned British saxophonist, flautist, composer and improviser, Theo Travis who lately replaced the late Elton Dean in the current Soft Machine (r)evolution called Soft Machine Legacy. Featuring a dynamic new band and special guest Robert Fripp, the music is a highly contemporary evocation of the experimental Progressive, Jazz and Psychedelic music Travis was influenced by in his formative years. The album also features a unique Travis take on the Pink Floyd classic, See Emily Play.
• Van Der Graaf Generator: Live at the Paradiso - April 2007. Voiceprint VP517CD. Street date: 07/09/09. This CD captures a live performance by Van Der Graaf Generator and lifted from the soundtrack of the DVD of the same name. The performance filmed at the Paradiso in Amsterdam features the three man line-up of Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans
• Van Der Graaf Generator: Trisector. New release and first album in trio after the departure of saxophonist David Jackson. Release planned for March 14, 2008
• Van Der Graaf Generator: Real Time. This 2CD documents the entire reunion concert held at the Royal Albert Festival Hall in London on May 6, 2005.
• Velvet Underground: 1965 - 1970 The Story, the lyrics. This new audiobook from Sonicbook includes a CD with pre-Velvet Underground rare tracks.
• Rick Wakeman: Live At Lincoln Cathedral. Heliopause HPVP104. 2CD. This is the latest solo piano album from Rick and is also the latest album in a series of albums released through Voiceprint that features artists specifically recorded live in the Lincoln Cathedral. The albums have also been recorded binaurally, which gives the listener a sense of actually being a part of the recording when listened to on headphones.
• Waters, Roger: To Kill The Child + Leaving Beirut. CD Single. 671188. Japanese release. And soon coming, the opera project "Ça Ira" inspired by the French Revolution of 1789.
• Steven Wilson: NSRGNTS RMXS. Insurgentes, the debut album from Steven Wilson, was released earlier this year on Kscope. The album immediately received a rapturous reception from not just fans and critics but also from fellow artists. Several of these artists have remixed tracks from the album and NSRGNTS RMXS is a collection of some of these remixes. Tracklist: 1. Harmony Korine (David A. Sitek Magnetized Nebula Mix) 2. Get All You Deserve (Dälek Mix) 3. Abandoner (Engineers Mix) 4. Salvaging (Pat Mastelotto Mix) 5. Abandoner (Danse Macabre Mix) 6. Get All You Deserve (Fear Falls Burning Mix)



.... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels ....

• Two reissues on the label Breathless
  + Demon Fuzz: Afreaka! CD digipack. Cat. No: 52017. Released in 1971, the music defies description: there’s afro-beat, funk, psych, jazz rock, fuzz guitar, the works in long 9 minute tracks like “Past, Present and Future” and “Mercy”. NB! The same album is available on the label Castle (CMRCD 1197). This one includes 3 bonus tracks from their rare Dawn EP (I Put A Spell On You/ Message To Mankind/ Fuzz Oriental Blues).
  + Ron Geesin: A Raise Of Eyebrows. CD digipack Cat. No: 52022. Best Known as the co-author of Pink Floyd’s “Atom Heart Mother”, this tape manipulator and multi-instrumentalist released his debut on the Transatlantic label in 1967. The contents of the tracks range from bizarre audio collage (“A Raise Of Eyebrows”) , to blistering freeform banjo (“Certainly Random”), to trad jazz arrangements (“Ha! Ha! But Reasonable”), to odd spoken interludes (“Positives”). Was previously available on the See For Miles label.


• New releases from Camino Records!
  
  + Asher Quinn: Open Secret. This was Asher's debut album originally released in 1987 - a haunting, lyrical suite with a progressive, classical, quietly epic feel to it. "Open Secret" also features rock legend Andy Latimer of Camel and Tony Freer of The Enid. The album is produced & arranged by Anthony Phillips, who also plays on the record. Both Asher Quinn and Anthony Phillips have kindly agreed to sign all pre-orders, accepted and starting on February 16, 2009 !!!
  + Marco Lo Muscio: Dark And Light. Follow-up album to "New Horizons", including original compositions by Marco and grand piano/pipe organ transcriptions of music by composers including Steve Hackett, Anthony Phillips and Keith Emerson
  
  
• Releases from HUX RECORDS:
  HUX 084 Soft Mountain: S/T. This project can be considered as the junction of 2 worlds and cultures, England and Japan. From the first we find ex Soft Machine fighters, saxophonist Elton Dean and the unequalled bassist Hugh Hopper. From the second, we'll discover keyboardist Hoppy Kamiyama (owner of the well known God Mountain label), whose 24 years career include some 200 CDs, and completing the line-up is the irresistible drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, leader of various Zeuhl charged combos such as Ruins & Koenji. The meeting dates from 2003 and is a must for lovers of either camp! This limited edition digipack features a liner note by Hugh Hopper.
  HUX 076 Connie Smith: Connie Smith / Cute ‘n’ Country ‘2 on 1’. Connie Smith is considered by many fans and critics to be one of the best and most underrated vocalists in country music history. Connie’s first two LPs were originally released in 1965 and are now reissued here together on one CD for the first time. It includes the original artwork and sleeve notes from both original LPs, along with rare photographs and new, updated liner notes.
  HUX 075 Skid Row: Live and On Song. All 4 sides of both singles are now released here on CD for the first time. Also included on this CD is the group’s powerful live show, recorded in London by the BBC in 1971. This recording captured the band at the peak of their improvisational powers as a concert act.
  HUX 074 Robyn Hitchcock: This Is The BBC. Features the best of his BBC radio sessions, recorded between 1995 & 1999. The accompanying 12 page full colour booklet includes photos and paintings by Robyn, song lyrics and an original Robyn Hitchcock poem.
  HUX 073 Kevin Ayers: The BBC Sessions 1970 - 1976. This 2 CD set of BBC radio sessions (Top Gear, John Peel, Rock On, etc..) compiled with the help of Kevin Ayers, tracks Kevin’s discography from 1970 (when his band included his former Soft Machine friends) through to 1976. Featured here are several previously unissued recordings, including the earliest surviving example of Kevin’s post-Soft Machine output. The accompanying 16 page full colour booklet includes comprehensive liner notes, plus a brief note from Kevin Ayers, full recording details and previously unseen photographs.
  HUX 070 Soft Machines: Softstage BBC In Concert 1972. Previously released on Windsong, this live BBC concert was recorded at London's Paris Theatre on July 20, 1972 for BBC Radio 1 just a few months before the live and studio material for the band’s album Six was put together.
  HUX 067 Soft Machines: BBC In Concert 1971. This is a live session recorded for the BBC at London's Paris Theatre on March 11th 1971. John Peel introduced the concert as being by "Soft Machine and Heavy Friends". It actually begins with the Elton Dean Group (which a year later evolved into "Just Us") - Dean, Mark Charig, Neville Whitehead and Phil Howard - plus Mike Ratledge on electric piano. Then Dean, Ratledge and Howard are joined by Hugh Hopper and Robert Wyatt. The 30-minute plus medley is by the regular Dean-Ratledge-Hopper-Wyatt quartet. For the last three numbers within the medley, Soft Machine is augmented by Ronnie Scott on tenor sax, Mark Charig on cornet, Paul Nieman on trombone and Roy Babbington on bass. A very strong performance that features some of the most jazz-oriented music Soft Machine ever produced. The final track is a previously unreleased recording of "Slightly All The Time/Noisette", which was performed by the Soft Machine quartet as an encore to this concert. The accompanying 12 page colour booklet includes brief notes from Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper and Elton Dean, who all recall their own memories of this recording. Also featured in the booklet are further extensive liner notes and band photographs.
  HUX 063 Elton Dean & Sophia Domancich: Avant. The French pianist Sophia Domancich has worked with Elton on and off over the past 20 years. During this time, she has become closely associated with the Canterbury scene and has played with most of the key figures of the genre, including Pip Pyle, Hugh Hopper, Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller & Didier Malherbe. ‘Avant’ features a recording of a live concert which the duo performed in France. This fully improvised show was the first time they had ever performed as a duo.
  HUX 062 Pip Pyle’s Equip’Out: Instants. In 1994, this band performed a live show in Paris which is now released here for the first time. This particular line-up of Pip, Elton Dean, Patrice Meyer & Paul Roger only ever did a handful of gigs. Released on november 29,2004.
  HUX 060 Family: BBC RADIO Volume 2 – 1971-73. This is the second of two volumes containing Family's previously unreleased BBC Radio 1 sessions. Covering the period from early 1971 up to mid 1973, these recorded sessions are mastered from the original BBC transcription tapes and feature one of Britain's finest bands playing in the studio, but with an extra edge that is normally only captured at live performances. Included here is a rare session by Family as a 4 piece
  HUX 059 Psychic Warrior: S/T. This is a brand new recording from the formidable free jazz quartet of Alex Maguire, Elton Dean, Fred Baker & Liam Genockey.
  HUX 057 Family: BBC RADIO Volume 1 – 1968-69. This is the first of two volumes containing Family’s previously unreleased BBC Radio 1 sessions. Featured here are several versions of tracks never before available on CD.
  HUX 055 Dreamtime: Cathanger '86. Dreamtime was formed in 1982 as a jazz trio featuring Nick Evans, Gary Curson and Jim LeBaigue. However in the same year it augmented to a quintet with the addition of Jim Dvorak & Roberto Bellatalla. A couple of years later this sextet was born, when the band augmented yet again with the addition of Keith Tippett on piano.
  HUX 051 Focus: Live at the BBC. Recorded in London on March 21, 1976 by the BBC, this concert includes new material as well as old stage favourites.
  HUX 050 Elton Dean: Sea Of Infinity. This is the 50th release on the Hux label, but it’s their first brand new album, recorded in 2003. Tracks 1 & 4 feature the Elton Dean Quartet, with Mark Hewins (guitar), Marcio Mattos (double bass) and Tony Bianco (drums). Track 2 is just Elton & Mark, displaying a fluidity that comes with 25 years of playing together. Elton & Mark are joined on track 3 by the American poet Sibyl Madrigal.
  HUX 049 Pentangle: The Lost Broadcasts 1968 -72. This double CD of Pentangle’s BBC recordings is comprised primarily of rare and previously unheard tracks.
  HUX 048 Isotope & Gary Boyle: Live at the BBC. This compilation is comprised of an Isotope BBC concert and an Old Grey Whistle Test show, plus a Gary Boyle session recorded for John Peel. None of these recordings have ever been released before.The accompanying 8 page booklet includes a brief note from Gary Boyle plus extensive liner notes, including an interview with Gary, and several rare band photographs.
  HUX 046 Elton Dean's Ninesense. A BBC live recording with such great players as south african Mongezi Feza, Louis Moholo along british celebrities like Keith Tippett, Mark Charig, Harry Beckett and many more.
  HUX 041 Gryphon: "Glastonbury Carol". This album was compiled with full assistance from the band and features their two BBC Radio 1 sessions, recorded in 1972 & 1974. Also included here is their single, 'Glastonbury Carol', which was originally commissioned for the closing titles of the film, 'Glastonbury Fayre'. The master tapes to this track had been missing for the past 30 years and were unearthed recently.
  HUX 040 Gay & Terry Woods: Lake Songs From Red Waters - The Best Of. A compilation from and by the co-founders of Steeleye Span.
  - Mick Softley: Songs For Swingin' Survivors. Album originally released on LP in 1965.
  - Billie Joe Spears: Mr Walker, It's all Over + Just Singin'. 2LPs on 1 CD.
  HUX 039 Wreckless Eric: "Almost A Jubilee - 25 Years At The BBC (with gaps)". Wreckless Eric recorded his first Peel session in 1977, when his band included Ian Dury on drums and Davey Payne on sax. 25 years later, Eric made a solo, acoustic appearance live on the Jonathan Ross show on Radio 2. This album features both of these performances, plus the best of Eric's BBC sessions recorded in between.
  HUX 038 Nucleus: "The Pretty Redhead Live At The BBC 1971 & 1982". The 1971 BBC session was their debut and one of the last times that the founder members of Nucleus appeared together, as guitarist Chris Spedding left soon afterwards.
  


• New Papersleeve Releases from Repertoire UK! at €16,5 each
  + Beggars Opera: Pathfinder. RR1066. Digi sleeve format (card/wallet, no plastic) with poster
  + Clear Blue Sky: S/T. RR1040. Digi sleeve format (card/wallet, no plastic) with poster and classic Roger Dean cover updated by the artist
  + Dr Strangely Strange: Heavy Petting. RR1045. Digi sleeve format (card/wallet, no plastic) with poster and classic Roger Dean cover updated by the artist
  + Gentle Giant: Acquiring The Taste. Digi-sleeve with poster
  + Gravy Train: S/T. RR1067.Digi-sleeve with fold-out poster
  + Jade Warrior: Released. RR1052. Digi-sleeve with poster
  + Legend: S/T. RR1064. Digi-sleeve with poster
  + Magna Carta: In Concert. RR1075. Digi-sleeve with poster
  + Nucleus: Elastic Rock. RR1076. Digi-sleeve with poster and classic Roger Dean cover updated by the artist
  + Tudor Lodge: S/T. RR1046



• VOICEPRINT 2008 RELEASES!:
  
  + 22/09/08 Jon Anderson: From Me To You. Opio Media (JAVPBX07CD). This mini CD is a unique release featuring three pieces of music which will delight long time fans of Jon Anderson. The tracks are made up of bird song overlaid with multi layered vocals from Jon Anderson Some of the music has been heard as the opening to some of Jon’s recent concerts and was also originally part of the boxed set The Lost Tapes.
  + 08/09/08 Gong: Live at the Uncon 2006. Voiceprint (UNGONGDVD003). Filmed at the Gong Family Unconventional Gathering at The Melkweg in Amsterdam in November 2006 some thirty five years after its inception, here's the Gong UnCon performance. The DVD includes performances from Daevid Allen, Steve Hillage, Tim Blake, Gilli Smyth, Mike Howlett, Miquette Giraudy, Didier Malherbe, Theo Travis and Chris Taylor.
  + 08/09/08 Howard Riley: For Four on Two Two. Jazzprint (JPVP141CD). This is the latest album from the Howard Riley catalogue to be reissued. The album has been unavailable for some time and will be eagerly received by the dedicated Howard Riley fan base and also the modern jazz fan base.
  + 01/09/08 Kevin Ayers: What More Can I Say? Reel Recordings (RR009). Kevin Ayers listened to this recently discovered collection of his private demo recordings and out-takes, and found them to be a refreshing reminder of a musical innocence, unique to the nineteen seventies. they feature appearances from Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield and David Bedford. Of special note is the fourteen minute private demonstration for the Doctor Dream suite, a stunning 'audio letter' synopsis with acoustic performances and wry commentary. Never has Kevin Ayers' voice and guitar been captured in such natural intimacy. These beautifully recorded reel-to-reel tapes are an indispensable portrait of an artist as a young man. Or to convey the response from manager Tim Shepard, "This is Kevin's Holy Grail!"
  + 18/08/08 Mother Gong: Live in the USA 1991. VP446CD. Live In the USA has been unavailable for some time and this reissue will be a welcome release for the dedicated Mother Gong and Gong related fan base. Recorded at various locations across America in 1991 from New York to Texas. The line up features Gilli Smyth, Harry Williamson, Rob Calvert and Tom The Poet.
  + 02/06/08 Michiel Borstlap: Eldorado. Gramercy Park GPM080808. This is the newest recording by the Dutch pianist. Coming from left field there is an element of improvisation with a definite funk element and the album will bear repeated listening from both old and new fans.
  + 02/06/08 Jimmy Carl Black: When Do We Get Paid? Crossfire 9504-2. Originally released in 1996, "When Do We Get Paid ?" pulls together material from a variety of radio broadcasts, live recordings, rare, hard to find and in some cases previously unreleased nuggets from the discography of the one and alone JCB. Throughout the album's 17 cuts, JCB is featured on a variety of recordings from the late 70's to the late 80's in the company of combos including the Grandmothers, Holzhaus, Black And Terrazas, the Jolly Rogers, Big Sonny And The Lo Boys, Arthur Brown and the X-Tra Combo. Most interesting of all though has to be the inclusion of JCB's debut recording with the Keys from 1962 in the shape of their ultra rare single Stretch Pants / Just A Matter Of Time.
  + 02/06/08 Napoleon Murphy Brock feat. Gregarious Movement: After Frank - 1st Movement. Crossfire 9509-2. This live recording from 1977 captures Napi's band doing what they did best: putting their own imprint on soul classics. After Frank - 1st Movement is the first CD in Napoleon's archival series of recordings done before or after his time with Frank Zappa
  + 19/05/08 Patrick Moraz: Future Memories Live on TV. Voiceprint VPDVD38. Future Memories Live On TV was at the time considered a brave experiment. The music was performed live for a Swiss television programme and recorded directly to tape as the programme was broadcast. All zones DVD
  + 19/05/08 Acid Mothers Gong: Live at the Uncon 2006. Voiceprint VPDVD246. This seminal band was captured live at the huge gathering of Gong fans, called the Uncon festival and having taken place in Amsterdam 2006. The band is a funny hybrid with both members of Acid Mothers Temple and in first place its leader, guitarist Kawabata Makoto but also the omnipresent octopus, drummer Tatsuya Yoshida then members of Gong with Daevid & Gilli plus guitarist Josh Pollock, in transition from The University of Errors. The recordings from that event were mixed and mastered by Harry Williamson at Spring Studios in Melbourne with assistance from Daevid Allen, and Harry also did the psychedelic video edit, and created special effects which complement the music perfectly.
  + 12/05/08 Jimmy Carl Black: Where's The '$%?@' Beer? Crossfire 9508-2. 2nd CD of a compilation series by Mothers Of Invention 's first drummer. It includes recordings from Geronimo Black (with Bunk Gardner & Don Preston), The Band's Robbie Robertson, The Mannish Boys, The Grandmothers, The Farrell & Black Band, The Muffin Men, The X-tra Comb and B.E.P. (with Roy Estrada), represented along with a JCB interview segment covering his time before and during The Mothers of Invention with Frank Zappa.
  + 12/05/08 Don Preston: Crossfire 9507-2. Don Preston's more classically slanted pieces make their mark on Works. Highly melodic at times and completely experimental at others, Preston's compositions challenge and reward the listener. Solo piano pieces, electronic works, film soundtrack excerpts and The Bride Stripped Bare performed live by The California EAR Unit are all on display. The most striking track is the 1965 recording Found, an early 4-track composition with Bunk Gardner on flute. No need to describe Don's Homage to F.Z. - it speaks for itself!
  + 12/05/08 Bunk Gardner: It's All Bunk. Crossfire 9506-2. At last, the first ever Bunk Gardner solo album! It's All Bunk! spans Bunk's first session with Bud Wattles and His Orchestra (1959) to a live track with The Grandmothers in 1981. In between are post-Mothers improvised recordings done with his late brother Buzz and bassist John Balkin, and melodic pieces with the late Andy Cahan. More than half of these tracks have never been released in any form.
  + 28/04/08 Fayman & Fripp : A Temple in the Clouds. Projekt PRO104. This album presents the Soundscapes of Jeffrey Fayman & Robert Fripp. A stunning album of looped Frippertronics and electronics, in the vein of the classic Fripp & Eno "No Pussyfooting" collaboration; Fripp's contribution of two hours worth of treated guitar work (his trademark “Frippertronics”) formed the basis for Fayman's layering of interwoven electronic soundscapes. Focusing on the subtleties and slight shifts in overtones and harmonics, Fayman and Fripp have created a dynamic musical kaleidoscope, ever changing and intrinsically radiant in each sonic fractal.
  + 21/04/08 Daevid Allen's University of Errors: Daevid Allen's University of Errors plays The Soft Machine. Voiceprint UNGONGDVD001. This Amsterdam performance from the 2006 Gong UnConvention was the first time that UofE performed most of this material live since re-recording the songs for their CD "Jet Propelled Photographs" in 2003. It was a very fitting situation as the entire weekend was a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Daevid's original vision of The Planet Gong in 1966 while a member of The Soft Machine.
  + 14/04/08 Don Preston: Vile Foamy Ectoplasm. Crossfire 9505-2. Originally released in Germany in 1993, Vile Foamy Ectoplasm reappears in a revised and expanded version covering recordings from 1967 to 2002. Preston's own compositions have been kept and eight additional tracks have been included, featuring Loki (The Thrones of Saturn) - whose gong sections were engineered by Frank Zappa - and recordings with Bunk Gardner, The Grandmothers and Don Preston's Akashic Ensemble. Also featured is the 15-minute tour de force from 1967-1968, Death Lights.
  + 07/04/08 Patrick Moraz: Live In Princeton. Voiceprint VPDVD31. This release will be the first time that this performance has been released on DVD although it was previously available as a VHS. The VHS however has been unavailable for some time and is now a collector's item. As a bonus there is the promotional footage made to accompany Patrick's debut solo album The Story Of I. This footage has not been seen since the initial release of that album and has been eagerly sought out by collectors and Patrick's huge and dedicated fan base alike. The sound reproduction on the DVD has also been personally overseen by Patrick Moraz as with the recent series of reissued CDs and the picture quality has been noticeably improved.
  + 17/03/08 Brainville: Brainville at the Knitting Factory. Voiceprint VP427CD. According to Daevid Allen’s own words, Brainville is "The Most eccentric 3 piece jazz rock outfit of the Canterbury school". This 3-piece is, besides Allen himself, composed of the late Pip Pyle and Soft Machine's bass player Hugh Hopper. This album is sourced from a concert that took place at the Knitting Factory venue in New York in 1998.
  + 10/03/08 Patrick Moraz: ESP. Time Wave IDVP015CD. ESP is the most recent album from Patrick Moraz. Originally released in 2003 ESP features sixteen tracks of classically inspired music, all of which bear the Moraz touch on the piano.
  + 10/03/08 Asia featuring John Payne: Scandinavia. Devgel1CD. Scandinavia, as the name suggests, is a live album recorded in Scandinavia whilst Asia were guests on the Dio tour. The performance featured here is one of the last performances to feature the line-up of John Payne, Geoff Downes, Guthrie Govan & Jay Schellen. This in concert recording features the classic Asia songs
  + 03/03/08 Jon Anderson: The Promise Ring. Opio Media (OPIOVP04CD). The Promise Ring was originally released in 1997 and has a Celtic feel where Jon Anderson delves into his own heritage for a thrilling celebration of traditional Irish and Celtic melodies singing his own lyrics to the joyous, percussive sounds of multiple fiddles, pennywhistles, and mandolins.
  + 11/02/08 Fish: 13th Star. Chocolate Frog CF1402207. 13th Star is the latest studio offering from Fish and was written and recorded during what was one of the biggest personal upheavals in Fish’s life. The album is a dark and reflective album although there is an optimism running throughout the album. The material from the album was premiered during the lengthy European tour to promote the album that stretched from late summer through to early December 2007
  + 11/02/08 Steel Pulse: Door Of No Return. Wise Man Doctrine WMDMDVD11. DVD NTSC Region 0. "Door of No Return" whilst being a track from the successful and 2004 Grammy nominated album African Holocaust, is also the title of an in depth documentary about the hugely successful British Reggae band. The film includes concert performances alongside interviews which give an insight to the band many consider the greatest Reggae band in the world.
  + 04/02/08 Pam & Gary Windo: Avant Gardeners. Reel Recordings RR001. In 1976 an opportunity to perform at the Maidstone College of Art as a duo allowed them to bring along the rhythm section from the Brotherhood of Breath, bassist Harry Miller and drummer Louis Moholo for a set. Gary captured this concert by placing on stage a consumer reel-to-reel tape recorder and stereo microphone. In addition, an extraordinary private home session with the magnificent percussionist from Ovary Lodge, Frank Perry, was recorded. Reel Recordings has meticulously remastered and edited forty minutes of explosive and exploratory episodes of moments frozen in time.
  + 04/02/08 Ray Russell: Secret Asylum. Reel Recordings RR005. Throughout the journey Secret Asylum presents sonic caresses and searing assaults from all its featured participants, and its success has yet to be equaled. The quintet features trumpetist Harry Beckett and tenor saxophonist Gary Windo
  + 04/02/08 Kevin Ayers and The Whole World: Hyde Park Free Concert 1970. Reel Recordings RR002. The Whole World was a great melting pot featuring organist David Bedford, saxophonist Lol Coxhill, at that time on bass Mr. Mike Oldfield himself, and on this occasion drummer Robert Wyatt. Whilst the previously released BBC sessions broadcast other sides of the Whole World that produced their classic "Shooting at the Moon" album, this summer 1970 Hyde Park Free Concert recording brings to life a deliriously heavy, heady rock experience in overdrive! Restored as fully as possible from a two track copy, Hyde Park Free Concert 1970 is presented with the fond endorsement of a former festival Jester.
  + 04/02/08 Ken Hyder's Talisker: Dreaming of Glenisla. Reel Recordings RR004. In early 70's, drummer Ken Hyder founded his own band, Talisker, focusing on spontaneously improvised music and traditional Scottish folk music, with both aesthetics being mutually informed. The instrumentation driven by Ken was unique: paired double bass and paired reeds (alto, tenor, clarinets) with voices and whistles. This debut album from 1975 stands among the finest acoustic recordings of its generation. This long awaited reissue of Ken Hyder's classic album is augmented with previously unreleased studio recordings of his quintet
  + 04/02/08 G.F. Fitz-Gerald & Lol Coxhill: Echoes of Duneden. Reel Recordings RR003. These master tapes of a '75 concert unfortunately shelved by Virgin present Lol's soprano saxophone and Gerry's electric guitar with great accuracy and presence. This is eccentric music making, presented as Three Fairy Dances, brimming with buoyancy and painted with cohesive sound colours. Echoes of Duneden invites an intimate experience to the open hearted listener.
  + 04/02/08 Jon Anderson: Totec. Opio Media OPIOVP05CD. Toltec was originally released in early 1996 and is a concept album made up of 13 cuts divided into three parts. This edition of Toltec has 2 bonus tracks "Longwalker Speaks 17 min ver" & "True Horizon".
  
  
• VOICEPRINT 2007 RELEASES!:
  
  + 26/11/07 Fish: Live in Krakow Acoustic. Voiceprint VPDVD10. This DVD was filmed in 1995 when Fish was performing acoustic sets of older familiar material. Also released is the "Live in Krakow Electric (VPDVD11)
  + 12/11/07 Fish: Live In Poland. Chocolate Frog VPDVD2. Filmed by TV Poland on October 10th 1997 in Przemysl Poland. As this recording had only been available on videotape from Fish's fan club "The Company", we have added extra footage to the DVD. This includes a documentary entitled "A Badgers Day" filmed backstage Nov 20th 1997 in Koln, Germany and an Interview - filmed at The Studio, Haddington 2002 especially for this DVD issue.
  + 12/11/07 Fish: Kettle of Fish. Chocolate Frog VPDVD1. Kettle Of Fish is the first time on DVD for the 1998 collection of Fish tracks compiled from his various albums over a ten year period. Included on this 45 minute DVD are the videos to the chart singles for State Of Mind, Big Wedge and A Gentleman's Excuse Me with a running commentary from Fish himself. Also included is a cover version of the Argent classic Hold Your Head Up from 1992's Songs From The Mirror, an album of cover versions and Short Cut To Somewhere, the 1986 collaboration between Fish and Tony Banks from Genesis and a track which appeared on Tony's solo album Fugitive this track predates Fish's solo career by a couple of years. Also included is a photo gallery and an interview with Fish himself.
  + 12/11/07 Fish : Scattering Crows Live in Europe 2004. Chocolate Frog VPDVD9. This DVD documents the tour undertaken by Fish and his band to promote his then current album Field Of Crows. Extras include an interview filmed backstage at a concert in Malta plus the songs The Rookie and Numbers.
  + 05/11/07 Patrick Moraz: ESP. Time Wave IDVP015CD. ESP is the most recent album from Patrick Moraz. Originally released in 2003 ESP features sixteen tracks of classically inspired music all of which bear the Moraz touch on the piano.
  + 29/10/07 Attrition: All Mine Enemys Whispers - The Story of Mary Ann Cotton. 2GODS (10GODSCD). A surreal and nightmare-ish dreamscape - All mine enemy’s whispers is mix of styles from avante guarde to neo-classical to music concrete - and is possibly the ultimate in “Gothic”… Recorded over 3 years in the U.K., Germany and USA, It is a culmination of everything Attrition have achieved over their 25 years of working with dark electronic soundscapes ....
  + 15/10/07 Patrick Moraz: Resonance. Time Wave IDVP014CD. Resonance was the first album of the new millennium to come from Patrick. This is a solo piano album.
  + 15/10/07 Arc: Fracture. Din Records (DIN28). "Fracture" is ARC's fifth album release and their fourth on the DiN label. It features their fabled retro style sequencing, courtesy of Shreeve's giant Moog modular system, coupled with a heady mix of quirky melodic lines and spacy atmospheres. The album is wholly instrumental and the first four tracks constantly morph and evolve with a set of chilled out grooves and sublime melodic themes. The fifth track, "Rapture", is an epic in every sense. Nearly 23 minutes in length it features a central, pounding sequencer riff section cocooned within truly awe inspiring deep space ambiences for a truly memorable track.
  + 08/10/07 Steve Hillage: Germany 77. VPDVD32. Recorded for the German television, this concert by the first Hillage line-up is now fixed on DVD, which also includes an exclusive interview filmed at Steve and Miquette’s studio in London in January 2007 where Steve and Miquette discuss the Steve Hillage Band, the German concert and also the recording of the albums Fish Rising, ‘L’ and Motivation Radio.
  + 01/10/07 Astralasia: The Hawkwind Remixes. VP361CD. This CD will no doubt appeal to the more adventurous of Hawkwind's long lasting and widespread fan base but also fans of Astralasia's ambient dub treatments of Hawkwind's material. Astralasia of course originally sprang from another British psychedelic space rock band The Magic Mushroom Band
  + 01/10/07 Bill Bruford and Keiko Abe: The New Percussion Group of Amsterdam - Go Between. Summerfold BBSF018CD. The album ‘Go Between’ was originally released in 1986 but has been unavailable since 1992. This remastered edition of Go Between comprises four long tracks of material written specifically for the project and its two stellar featured artists, the eminent Japanese composer and virtuoso, Keiko Abe and drummer Bill Bruford.
  + 01/10/07 Fish: Communion. Chocolate Frog CF040807. Communion is a double live CD and was recorded at St Mary's Church, Haddington on the Acoustic Night of the Company Convention August 2006.
  + 17/09/07 Leslie West Band: Live in Toronto, 1976. Trademark of Official Quality VPTMQ053CD. This line up of the Leslie West band also featured future Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones and special guest drummer Carmine Appice who at this time was playing drums for Rod Stewart. 2007 will see the launch of the Official Leslie west Bootleg series of recordings. Hot on the heels of the Official Mountain Bootleg series of recordings Leslie has chosen key recordings from his extensive archive.
  + 03/09/07 Violeta de Outono: Volume 7. Voiceprint Brazil VPB123CD. Violeta de Outono are known for their hypnotic sound and psychedelic influences, and their live presentation are always remarkable due to the dreamy and lenghty instrumental passages, leaving their audience in a state of trance. On this album the band keep on developing their own style, using influences from English bands from the 70’s (Camel/Caravan/Soft Machine), with special attention on the Hammond organ. The album features eight new songs, full of lyricism and psychedelia, and includes as a bonus an MPEG studio video clip.
  + 23/07/07 Astralasia: Cluster Of Waves. Voiceprint VP426CD. Astralasia are a magnificent blend of Ambient –Dub and Tribal House and a few other influences thrown in for good measure. Cluster of Waves is the latest album from Astralasia; it features eight previously unreleased tracks and a guest appearance by former Hawkwind and David Bowie band member Simon House on violin.
  + 16/07/07 Mother Gong: Live in Amsterdam. Voiceprint VP423CD. The performance took place at the spectacularly successful Gong INCON which took place in November 2006 and reprised the successful appearance of Mother Gong at the previous Gong UNCON in 2005. The band featured Gilli Smyth, Orlando Allen, Didier Malherbe, Gwyo Zepix and Tim Hall and was one of the undoubted hit’s of the 2006 UNCON.
  + 02/07/07 Roxy Music: Concerto. Neptune (TUNECD112). Recorded live at the Oakland Auditorium, Oakland, California on April 4, 1979 and in Denver, Colorado on April 12, 1979. All tracks have been digitally remastered. CONCERTO is a two-disc, 15-track live document of 1979's Roxy Music reunion tour.Double disc reissue of the 1979 collection of live recordings from the group's first comeback, the "Manifesto Tour". The principle members of Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera and Andy McKay were joined by Gary Tibbs (who was recruited from the Vibrators) to fill in the Spinal Tap-esque ever-changing bass player's position and the late David Skinner on keyboards.
  + 02/07/07 Jack Bruce: Bird Alone. Neptune (TUNECD114). Cream bassman goes solo! This brilliant show recorded on the US tour of 1980 fits on a 2CD and the band includes Billy Cobham on drums, David Sancious on keyboards and ex-Humble Pie Dave 'Clem' Clempson on guitar.
  + 02/07/07 Atomic Rooster: Lose Your Mind. Neptune (TUNECD105). This album features rare studio recordings from the newly reformed Rooster in 1980 - line up featuring Vincent Crane, John Du Cann and Preston Heyman. The bonus tracks include a stunning live version of the No.1 Hit (UK) Devil's Answer and a German Broadcast featuring Chris Farlowe and the original line up including Paul Hammond on drums.
  + 14/05/07 Tangerine Dream: 35th Anniversary Phaedra Concert. Voiceprint VPDVD29. DVD. This concert, filmed on the 11th of June 2005 at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, was performed in front of a sell out audience and featured material from the Phaedra album alongside newer more recent material. The band, which features Thorsten Quaeschning, Linda Spa, Jerome Froese and Iris Camaa, perform many pieces from their lengthy career including Phaedra '05, Rubycon Pt.1, Force Majeure, Logos and a cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic Purple Haze.
  + 14/05/07 Patrick Moraz: Live In Princeton. Voiceprint VPDVD31. Live In Princeton is another live acoustic outing from Patrick Moraz. The concert took place at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey in 1995 and captures Patrick’s piano work perfectly. Tracks include Blue Monk and the Intro from Best Years Of Our Lives which was originally from The Story Of I. This release will be the first time that this performance has been released on DVD although it was previously available as a VHS.
  + 07/05/07 Bill Bruford's Earthworks: 1 - 2000s. Summerfold BBSF016DVD. This 1’55” DVD is the first in a two volume anthology of concert footage of Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, one of the longest lived, best travelled, and most original jazz quartets. This volume chronicles the band’s progress through the 2000s; volume 2 does the same for the 1990s. Filmed on tour in the United States in 2001, Argentina in 2002, and Germany in 2005, this DVD also includes three previously unrecorded tracks, and marks the debut performance of bassist Laurence Cottle and pianist Gwilym Simcock with the group. Most of the material has never before been released on DVD or video. It also includes 25 minutes of new, previously unreleased material.
  + 07/05/07 Bill Bruford's Earthworks: Video Anthology Vol. 2 1990s. Summerfold BBSF017DVD. This 85 minute DVD is the second in a two volume anthology of previously unreleased concert footage of Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. This volume chronicles the band’s progress through the 1990s from its electronic start to its acoustic renaissance; filmed on tour in Germany 1991, Japan 1991, and Bulgaria 1999, this DVD includes the only commercially available footage of seminal Ballamy, Bates, Bruford edition of the band
  + 07/05/07 Mike Oldfield: The Space Movie. Voiceprint VPDVD30. DVD Area 0. The Space Movie was a film made in 1979 at the request of NASA to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's historic journey. The film's soundtrack was written, arranged and performed by Mike Oldfield. He used extracts from his ground-breaking symphonic tone-poems such as "Tubular Bells" and "Hergest Ridge", including previously unreleased orchestral versions, and wound these in and out of the NASA soundtracks together with new music which was eventually released in a different form on "Incantations". The result is a unique soundtrack for a unique film.
  + 07/05/07 Jon Anderson:Watching The Flags That. Voiceprint JAVPBX05CD. This album is another part of the previously released "Lost Tapes" boxed set and is a collection of songs recorded in 1990, intended for the second ABWH album. Some of which went on to become well known, such as "Take the Water to the Mountain" which appeared on the Yes Union album.
  + 09/04/07 Jon Anderson: Live in Sheffield 1980. Voiceprint JAVPBX04CD. 2CD. The Sheffield Concert was a gig from The "Song of Seven" Tour in the UK 1980. The 9 piece line-up provides a generous set list including number of key Yes songs as well as songs from Jon's solo album with the same title. Disc Two also contains bonus tracks which were recorded during the rehearsals for the tour
  + 09/04/07 Jon Anderson: Searching For the Songs. Voiceprint JAVPBX03CD. Searching For The Songs is a collection of songs recorded in 1986, some of which went on to become better known songs on other releases such as "The Meaning of Your Love" which became "The Meeting" on the ABWH album. This album was one of those featured within the box "The Lost Tapes", privately released in 2006. This release however has been improved in terms of sound quality for this release and the previous boxed set.
  + 04/04/07 Mike Westbrook: Mama Chicago. Jazzprint JPVP139CD. "Mama Chicago" was originally released in 1979 and is a jazz cabaret with lyrics by Kate Westbrook & Michael Kustow, with music by Mike Westbrook.
  + 04/04/07 The Wrong Object: Platform One. Jazzprint JPVP138CD. The Wrong Object do more than pay homage to Zappa. With a line-up augmented by two of the band's heroes, the incomparable Brit trombonist Annie Whitehead and trumpet player extraordinaire Harry Beckett, the band showcase their own compositions to dazzling effect; furthermore there is an astonishing musical empathy shared on stage between musicians who had not only not played together before but who had only met a few hours prior to the first gig.
  + 02/04/07 Tangerine Dream: Madcap's Flaming Duty. Voiceprin EGVP106CD. Tangerine Dream celebrates their 40th Anniversary in 2007 with the release of their latest album "Madcap’s Flaming Duty", dedicated to former Pink Floyd guitarist Syd Barrett who died in July 2006. The lyrics for each of the songs on the new album are adapted from English and American poets from 17th and 18th century literature by Bianca F. Acquaye. The music is written by Edgar Froese and Thorsten Quaeschning.
  + 02/04/07 Parallel Worlds: Obsessive Surrealism. DIN 26. Parallel Worlds is the main project for the Greek musician Bakis Sirros. He has been active in the Greek electronic music scene since 1998. Bakis is a great advocate of modular analogue instruments and indeed is the moderator for the Doepfer A100 modular users group. The music of Parallel Worlds is a combination of dreamy, atmospheric textures and pure analogue electronic rhythms and sequences, combining the feel of 70's electronic music with modern electronica and ambient music. At one and the same time familiar and fresh. Steady, organic rhythmic structures are overlaid with deceptively simple melodies that remind one of some lost John Carpenter soundtrack.
  + 02/04/07 Jon Anderson: The Mother's Day Concert. Voiceprint JAVPBX02CD. One of the albums featured within the box "The Lost Tapes", privately released in 2006. It brings us back to 1996 when Jon Anderson and a group of musicians took to the stage in a beautiful Californian winery to perform a unique set of Yes, Jon and Vangelis and solo songs.
  + 19/03/07 Refugee: Live in Concert - Newcastle City Hall 1974. Voiceprint VP421CD. Following the recent discovery of a cassette containing a performance of the band, that tape became the basis for this new live album, available to purchase for the first time on CD. Previous bootleg releases are of a lower quality and this release has been cleaned up and remastered for release with the full co-operation of the members of the band. Refugee was the band formed in 1973 by Patrick Moraz (who later joined Yes) and Nice members Lee Jackson & Brian Davison.
  + 26/02/07 Magic Mushroom Band: Live 89. Voiceprint VP360CD. This live recording dates from 1989 when the band was breaking out of the “Cult” status they had enjoyed for much of the previous few years.
  + 26/02/07 Hawkwind v Astralasia: S/T. Voiceprint VP361CD. Probably one of the most interesting musical collaborations between British Space Rock legends Hawkwind and the masters of the ambient mix universe Astralasia. Whilst some of these remixes have been available before this is the first time that all the work has been collected together on one CD and the album also includes previously unreleased versions
  + 19/02/07 Radius: A round Radius. Voiceprint VP411CD. A Round Radius is the latest album by the band formed by respected musician Geoff Serle. Another key member of the band is violinist David Cross who will be familiar to fans of King Crimson
  + 12/03/07 Bill Bruford: Rock Goes To College. Winterfold BBWF009CD. This is the CD release of the material presented on the DVD. This concert performance was recorded as part of a live television programme aired in March 1979 and is thought to be Bruford’s debut gig following eighteen months with UK. The DVD of this concert was eagerly snapped up by the Bill Bruford fan base, going on to become one of the fastest selling DVDs through Voiceprint in 2006 and this CD is being rereleased due to requests from fans for the release in this format.
  + 12/02/07 Patrick Moraz: Future Memories I & II. Time Wave IDVP010CD. As can be deducted from the title this is a pairing of the first two Future Memories releases gathered together on one release.
  + 12/02/07 Magic Mushroom Band: Feed Your Head. Voiceprint VP359CD. Recorded on the bands "Stoned Crypt" tour of 1986, this album features some of the bands more popular numbers in the set including Magick Eye and Jelly Jam. This previously unreleased recording has now been re mastered for release
  + 05/02/07 John Martyn: Empty Celling. One World OW127DVD. Empty Ceiling is a film of the concert that John and his band performed in Baden-Baden in West Germany in April 1986. The DVD comes housed in a box complete with unique and specially commissioned artwork by the renowned Dales artist Philomena Mills
  + 05/02/07 Orlando Allen: Living Midnight. Voiceprint VP407CD. Orlando Allen is a member of the extended Gong Family. This album is a thematic album directly made for love-making. It has a classy cinematic flavour to it featuring some very good and well known world Asian and Australasian music artists on it, with beats from South America and Asia through to standard blues/jazz feels as well as big horn sections.
  + 29/01/07 Jon Anderson: Animation. Opio Media OPIOVP01CD. During the short period away from Yes in the early eighties Jon Anderson recorded a number of albums including Animation in 1982. The album was produced by legendary British producer Tony Visconti and features performances from many fine musicians including Jack Bruce, Clem Clempson, Ian Wallace, Simon Phillips and David Sancious amongst others. This re-issue contains two bonus tracks: Spider, which was the B-side of the original Surrender single; and the never-before-released track, The Spell, which was an outtake from the Animation recording sessions.
  + 29/01/07 Gong: Gong at Montserrat 1973 and Other Stories. Voiceprint VPDVD25. This DVD is a wonderful mix of the old and the new and also the rare. The old is footage of the classic line up of Gong which featured Daevid Allen, Steve Hillage, Pierre Moerlin and Tim Blake. The more recent footage comes from 2006 and finds Daevid Allen in an al fresco mood reciting his poetry and singing songs. There is also footage of Acid Mothers Gong from the RFH in 2002. Perhaps the rarest piece of footage is the original line up of the Soft Machine featuring Daevid Allen. This footage was filmed at UFO in 1967 at a benefit for UFO founder John “Hoppy” Hopkins.
  + 29/01/07 Mobilis Stabilis: Extra Corpore. Voiceprint Brazil VPB118CD. Formed by great musicians from the Brazilian music scene, Mobilis Stabilis is determined to produce a real "synthesis", collecting and mixing a large number of cultural references. The rhythmic and harmonic structures that come from the band's core create a sound full of density, mobility and complexity. The members of the group define themselves as an 'edge rock' instrumental band, since their compositions and the arrangements are marked by the use of instruments which are far from traditional rock, such as Hindu sitar, flute, violin and more. Their name, Mobilis Stabilis, is inspired by the work of American artist Alexander Calder and their influences are their Brazilian music background as well as King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Ozric Tentacles, Steeleye Span, Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLauglin, Ravi Shankar among others
  + 29/01/07 Patrick Moraz: Human Interface. Time Wave IDVP011CD. Human Interface was originally released in 1987 and sees Patrick once again returning to electronic instrumentation. The material on this instrumental album could be considered almost mainstream and has been compared to his work with the Moody Blues.
  + 29/01/07 Violeta De Outono: Ilhas (VPB107CD) + Violeto de Outono & Orquestra (VPBDVD1). Those two releases are by Voiceprint Brazil. 70's prog-rock with just a little touch of psychedelia: this is the musical formula for Ilhas. While the second, a concert recorded in November 2004, is the band’s first official DVD release. Over 60 minutes of pure magic psychedelia created and performed by one of Brazil’s greatest rock icons.
  + 29/01/07 Rick Wakeman: Cirque Surreal. Music Fusion MFVP115CD. Originally released in 1995, this album was actually performed live in Brighton for the circus for a week complete with band. Since then however the album has become a hard to find artefact. The album also features Rick’s long time drummer Tony Fernandez, Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith on guitar and on some of the tracks Chrissie Hammond on vocals.
  
  

  DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ... DVDs ...

• 21st Century Schizoid Band: Live in Japan. Recorded live at Shinjuku Kouseinenkin Hall, Tokyo on 6 November 2002, this DVD went rapidly sold out. It is now reissued and available in a new pressing. Extra features include: individual band member interviews, the recording of the Official Bootleg Vol 1; debut performance at Canterbury Fayre festival, footage from Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
• Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe: An Evening Of Yes Music. Strictly limited edition of 2000 copies 2DVD. Recorded in 1989, this legendary concert captures the band at their peak ,playing a fantastic set of Yes songs plus more. The Digipack 2DVD comes complete with the original Roger Dean Artwork. Once this limited edition has gone , the release will revert to a single dvd without the bonus material In The Big Dream ".
• Arena: Smoke & Mirrors. Limited Digipack Edition DVD + CD. Recorded live in Sept. 2005 in Katowice / Poland. also includes: Animated menu - Arena's biography - Interview with Clive Nolan & Mick Pointer - Discography - Photo gallery - Desktop images - Weblinks - Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.
• Dave Bainbridge & Troy Donockley: From Silence. Voiceprint VPDVD15. This double DVD is the companion piece to the CD release and features the live performance filmed in Lincoln Cathedral. The bonus features on the DVD also include interviews with Troy Donockley and Dave Bainbridge and also an interview about the binaural recording process, which is a feature of the CD. NTSC Region 0
• The Beatles: Legend Featuring The Beatles. Baker Street STPDVDNT1. DVD NTSC Region 0. This exclusive DVD gives a rare glimpse into the lives of The Beatles prior to their meteoric rise to fame in the early 1960s through to the height of their fame and success in the late 60's. It takes you behind the scenes with the people who were there; Tony Sheridan and Ray Young, musicians who shared the stage with them in Hamburg at the famous Star Club and Kaiser Keller. Rare news footage shows the Beatles receiving their Silver Hearts and OBE's, both occasions marked as always by John's razor sharp wit. There are also interviews with them during the record burning sessions in America post John's infamous "bigger than Jesus" remark. Along with archive news footage of the time showing the effect they were having all over the world.
• Blackfield: Live in NYC. CD+DVD. KScope. This CD & DVD set captures a gig recorded at the Bowery Ballroom in New York in 2007 performing tracks from the critically acclaimed Blackfield & Blackfield II albums. The DVD also includes the bonus features of 3 video clips & a photo gallery.
• Blackfield: NYC. Filmed at the Bowery Ballroom in a snowbound New York earlier this year, this is Blackfield's first DVD and includes the full performance of 18 songs. The audio was recorded and mixed by Steven Wilson into stereo and 5.1 surround sound, and the film was edited by Lasse Hoile. Also includes the promo videos for the three singles from the debut album. Street date is October 15, 2007.
• Tell me! Who hasn't been dreaming of seeing this happen? It will become reality on September 25, 2006. "Rock Goes To College", the blistering 1979 BBC TV show with Bill Bruford, featuring alongside its leader and drummer: the sensual and mystical voice of Annette Peacock, guitar phenomena Allan Holdsworth, bass equilibrist Jeff Berlin, keyboard wizzard and sound maker Dave Stewart ... and the boss in person, Mr. Bill Bruford. Filmed in 1979 at Oxford Polytechnic in the UK, the concert features the full group playing material from the band’s first two CDs, “Feels Good To Me”, and “One of a Kind”, and includes the stand-out track Beelzebub and the show-stopping Adios a La Pasada. The packaging includes a 12-page booklet archiving critical reaction at the time. All members of this group have gone on to distinguished careers in their own right, and together with the scarcity value of the band’s performances, this DVD will be much anticipated by Bill Bruford’s extensive fan base. Released on Bill's own company Winterfold Records (BBWF008DVD).
• Camel: Moondances. This new DVD release covers two classic concerts: "Live in Concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, April 14, 1976" and "Live in Concert at the Hippodrome, September 22, 1977". On top of this, you'll also get 2 never-before-released audio recordings: "Autumn" (1974) & "Riverman" (1975).
• Camel: Total Pressure Live In Concert 1984. This covers the complete concert at the London's Hammersmith Odeon, 4 extra tracks and a brief interview with Andrew Latimer. Special guests: Peter Bardens & Mel Collins. Regional Code:0 Running time: 120 Mn.
• Camel: Footage. DVD 2004. 80mn. Various recordings from the period 1973 - 1997 + bonus track "Left Luggage" from their next coming studio album!
• Colosseum DVD Release by english label Angel Air. Original Colosseum members Chris Farlowe (vocals), Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxes), Clem Clempson (guitars), Dave Greenslade (keyboards) and Jon Hiseman (drums) were joined by Mark Clarke(bass,vocals) for a 1994 reunion gig in Germany. The DVD features the entire second concert of that first reunion after some 23 years, and as a bonus there is a 90-minute "Story of" documentary.
• Conspiracy: Live. after two records, the duo of Yesmen Chris Squire & Billy Sherwood is now recorded on a DVD. Many cameras, various atmospheresand cuts, repertory taken from the two albums and also two Yes covers, a lot of bonus material (Credits, Interviews, Behind The Scenes, Photo Gallery, Catalogue, etc...)
• Emerson, Lake & Palmer: From the Front Row …Live! Captured at a variety of shows on several tours during the 70’s.
• Fabulous Thunderbirds: Live In London. Iguana Project (IPDVD006). This DVD captures the Fabulous Thunderbirds at the Camden Palace while the band were recording Tuff Enuff in London and features the title track of that album in the set list.
• Fish: Live In Krakow. This DVD release presents Electric (EX 37254) and Acoustic (EX 37252), filmed in 1995 when Fish was performing acoustic sets of older familiar material
• Fish: Scattering Crows - Live In Europe 2004 (EX 37142). This DVD documents the tour undertaken by Fish and his band to promote his then current album Field Of Crows. In addition to including many of the key tracks from the Field Of Crows album, there are also tunes from previous albums. Extras include an interview filmed backstage at a concert in Malta plus the songs "The Rookie" and "Numbers".
• Peter Gabriel: Growing Up On Tour – A Family Portrait. DVD. A documentary film by Anna Gabriel, Peter’s daughter, on what it looks like to be on tour. Don’t expect much music, it’s basically a documentary!
• Galahad: Resonance - Live in Poland. Limited DVD + CD edition. This is the first DVD by this band who have a cult following throughout the world and is an unquestionable icon of the 80's new wave of prog rock. The tracklist is based on Galahad's forthcoming, eagerly awaited full-length album "Empires Never Last", but the band performed also tunes from their previous albums. There are many extras on the DVD: Animated menu / Five Go Mad in Poland - An Exclusive Galahad Rockumentary / Interview with Stuart Nicholson & Roy Keyworth / "A Fans Perspective" - Interview with Artur Chachlowski / Photo Gallery / Galahad Biography / Galahad Discography / Memorabilia / Desktop images / Weblinks / Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound / Additional Audio tracks
• The Genesis 2007 Live DVD "When In Rome" is now available for pre-order from the Camino Shop (release date 26th May). This is a triple DVD featuring over 4 and a half hours of material shot during Genesis' first tour in 15 Years. During the European leg of the 'Turn It On Again Tour' Tony, Phil and Mike (along with with Daryl and Chester) played a series of stadiums ending with a spectacular concert in Rome in front of 500,000 fans at the beautiful Circo Massimo on 14th July. This final European date was captured in all its glory by director David Mallet. In addition to the 2 hour 40 minute show (with extras) which spans 2 DVDs, the third DVD is devoted to an extraordinary fly-on-the-wall documentary filmed from the inception of the tour back in 2006 by Anthony Mathile. This runs for a full 1 hour 50 minutes and is called 'Come Rain Or Shine'. Please Note: This DVD is in PAL (European) picture format
• Following the recent release of "Genesis Live 1973-2007" and the earlier SACD/DVD box set reissues of the 14 studio albums, Virgin/EMI concludes its re-release programme of the Genesis catalogue with "The Movie Box 1981-2007".
  This 5 DVD box-set includes new 2009 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital sound mixes, and makes 'The Mama Tour' and 'Three Sides Live' available on DVD for the first time. The box includes...
  
  - Three Sides Live (plus 7 full-length audio-only tracks in 5.1 which are not part of the visual concert)
  - Genesis Live - The Mama Tour (plus 'The Making Of The Mama Album' - a home movie filmed by Phil Collins during the making of the 'Genesis' album)
  - Genesis Live At Wembley Stadium (plus the tour documentary 'Visible Touch')
  - Genesis: The Way We Walk - Live In Concert
  - VH1 Behind The Music Special (the new updated 2009 version of the original that aired in December 1999)
  
  The box-set is also designed so that fans can insert into the packaging the 2 concert discs from "When In Rome 2007" as well as the accompanying documentary "Come Rain or Shine" disc. Please Note: These DVDs are in PAL (European) picture format (All Region). An NTSC edition will also be released
  
• Genesis: Genesis Live 1973-2007. CD/DVD Remasters Box. Street date: 14/09/09. This is an 11 disc box set gathering the 4 live albums recorded by the band between 1973 & 1992. Also included, only available with this collection, is the long-awaited release in stereo and 5.1 of "Live At The Rainbow 1973". Bonus material includes 5 tracks from "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" recorded at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles in January 1975. All albums feature brand new stereo mixes created by Tony Banks, Nick Davis and Mike Rutherford (apart from "The Way We Walk" that uses re-sequenced original mixes). In addition "Genesis Live", "Seconds Out" and "Live At The Rainbow 1973" also feature 5.1 DTS & Dolby Digital Surround Sound versions on audio DVD. The set has a space to incorporate the most recent live Genesis release - the 2-CD set "Live Over Europe 2007".
• Genesis 1976-1982 SACD/DVD Remasters now available for PRE-order! (release date 2nd April 2007). The 1976-1982 Genesis studio albums are re-released in remastered/remixed 2 disc SACD/DVD sets with 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes! They're available separately, but also in a beautifully packaged box set including all 5 albums plus a BONUS 'extra tracks' SACD/DVD. The SACDs (Super Audio CDs) WILL play on standard CD players at standard CD quality. Please note, the video extras on the DVDs are in PAL (European) picture format
• Gentle Giant: GG At The GG. DVD+CD Limited Edition! One more time, we have the renewed possibility to access some more visual material by those great fellows. If the audio documentation is now immensely rich, the video documents are still scarce! So after the release of the great DVD "Giant On The Box" comes now this new release. The audio part is coming from the BBC 1 archives, "Sight & Sound" In concert, Golders Green Hippodrome, London 05/01/78, broadcast a few weeks afterwards. Duration is about 60mn. The video part is made of several clips taken from: shot at ITN House, London, 24/04/76 (3 tracks - 18mn), Shot in and around the Capitol studios, Hollywood '78 (3 tracks and just above 10mn), 7mn of an Octopus medley at the Old Grey Whistle Test, November 26, 1974 (filmed at Drury Lane Theatre, London), a 7' 44" handheld Super 8 footage by Martin Buntrock filmed at Halle Münsterland on April 5, 1974. (Note that this is the same show than the one released as audio CD on Glass House Records). Add to it 2 galleries, one consisting of live shots and memorabilia from Gary’s collection, the other being more pics from Gary’s collection set to music.. So don't miss this testimony of one of the best prog outfits from the 70's!
  
• GENTLE GIANT: Giant On The Box. DVD + Bonus CD. Finally a GG release FOR THE EYE! A release which will visually astonish you by showing the amazing virtuosity and entertaining quality of those phenomenal musicians ahead of their time. The DVD includes a 50mn. concert from the German TV station ZDF in 1974 (tracks: Cogs in Cogs, Proclamation, Funny Ways, The Runaway, Experience, Features from Octopus, Advent of Panurge, So Sincere) and a 30 mn. long 1975 US TV concert from the Terrace Theater, Long Beach, California (tracks: Experience, Features from Octopus, Advent of Panurge, Funny Ways). Extras include: Szene '74: rare footage from the 1974 tour from German television station BRW. [3 minutes], Baroque & Roll: black & white footage and interview from Italian television. [22 minutes], Photo gallery from Gary Green's private collection. [36 photos] and original music (during the DVD menus) by Kerry Minnear! The CD is the audio part of the ZDF concert.
  A MUST HAVE! for all Gentle fans!


• Gongmaison: Live At the Fridge. Label: Voiceprint. DVD Region 0. This performance comes from the bands performance in the early nineties and was filmed at the Fridge in Brixton. The line up includes key members of Gong Daevid Allen, Didier Malherbe and Gilli Smyth. Music is close to house. Release Date:24/05/04
  
• Iona: Live at Ulu. Open Sky DVD2. Street date: March 06, 2006. Iona was formed during the late eighties and released their self-titled debut album in 1990. The band covers a number of styles including Celtic, progressive rock and even jazz and Christian elements. This DVD captures the band in fine form in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd at the end of November 2004.
• IQ: Live From London. This DVD comes from the TV programme Live From London and was filmed just before Peter Nicholls’ departure from IQ. €16
• It Bites: Live In Tokyo. This performance by the talented British rock band It Bites took place in Tokyo in 1989, directly before the members parted ways.
• A new DVD from Jethro Tull: A New Day Yesterday. A lot of unreleased clips from the 70's ....and many other curiosities!
• The second album "Asylum" of the british prog group Cressida has been released by Akarma on LP (180g vinyl).
• King Crimson: Neal and Jack and Me. Previously known on VHS as “Three Of A Perfect Pair” (84) and “Noise” (82). Special feature of road photos taken by Tony Levin.
• Landmarq: Turbulence Live in Poland. The first DVD release of the leading band on the British neo-progressive scene! Fantastic show recorded in November 2005 in Katowice, Poland. Majestic guitars and keyboards, sophisticated compositions and Tracy Hitchings' beautiful, mighty voice!
• Magenta: Seven. This special edition (CD + DVD) is also limited (2000 copies). The CD presents the entire album, completely remixed and remastered while the DVD offers 4 hours of material including: a brand new 5.1 mix of the album by Rob Reed based on the brand new stereo remix / extensive interviews with Rob Reed and lyricist Steve Reed, discussing each track from a musical and lyrical point of view, the artwork and guest musicians, and also reflecting on the impact of the CD, 5 years on / Behind the mix. Rob Reed discusses and dissects the multi-tracks of the original 2004 mix. / Rare DV camera footage of songs from Seven being rehearsed and performed live!
• Magenta: The Gathering. It contains a 110-minute concert from the Pop Factory in South Wales plus some short extras. The concert footage is amazing, using 6 different cameras, and the audio will be available as both stereo and 5.1 surround.
• Magnum: Live In London. Iguana Project (IPDVD004). This DVD finds Magnum playing to a sold out Camden Palace in May 1985 shortly after the release of the album many fans regard their best; On A Storytellers Night. The set list included many tracks from that album including the title track but also songs as far back as their debut album Kingdom Of Madness.
• MAN: Live in Cologne, Germany 17th April 1975. Voiceprint VPDVD 35. Due to release for September 3, 2007, this live in the studio performance was taped for German television by Martin Ace, who had only been back in the band for just over two weeks. His recall to the ranks of Man was due to the sudden departure of the previous bassist in Man, Ken Whaley who departed just before the end of the American tour.
• Mask: Healing Senses. Healing Senses is a DVD single containing three Mask (the duo of Sonja Kristina and Marvin Ayres) compositions, which features 5.1 surround sound mixes and a beautiful trio of films especially created for the band by audio visual artist and environmental activist, Outerbongolia. This title is also available as a maxi single.
• No-Man: Mixtaped. The first ever DVD release from No-Man. Comprising the band's sell-out performance at London's Bush Hall in 2008, a comprehensive career-spanning documentary (Returning) and numerous extras (including newly commissioned and archive video footage), Mixtaped provides a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the band.
• Mike Oldfield: The Space Movie. Made in 1979 at the request of NASA to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's historic journey, this film was itself a special achievement. First, the NASA and The United States National Archive made all the footage available for the very first time, including never before seen film of the lunar landscape, life aboard the spacecraft, the Space Shuttle, Mars, Venus and beyond. Secondly the film's soundtrack was written, arranged and performed by Mike Oldfield. He used extracts from his ground-breaking symphonic tone-poems such as "Tubular Bells" and "Hergest Ridge", including previously unreleased orchestral versions, and wound these in and out of the NASA soundtracks together with new music which was eventually released on the in a different form on "Incantations". The result is a unique soundtrack for a unique film.
• Pallas: Live From London. This DVD captures the band during the height of the then Neo Progressive Rock Boom. €16
• Pendragon: And Now Everybody To The Stage. this is a limited CD + DVD release. Recorded during the European "Believe 2006" tour in May 2006. The band came also to Poland with 3 great gigs. One of them (in a theatre in Katowice) was recorded for a DVD release, which had been requested for several years now by many people - as their last live DVD was made back in 1996. The setlist includes all Pendragon's "greatest hits".
• Pink Floyd: Pulse. 2DVD. This double DVD documents the band at the end of their '94 tour and includes the complete concert program, remastered and presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound. Add backstage shots, today still unreleased extras, never shown rarities like "Bootlegging the Bootleggers", infos about the tour and you reach 180 mn. of Pink Floyd's essence!
• Pink Floyd: Inside Pink Floyd. 2 DVD which respectively cover the 1967 – 1974 (58mn) and 1975 – 1996 (49mn) periods. A definitive critical review of the music by the members themselves. The DVD 67-74 features a rare performance of “Atom Heart Mother”.
• Pink Floyd: Live In Pompei. Now available on DVD Region 0 PAL !
• Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story. DVD ( PAL Reg. 2 ) Dolby Digital 5.1 Stereo DTS
• Porcupine Tree: Arriving Somewhere. Burning Shed. Finally a live performance DVD by Porcupine Tree! The DVD comes as a 2-disc set. Disc one is a full show from the Deadwing tour filmed at Park West, Chicago in Oct 2005, edited by Lasse Hoile, with the soundtrack mixed in stereo and 5.1 surround sound and mastered by Darcy Proper (who mastered the award winning PT DVDAs). Disc two includes bonus live performances of Futile and Radioactive Toy from German TV show Rockpalast, the Lazarus promo clip, the live films used during the show for Start of Something Beautiful, Halo, and Mother and Child Divided, Gavin Harrison's "Cymbal Song" (also in 5.1 sound), and a photo gallery with well over 100 images. The DVD is NTSC all zones.
• Van Der Graaf Generator: two great DVD releases finally available!
  - from the series "Masters From the Vaults" comes some 70's footage
  - and from Classic Rock Productions comes a fantastic "Godbluff Live"recording at the Palais des Expos, Charleroi, 27/09/75.
• Rick Wakeman: The Legend. DVD + CD. The DVD (120 mn) captures a concert recorded during Rick's UK tour in 2000. Also highlights from his collaboration with Cat Stevens, The English Rock Ensemble and the legendary group YES.
• YES: The Lost Broadcasts. Voiceprint VPDVD71a. Street date: 16/11/09. The performances featured on this DVD are from the very early days of the band; from their first appearance filmed for the German television programme "Beat Club" in November 1969 to a colour clip of the band performing "Time And A Word" (probably the last TV performance of Peter Banks in the group), the spark of what made them the massively successful band they became is visible here for all to see and hear.
• Yes: Live At Montreux 2003. DVD. 137mn in DTS Dolby Surround 5.1 with the classic Anderson/Howe/Squire/Wakeman/White line-up.
• YES: Songs From Tsongas / 35th Anniversary. Live concert from May 2004 recorded on a double DVD. DTS 5.1, Dolbi Digital 5.1 and all regions. More than 171mn of optimal sound, pictures and performance. As bonus there is an interview with cover genius Roger Dean.
  

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TO TOP


FRANCE / BELGIUM / HOLLAND



• 5bridgeS: The Thomas Tracks. 2009. Coming from the Netherlands, 5BridgeS plays a 24-carat symphonic prog reminiscent of Genesis Wind & Wuthering / Trick of the Tale period. Artfully crafted, phenomenal instrumentation with loads of synths layered over organ, propulsive drumming and Taurus bass pedals! Retro-prog with a real attention to details, melodic complexity and skilled compositions.
• Crammed Discs have put "Onze Danses Pour Combattre La Migraine" (from the cult belgian band Aksak Maboul) on their reissues program.
• Ange on DVD! Anthologie - Sève Qui Peut Tour 1990 and Seventies-Eighties - Deux Décennies de France 1976.
• Aranis: Aranis I & II. This is a limited hand numbered edition (300 copies) of a LP sampler containing 4 tracks of each album released by the band in 2005 and 2007. Aranis, from Belgium, brings acoustic chamber-rock, with explosive fragments of music and muted simplicity, emphasizing the cinematic aspect of their music. An imaginary film with musical subtitles ... they blend different genres into a cocktail of muted minimalism and classicism with a post-rock drive. Other bands like Univers Zéro, Art Zoyd, Wim Mertens come easily to mind!
• The Japanese label Belle Antique has released in March (but only reached Europe in May) fantastic papersleeve editions of the 5 first records by French cult avant prog band Art Zoyd; the fantastic thing is that unlike the tradition normally followed in papersleeve releases, those will offer quite a deal of bonus tracks; the reissue of Art Zoyd's first album - at the time (1976) where they called themselves Art Zoyd 3 - includes the most treasured gift: the single done by the band in 1969 + a live track from 1972 at the French hip club Golf Drouot (something like the London UFO). The 2nd album "Musique Pour l'Odyssée offers one bonus and the *real* 3rd album "Génération Sans Futur" (80) offers no less than 6 bonus tracks recorded in the 80's between 1984 and 1987. One word about "Symphonie Pour le Jour Où Bruleront Les Cités": This version expands on the original with a larger lineup and the first appearance of Daniel Denis (from Univers Zéro). This one has 7 bonus tracks from later material recorded in the 80's. The last reissue is "Phase IV", a 2CD originally released in 1982 and also marking the end of their original RIO chamber rock sound. My last word will be to warn you that those reissues will not stay long on the market; they are limited to 500 copies and even if they are quite pricy, they will be gone within a very short time! The bonus tracks should compense for the high price and as to the debut album, the addition of the '69 single is a M.U.S.T. for any serious collector!
• Art Zoyd keep on updating their program of rereleases of their music on their own label In-Possible Records. Right now, "Le Mariage du Ciel et de L'Enfer" and "Berlin" are the latest additions to the catalog, following Expériences De Vol", a 3CD project featuring the Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles and Metropolis, music composed for and inspired from the cult film by Fritz Lang; a 2CD which shows clearly the current musical direction(s) of Art Zoyd. In the "silent movie adaptation" genre are Faust and Nosferatu also available.
• Franck Balestracci: Existences Invisibles. This release from the belgian label Carbon 7 presents the fascinating work of a multi-instrumentist, primary drummer, who invites us here in a long kind of musical "road movie" where our imagination sets the frames. Very well recorded and produced.
• Ballroom Quartet: Sound Manifest. This is the 2nd album released by this Belgian band set up in 2001. The rather unusual combination of instruments and influences endowes The Ballroomquartet with one of the most original sounds in Belgium. These citizens of the world of music blend loads of exotic sonorities into their repertoire. The sound of their acoustic instruments – accordion, mandolin, violin, double-bass and drums – is distorted in every possible way thus producing a cinemascopic mixture of dance, trance, eastern world music, roots and rock. Effects, synthesizers, vocoders and all sorts of electronical devices endow their tunes with a contemporary and sometimes even experimental personality. The members of The Ballroomquartet are Andries Boone (mandolin, violin and guitar), Rony Deprins (accordion, synths, vocals), Jasper Hautekiet (double-bass and electrical bass) and David Vertongen (drums, percussion, samples). The boys also had the opportunity to work together with artists like e.g. Guy Swinnen, Will Tura, P. Vansant, Yasmine, Monza, Steven Debruyn & The Rhythm Junks and the Korean percussionist Yung Yung Lee. The wide diversity of influences result in an unheard musical cross-breeding that could be localised somewhere between the London suburbs and the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan.
• Philippe Cauvin: Climage. Musea. Second solo album by the French guitarist who has been called «the trouvère of modern times». It was released in 1982, and is the result of five years of composing and performing, during and after Cauvin’s work with his band Uppsala. The album received unanimous acclaim from the musical press.
• The records of the Belgian band COS will soon be reissued by Musea. Already starting in October 2005 with "Pasiones" (FGBG 4552), released in 1983 and their 4th album. It’s a mini-opera, based on the story of three soldiers during the spanish civil war. The vocals are a mix of Spanish, French, English, German, and Dutch. The music is a fine fusion of jazz, classic, rock and folk music with top notch instrumental work all around. All tapes are remastered and should include key bonus material...!!! For Pasiones, more than 35’ of bonus music, including a concert in Toulouse (France) in 1984, a rehearsal from 1981, plus “Hotel atlantic” and “Très joli”, from the maxi-LP released in 1984.
• Finnegans Wake are back! Blue (Altrock ALT 006) is their fifth album. One of the best chamber prog bands outing from Belgium, Finnegans Wake strikes one more time powerfully by hosting drummer Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan), Present's guitarist Reginald Trigaux and bass player Guy Segers (Univers Zero) as special guests of this fantastic and adventurous new chapter in their musical exploration.
• Focus: Live in South America. CDSD 15. Live CD by Focus, recorded during a recent mexican tour. Symphonic prog and flute all over the 9 tracks by Thijs Van Leer. Special import and limited stock!
• Kayak: Letters From Utopia. New studio album by the Dutch outfit. The current formation with lead vocalists Cindy Oudshoorn & Edward Reekers has been unchanged for four years now. Coming up with a new double album containing 19 new songs and following the footsteps of "Coming Up For Air", Kayak seems to show an unending great vitality. The music may sound rockier and catchier than progressive but their voice is still distinctively Kayak!
• Kayak: The Anniversary Box 1973 - 2008. Kayak concluded their successful 35 years anniversary tour with a fantastic concert at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, that was broadcasted worldwide via internet and watched by thousands of Kayak fans from all over the world. The Anniversary Box is due for release late November. It will include a live DVD and two audio CDs of the full concert of Kayak (and Friends) and many extra's such as behind the screen footage and interviews, as well as a double CD, containing the fan's favourite tracks from 1973-2008. This boxset is also available in another form: the fan's 2CD and the DVD (minus the 2 audio CDs of the concert)
• Kayak: Coming Up For Air. The Dutch outfit launches a new studio album in January 2008. This coincides with the first concert of the tour in the theatre of Harderwijk. Simultaneously with the new album, Kayak will release a special single-CD with "undecided" as the A-track. This CD will also feature the song "Beat the Clock" which does not appear on the album. Furthermore this ‘enhanced-CD’ will contain rare footage from the 2005 rock opera "Nostradamus – The Fate of Man" with self-made front row images of the second half of the show. The video, with a duration of almost 45 minutes, offers an intriguing look behind the scenes and even in the dressing rooms. Not to be missed by Kayak fans and everyone else who have seen the show.
• Kayak: KAYAKoustic Live. The Dutch prog outfit is back live in Hoogezand-Sappemeer (Nov 23rd 2006, Theater 't Kielzog) and Ermelo (Jan 31st 2007, Theater De Dialoog), the Netherlands.
• Kayak: Nostradamus - The Fate Of Man. This 2CD is the newest release by the Dutch band and is an ambitious work conceived as a rock opera.
• Kayak : In Concert. This is a double DVD. DVD 1 is Merlin - Band of the Unseen (80mn). DVD 2 is a Greatest Hits (45mn) + Making Of (41mn). Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. Stereo / PAL.
  
• Mona Lisa: L’Escapade. Musea re-release of their 1st album from 74, enhanced by a new booklet with biographical notes and lyrics as well as 2 bonus tracks from 1973!
• Lazuli: En Avant Doute. CD + DVD. This French band plays a music somewhere between Progressive rock, song, world-music and electro. They use in bulk Chapman Stick, Warr Guitar, marimbas, vibraphone, percussions, guitars, voice... and the Leode, a surprising mix of a guitar, a synthesizer, a melodic saw and a Martenot wave. Lazuli conceives songs like pictures, mixing colours, depicting the world or repainting it. Words question the wounds of today. The ethereal, outlandish voice swarms with puns describing man in every forming and deforming... they will enchant and bewitch you. The CD has a bonus DVD, compiling over 20 minutes live, a documentary lasting 40 minutes, a small Leode story (with an unmistakable English translation!), the video clip of "Le Repas De L'Ogre" and a slideshow, plus other material. To discover urgently!
• NebelNest: Zepto. Cuneiform RUN 234. 3rd album by this French prog outfit with reminiscences of Univers Zéro, Crimson or even the British trio Guapo. Post-punk energy, Zeuhl, dark atmospheres ....
• Richard Pinhas: Tranzition. New album on Cuneiform. Assisted by the computer of Jerome Schmidt, Antoine Paganotti on drums and the violin of Philippe Simon, Pinhas still offers a music made of ghost lights, erratic travelling sounds coming from a never static loop architecture.
• Polysoft: A Tribute To Soft Machine. Another release by Le Triton of a live concert given last year. Not only Hugh Hopper & Elton Dean take part in this project but it also includes some of the best french musicians from the jazz scene: Hammond expert Emmanuel Bex, sax player Pierre-Olivier Govin (known from the group Ultramarine), drummer François Merville, just to name a few.
• Groove Unlimited is a new dutch label of electronic music.
• Pulsar: Memory Ashes. This is the return of the French band from Lyon, after their last album "Görlitz" was released in 1989. They are producing the album themselves and the French team at Musea will be the exclusive distributor. The album presents a composition in 4 parts (the nearly half an hour long Memory Ashes) and two other tunes: Monks (10' 45") and Respire (8' 54")
• Rialzu: U Rigiru. Soleil Zeuhl SZ 16. 2008. With a sole recording done in 1978, this Corsican band achieved to mix their Mediterranean culture (especially those beautiful Corsican vocal melodies) with Zeuhl and even elements of Italian prog rock. The CD comes with 2 live bonus tracks and a short video clip, all dating from 76 or 77.
• Setna: Cycle 1. Soleil Zeuhl SZ 17. 2008. Finally, THEY released an album! Present on the net for quite some time with mp3 tracks, here's the brand new album by a promising French band whose music has a clear affiliation with Magma but also Soft Machine (Rhodes assymetric rhythm or looped sequences), displaying a lovely quiet power which wins over the listener!
• Esoteric Recordings will be remastering, repackaging and reissuing (with bonus tracks) the first four Supersister albums in late spring 2008.
• Syrinx: Qualia. After their first album "Reification" and a long waiting time of 5 years, the French band from Annecy (Savoy) is now ready with their second opus. The album is strongly conceptual and the compositions haven't lost one gram of freshness. You will enjoy again the intricate guitar lines, the dynamic drumming, the mysterious synth sounds and passionate key flights, the changing rhythms, the beautiful graphic artwork of the booklet and probably a myriad of other things; welcome back to Syrinx world!
• Syrinx: Reification
  This is one of the most exciting and well conceived projects I've been presented to since monthes. Surrounded by a mystical atmosphere (both the project design AND the music), this musical project has a strong basis in progressive music. The musicians of Syrinx - playing acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and drums - are not presented on the CD ( the official explanation is that they work together to attain a common goal which bears the name of Syrinx: thus, the name and career of each musician are unimportant) but they come from different bands and I guess that they are close to or similar to those from the french group Nil. The music and the goals are ambitious (ever heard of metamorphic music?). It is definitely worth a listening if you're not afraid of being transmuted. Read more at: www.syrinx-aeon.com


• Thork: Nula Jedan. This French prog band from Annecy is releasing here its 3rd album, the previous going back to 2004. This is by far their best, still favouring mysterious atmospheres (but not necessarily dark) formed by keyboard layers or vocoder processed vocals. No doubt they succeed in keeping your attention and interest by clever arrangements and well crafted compositions (change of moods, good place for soloists, unexpected twists and more yet). Oh, I was about to forget: French lyrics! This may delight some and get other to run away but there are here with the shadow of Ange passing by!
• Volapük: Where Is Tamashi? The new record by this french group born 10 years ago around ex Etron Fou Guigou Chenevier has been this time released on the french label (5 titles) Orkhestra. The role of ex After Dinner violinist Takumi Fukushima is now central and this record is the most mature I've heard yet. Wooden sounds dominate and give a strong chamber-like character to the music.
• Vortex: 1975-1979. After many years refusals, the musicians of Vortex finally succombed to the pressure and decided to release the music of their two records - including the cult album "Les Cycles de Thanassos"- on a 2CD. This release will not only feature 2 bonus tracks per CD but also include a 32 pages booklet written by Canterbury expert Aymeric Leroy. The success of this release can already been seen on the amount of copies sold on preorders; 800 of the initial pressing of 1000 should be already placed!


• The Wrong Object: Stories From The Shed. Moonjune MJR018. 2008. Belgian heavy avant-prog / jazz-rock combo The Wrong Object - led by volcanic Michel Delville, whose guitarismo is strongly influenced by Fripp/Rypdal/Holdsworth and especially Frank Zappa – returns with a brand new studio release of their trademark instrumentation and sonic landscapes. Laden with a full load of heavy guitar riffs, extravagant jazz themes and electronic sounds, this CD marks a return to the rockier and densely overdriven stance that characterized the band’s earlier productions. The sheer sonic texture of this album is driven by a combination of tight progrock sequences alternating with more open, freely improvised material. This explosive package consists of a solid, plusing rhythm section capable of performing with versatility in any situation, aggressive guitar riffs and solos, unusual guitar-synth soundscapes, and fuzz bass guitar laced with a fiery horn duet. With influences ranging from Zappa’s whimsical complexities to Squarepusher’s glitchy electronics, from Soft Machine and Electric Miles to Stravinsky and Béla Bartok, “Stories from the Shed” will surprise prog rock fans and modern jazz afficionados alike with its genre-defying compositions, eclectic jam improvisations and intricate arrangements.
• Two albums by the french band Zao, between jazz-rock and Zeuhl, have been recently manufactured again and reissued by Musea, after some years of unavailability! Those are Osiris and Akhenaton.



.... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels .... Labels ....

• News from Carbon 7!
  + After "Existences Invisibles", released on the Belgian label Carbon 7, a new album by Franck Balestracci is now soon to see the light: called “Modified Reality”, it should probably feature some very interesting guests: Guy Segers (vocal declamation and bass guitar), Present's guitarist and composer Roger Trigaux and Marianne Denoïa (violin - ex-Univers Zero from the 1997 line up).
  + Christian Genet / Nicole Mossoux / Patrick Bonté: Light! Carbon 7 (C7-073). The music is composed by Genet while the two other stand for the choreography and instruction. With more than 20 shows today, here's finally a visual document of the combined work of emotion, mistery of the show and the darkness of the music or soundtrack, setting an ambiance maybe comparable with David Lynch's film "Eraser Head".
  + Pierre Vervloesem: Rude (C7-069). This 4th album on the Belgian label further accentuates the move towards a rock solid hard sound (partially implied in the title) and a guitar playing today closer to the King Crimson from the "Red" period. Pierre is rebelling, even more angry (against what?) than before and bursting with so many ideas that time seems to go slower than his musical brain. If you survive the sonic assault from the 2 first tunes, the record will slowly fold its magnificence and definitely convince you that Vervloesem is one of a kind, to be regularly and tightly checked out! This release nr. 69 is 69mn long. Welcome to delirium tremens!
  + Finnegans Wake: 4th (C7-071/72). As the title implies, this is the 4th recording and the first double album by the Belgian band led by keyboardist & saxophonist Henry Krutzen. Still in a positive evolution, the music gets here more dense and better composed, this time calling for the input of Brazilian musicians, guitarist Alexandre Moura-Barros in front as well as several European guests contributing to a growing complexity, a rich sound palette and a stylistic diversity which make this CD a delicious cake to eat with one’s ears and soul! It could easily bear several comparisons with the last output by the other Belgian group Cro-Magnon, the Brozella Suite.
  + Fred Wilbo / Charles Loos: So Happy The Curve (C7-067/068). Solo piano in company of a 1877 concert Bechstein piano. The two pianists deliver one CD each of freely improvised pieces; first Wilbo got started and inspired by the readings of Saint-John Perse. One year later, Loos recorded his, based on the same ideas which Wilbo came with, played at the same place and on the same … piano! The 2CD is presented on an untraditionally big sized cardboard packaging
  + Attica: You Are In Danger (C7-066). A new group whose musical approach is based on rock format and ideas and a clever addition of well spaced jazz touches. The group seems to have quickly gained popularity



MUSEA RELEASES ….. MUSEA RELEASES ….. MUSEA RELEASES …..

• Arpia: Racconto D'Inverno (FGBG 4810). June 09. Unusual project for this new Italian band: a concept album based on a novel, written by the band's leader Leonardo Bonetti. Arpia's music is difficult to compare with any other. Unquiet harmonies and atmospheres recall King Crimson or the acoustic works of Peter Hammill, sometimes also Banco and the Italian progressive trend, with Italian lyrics and singing.
• Éclat: Live Au Roucas (FGBG 4829). June 09. French band (with already 4 studio albums behind them) playing a powerful but sophisticated music, somewhere between "classical" prog and jazz-rock, with astounding solis of keyboards or guitars. Recorded in 2007, this live album offers a selection of their best pieces
• Sebkha-Chott: De La Persistance De La Mythologie Chottienne En ??? Vélos (FGBG 4812). June 09. This is in fact the re-recorded, remixed and remastered reissue of the debut album from 2005 (De L'Existence de la Mythologie Chottienne en Sept Cycles). A fantastic musical octopus, the band describes themselves as doing some kind of Mekanik metal disco! Well, it's way more wild than that alone!
• Tuonen Tytar II: A Tribute To Finnish Progressive Rock Of The Seventies - Volume Two (FGBG 4816). June 09. 31 bands contributed to this 3CD project, more than three hours of musical happiness ! Wigwam, Haikara are of course present but also too less known Finnish bands are vowed here.
• Time & Being: S/T. Musiques Parallèles MP3087. May 09. Here is a brand new Japanese duo, composed of a guitarist/keyboardist and a bass player. This first album offers a brilliant progressive jazz-rock, in a vein near Kenso, Yes, Uk, Holldsworth, with hints of King Crimson in the most "experimental" sequences, and an "electro" flavor here or there ... Their music is lively, powerful, intense, offers aggressive riffs, incredible guitar solis, a roaming bass, complex and syncopated rhythms. These ten instrumental pieces, concise and well structured, avoid all the clichés of long jazz-rock solis and self-indulgence and offer a melodious and colourful musical journey.
• Kotebel: Ouroboros (FGBG 4798). May 09. It's the fifth album -in ten years- by this Spanish band. Kotebel has proved to be one of the most innovative and ambitious bands of the contemporary prog' music. Led by keyboard virtuoso Carlos Plaza, the band describes its music as "art music"; it includes classical influences (Ravel, Debussy ...), progressive and symphonic ones, experimental ones (Univers Zéro). "Ouroboros" offers six instrumental tracks (plus one bonus live track), well balanced between keyboards and guitars, with syncopated and complex rythms sometimes recalling Gentle Giant.
• Narrow Pass: In This World And Beyond (FGBG 4809). May 09. This Italian band, featuring ex members of the mythical band Eris Pluvia, is in a similar musical vein, mixing celtic influences with progressive ones, acoustic and electric sequences, instrumental moments and songs. Several guests play here bass, drums, sax, flutes, piano or violin, and help in creating a refined progressive music, influenced by Genesis, Pfm, Camel. It's a melodious, suggestive and dreamy music, full of grace and softness, like Valeria's fragile and delicate voice.
• Quikion: Escargot Bianco (MP 3083). May 09. Initially released in 1999, "Escargot bianco" sees today a new release offering several previously unreleased bonus tracks, plus one live track. The whole album is typical of the very peculiar musical style of Quikion, an acoustic band influenced by European folk music. Not unlike a Pascal Comelade or Klimperei, Quikion offers a fragile and delicate music, with unusual instruments added to the acoustic guitar: concertina, castanets, glockenspiel, accordion, pianica. The Japanese female singing coupled with the European/traditional folk influence (from France and Eastern Europe especially) is very pleasant, refreshing and surprising.
• The Opium Cartel: Night Blooms. May 09. With past and present members of White Willow (among other chief songwriter and guitarist Jacob Holm-Lupo) and Jaga Jazzist, a host of singers including No-Man's Tim Bowness) , this new band offers a gentle, mysterious folk rock and sensuous pop intermingle in both acoustic and electronic settings.
• Little Tragedies: The Paris Symphony (FGBG 4784). May 09. Composed in the mid 90's and recorded in 1997, but never officially released until now. Gennady Ilyin, certainly one of the best keyboardist in progressive rock today, has composed it after a visit in the City of Light, for a trio formula including drums, bass and keyboards. Analog keyboards and compositions are in a 70's spirit, filled with a specific slavic atmosphere, neo-classic sequences and organ parts reminding Rachmaninov or Prokofiev.
• Neuschwanstein: Alice Im Wunderland (FGBG 4468). May 09. Musea is proud to reissue today the very first recording of this German band, a concept album composed in 1973. And "Alice im Wunderland" confirms Neuchwanstein's significant importance in German rock history; the band succeeded, from the beginning, in creating a fluid, refined music, intense and suggestive, typical of the creative enthusiasm of the early 70's. Normally structured around the keyboard sections, the music often underlines vivid and very refined piano pieces. With its strong melodies, its airy and dynamic flute solis, its dreamlike atmospheres, and the subtlety of the guitar effects, influenced by Steve Hackett's style, "Alice im Wunderland" easily takes its place among the best contemporary works of Camel or Focus
• Coda: Sounds Of Passion: The Album - The Demos. May 09. First opus by a Dutch band, released in 1986. This new 2CD edition offers a reissue of the album + an entire bonus CD of demos. The band led by multi instrumentist Eric Devroomen offered a rich sound palette (church organ, brass, violins, symphonic orchestra) and a music not far from Steve Hackett or Camel.
• Tee: The Earth Explorer (FGBG 4818). March 09. Here is the first album by a new Japanese band, a five piece combo (keyboards/flute/guitars/bass and drums). This instrumental music (with voices used as instruments)is developed into six mid-long pieces (7-8 minutes). It’s a lively, dynamic progressive music, with numerous flute parts and suggestive, dominating keyboards. Think of 70's Camel, PFM, Vermillon Sands and you’ll have an idea of this beautiful, melodious pieces. Tee, like Kenso, also includes jazz-rock hints and rythms.
• Outre Mesure: Abacadaë (GW 3122). March 09. Young French band from Lille in the North of France, close to the Belgian border. Their music is a kind of electric free-jazz, although being well-constructed, getting close to Progressive rock and New Musics. No doubt Henry Cow, Soft Machine and Frank Zappa were main influences for the quintet.
• Gong: Live At Uncon 2006 (EX 47055). March 09. Filmed at the Gong Family Unconventional Gathering at The Melkweg in Amsterdam in November 2006 some 35 years after its inception, we have now the Gong UnCon performance. The DVD includes performances by Daevid Allen, Steve Hillage, Tim Blake, Gilli Smyth, Mike Howlett, Miquette Giraudy, Didier Malherbe, Theo Travis and Chris Taylor. The UNcon was the first time that Daevid Allen, Steve Hillage, Tim Blake, Gilli Smyth, Mike Howlett, Miquette Giraudy and Didier Malherbe had all been together on stage and performed since the legendary 1977 Gong reunion in Paris almost thirty years previously. An absolute must for both fans who attended the UNcon and those who couldn’t travel to Holland to join in the celebrations.
• Fantasmagoria: Day & Night (FGBG 4808). March 09. Fantasmagoria is the name of a Japanese Progressive rock band, led by the female violinist Miki Fujimoto. The group aims at playing irregular rhythms with melodic patterns, starting from a classical essence to reach the spheres of King Crimson, Curved Air (therefrom the band's title), jazz-rock fusion and symphonic music.
• Apocalypse: The Bridge of Light (FGBG 4793). March 09. This album has been captured live in front of an enthusiastic Brazilian audience in november 2006. Maybe harder than in the past, with reminiscences of Deep Purple or neo prog cult band Marillion
• Jean-Jacques Toussaint: From Tiemko To Travelling (FGBG 4789). March 09. Jean-Jacques Toussaint was the keyboardist of the French band Tiemko who created a really original progressive music in the late eighties/early nineties, influenced by prog bands like King Crimson, but also by classical and contemporary music or jazz-rock. For this album, Toussaint welcomes numerous musicians like Tiemko’s guitarist Eric Chauvidan, drummer François Verly and others on accordion, trumpet, sax, violin, cello... This chamber orchestra played 13 instrumental pieces with very diverse instrumentation, length, atmospheres and musical inspirations, going from jazz to progressive and experimental music, including classical influences, even here and there electro hints; versatile keyboards, suggestive melodies and harmonies which sometimes recall Tiemko.
• Eidolon: Dreamland (MP 3089). March 09. This new french band is composed of a keyboardist/guitarist, a violin and bass player, and a drummer, all of them singing. It’s a music full of atmospheres, with dominating instrumental sequences, alternating contemplative or experimental moments (with floating sounds of keyboards and other sounds) with more progressive ones, in which a lyrical electric guitar brings a lot of emotion. The atmospheres are also enhanced by soft vocals, full of melancholy. Reminiscences of Pulsar and even at times Anekdoten will certainly be felt.
• Minimum Vital: Capitaines (FGBG 4817). March 09. 7th album by the band hailing from Bordeaux in the South-West of France. Faithful to their own musical style made of rock, jazz and Middle Age music, with a strong work on percussion including unusual and ethnic sounds, the band succeeds in creating a well balanced music, melodious, presenting tracks among the best the band composed so far.
• Narr: Oxymore dans la Chrysalide des Rêves (FGBG 4807). March 09. This new French band, led by composer/bass player and singer Clément Werner, offers a very special and original music. The lyrics are poetic, in a surrealistic manner that sometimes recalls Ange. The music is based on oniric atmospheres, created by worked out guitar arpeggios and chords, lively bass parts, and subtle vocal parts, often sung softly, in an unusual low tone. There are also lively flute parts. Helped by versatile guitarist and a drummer –who play jazz, metal, or medieval music as well in other bands, Clément Werner created an imaginary world of his own, conveyed by an elegant and fluid music, with nostalgic atmospheres sometimes near gothic music.
• Riveryman: Magic World (FGBG 4799). March 09. First album by 30 years old Finnish guitar player Tony Riveryman. Here are eight songs, and most of them are around ten or fifteen minutes long. You’ll find here all that symphonic music lovers appreciate: bombastic keyboards, grandiose atmospheres, fiery guitar solisece.
• VINC2: Exoplanète. DR8457. March 09. Young French keyboard player and great lover of 70’s sounding electronic music Vincent Coudert is to be found behind the name VINC2. His works are inspired by the German school in general and Tangerine Dream in particular, with a special liking of the experiments carried out in “Phaedra”. Completely instrumental except two tracks with vocals, this work reveals an out-of time and almost cinematic style.
• XII Alfonso: Under (FGBG 4814). Feb. 09. Fully instrumental, this opus includes many sounds, noises and voices. One may regognize the famous speech by Reverend Martin Luther King, whom the band pays tribute. Musically speaking, the CAMEL influences from the beginning are now far away, in favour of a more personal approach. And that's with great pleasure that one welcomes the return of the lyrical guitar parts courtesy of Philippe Claerhout, both electric and acoustic.
• Cast: Originalis (FGBG 4781). Feb. 09. The Mexican outfit carries on bringing new albums, this time a double one with all their trademarks clearly noticeable!
• Cage: Secret Passage (FGBG 4785). Feb. 09. In fact the first real opus by this Italian band born in the 80's. Having well learnt and digested their mentors from the 70's, they opt here for a very modern approach, as far as sound and composition work are concerned. The emotional range is quite wide, from The Flower Kings' luminous guitar soli to ambiences not unlike a certain Van Der Graaf Generator. Let's also notice the excellent twenty-minute suite "The Feebleminded Man", leading the listener through melodic sequences, great melodic inventivity and feverish electric cavalacades. Cage might well be the best Italian band of their generation together with Finisterre. So, this is a worthy discovery !
• Dante's Divine Comedy Part One - Inferno (FGBG 4753). Following the increasing number of epics tributes worked out by Musea and Colossus, today's the turn of a celebrious writer to be honoured! This first volume about Hell is made of 34 "cantos" dispatched on four discs (!), each one showing the personal interpretation of an international band, according to the rules of the genre: no drumboxes, the only instruments allowed are those of the mighty 70's, the same goes for the musical inspiration. Tempano, Little Tragedies, Combination Head, Yesterdays, Nemo, Lady Lake, Willowglass, Ars Nova, Sinkadus, Brighteye Brison And Greenwall are some of the groups involved for this one, the biggest to this date!
• The Spaghetti Epic: Volume Three - The Greatest Silence (FGBG 4731). Feb. 09. For this third opus in the genre, Little Tragedies (from Russia), Yesterdays (Hungary) and N.O.T. (Italy) composed each a 20 minutes suite, for more than an hour of music. As in the preceding Colossus/Musea productions, they used analog sounds, vintage keyboards (minimoog, Hammond, mellotron sounds ...), a mix of instrumental and vocal sequences, and a “seventies orientated” inspiration.
• Raimundo Rodulfo: Mare Et Terra (FGBG 4792). Feb. 09. It’s the third album by this Venezuelian artist and guitarist, living in Miami. "Mare e Terra" is more than one step further, with contribution of South American prog stars like Carlos Plaza (leader of Kotebel), Pedro Castillo and Gerardo Ubieda (Tempano), among many others. Rodulfo uses here a "chamber orchestra": violins, cello, flutes, sax, clarinet, trumpets, etc... added to the usual rock band, with male and female vocals. Two suites divided in two parts compose these 75 minutes of a fantastic symphonic and neo-classic rock, melodious and adventurous. Rodulfo’s guitar playing is combined with 70's orientated keyboards (including mini-moog), and groovy rythms, revealing hints of latin traditional music. This colourful and enthusiast music, constantly inspired and lively, is at the top of the symphonic nowadays production.
• Paolo Baltaro: Low Fare Flight To The Earth (FGBG 4815). Feb. 09. First solo album by the songwriter, singer and producer of the Italian band Arcansiel. Releasesd on CD and LP! These nine songs (plus one bonus on the CD) are a mix of pop-rock , progressive colours on keyboards, and aggressive and powerful sequences à la Porcupine Tree. Paolo’s voice, raucous and expressive, and his talent of producer, give the album a strong personality and musical high level.
• Argos: Argos (FGBG 4773). Feb. 09. New German band composed of two musicians of Superdrama plus a drummer. This first album, made of 14 concise songs and instrumental pieces, is a splendid 70's orientated progressive music, sometimes mixed with pop influences (Beatles especially).The compositions are based on dominating keyboards (analog sounds of mellotron, organ...), smooth and sober vocals. Refined acoustic guitars sometimes remind Genesis, while the delicate and dreamy atmospheres recall Camel or early Pink Floyd . Nice vocal harmonies, beautiful flute parts give this music a special charm, warmful and full of positive vibrations, soft and dynamic in the same time, enhanced by a good production. Very pleasant and refreshing.
• Galadriel: Calibrated Collision Course (FGBG 4790). Jan. 09. This Spanish band plays a refined and delicate progressive rock evoking the best of Yes as well as the Italian school at its height (Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Locanda Delle Fate...).
• Jean Kief: Las Hadas No Vuelan Mas - II. El Agua De Frente (FGBG 4766). Jan. 09. 2nd opus by one of the few prog projects hailing from Colombia. Superb musicianship and top-notch songwriting!
• Tan Zero: We Can't Imagine. Musea Parallèle (MP 3071). Jan. 09. Italian band founded in 1985 and much inspired by Frank Zappa. This album gathers most of their compositions, originally released on their sole LP from 1987. The CD reissue offers unreleased tracks as well and the musicians' enthusiasm is infectious; their creativity remains unfailing.
• Fred Schneider: Seul A Seul. Great Winds (GW 3121). New album by the french bass prodigy, following his debut "Fred & Co" (96) and the instrumental album "Kess Kiss Bass" in 2005.
• Leo Project: S/T. Great Winds (GW 3120). Jan. 09. This self-titled album comes from French guitarist and composer Michel Leonardi , who made his name with Ergo Sum, a mythical prog band that recorded its sole album in 1971 ("Mexico"). This is a very personal album, marked by the influence of such icons as John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter & Joe Zawinul
• Yochk’o Seffer & Neffesh Music: Ezz-Thetics Travel. Great Winds (GW 3119). Nov. 08. Always innovative and surprising, the Hungarian saxophonist and co-founder of Zao delivers here a new project involving a cello quartet, percussionist and fellow Zao member François Causse and the DJ Grégoire Dorville (L’1 Pi). Using the ancient taragot and tenor sax, as well as zirnus, a *sculptophone* created by himself, he has composed 8 instrumental pieces in all the combinations allowed by this strange line-up. It’s a contemporary music that combines a jazz pulsation, an influence of classical composers like Stravinsky, Debussy, Bartok.., and modern, urban sounds of the DJ. It’s kind of a "classical contemporary" music, never heard before, quite fascinating.
• Zao: Ethnic Trio Live (FGBG 4779). Nov. 08. Zao reduced to trio format! Yoch'ko Seffer (sax, flute, tarogato), Faton Cahen (piano, synth, bass synth) and François Causse (drums and percussion), recorded these nine pieces live and added some programming. They play an ethnic free jazz, based on Afro-American percussion, piano (or synth) and Seffer’s instruments which he plays with an incredible energy!
• Centrica: S/T. Musea Parallèle (MP3081). Nov. 08. Young new Italian quartet (guitars/keyboards/bass/drums) playing a lively, dynamic instrumental metal prog with nice jazz-rock hints. Expect powerful guitar riffs, lively and fluid guitar or synth solis, dynamic rythms.
• Presence Of Souls: Blinds. Musea Parallèle (MP3084). Nov. 08. This new Japanese band is led by female singer and composer Yuki, also playing guitars, keyboards and mellotron. Ethereal female vocals create a sharp contrast with guitar fury and drumming power. Sad atmospheres, often enhanced by mellotron and by a great sense of slowness and softness-evolve little by little, with an increasing violence, to become in the end a musical maelstrom. It’s kind of a progressive post-rock, and you can’t imagine a more intense musical world!
• PPRY: Raising The Skeletons Of Fire By Hand (FGBG 4763). Nov. 08. Finnish prog band, once known as Project, offering long compositions based on intense, haunting and dark atmospheres, floating sounds and lively (analog) keyboards parts, wild electric moments and melodious guitar soli, a sense of slowness and sonic experiments... much of this bringing to mind bands like Eloy or Pink Floyd. But PPRY has its own identity, including a specific "Scandinavian touch" in sound experiments and dreamy, nostalgic atmospheres.
• Ancient Vision: Lost As Sea (FGBG 4776). Nov. 08. This American band had released two albums during the early nineties, and then disappeared for fifteen years! Its resurrection, with the original line-up, allowed the recording of “Lost at sea”, a concept album about a short story – included in the booklet with the lyrics. It deals with mankind’s story, contemporary confusion and struggle for power, through religions or political action. Ancient Vision was originally influenced by Jethro Tull. "Lost At Sea", a symphony made of four parts and eight pieces, is much more eclectic and diverse, although strictly based on symphonic structures and arrangements. The music remains faithful to the 70's inspiration, with grandiose and suggestive analog keyboards, great keyboards/guitars interplay, intense acoustic moments, rockier parts here and there. It also includes refreshing parts with female vocals, sax, balalaika ... Carefully composed and played, "Lost at sea" is a beautiful modern symphony.
• Gerson Werlang: Memorias Do Tempo (FGBG 4754). Nov. 08. First solo album by the guitarist of the Brazilian band Pocos § Nuvens. "Memorias do tempo" mixes acoustic ballads, enhanced by beautiful female vocals, and symphonic or neo-classic complex pieces, melodious and well structured. Numerous guests play on this album, female singers, bass player, drummer and violin player from Pocos, keyboard players. There are some heavy moments in “Memorias”, but the main atmosphere is delicate and nostalgic, including beautiful piano/acoustic and classical guitars
• Aviva Omnibus: Nutcracker In Fury (FGBG 4768). Nov. 08. Behind the name Aviva is to be found Russian keyboard player Dmitri A. Loukanienko, offering here an undefinable progressive heavy-metal-electro-neo-classical-ethnic-trip-hop (or something like that!!) full of fantasy and power. Of course, as implied by the title, the music has more than one twinkle of the eye toward Tschaikovsky's master work!
• Anima Mundi: Jagannath Orbit (FGBG 4747). Oct. 08. Symphonic prog coming from Cuba with English lyrics revealing a certain YES influence; But the main thing about Anima Mundi is the absolute beauty of their melodies, from the first to the last second, coupled with a great sense of rhythm. You'll find of course plenty of gorgeous and bombastic keyboards parts, floating sounds and soli, lyrical guitar parts, a good singer, other instruments such as recorders, bagpipes, clarinet, didgeridoo...
• Avatar: Hands. Great Winds (GW 3117). Oct. 08. Australian quartet playing acoustic jazz-rock. The band features two brilliant acoustic guitarists supported by a solid and steady rhythm section. Both fellowmen launch into frantic duels, not unlike the reference in the genre: Acoustic Alchemy. A third guitarist appears as guest: Frank Gambale; So here are ten instrumental compositions full of Western, Latin, Spanish and African influences, revisiting tango, flamenco and salsa with much class.
• Sebkha-Chott: Nigla(h) - Tapisseries Fines En XXX Strips Et LXXX Trompettes (FGBG 4811). Oct. 08. This new opus by the original French musicians borrows from so many styles that it gets hard to define, and the musical context is not easy to embrace. The nervous, sometimes martial, rhythms, the guttural accents, the infuriated and paroxysmic voices still remind much of Magma. The brassed and leaping, dark or merry riffs may remind of Van Der Graaf Generator, while the raving moments are more in the vein of Etron Fou Leloublan, Willem Breuker or Slavonic music. This music is always moving, affording any possible bifurcation. Quiet times are scarce, when voices, phrases or snatches from dialogs are scattered among musical themes, creating movie soundtrack atmospheres. Other sequences with grandiloquent, lyrical, female and male voices strongly evoke Kurt Weill, then music goes on and louder in an exciting and compulsive sonic magma, with frenetic, Frippian and shouting guitar, backed with a metronomic and sharp rhythm section. This shall be either adorable or unbearable!!
• Asturias: In Search Of The Soul Trees (FGBG 4791). Oct. 08. New album by the Japanese outfit, ten tracks divided in two separate parts, showing a charming and sophisticated instrumental music, full of elegant and ethereal parts. Oldfieldian electric solos, sunny acoustic guitars, various keyboards, light percussions, delicate strings, enchanting flute, a touch of jazz-rock, a little folk, some beautiful classic music atmospheres... and several guests, members of such reknown outfits as Shingetsu or the Canterburian Flat 122
• PI XPRNC: Algenia (FGBG 4765). Oct. 08. This young Venezuelan outfit is led by Karen Gonzalez, whose voice is quite remarkable. She is also a guitarist and a keyboard player and the sole composer of a band where men form the majority! The music is to be placed around post-rock with heavy-metal and Crimsonian riffs, efficient drums parts, dynamic percussions and a wrapping bass sound. Melancholic or introspective at times, the atmospheres may evolve anytime into a release of energy with total control.
• Colossus Project: The Empire And The Rebellion (FGBG 4700). Oct. 08. The new project designed by Colossus, the Finnish Progressive Music Association, is this time departing from the previous releases; if the conceptual theme is kept (here Star Wars), its interpretation by several willing bands is now past! Instead, one band gets the job but this band is hand made by picking various musicians from different bands!! So welcome keyboard player Alfio Costa and bass player Roberto "Bobo" Aiolfi, both coming from (Prowlers and Tilion), drummer Giovanni Giana Vezzoli (Prowlers) and singer Hamadi Trabelsi.
• Lüüp: Distress Signal Code (FGBG 4764). Oct. 08. This is the personal project of greek flautist Stelios Romaliadis, influenced by ambient soundscapes, Robert Fripp's Frippertronics, progressive rock, folk, classical and electronica. It even includes some bits of the mighty Mellotron! VDGG's saxophonist David Jackson even flew to Greece in order to bring his contribution. Not unlike Theo Travis, Stelios Romaliadis uses the flute as the basis of the songs of the album, using loops.
• Ragnarök: Path (FGBG 4752). Sept. 08. Ragnarök belongs to the first period of the Swedish Progressive rock movement. Their first album was recorded in 1975, they vanished in the 80's, reformed in 1991 and published "Well", unnoticed at the time. So maybe "Path" announces the real return, with its eight instrumental tracks, delicate and etheral, essentially based on the acoustic and electric guitars.
• Roland Gassin: Electrode. Great Winds (GW 3115). Sept. 08. Debut album by this French guitarist originating from Provence, somewhere between Sixun and the Canadian Uzeb. Though he sings and plays most of the instruments, mostly guitars obviously, but also bass and keyboards, Gassin hasn't worked alone and several players are joining him on this record
• Jack Dupon : L’Echelle Du Désir. Gazul (GA 8691). Sept. 08. This album, by a young French band consisting of 4 adventurers and improvisers, explores the vast landscapes of progressive rock, experimental and psychedelic. Sometimes reminding a kind of modern Etron Fou Leloublan, their music may also be related to SEBKHA-CHOTT's, or King Crimson's electric dissonances.
• Antiklimax : Aurora Polaris. Dreaming (DR 8452). Sept. 08. This very skilful French keyboard player is marked forever by the German school of electronic musics (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze...). His second opus "Aurora Polaris" is a sonic journey through the Finnish landscapes. So it was kind of natural that Vincent Benesy finds the perfect partner in crime for such a project in the female singer Jaana Palonen, coming from Tampere. Starting as an ambient-based concept, the music drifted towards a darker approach and ended up being a "romantic take" on a motionless journey to join a person that you really want to meet...
• Tilion: A.M.I.G.D.A.L.A. (FGBG 4750). Sept. 08. is an Italian Prog band, arisen from the ashes of Prowlers. Its credo is to perform 70's inspired music, full of vintage keyboards sounds (Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, mini-Moog, Mellotron, piano, harmonium...) and enriched by various musical styles such as hard-rock, folk or jazz. The dark atmospheres may remind the almighty Museo Rosenbach, or even the Scandinavian School. Sung in English this time, the album has a wonderful concept inspired by fear and human emotions and is also played by several prominent guest players like Lino Vairetti from Osanna
• Overhead : And We’Re Not Here After All (FGBG 4787). August 08. Awaited by some like the Messiah, this 3rd album by the Finnish outfit presents an ambitious and dynamic music varying from laid-back and melancholic atmospheres into adventurous and energetic rock. It's about contrasts. It mixes fresh ideas with classic influences, thus sounding original and interesting. The album features recognisable elements of Overhead ( those strange psychedelic and electronic sequences, the heavy metal power) but also expands into new directions. Needless to say this album should hit big in the polls before the end of the year!
• Mirage : Bordeline (FGBG 4762). August 08. After "A Secret Place" in 2001 and "Tales From The Green Sofa" in 2004, here's the new opus named “Bordeline”, following the magic musical trip driven by both previous ones and promising good vibes for all fans of early Camel's era !
• Antidepressive Delivery : Chain Of Foods (FGBG 4770). July 08. 2nd album by this Norwegian outfit, a cross between hard prog influenced by Deep Purple and touches of light jazz-rock. There's also a tribute track titled "We Will Crimson You" .... Huum .... who could that be ..... :) ?
• Klotet : En Rak Höger (FGBG 4772). July 08. This is a brand new Swedish band, existing since 2004. Klotet is a quartet (drums/organ and keyboards/bass/guitars) which plays an instrumental progressive rock. These 14 pieces are concise, but full of a very special flavour. Based on the organ/Rhodes sounds, the atmospheres recall the early 70's, especially - according to the band itself - the Swedish bands of that time and musicians like Bo Hansson. It’s a very dynamic and lively music, sometimes even frantic, with melodies typical of the « scandinavian » touch we all appreciate in progressive rock. Including some unquiet harmonies à la King Crimson, Klotet’s music is enhanced by a roaming bass and played with a constant enthusiasm. An excellent and really original album.
• Makoto Kitayama : Practical Encyclopedia Of Kingdom Plantae (DR 8451). One man multi-track overdub recording by the es singer of Shingetsu, once one of the main acts of symphonic prog coming from Japan. This instrumental album also features on some tracks Takashi Hayashi , guitar player in the Japanese outfit Qui.
• Magellan: Innocent God (FGBG 4759). July 08. The acclaimed neo-prog duo of brothers Trent & Wayne Gardner has now acquired the assistance of multi instrumentist Robert Berry as full member (it had already started with Jack Foster III). As a testimony to a new evolution phase, the seventh opus "Innocent God" (2008) lets apart the classic influences of its predecessor "Symphony For A Misanthrope" (2005), in favour of compositions more concise and less demonstrative. Could it be the album of the maturity ?
• Yesterdays: Holdfenykert (FGBG 4748). June 08. Progressive rock band composed of musicians belonging to the Hungarian minority of Western Romania. This is why the vocalist Kinga Janosi, on top of a few titles in English language, also chose to sing in Magyar. Musically speaking, the atmosphere is quite mellow: this is a refined and colourful opus, bursting with sunshine. Somewhere between atmospheric rock, Latin and jazzy sounds, Canterbury School style, with languorous Mellotron and enchanting flute melodies, Holdfenykert (Moonlit Garden) presents a refreshing vision of progressive rock. One may think of the remarkable work of Polish vocalist Anna Maria Jopek with Pat Metheny (Upojenie, 2002), or the undervalued "Jumping From Springboards" (2003) from the Brazilian band Eclipse. Quite often, there's nothing to think about, but just indulge that kind of lull... Initially self-produced in 2006 and announced with a flattering reputation, this debut album is reissued today by the Musea label. Essential !
• Qui: S/T (FGBG4775). May 08. QUI is the brainchild of Japanese guitarist Takashi Hayashi, who assembled an instrumental jazz-rock fusion band with progressive rock leanings. The trio included guitar, bass, drums and some keyboards parts. After having released a first album, "Prelude", in 2006, the band completely changed. It's now a five-piece band, including flute, percussions and saxophone on one track. Released in common by the Musea and Poseidon labels, the self-titled album (2008) begins gently with quiet and atmospheric passages, not unlike Allan Holdsworth's, and ends up in some kind of free-jazz spirit. But all in all, QUI shows a true personality, and that's difficult to link its music with someone else's. To be discovered !
• VERSUS X : Primordial Ocean (FGBG 4756). March 08. All fans of progressive music know that: There are only a few Versus X albums, but all are essential. It’s the only modern band that remains, with persistence, faithful to the good old “20 minutes epic”. "Primordial Ocean" is composed of four of these tracks, plus a piano short piece. The music stills reveals complex, intricated piano or (often vintage) keyboards and guitar dialogues, symphonic arrangements and structures, subtle harmonies... The inspiration is maybe more serene than in the early days, but still symphonic and bombastic. One of the most genuine progressive bands of our days and also, by the way, a great "live" performer, due to its powerful rythms.
• Yesterdays: Holdfenykert. Musea FGBG 4748. May 08. Here's a present Prog Rock band composed of musicians belonging to the Hungarian minority of western Romania. This is why the vocalist Kinga Janosi, on top of a few titles in English language, also chose to sing in Magyar. Musically speaking, the atmosphere is quite mellow: this is a refined and colourful opus, bursting with sunshine. Somewhere between atmospheric rock, Latin and jazzy sounds, Canterbury School style, with languorous Mellotron and enchanting flute melodies; Holdfenykert - Moonlit Garden - presents a refreshing vision of progressive rock. One may think of the remarkable work of Polish vocalist Anna Maria Jopek with Pat Metheny ("Upojenie", from 2002) or the undervalued "Jumping From Springboards" (2003) from the Brazilian band Eclipse. Initially self-produced in 2006 and announced with a flattering reputation, this debut album is reissued today by the Musea label.
• Versus X: Primordial Ocean. Musea FGBG 4756. May 08. All fans of progressive music know that: there are only a few Versus X’ albums, but all are essential. It’s the only modern German band that remains, with persistence, faithful to the good old “20 minutes epic”. “Primordial ocean” is composed of four of these tracks, plus a piano short piece. The band’s music recalls Peter Hammill, VDGG, King Crimson, Yes, Genesis... The music stills reveals complex, intricated piano or (often vintage) keyboards and guitar dialogues, symphonic arrangements and structures, subtle harmonies... The inspiration is maybe more serene than in the early days, but still symphonic and bombastic. One of the most genuine progressive bands of our days –and also, by the way, a great "live" performer, due to its powerful rythms.
• Oaksenham: Conquest Of The Pacific. FGBG4727. Sept. 07. Oaksenham is a new band from Armenia with a “classical” rock line-up, plus one violin and one flute players. Guest musicians appear on this album, on harp, cello, oboe, horns and clarinet! Oaksenham plays an instrumental “chamber rock” music, mixing classical influences (Bach, Vivaldi...) with progressive ones: the album includes covers of Gentle Giant songs and a musical theme of Jethro Tull. You may even think of Gryphon or Greenslade here and there : it’s a refreshing, lively, dynamic and airy music, composed and played with a lot of subtlety.
• KBB: Proof of Concept. FGBG 4722. August 07. This progressive jazz-rock outfit has brilliant members, especially violin virtuoso Akihisa Tsuboy and bass player Dani. No guitar this time, but check out the sounds of Tsuboy's violin and you'll find there more than one guitar like quality. As usual, superb execution of the music and its wild parts contrasted by darker moments, lyricism and great melodic sense, lots of emotions and a wide range of inspiration, be it Mahavishnu, classical music or Eastern folk traditions. Still one of the leading bands from Japan!
• Little Tragedies: Chinese Songs - Part 1. FGBG 4737 / MALS 216. August 07. Set on a tremendous pace, without losing its natural qualities, the Russian symphonic prog band from St. Petersburg publishes here its fourth album in only three years. "Chinese Songs - Part One " (2007) offers seven tracks composed by the brillant Gennady Illin, illustrated by Chinese poems written during the Middle-Ages (translated in Russian). Despite quite a few melancholic pieces, the music is still full of complex arrangements.
• Yochk’O Seffer: My Old Roots. FGBG 4725. July 07. This legendary Hungarian musician has achieved a sucessful musical career since the Magma days, then Zao and later his own band Neffesh Music. “My Old Roots” is a collection of pieces from 1976 and 1980, created with Neffesh Music and for “Chromophonie”. Some pieces were never released on CD, and one is an unreleased track, recorded in 2005 with violin player Lajos Horvath. It’s an excellent introduction to Seffer’s lively, inventive and colourful music, a rather unique mix of ethnic jazz influenced by Hungarian music and Coltrane among others.
• Ringing Ring: Ancient Stones. Musea Parallèle MP 3066. May 07. This album presents Renaissance and Baroque music played on ancient instruments by Japanese players. The music is mainly instrumental, coming among others from composers like Marin Marais, Josquin Des Prez or John Dowland, also including Irish traditional music. The whole is played with ancient instruments: lutes from different periods, theorbe, recorders, viola da gamba...
• Anekdoten: A Time Of Day. FGBG 4718. May 07. Some four years after the previous album, here is finally Anekdoten’s fifth opus. It was worth waiting through ! "A Time Of Day" seems to come back to the sound, energy and ambition of the beginnings, offering as an overture a double swig of Mellotron plus a few well inspired schizoid riffs. However, those who prefer up-to-date and mainstream sounds are not forgotten either. It is granted that most of Progressive rock fans should readily be contented throughout those eight tracks lasting more than three fourths of an hour. The presence of a flautist, guest on the second track “30 pieces”, bringing about a welcome wind of freshness, should also be noted.
• Solar Project: Chromagnitude. FGBG 4715. May 07. This band is one of the best Pink Floyd-influenced bands of today. There's also a link with the fellow countrymen of Eloy. The German duo (keyboards/guitar) releases here their 7th album. This conceptual piece-of-work interprets the psychological power of colors, creating a journey into yourself in search for inner peace. Complex art-rock, sometimes heavy, sometimes under floydian influence, this perfectly describes the musical spectrum of that current production.
• Cast: Com.Union. FGBG 4716. May 07. “Com.union” is still in a progressive vein, sophisticated, often symphonic, not unlike Genesis or ELP, but this time there is a sort of Canterbury and jazzy mood here and there, with a lot of wind instruments (sax, clarinet, trumpet...) and brilliant acoustic moments. Played with a real technical skill, full of positive vibrations, lively and colourful, Cast’s music has become eclectic and personal.
• Outer Limits: Stromatolite. FGBG 4719. May 07. This Japanese band is the most famous and influential of the 80's Japanese progressive trend, as it succeded in developing an original and personal musical style, while many others were just imitating progressive masters. This style is based on fantastic violin parts, symphonic keyboards, contrasting with acid or heavy guitar solis and riffs. The band’s line up is the original one, except for a new bass player.
• Eric Minen: Mélodies Urbaines (DR 8446). May 07. Eric Minen is a self-taught French guitar player from Annecy (Savoy region). Involved within various jazz, song-oriented or jazz-rock fusion bands, he presents today his first solo album, "Mélodies Urbaines", released in 2007 on the Dreaming label. In Jean-Pascal Boffo or Pat Metheny's way, he plays a limpid and peaceful instrumental music, ten compositions entirely based on the wide palette of guitar sounds. Moreover, some titles provide the Arabic colours of the oud.
• One World Tapestry: Progressive Music From Around The World. FGBG 4714. May 07. It is a very special release, initiated by Australian disc-jockey Andrew Holborn. It’s a benefit CD, in conjunction with The International Red Cross, in hopes of raising money for the Sudanese refugees. Musea produced and manufactured it. 15 bands and artists contributed, from all around the world: Indonesia, Australia,Sweden, France, USA, Brazil, and Hungary. There are progressive bands (In the Labyrinth, Minimum Vital, Quaterna Requiem, musicians from the Hungarian band Solaris, Pocos and Nuvens), but also ethnic, folk, electronic. All these bands share different musical cultures, popular musical roots, and a common quest for authenticity.
• Ain Soph: Live Tracks ’80s And '05. FGBG 4705. April 07. This record presents a brand new composition recorded in 2005, some other tunes related to their two first albums "A Story of Mysterious Forest" and "Hat And Field", recorded in the 80's "live in the studio". A must for proggers into the Canterbury style, since this major instrumental quartet produced some of the best gems in the genre in Japan. This unique combo plays a music that combines extreme delicacy with a great technical perfection, the whole thing being illuminated by an outstanding melodic and harmonic richness.
• Apple Pie: Crossroad. FGBG 4710. April 07. Coming from Russia, featuring on bass a member of another Russian band - Little Tragedies (where he used to play sax!), fronted by a singer with a very good voice and excellent English accent, here is the debut album of a band which could be shortly described as the missing link between Spock's Beard and Dream Theater; it is jointly released by Musea and Mals.
• Dyonisos: An Incidental Collection. FGBG 4709. April 07. Arty space rock, abundant in extended guitar and synthesizers parts, by a one-man virtual ensemble featuring the American musician Dan Cowan. Here are seventeen compositions, including five instrumental ones, to be sipped comfortably in your favourite chair.
• The Spaghetti Epic 2: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. FGBG 4648. March 07. Colossus and Musea are really proud to present one more collective concept album, inspired by Sergio Leone’s famous western “The good, the bad and the ugly”. Like for the preceding Colossus/Musea collaborations since “Kalevala”, these 75 minutes of fine symphonic rock are offered with a luxury booklet about the story, the movie, the lyrics, and the bands. Randone (for “the good”), La Voce Dell Vento (“The bad”) and Tilion (“the ugly”) composed and played three 25’ symphonic suites, and they remained faithful to the seventies symphonic spirit, this time the italian trend (Museo Rosenbach, PFM, Le Orme, Banco...). 70’s keyboards are preferred (mini-moog, mellotron...), and, by the way, keyboards are dominant in these three pieces.
• Osiris: Visions From The Past. FGBG 4697. March 07. Osiris is probably one of the only, if not the only Arabic Progressive rock band, from Bahrain, a small country of the Persian Gulf. “Visions from the past” is a brand new album, a concept about the story of an old man who refuses the ”modern” Bahrein and regrets the time when everyone had an innocent and simple way of living. Using traditional Gulf Arabic poetry (translated in English in the booklet), Osiris mixes Arabic rhythms and traditional instruments with a brilliant melodious progressive music in a vein near Camel or Genesis. Splendid!
• T-Bo: We Stay Together. FGBG 4713. March 07. T-BO’s music can be brought near Camel or the best songs by Rousseau. But it’s composed by a drummer, Philippe Laloux so there’s a specific dynamism and energy combined with pastoral flute parts, guitar arpeggios and airy atmospheres. A music that speaks to the listener’s mind...
• Spin XXI: Contraponto. FGBG 4707. Feb,07. Spin XXI is a Brazilian Progressive rock band born in the 70's. Its debut album is only released today in 2006. Released by both Musea and Rock Symphony labels, "Contraponto" presents five long tracks in the great tradition of the South-American symphonic school, often inspired by dinosaurs like Yes. But hints of jazz-rock or heavy-metal will also be perceived.
• Ankh: Cachaça - Live At Rio ArtRock Festival'99. FGBG 4620. Feb. 07. This band from Poland released four albums before this one. Their line-up is unusual, a guitar/bass/drums/violin quartet, with Polish lyrics. And their music is fully original, with a mix of classical, symphonic, folk, metal, doom, gothic and psyche influences that can’t be compared to anything else!!
• Shades Of Dawn: From Dusk Till Dawn. FGBG 4692. Feb. 07. This german band from Düsseldorf has released an album in 1998, “The Dawn Of Time”, and “From Dusk Till Dawn” is made of unreleased 1994 demo tapes, carefully reworked and restored in 2003 with some overdubs and bonus tracks. The result is an album marked by a symphonic/neo progressive stamp.
• Apocalypse: Live In Rio. FGBG 4675. Feb. 07. This brazilian band released several albums since the early 90's and is well known for its gorgeous mix of symphonic rock inspired by the 70's masters and by the neo-progressive trend, especially the early Marillion, but with also some metal hints in the vocal parts and the guitar solis.
• G.A.L.F.: Spirals Of Time. FGBG 4671. Feb. 07. This brazilian band is composed of experienced musicians from the brazilian rock scene, who decided to create a real symphonic rock, faithful to the seventies roots of this musical trend. Two instrumental pieces and three long tracks (including a 25’ suite!) compose this splendid album, different from the usual South-American productions and with English singing. Their melodies sometimes reveal a nice Beatles influence, very pleasant and fresh.
• Tarkus: Ao Vivo Em Niteroi. FGBG 4529. Feb. 07. Probably the most gifted and inspired symphonic rock band to happen in Brazil since Sagrado , no less... After two albums released in 2000 and 2006, here is a live album co-released by Rock Symphony and Musea. It was recorded in 2005 in Teatro municipal de Niteroi. With two keyboard players (including mini-moog...), Tarkus’ sound is clearly symphonic. Let’s also mention the lyrical and powerful female vocals (portuguese singing)as well as excellent guitar parts
• Zettaimu: Miroque. MP 3063. Feb. 07. Zettaimu is the name of Japanese guitarist Hisashi Furue's project, who is attracted by British Progressive rock as much as he is by traditional music and rhythms from his own country. Either minimalist, experimental, song-oriented, post-rock, gothic à la The Cure, or Crimsonian, these nine tracks achieve a certain stylistic consistency, particularly through very dark atmospheres, and the presence of female vocalist Kanako. She confirms, if needed, the immense admiration of Japanese female vocalists for the great Kate Bush. Here is one more pawn to be observed on the Japanese Progressive rock chess-board!
• Aviva: Rokus Tonalis. FGBG 4698. Jan. 07. This new project is led by multi-instrumentist and pianist virtuoso Dmitri A.Loukanienko, helped by a guitarist and several guests on voices. "Rokus Tonalis" is a concept album on several plans, inspired by the last book of the Bible, but also planning to incorporate Paul Hindemith’s polyphonic piano cycle into the modern canvas of electric and rock riffs and rythms; this is a really original symphonic music, contrasted, polyphonic and melodious, with complex arrangements, mixing vintage and modern keyboard sounds with talent.
• Motis: L’Homme-Loup. MP 3062. Jan. 07. 2nd album by a French band who creates a medieval progressive rock, deeply influenced by the Middle Ages’ literature and myths (The knights of the round table, the song of Roland, Chrétien de Troyes...). Poetic french lyrics deal with wolves, Merlin, ermit, dragon, lords and castles, treachery,...MOTIS’ music offers a wide range of instruments, traditional (mandolin, "épinette", flute...) or rock (including mellotron, moog, Hammond...).
• Frédéric Maillet: Stratégie Lunaire. DR 8445. Jan. 07. 2nd album by this French musician who is a devoted disciple of the 70's electronic musics scene. Alongside the self titled 37mn long suite, the ingredients remain the same: a bit of Progressive rock, lots of 70's electronic music and a bunch of personal inspiration. The whole with a slight touch of experience and maturity.
• Oust Louba: Décoction. Gazul GA 8688. Jan. 07. Young band from Southern France, inspired by various musical styles. First influenced by ska, jungle or dub hard-core, these four musicians (and one girl too!) were able to evolve through world-music, experimental (and deconstructed) musics, post-rock... The album presents 9 tracks, some programmings and nice scratches were used, sometimes evoking Portishead’s trip-hop but also the old Canterbury school, for the atmospheres and a few vocal parts whispered at times, reminding of Robert Wyatt. But this music is mainly instrumental and despite the variety of styles and influences, proves to be totally original and personal.
• ZAO: In Tokyo. FGBG 4699. Jan. 07. This is a collection of 8 tracks recorded live during their 2004 Japanese tour. Here is the return of the great ZAO, with Faton Cahen & Yoch'ko Seffer together, with Gérard Prévost & François Causse on bass and drums, Cynthia St-Ville on vocals (all were also members of the group in the 70's). Add to it the violin virtuoso Akihisa Tsuboy (KBB,...) as guest and you get a unique mix of jazz, improvised sequences and contemporary music. Already a future classic!
• Lazuli: Amnésie. FGBG 4694. First album by this southern French band, initially released in 2003. It’s a collection of 14 songs perfectly composed, played and produced, with intense and suggestive atmospheres revealing a very personal musical world. Let’s mention that this year Lazuli had won the contest of the Montreux Jazz Festival as promising new band.
• Pierre Bastien: Les Première Machines 1968-1988. Gazul GA 8687. Jan. 07. From his very first constructions, not always well received, until his very first solo album issued in Italy in 1988, here are 15 recordings, among which 6 previously unreleased tracks created during that 20 years period.
• Opus 3: S/T. FGBG 4676. Dec. 06. This new chilean band was created at « Escuela moderna de Musica », three years ago. It’s a remarkable instrumental power trio (guitar/bass/drums); The eight instrumental pieces presented here are concise, based on complex melodic lines and rythms often syncopated or changing, and on complex harmonies between guitar and bass. In the same time it’s a very melodious stuff, with some metal hints here and there.
• Astralis: Bienvenida Al Interior. FGBG 4678. Dec. 06. This new chilean band, created in 1999, offers six symphonic pieces composed by experienced guitarist Patricio Vera-Pinto. It’s a brilliant and majestic symphonic music, influenced by Pink Floyd, Yes, and also reminding neo prog bands like Marillion (especially keyboards) or Pallas here and there.
• Crisalida: S/T. FGBG 4672. Dec. 06. This chilean band does exist since 1997 and offers a symphonic prog’metal à la Dream Theater.
• IX: Ora Pro Nobis. FGBG 4693. Dec. 06. This is the first album of a new band from Venezuela, led by Giuglio Cesare Della Noce, Tempano’s talented keyboardist. Several musicians of Tempano play on this album. “Ora pro nobis” is absolutely surprising from the first to the last minute! It’s a brilliant musical fusion that includes éléments from electronic, symphonic, classical, contemporary music, with also some jazz and folk elements. These ten pieces are completely different and diverse, sometimes structured with hypnotic rythms, sometimes including sound effects, sometimes melodious and simple...Trumpet, trombone, harmonica, snare, spanish guitar, male and female vocals, are present here, for a musical journey you’ll never forget.
• Hal & Ring: Alchemy. FGBG 4674. December 06. Alchemy is a collection of seven instrumental tracks, who offer an excellent mix of golden progressive music influenced by Yes, E.L.P., Camel, Pink Floyd,... and of 70's jazz-rock. Nice melodies, beautiful guitar solis, two keyboard players: a sophisticated and intense music, and a real human “alchemy” are to be found here in this mix of two japanese bands already alive in the mid-seventies; this project is a combination of musicians from both bands, who play and record their songs, thirty years after! Two members of Hal created later Shingetsu, some played in Asturias, East Wind Pot,... so they’re all accomplished musicians!
• Opus Est: Opus 2. FGBG 4679. Dec. 06. This is the second album by this Swedish band... never released: It’s composed of a four pieces suite part, recorded partly in 1979, partly in 2004, plus four other songs composed and recorded in 1983-84. All these songs are in a vein near “Opus I”, a refined and inventive golden progressive rock from the 70's with beautiful melodies and arrangements.
• Lost World: Awakening Of The Elements. FGBG 4695. Dec. 06. This Russian trio created the band ten years ago, as they were students at the music academy of Moscow and already released an album in 2001. The three of them are virtuosos, Vassily Soloviev on flute and percussion, the composer A.Didorenko on guitars and violins, A.Akimov on keyboards, percussion and programming. These twelve instrumental pieces reveal a very high musical level, a very dynamic and lively music, with incredible violin parts, frantic but not heavy rythms, suggestive melodies. Due to these elements it may recall here or there UK or Kansas but this music is absolutely personal, influenced by classical composers and progressive music.
• Atoll: L'Océan. FGBG 4691. Nov. 06. Initially released in 1989, this album is a collection of progressive pop songs with three bonus tracks (two “live” songs and an unreleased track) plus some re-recorded songs; the band was at that time led by the brilliant guitarist Chris Beya and featured new musicians: J.P.Klares (ex-Divodorum) on bass, G.Bonnabaud (ex-Synopsis) on drums, P. Meyer (ex-Troll), a singer with a high-pitched voice, a keyboardist...
• The Seven Samurais: The Ultimate Epic. FGBG 4604. Nov. 06. Due to the great demand, Colossus (The Finnish Progressive Music Association) and Musea proudly present their new progressive rock epic, succeeding to Kalevala, The Spaghetti Epic, the Colossus Of Rhodes. The intention is to publish a progressive rock concept album inspired by the famous film by Akira Kurosawa called "The 7 Samurais" (1954). The story has been divided in 3 chapters same as the number of bands participating, each band has chosen one chapter and will make a suite inspired by it. Tempano from Venezuela, CAP and Taproban from Italy. The total length of each suite is around 25 minutes. The sound remains faithful to 70's progressive music: original 70's keyboards (Hammond, Moog, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano etc.) are preferred, and the bands avoid loops, drum machines or other 80's - 90's digital sounds.
• Lady Lake: Unearthed. FGBG 4689. November 06. This is a collection of songs written between 1975 and 1998 (mostly the 1979-81 period), recorded in “live” conditions; for the essential part, it should have made the second album by the band. It’s a real pleasure to find again Lady Lake’s dynamic progressive rock, in a vein near Camel, Focus, Caravan. A really personal music, with lively guitars and worked out keyboards. Great stuff!
• Sarcasme: Mirage. MP 3059. November 06. This French band from Lyon includes two guitar players, no keyboardist, and a flute player. They create a progressive music in a vein close to Ange as regards the French lyrics or Pink Floyd (like the wah wah ‘s effect making the guitar speak in one song), with also a Deep Purple influence here and there. Six songs and three instrumental pieces compose the album, and reveal interesting contrasts between heavy sequences (powerfuls guitar riffs and rythms), and more calm ones, with beautiful flute parts. A typical French progressive music, with a very pleasant “seventies” feeling and nice melodies.
• Seamus: Zealotry Sterblichen Schizophrenia. FGBG 4519. October 06. Seamus is a French/English band of five musicians, helped by many guests for this album on flute, voices, cajon, violin, etc... This concept album is about the Second World War and the deportation and killing of millions of people. It may recall here or there King Crimson ( guitar loops, tense and anguished atmospheres), progressive bands from the “dark side” of progressive like Magma or Van Der Graaf Generator, but also classical composers, contemporary and electronic music, jazzrock, among others.
• Ange: Culinaire Lingus. FGBG 4612. October 2006. Released in 2001, mixes ANGE’s tradition with more modern sounds and influences (ambient, electro, metal ...). It has been described by many critics by the best recent album by the band, and it is true that there’s a special feeling about it, an enthusiasm of the musicians in the writing and the playing process.
• Bertrand Loreau: D'Une Rive À L'Autre. DR8443. October 06. The new album (his 6th) certainly is his most accomplished album to date. This inventive artist keeps on following his own path, regardless of the mainstream. His music has real melodic qualities that should enchant movie music lovers for instance. This album generally evokes classical music
• Bise De Buse: Joue Sa Musique. FGBG 4684. October 2006. This French band was created in 1975 ; its roots were to be found in the sixties/seventies rock, mixed with traditional music and contemporary composers (Varèse, Ligeti…), and also Canterbury music (Henry Cow, National Health). They also found inspiration in European jazz music (Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber). This only album was released in 1981 by a trio: keyboards/cello/sax, with two guests: L.Merlet on violin, and Didier Malherbe (Gong) on sax. It’s an acoustic music, with some synth sounds; nine experimental tracks (plus four bonus, including a Gong cover), with sometimes improvised sequences. This music can’t be compared to anything else, it’s fully personal, beyond the boundaries of rock or classical music.
• Les Nouvelles Lectures Cosmopolites: Friesengeist p. Gazul GA 8686. September 06. This is the brainchild of Julien Ash, a French musician who explores different varied and innovating universes, from industrial chaos to elegant neo-classicism. His works evoke Michael Nyman's style, without forgetting Pascal Comelade's or Jean-Philippe Goude's universes. His creativity is only matched by his diversity. The artist's very prolific discography is characterised by the care taken not to fall in the trap of hermetic aestheticism or dry experiment, to rather concentrate on refined and elaborated melodies. Resisting the will to do it all himself, he regularly invites a lot of guests to give their own contribution. This third but maybe not last part of the Friesengeist suite ist the most homogeneous one, but also the most intimate one, very close to chamber music, with the use of piano and violin as well as classical guitar. As always, the quite well known NLC touch is present : quiet, peaceful and nostalgic music, but this time maybe more serenity and maturity.
• Little Tragedies: The Sixth Sense. FGBG 4677. September 06. This album reveals a great improvement and an eclectic inspiration; the music has still an ear turned towards E.L.P but it also brings to mind now groups like Genesis, Pink Floyd, Camel and Focus. It’s a subtle mix of neo-classical music, rock, jazz, with some hints of metal on guitar solis. The composer and keyboardist G.Ilyin uses an array of 70's keyboards and offers nice and lively piano parts. If some Russian singing is to be notices, the music is nevertheless mainly instrumental, played with a real technical skill and well produced.
• Trespass: Morning Lights. FGBG 4643. September 06. "Morning Lights" gives one more time the pleasure to hear three virtuosos (keyboards/bass/drums) from Israel, playing with enthusiasm a mostly instrumental music, in a more classical vein than before, influenced by Bach, Vivaldi, etc... It’s a perfect musical fusion between classical music, jazz, and rock: brilliant !
• Adib: Spinning Like A Top. FGBG 4664. September 06. The four members of this italian band were precedently known as Assolo Di Bongo with an excellent album released in 2001. This brand new album is composed of eight instrumental pieces, with a lot of additionnal instruments (cello, various horns, percussion). They play a fully original rock music, mixing some progressive influences, jazz, rock, blues, to create a personal alchemy. Their kind of “jazz fusion” sometimes recalls Deus Ex Machina, DFA or even Zappa, but overall reveals an original music, intense, concise and dynamic, with surprising melodies and musical ideas. To be discovered ...
• Amethyst: Naissance. GW 3111. September 06. French jazz fusion band with a trio formula (keyboards/bass/drums). The band’s first album is composed of seven mid-long instrumental pieces, with intense and often festive atmospheres. The music is in a vein near Weather Report, Pat Metheny Group, Brand X, Spyro Gyra ... Nice melodies, latin rythms, lively bass parts and some progressive influences on keyboards.
  
• Yole: Lead Us Away. Musea Parallèle MP 3060. September 06. This new french band uses the usual rock instruments plus keyboards, sitar, flute, tablas ... thus creating a sort of world-progressive music, influenced on one hand by the prog masters of the 70's and on the other hand by indian/world music. These eleven pieces (English sung) reveal beautiful, dreamlike atmospheres, not unlike the French band Pulsar, with sound effects, female and male backing vocals. It’s a suggestive music, full of mystery and melancholy, that captures the seventies’ musical spirit, especially through lively and melodious flute parts. Excellent album
  
• Supay: Confusion. FGBG 4673. September 06. This band from Peru was founded in 2000 and includes two woodwind players in addition to the usual keyboards/guitars/bass/drums formula. Supay creates here a musical fusion leaning towards progressive rock à la Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jethro Tull with dynamic guitars, Andean folk music with woodwinds / percussion instruments. These seven mid-long instrumental pieces reveal a beautiful progressive music, colourful, lively, with exquisite flute dialogues and a nice melodic work. One more ethno-progressive splendid outfit!
• Negua: A Way Out. FGBG 4662. September 06. Young Spanish band offering a dynamic neo-progressive rock à la Marillion or IQ, mixed with influences from Rush (the albums from the 80's) and also with hints of the eighties “hard-FM” trend. It’s based on powerful guitar riffs, impressive melodies, an expressive singing and elaborate musical structures (let’s mention a 22 minutes suite!).
• Octopus: Bonsaï. FGBG 4673. September 06. With its twin-guitar formula and its strong rhythmic section, Octopus plays an instrumental fusion that sometimes recalls Dream Theater's heaviest moments. Bonsaï is the 2nd album by this Chilean band and displays eight instrumental tracks full of heavy riffs, semi-improvised sequences, complex breaks and rhythms.
• Margarita Botello & José Luiz Fernandez Ledesma: La Paciencia De Job. FGBG 4622. September 06. The comeback of the Mexican duo after their first album together (sol Central) in 2000. This is an incredibly subtle and complex music, mixing electronic, ethnic, progressive and classical music to create a sort of experimental progressive music, sometimes contemplative, always suggestive, intense and colourful, played by numerous guests on violin, cello, sax, horn ...
• Guillaume Cazenave: The Mediation Project Two - Second System Syndrome (DR 8442). August 06. This is the second release by a French artist who somehow has been wrongly placed in the new age camp. But his music goes beyond this genre and incorporates various other influences such as for example Pink Floyd or Mike Patton. The new record tries to outline the duality of the human being and his environment through various oppositions like simple or complex, airy or chaotic
• Scarlet Thread: Valheista Kaunein. FGBG 4670. July 06. 2nd album by this Finnish band founded in 1995. Two guitarists, a rhythm section, no keyboard, but a full time violin player and also some flute sequences. This band has its own identity, melting dynamism, freshness and refinement. There are some folk hints in their melodies, but it's a real rock album.
• White Chapel: Le Masque D’Arlequin. MP 3055. July 06. This new French band plays a hard-progressive rock, but in an unusual way. They combine sophisticated pieces with elaborate atmospheres, heavy guitar riffs, and theatrical vocals à la Ange or Mona Lisa. The French lyrics and the singing are excellent, suggestive and strong, just like the melodies.
• Ashada: Circulation (MP 3052). July 06. This new japanese band is a duo, Tae on vocals, mandolin and piano, and Midori on piano, programming, accordion and vocals. "Circulation" includes several contributions of Akihisa Tsuboy on violin and Dani on bass (both of KBB), plus a guitarist and a drummer. "Circulation" is an exquisite and romantic album, full of refinement and delicacy, influenced by classical and japanese music. It sometimes recalls Renaissance or October Project's airy atmospheres, and is enhanced by magnificent sequences of electric guitar or violin.
• Eloy Fritsch: Past And Future Sounds (1996-2006). DR 8436. July 06. Eloy Fritsch performs an elegant electronic music that evolves between Vangelis’ ambient & impressionist electronic and the synthesised Progressive rock of masters such as Rick Wakeman or Patrick Moraz. He leads us in a very relaxing trip, in the fantastic world of mythology.
• Non Credo: Impropera. GA 8683. July 06. A duo. She's a singer (Kira Vollman), he's a drummer (Joseph Berardi), but their musical palette extends well beyond the scope of their primary instruments. Clarinets, marimbas, accordions, cellos, broken-down keyboards, cheap electronics, altered children's toys and anything else that falls into their path are utilized. Their sound, with its quick-witted arrangements and Teutonic expressionism balanced by a whimsical attitude, falls solidly into the Rock In Opposition camp.
• LU7: Efflorescence. FGBG 4638. July 06. Produced in collaboration with Poseidon. After the success of their previous release "L'Esprit de l'Exil", we have now the possibility of discovering "Efflorescence", their first album which until today was only hardly available on the net. The duo is composed of a guitarist and a female keyboardist ( including programming and rhythm sequencing). If you're fond of 80's american jazz-rock, if names like Alan Holdsworth or Pat Metheny move you, then this CD is for you!
• Kotebel: Omphalos. FGBG 4652. July 06. 3rd opus by Spanish band founded in 99 and not unlike their fellow countrymen of Amarok. With a real inspiration from chamber progressive rock, the band has now become a really original outfit, creating unusual melodies and harmonies. Its ambitious and majestic symphonic rock expands the boundaries of contemporary music, with a strong spiritual inspiration. Including a 30 minutes suite, "Omphalos" is based on neo-classic soprano vocals, bombastic keyboards, airy flute parts, and eclectic guitars. Classical music, jazz, progressive music are incredibly melt in this modern symphony.
• Difficil Equilibrio: Flood. FGBG 4669. July 06. Excellent trio (guitar, bass and drums-percussions) from Spain that plays a powerful instrumental Progressive rock influenced by King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator, Peter Hammill and even Magma. "Flood" is their fifth album, recorded live in studio, in the past years. The guitarist was a student of Robert Fripp during the Guitar Craft seminars.
• Hyperion: The Cantos. GA 8685. June 06. A project by the french multi-instrumentist Olivier Freche, inspired by Dan Simmons' famous science fiction novel. Helped by several musicians on violins, cello and double bass, drums, sax, Tabla, he composed ten instrumental pieces full of eclectism. A lot of sound effects create a dreamlike atmosphere, and the inspiration can be symphonic, heavy, electro, ethnic, often hypnotic, slow but it's overall personal, surprising and new, with intense and acid guitar playing.
• Himalia: II. GW3110. June 06. French band from the Burgundy region, created in 2003. The listener will be able to hear a synthesis, a fusion of the jazz-rock experiences from the early 70's in Europe and in the USA, those experiences that fed the musicians: groups like Soft Machine, Weather Report, Gong or even the fusion music created by the likes of a Michael Brecker.
• Narrow Pass: A Room Of Fairy Queen’s. FGBG 4658. June 06. This Italian band is a project by Mauro Montobbio, a guitarist/keyboardist. The band goes back to the 80's but quickly disappeared and the present CD is their debut album. Several musicians contribute here, the singer of La Maschera Di Cera, ex members of Eris Pluvia and in fact the music reminds us of the latter by its exquisite sensibility, pure and refined melodies, airy flute parts, a general Camel influence.
• The Black Noodle Project: Play Again. FGBG 4661. June 06. It's the 2nd album by this french band, filled with strong, intense atmospheres and surprising melodies! The Pink Floyd's influence is still present, but more discrete, through a sense of slowness, a sort of "quiet despair" and melancholy. With worked out arrangements and sound effects, the band keeps the balance between heavy riffs, delicate guitar arpeggios or piano parts, and airy keyboards. Let's mention a good and expressive singer. Sometimes near Porcupine Tree's kind of inspiration, Black Noodle Project has its own identity.
• Akacia: This Fading Time. FGBG 4668. June 06. 3rd album by US band strongly inspired by the 70's with influences from Yes, E.L.P., King Crimson, Genesis... and a cover signed Paul Whitehead!
• Tarkus: A Gaze Between The Past And The Future. FGBG 4537. June 06. Brazilian band created in 2000 and offering a brilliant symphonic rock (great flutist) with strong melodies and enthusiasm. Features 2 cover tunes (one from the Argentinian band Nexus, the other from the Italian/Slovenian outfit Devil Doll).
• Soft Machine Legacy: S/T. (FGBG 4667). June 06. This is the last studio album featuring the late Elton Dean, following the live album from Holland released in 2005 with the same band, completed by Hugh Hopper, John Etheridge and John Marshall. The album is including classics like "Kite Runner" or "Strange Comforts" and new songs as well.
• Djamra: Kamihitoe (FGBG 4654). June 06. This is a current Japanese band, coming from Osaka. The quintet is composed by a rhythmic section, a saxophone player and a trumpet player. The trio also uses many guests, according to its needs. Its music is a blend of jazz, jazz-rock, progressive rock and avant-garde music. Their bass player, Masaharu Makakita, appears as a real virtuoso, in the true sense of the term. His powerful and ever-present sound really leads the band.
• Khatsaturjan: Armed Forces Of Simantipak (FGBG 4464). June 06. 2nd album by Finnish band consisting of 4 multi-instrumentalists playing keyboards, plus one instument (bass, guitars, drums, cello). They composed and played here a rock symphony of 70 minutes, in the same vein as the best bands from the 70's. Think Yes, Genesis, or even Gentle Giant because of its complex vocal parts. A perfect fusion between classical music and rock.
• Moving Gelatine Plates: Removing (FGBG 4663). May 06. They're back! Still lead by Didier Thibaut, this quasi Canterburian French band offers us this time several songs and instrumental pieces, with beautiful melodies, worked-out arrangements, subtle and surprising musical dialogues between sax, violin, trumpet, trombone, flute, plus the "usual" rock instruments. A modern production maybe closer to "chamber rock" music but still fresh and in spirit with the 70's.
• No Name: 4 (FGBG 4665). May 06. One of the very few progressive rock bands to emerge from the Grand Duché of Luxemburg, No Name displays a melodic music in a vein which Pendragon, IQ and related bands would not deny.
• Ficcion: Sobre La Cresta De La Ola FGBG 4657. May 06. The first album by this band from Venezuela, " Sobre el Abismo", was released in 2002 and included tracks composed 25 years before, as the band is 30 years old now ! Ficcion is based on a trio formula (keyboards/ bass/ drums), with some guests on vocals, violin, maracas. These eight pieces, mainly instrumental, are composed by keyboardist Jose Ignacio Lares. The music mixes symphonic, neo-classic inspiration, in a vein near E.L.P. or Nice, with Latin, South American atmospheres and lyricism (spanish singing), and jazz-rock hints here and there. Dynamic, festive, led by vivid keyboards, this very original music is a cousin of Tempano’s one, with its own identity!
• Pink Floyd Tribute: Return Of The Dark Side Of The Moon (FGBG 4653). April 06. Billy Sherwood’s paying a brilliant tribute 23 years after this absolute masterpiece (already nominated to the Pantheon of Rock) with the very help of many prestigious guests as: Tony Kaye & Alan White (YES), John Giblin (BRAND X, SIMPLE MINDS), Larry Fast (PETER GABRIEL), David Sancious, Rick Wakeman (YES, THE STRAWBS), Steve Howe (YES), Gary Green (GENTLE GIANT), Bill Bruford (YES, KING CRIMSON), John Wetton & Geoff Downes (ASIA, BUGLES), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, California Guitar Trio, Mr Big), Jimmy Haslip (The YELLOWJACKETS), Robben Ford, Aynsley Dunbar (ELTON JOHN, JOURNEY, FRANK ZAPPA), Vinnie Colaiuta (STING, FRANK ZAPPA), Peter Banks (YES), Adrian Belew (KING CRIMSON, TALKING HEADS)...
• Equilibrio Vital: Kazmor El Prisionero FGBG 4659. April 06. This band from Venezuela does exist since the early eighties, and their first album was re-released last year by Muséa. The music is a brilliant mix of 70's prog lively flute parts à la Jethro Tull, nice melodies à la Camel and a more powerful energy, sometimes near Deep Purple. It's powerful, enthusiast and sincere music, with frantic guitar parts, experimental female and male vocal parts here and there. The band also added several bonus tracks, more recently composed, played and recorded. Those tracks are much more acoustic, with nice flute, vocal harmonies and electroacoustic guitar parts, but they remain dynamic and lively. Great stuff!
• Symphonic Slam: S/T. This classic album from 76 is again available from Musea (FGBG 4366)! April 06. A fascinating historical testimony of the guitar synthesizer. Timo Laine, born in Finland but later moving to the USA with his family was one of the first to use this instrument and technology; the self titled album offers a wide range of music styles, from R&B to jazz-rock and progressive rock. Timo is helped by David Stone on keyboards, John Lowery on drums: they both perform backing vocals as well.
• Korova Milk Bar: S/T. Musea Parallèle MP 3051. April 06. Seven songs plus one instrumental pieces introduce us into a new musical world, through a concept album about an ordinary man’s evening today, memories of the day passed, television, computer... The influences are very eclectic, let’s mention Can, Magma, Bjork, but also Genesis. The band’s musical approach, made of fantasy, social contest and irony, recalls the RIO band Etron Fou Leloublan. It’s a fully original music, with intense atmospheres and inspiration. An excellent debut album by a new French band!
• The Fusion Project: Code Name : Fusion Project. GW 3114. April 06. Warning: this is an all-star band! The fusion project is a new band, created by the famous drummer Mel Gaynor (Tina Turner, Simple Minds, Elton John, Gary Moore,..), the brilliant session keyboardist Stephane Deriau-Reine (Light of the world, Jamiroquai,...), and the bass player Jan Olof Strandberg (Stanley Clarke...), often named “n°1 bass player in Finland”. For their first album they composed 14 pieces, mainly instrumental, mixing jazz fusion and progressive music with an incredible know how and musical craftmanship. Sophisticated and melodious, this is a very diverse music, from melancholic ballads with harmonica to frantic semi-improvised musical rides, including funky or heavy sequences.
• Ring: The Empire Of Necromancers. FGBG 4650. April 06. RING is probably one of the most ancient japanese progressive rock bands: the tapes of “The Empire Of Necromancers” were initially recorded live during the summer of 1975! They present a rock symphony in five parts, based on nice melodies and refined arrangements. The music is in a vein near Focus, Greenslade, Pink Floyd, and sometimes ELP with also classical influences like J.S.Bach. Two bonus tracks are included, recorded in 1977-88, these are synthesizer works worked out with help from a second synth player and a guitarist. A nice, sophisticated music, and also a musical document about the early japanese progressive music!
• East Wind Pot: S/T FGBG 4636. April 06. This new band is led by keyboardist Yuko Tsuchiya (Theta), and also includes drums, bass and woodwinds. These six instrumental pieces are in a jazz and jazz-rock vein, both dynamic and nostalgic, with progressive hints on some keyboard parts. Composed by Tsuchiya, they are often based on a dialogue between woodwinds (sax, clarinet,...) and organ or synthesizers. Very melodious and suggestive, with dynamic drumming, East Wind Pot’s first album is just amazing!
• Evolucion: Umbrales FGBG 4641. April 06. This chilean progressive rock band does exist since the eighties, but had to wait for more than twenty years before its works were eventually published. As for the music, the dominant flavour now seems to be clearly jazz-rock, a festive and colourful jazz-rock in the manner of Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, with a very impressive melodic sense.
• Laurent Thibeault: Mais On Ne Peut Pas Rêver Tout Le Temps FGBG 4054. March 06. Reissue of this album by ex-Magma member who later became more known as producer at the head of the legendary Château d'Hérouville!
• Round House: 3-0 FGBG 4639. March 06. Round House is a Japanese trio (guitars/bass/keyboards) who existed first between 76 and 79. They split after having released only a couple of studio albums. Twenty years later –like so many others...- Round House re-formed. They produced a live album in 2003 and they’re back now with a brand new studio album. Their instrumental music can be filed together with the likes of Kenso, Brand X, Side Steps: a jazz-fusion with progressive flavours. The intense, nostalgic atmospheres of some songs, with their lyrical guitar parts and symphonic keyboards, are not far from Camel. It’s a lively, very melodic music, played by three real virtuosos, dynamic and suggestive.
• King Eider: Somateria Spectabilis FGBG 4632. March 06. Dutch band delivering here a concept album mixing instrumental sequences and songs, inspired by the arctic duck. And the music is clearly following Camel’s vein especially for the guitars, with also a Genesis influence or in heavier sequences early Marilliion. Bombastic floating sounds of keyboards, intense guitar, refined melodies and atmospheres.
• Cast: Mosaïque FGBG 4647. March 2006. Double CD which presents sixteen new or older tracks, all of which were previously unreleased. This symphonic and adventurous music has gone beyond the mere neo Progressive rock for a long time now, as it integrated new instruments such as saxophone, cello or flute.
• Progflavor: Space of Magic MP 3050. March 2006. Released by Poseidon & Musea. This jazz-rock fusion music borrows much to King Crimson, particularly the guitar riffs, which are very sensible. The bass lines, often slapped, borrow in turn very much to funk. If you add to this surprising cocktail a touch of heavymetal, you will obtain a unique music, both complex and accessible, with remarkable originality.
• Naranja Mecanica: 1993-1995 (FGBG 4645). Feb. 2006. Led by the keyboardist-vocalist Alejandro Delle Valle, this Cuban outfit blends splendidly symphonism that is dear to South-American musicians with the warmth of Spanish language and the twirling sounds of flute. Jointly released by the Musea and Luna Negra labels, "1993-1995" unveils twelve lyrical and colorful tracks, sometimes tinted with folk-rock (Ala Jethro Tull), sometimes with jazzrock (Ala Camel). Acoustic instruments also take the big share: flute, acoustic guitar and percussions in foreground. An exotic trip indeed !
• Ars Nova: Chrysalis - Force For The Fourth (FGBG 4644). Feb. 2006. Six pieces taken from their previous albums, recorded “live” in studio –without audience- with a guitarist added to the rhythm section. These six pieces are, in a way, re-created here with much more power and dynamism: fierce guitar chords, lively and bombastic keyboards, a deep bass sound, and “metal” drumming!
• Sebkha Chott: Nagah-Mahdi - Opuscrits En Quarante-Huit Rouleaux. Feb. 2006. Musea Parallèle (MP 3049). Sebkha chott is a bunch of french young musicians including brass instruments, flute…who create a completely original music, mixing every style they know. They call it “Mekanik Metal Disco”, and you’ll hear in this album metal, disco, but also salsa, electro, progressive in the true sense of the word, and many other styles. Let’s think of Zappa, and of Magma for the musical tension and some atmospheres.
• Ripaille: La Vieille Que L’On Brûla (FGBG 4231). Feb. 2006. This quintet (Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards-vocals & keyboards) presents on this reissue from 1978, an elaborated Progressive music which mixes rock, folk and medieval influences. By the combination of those styles, the vocal perfection and complexity, the fineness and elaboration of the arrangements and the combination, or even the fusion, of acoustic and electric instruments like violin and cromorn, Ripaille resembles Gentle Giant.
• Ain Soph: Jan. 2006. Hurrey! Both Marine Menagerie (FGBG 4630) and Five Evolved From Nine (FGBG 4031) are finally reissued! While the first album from 1992 evokes the best albums of Camel, the latter released one year after diverges rather significantly from this influence, broadening the spectrum towards musics sounding like Hatfield & The North or Kenso. Here are two gems of instrumental jazz-rock fusion that you should not miss whatsoever !
• Ange: Par Les Fils de Mandrin Live Tour 2003-2004 (FGBG 9016). Jan. 2006. Recorded on November 8, 2003, Mix Festival, Vielsam in Belgium. NTSC all regions. More than two hours og intense and musical generosity!
• Ice: The Saga (FGBG 4625). Jan. 2006. 1st album by this Dutch group founded some years ago by former members of Maryson. This is a concept album with 10 mid-long songs (4 to 8 minutes); the music is a mix of neo-prog and symphonic, melodious, powerful and refined in the same time with strong guitar and keyboard work.
• Adachi Kyodai: Xianshi (FGBG 4623). Jan. 2006. A follow up to their 1st self titled album released two years ago, the two Japanese brothers are back and the receipt is the same: two acoustic guitars, a touch of gypsy jazz, a pinch of improvisation and a great measure of talent.