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MUSIC NEWS & NOTES
FALL
2013 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
8X8 RECORDS - The Howard Hughes of 21st century pop music, singer-songwriter
Lane Steinberg joins forces with Ukrainian pop artist Alex
Khodchenko and the results manifest in the first CD release by
the group 8X8. The ten track CD is quite different from Lanes
acclaimed albums with his band Cracked Latin. The 2013 8X8 CD, entitled
Azaleas Room harks back to Lanes pop-rock
roots as a solo artist and his work in the band Tan Sleeve. Decked
out in wild looking CD graphics, this debut 8X8 CD is a true 21st
century pop-rock albumput together by two artists living in
different parts of the world through the magic of the internet. Lane
describes his work with Alex as being very sumptuous and visual
music. Lane was always turned on by psych-pop classics of the
past and his guitar work is always spot on. Azaleas Room
is modern pop psychedelia for a new age. With one paisley pop
original after the next, Azaleas Room closes out the
festivities with a classic cover of Tears Of Ragea
track made famous on the first album by The Band. As if that wasnt
enough to seal the deal, that final cut also features contributions
from Lanes buddy and underground pop hero R. Stevie Moore.
www.LaneSteinberg.com
20/20 MUSIC - With a track record that goes back to the 1990s,
NYC-bred, Nashville based Saul Zonona is no stranger to getting
the best out of artists. Being a record producer is one thing, but
as a pop artist in his own right, Saul equally has few peers. As a
singer singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer / multi-instrumentalist,
Saul once again gets it all together on his 2013 CD entitled Fix
The Broken. Even though he set a bench mark for sonic
excellence with his 2006 Love Over Money CD, 2013s Fix
The Broken maintains its sonic cool and offers up yet another
worthy Zonana album. Im pretty sure Saul can play drums, but
on Fix The Broken he plays everything except drums, here employing
the talents of 3 different drummers along with several other players
and a 3 piece cello section. Saul Zonana delivers yet another pop
masterpiece with Fix The Broken. www.SaulZonana.com
ACTIVE HEED - Italian songwriter and musical conceptualist Umberto
Pagnini released Visions From Realities,
the 2013 album from his musical project Active Heed. Sounding
inspired by groups such as YES and Genesis, the CD spotlights the
vocals of PelleK. The instrumentation is well produced, the
songs are sort of memorable and the vocals are near operatic in some
ways but clearly this is 21st century prog-rock from Italy at its
most oblique. A number of musicians help Umberto actualize his sound
including the work of keyboardist / guitarist / arranger Lorenzo
il Magnifico
Poli with fine engineering / mixing / mastering by Alberto
Einstein Callegari. Prog-rock with a twist, complete
with swirling prog keyboards, searing electric guitars and near operatic
rock vocals sung in English, Active Heeds Visions From Realities
is truly something different from Italy. www.ActiveHeed.com
ANGEL AIR RECORDS - Although U.K. based Angel Air is best known
for their timeless CD reissuesand in some cases (Stackridge
and Mott The Hoople) complete overhauls of back catalogssometimes
they tap into a new, or relatively recent band, and release a real
winner. Well, the latest CD from U.K. pop-rockers The Contrast
is one of the best albums of new music on Angel Air in a while.
Formed by Glasgow, England born singer / songwriter / guitarist David
Reid back in 1999, The Contrast have a number of albums and you
can add in the 2013 Angel Air release of A Sinister Flick.
The CD cover art of A Sinister Flick is great, reflecting
the mix of music inside which includes folk-rock, rock n
roll, surf, 1960s pop, psychedelic and more in the best spirit
of The Kinks, The Who and very early Bowie. Backing Reid up in the
studio is Richard Mackman (bass, vocals), Thorin Dixon (drums)
and Kieran Wade (rhythm guitar, keys, vocals). With song titles
like We Are The Monsters, Mr. Antenna and
Heavens To Murgatroyd, The Contrast creates a most memorable
mix of colorful sounds on A Sinister Flick. Another U.K. guitar-rock
legend, Del Bromham is famous for leading the group Stray
back in the 1970s and lo and behold Del is back with a new 2013
CD on Angel Air called Nine Yards. With 14 newly
penned rock songs that features Del with a solid support band, Nine
Yards is more 21st century blues rock then the progressive neo-psych
sound of mid 1970s Stray. The CD is quite well recorded and proves
Del still has the right stuff on Nine Yards. www.TheContrast.net
/ www.AngelAir.co.uk
BLUE NOTE RECORDS - The legendary Blue Note label was home
to the greatest jazz musicians back in the 1960s and 70s although
in recent years the label has branched out into pop and rock. Now
in 2013 they have a new kind of rock album
from pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph & The Family Band
entitled Lickety Split. With Randolphs
pedal steel guitar, guitar and vocals backed up by his own band, the
album also benefits thanks to guest spots by Carlos Santana,
singer Bekka Bramlett and guitarists Eric Krasno and
Adam Smirnoff. Electrifying and energized, Lickety Split
sounds more like Sly & The Family Stone as driven forward
by the sound of Robert's electric pedal steel guitar. Not for the
faint of heart, Lickety Split is full of funked-up, soulful
steel sounds for the 21st century. www.RobertRandolph.net
BUFFALO JUMP RECORDS - A fine, rising alt-rock band from NYC,
The Dig are scoring points for their 5 song 2013 CD EP entitled
Tired Hearts. With a CD cover art suited to the
title, the music is pretty much melodic punk rock but theres
some great studio effects. Vocals by Emile Mosseri are quite
effective and she gets good support from her 3 band mates including
singer-guitarist David Baldwin, who has been working with Emile
since their were both eleven years old. That must be why the CD has
such a cool musical ESP. Tired Hearts is a most solid CD of
21st century alt-pop. www.TheDigMusic.com
COE - U.K. prog-rockers Comedy Of Errors are in prime
form on their 2013 CD, Fanfare & Fantasy. If
there was ever a new prog band destined for stadium size greatness
its Comedy Of Errors. COE cites bands such as Credo, Pallas,
IQ, Pendragon and other contemporary prog bands as well as honoring
prog founders Pink Floyd and Gentle Giant as big influences. Dare
I say a little bit of Rush style as well can be detected in the COE
grooves. Singer Joe Cairney has all the moves down and he receives
nice backing from his COE band mates. The CD is superbly packaged
and recorded while the bathed in blue booklet features complete lyrics.
With mellotrons harmonizing with searing electric guitar leads and
dark lyric content, one could see fans of YES and Rush and other prog
icons enjoying this relatively new band. Comedy Of Errors has all
the right musical moves down to a sonic science on the majestic Fanfare
& Fantasy. www.ComedyOfErrors.org
CONCORD
RECORDS - Recorded in Nashville, L.A. and interestingly enough
Budapest, Hungary, Pushin Against A Stone is a
solid introduction to the music of singer-songwriter Valerie June.
Released on the prestigious Concord Records, the 12 track CDdescribed
on Valerie's web site as "organic moonshine roots music"features
a number of excellent session players, including the legendary Booker
T. Jones. Even with so much going on, the real star her is Ms.
Juneher voice and guitar playing clearly taking center stage.
Featuring a well recorded studio sound, the CD is a solid spin start
to finish, although track five here, Wanna Be On Your Mind
(one of the CD highlights) would clearly make a great single. You
cant miss Valerie Junes CD for the striking CD cover art,
while the packaging also includes lyrics sheet and a number of b&w
pic from the recording sessions. Described by some astute writer as
sounding like a cross between Dolly Parton and Billy Holiday, Valerie
June takes pop to a higher ground on the pleasurable, soulful country
pop groove of Pushin Against A Stone. www.ValerieJune.com
CONGO NATTY RECORDINGS - Fans of roots reggae and groove based
hip-hop will get a righteous sonic buzz from Jungle Revolution,
the 2013 CD from London based jungle-reggae master Congo Natty,
aka Rebel MC. Filled with colorful, hard-hitting jungle rhythms,
studio wizardry as well as more traditional (re: accessible) reggae
grooves, Jungle Revolution is a harrowing listening experience.
Theres some great singers assisting Rebel MC in the mix too
including Tenor Fly on the track Get Ready and
Nanci Correia on Jah Warriors. The Jungle Revolution
CD is well recorded and the colorful artwork also features in depth
liner notes featuring Congo Natty discussing his unique Jungle Revolution
music, which he believes is just a part of all music including blues
and jazz. Fans of roots Reggae and jungle rhythms must hear the wild
sonic grooves in play on Jungle Revolution. www.CongoNatty.com
CYRIL SNEAR - Based in Manchester England, the group known
as Cyril Snear makes sonically appealing pop and rock thats
worth a listen. The quartets 2013 CD, entitled Riot Of
Colour sounds greatly influenced by current rock favorites
such as The Mars Volta and Radiohead, yet amid the sonic clutter and
wall of sound deluge, theres also some appealing pop production
qualities here. For example, the CD is quite well recorded and you
can pick out a number of sonic details in the mix. Noisy rock that
will bowl you over, Cyril Snears attack may not be for everyone
but if hard, experimental sounding rock and pop is your thing, Riot
Of Colour will fit the bill. Another cool thing here is the amazing
CD cover art which is also quite colorful. www.CyrilSnear.com
DAVID PATON SONGS - Based in the U.K., singer-songwriter /
guitarist David Paton is one of those artists who someohow
never got their just reward in the U.S. market. Davids song
with the group Pilot, Magic is still huge on oldies and
classic retro radio all over the world and its also one of the
tracks on his 12 track, 2013 CD entitled Under The Sun.
A freshly revived, 21st century version of Magic
is the track that ends Under The Sun, which is fueled for the
most part by a fine batch of all new Paton originals including the
memorable title track that leads off the album. The CD is a fine showcase
for Davids timeless vocals and guitar work, which is backed
up by a range of musicians. The CD booklet features cool album artwork,
full lyrics and interesting liner notes by David. As mentioned, these
new David Paton songs are an excellent addition to his estimable catalog
with Pilot while, as mentioned earlier, closing out the CD with new
covers of Patons two most memorable Pilot songsMagic
and Just A Smileadds another touch of class to a
fine comeback by an esteemed pop legend. www.DavidPatonSongs.com
DISCUS
MUSIC - U.K. singer Julie Tippetts (born Julie Driscoll)
made her big breakthrough back in the 1960s singing with
U.K. band legends including Brian Auger and avant gard jazz musician
Keith Tippett. In 1969 Julie appeared singing with the Monkees on
their TV special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee singing Im
A Believer with Mickey Dolenz. For recent activities on Julie,
look no further then her 2013 CD collaboration with Martin Archer.
The CD release of Serpentine features Julie adding her
voice, chimes and amplified dolls house to Martin Archers
electronics, keyboards and woodwinds while also supported by other
musicians including Pete Fairclough (drums) and Gary Houghton
(guitars). A number of other musicians add fuel to the sonic fire
including a string section. The other worldly effect of Serpentine
is not unlike some of Gilli Smyths work with Daevid Allen in
Mother Gong while Annette Peacock and Anna Domino are other sonic
signposts you can use for comparison. In its own right, Serpentine
is by far one of the most adventurous sonic excursions of the
21st century. Julies ethereal vocals are totally in sync with
Martin Archers other worldly electronics and keyboards while
the guitars of Gary Houghton sound inspired by avant gard axe-wielders
such as Terje Rypdal. Although the music on Serpentine is steeped
in jazz and electronica, the appealing and often beguiling vocals
of Ms. Tippetts gives the music a timeless sonic sheen. Commenting
on the CD, Martin Archer adds, Yes, this is an album of songs,
with Julie on powerful rock and soul inspired form throughout. I also
consider that some parts of this record are among the most unusual
and creative Ive made. The Serpentine CD sounds
great and looks great and is quite appealingly packaged and to top
things off the album art features the complete lyrics which were all
penned by Ms. Tippetts. Stretch out your musical imagination with
the evocative, vital sounds of Serpentinewhich has been
rightly described as a strange, dramatic and beautiful record.
www.discus-music.co.uk
E1 ENTERTAINMENT - Despite tragically losing his eyesight in
a subway accident, NYC based guitarist Jeff Golub has made
a miraculous recovery and solid proof can be heard on his 2013 CD
entitled (no pun intended), Train Keeps A Rolling.
The eleven cut CD features a cool mix of of both instrumental
jazz and bluesy rock n roll, all featuring Jeffs
blazing electric guitar skills front and center in the mix. Also on
hand is legendary U.K. organ man Brian Auger. Interestingly,
Golub was a huge fan of Augers early work with the Oblivion
Express and that bands original drummer Steve Ferrone keeps
the beat on the title track. Also lending the voices are vocalist
legends David Pack (of Ambrosia) and Christopher Cross.
The instrumental tracks here are really solid with Golub sounding
influenced guitar wise, somewhere between Freddie King and Wes Montgomery.
Jazz-rock, fusion and blues-rock fans will be in orbit with the release
of Train Keeps A Rolling. www.JeffGolub.com
ENT-T - The Israel based EnT-T label are making sonic waves
with the 2013 CD release of Versions by Dub Mentor.
Assisting Mr. Mentor are a number of musicians and male and female
vocalists who for the most part sing in English, including the legendary
downtown NYC chanteuse / legend Anna Domino. Its been
way too long since Anna had anything out on CD under her own name
and while nothing changes here, the track she appears on here is excellent.
The music on Versions features a range of vocal tracks and
the mood is pretty much low-key, late night chill-out listening throughout.
The EnT-T label (pronounced entity) are trying to gain comparison
to the German ECM label although to the best of my knowledge ECM never
had the good taste to make a record with Anna Domino. Inspired by
Eno, Lanois and perhaps Ms. Domino too, Dub Mentor makes a bold 21st
century musical statement with Versions. www.ent-t.com
/ www.dubmentor.com
EPITAPH / XTRA MILE RECORDINGS - Playing his brand of
folk-punk and rock for the past decade, London based Frank Turner
released his album Tape Deck Heart in 2013.
Influenced by Counting Crows, Weezer, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen
and Billy Bragg, Franks accessible blend of punk-rock meets
folk and protest music is exhilarating air-pumping stuff. His voice
is unique and strong in some ways, and accompanied by his solid acoustic
guitar strumming, Franks enlists a solid band to back him up including
guitarist Ben Lloyd. Punk rock gets a sonic facelift with the
multi-textured sound of Frank Turners Tape Deck Heart. www.XtraMileRecordings.com
ESP-DISK - Dreamy sonics filled with lush pastoral soundscapes
and ethereal female vocals, Fortress Of The Sun is the
2013 CD from the Maine based Arborea. Featuring the team of
Buck Curran and Shanti Curran, Fortress Of The Sun
features a mix of instrumentation including acoustic guitars,
banjos, harmonium, electric guitars, ebow and more. Both the Currans
come from a hippie-like background and were obviously influenced by
the psychedelic heyday of the 1960s in the U.S. and the subsequent
European music explosions in the 1970s. Some writers have also compared
the Arborea to some of Ry Cooders rootsy, acoustic guitar-centric
/ Paris Texas type vibes while another comparison might be
the early English folk sounds of Fairport Convention. After releasing
a number of albums on various labels, Arborea have released what may
be their finest moment on record with the heavenly sounding Fortress
Of The Sun. www.ArboreaMusic.com
ESOTERICA RECORDS - Back
in the early 1970s there was no shortage of great progressive
hard rock bands coming out of England. As a result, some fell through
the cracks of the music scene then, yet in the age of the internet,
artists are sometimes able to reinvent themselves and reconnect with
their early fans and others who missed it the first time around. Case
in point is The Tirith and their 2013 comeback CD entitled
The Daughter Of The Water. Their story goes back
to the dawn of the 1970s when Tim Cox (guitars) and Dick
Cory (bass, vocals) formed the band in 1971 with Paul Williams
(drums) joining in 1972. Original drummer in The Tirith,
Williams adds drums on a pair of tracks here, including the
title track and Gazing At Stars while the bands
new drummer Carl Nightingale is featured on a track here as
well. Over the years, The Tirith kept in touch and lo and behold 40+
years later, they have a new four song, self-produced EP (extended
play) CD. Ostensibly testing the musical waters again, the new Tirith
CD is centered around the song The Daughter Of The Water,
which features Cory sounding like Greg Lake singing in a progressive
blues-rock band circa 1972. The title song is offered here twice,
both as a stately rock number and also as a more ambient neo-acoustic
version, effects and all, and has a definite Greg Lake era King Crimson
type aura, while two additional rock tracks are also well done. As
a vocalist and bass player, who also adds acoustic guitar here, Dick
Cory is a worthwhile prog-rock discovery while the electric guitars
and production of Tim Cox are superbly recorded. The three production
songs are very tastefully produced, with the CD heightened by the
atmospheric version of the title track. One would reckon The Tirith
would cause an even bigger stir with a full length release yet, Daughter
Of The Water is a most welcome return to form from The Tirith.
www.theTirith.com
ESOTERIC
ANTENNA - One of the most auspicious album releases on the Esotric
Antenna label in 2013 is The Weight Of The World,
the debut album from U.K. prog-rockers Sanguine Hum. You cant
miss this album for the cover art of a gargantuan microwave tower
is truly harrowing. Not so harrowing is the sublime prog-rock in play
on the seven track CD which ranges from Rush like math prog to a more
melodic straight prog sound. Key to the sound is singer-guitarist
Joff Winks, who gets solid support from his quartet band mates.
Theres even a rock-solid, Zappa-esque instrumental track here
called In Code that takes the best of the math prog sound
in a new, intriguing direction. Overall, The Weight Of The World
is a most interesting CD introduction to the music of Sanguine
Hum. www.CherryRed.co.uk
ESOTERIC ANTENNA - The Esoteric Antenna label released Squackett
with YES bassist Chris Squire in 2012 and in 2013 they released an
album with one time YES keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, who is
teamed for the first time on CD along with U.K. guitar icon Gordon
Giltrap. For the past 35+ years, Giltrap, as a solo recording
artist, continued to set a high standard with his acoustic / electric
guitar instrumental albums. For the 2013 CD release of the 13 track
Ravens & Lullabies the music includes mostly vocal
tracks with a track here featuring another YES alumni Benoît
David. The prime vocalist here Paul Manzi, as well as the
rhythm section of Johanne James (drums) and Steve Amadeo
(bass) round out the band. Benoît sounds great on the track
hes on here called From The Turn Of A Card. As proven
again, Giltrap remains the consummate guitar professional, blending
his impeccable acoustic guitars with Wakemans genetically programmed
keyboard skills. Several instrumentals prove these guys can really
play. Very progressive in places and very pastoral other times, Ravens
& Lullabies is simply a stellar sounding recording. www.CherryRed.co.uk
EVANGELINE RECORDING CO. - Currently getting rave reviews for
his album The Graceless Age, singer-songwriter
John Murry is well worth hearing among fans of Warren Zevon
and Bruce Springsteen. Given the worldwide acclaim of the late, great
Zevons pop smarts and Springsteens vocal growl, Murrys
record is equally a kind of a personal look into his lifeincluding
divorce, homelessness and drug addiction. Thankfully, Murry survived
his demons long enough to make this amazing CD. The songs on The
Graceless Age are very Dylan-esque or Springsteen-esque (is there
a term called Neil Young-esque?) yet theres some great rock
effects throughout the album, making the recording sound is kind of
unusual for 2013 in that theres a unique blend of instruments
and studio wizardry that enhances the listening experience. Surrounding
Murrys penetrating vocals and strategic sonic imagery are some
excellent musicians who are mentioned in the CD packaging but the
credits (as to who is playing what) arent very clear. However,
the electric guitar work is excellent throughout and clearly these
musicians are on a similar wavelength as John Murry. The Graceless
Age is one of the most daring singer-songwriter adventures of
2013. www.JohnMurry.com
FIREFLY MUSIC - Mostly acoustic-based singer-songwriter type
fare, Sleeping Pills & Lullabies is the 2013
album from Anne Marie Helder & Jonathan Edwards. Low key
and pastoral for the most part, but still recognized by the prog-rock
community as having a special sound, the 11 track CD features the
pair performing a number of instruments, mostly acoustic guitars,
autoharp, celeste, flute, grand piano and more, while receiving assistance
from a range of musicians including the Luna Rossa string quartet.
Even with so many excellent musicians aiding and abetting, the central
focus here is on Anne Maries exquisite vocals. Although she
has earned worldwide support for her vocals with the prog-rock band
Mostly Autumn, Anne-Marie Helder sounds quite at home on the ethereal
though prog-friendly sounds of Luna Rossa. www.LunaRossa.co
FOOLS ERRAND RECORDS - Its just amazing
to see todays younger bands using, and in some cases improving
on, the blueprint of the great classic musical ground breakers of
the early 1970s. Case in point is Sonic Astronomy,
the 2013 CD from the Atlanta, GA. based band Plastic Overlords.
A modern day psych-rock masterpiece, the CD sounds amazing and was
superbly produced by David Noel (vocals, bass, keyboards) while
also featuring the power trio rock vibes of John Eades (guitars)
and Brad Johnson (drums). Those who can remember back to the
great metal prog bands such as Uriah Heep and Quatermass will love
Plastic Overlords. Another reference point here has got to be Syd
Barrett-era Pink Floyd especially when considering that David Noels
voice is eerily similar in timbre to Syd and the music more than fits
that great See Emily Play vibe. With titles such as A
Moment Of Silence For Unsynchronized Watches and and 18+ minute
of Tea And Cake With Another Mad Hatter, fans of psychedelic
power trio rock wont go wrong with Plastic Overlords. www.FoolsErrandRecords.com
FULL
TIME HOBBY - U.K. prog-poppers Tunng released their fifth
studio album Turbines in 2013. The band still features
singer-songwriter Mike Lindsay, who also works in Iceland on
his own project called Cheek Mountain Thief, and electronics wizard
Phil Winter. These Tunng songs may sound deceptively simplistic
but theres plenty of wild sonic embellishments to help set Tunng
apart. According to Lindsay, Its our sci-fi folk-rock
album. Recording engineer Ben Benge Edwards took
the six piece band to his synth museum to add in various electronic
sound effects. With a bold and daring vision of Turbines, Tunng
have truly made an album of electronic folk-rock for the 21st century.
www.tunng.co.uk
FZIO - Lets face it. For much of the 1960s and 1970s,
Frank Zappa was a musical god. Listening to stories by Jimmy
Carl Black discussing the early Mothers Of Invention are still hilarious
but Frank was really a serious composer under all that 1960s aura.
Case in point where Franks music is given a refreshing reassessment
can be heard on the 2013 CD release of Strictly Gravy - Lex
Bronkowitz Orchestra Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa. In
the spirit of Frank, German guitarist Lex Bronkowitz (his real
name is Alexander Debus) is a fine jazz-rock guitarist and his reworked
covers of 8 Zappa compositions makes for really ear opening listening.
Instrumental and vocal with a contemporary jazz-rock edge, the CD
features Lex backed backed up by a solid band (including vibes and
marimba by Peter Thomas) with singer Katharina Debus on
several tracks. Franks more melodic material, including his
most popular song Peaches En Regalia are given a fresh
treatment by Lex and his band, making Strictly Gravy one of
the most intriguing Zappa related CD releases of the decade. www.FZIO.org
GONZO
MULTIMEDIA - Singer-songwriter Judy Dyble is a legend of
the 1960's U .K music scene. Involved with Fairport Convention, behind
the scenes at the start of King Crimson and her project Trader Horne,
Judy is back again in 2013 with the sublime sounding Flow And
Change. Released by prog mogul Rob Aylings label,
Gonzo Multimedia, the ten track CD covers a wide swath of music stylesfrom
prog-rock to neoclassical, folk ala Fairport. The lead off track Black
Dog Dreamsco-written by Judy and Simon House of
Hawkwind with blazing lap steel by Mike Mooneyis a sonic
marvel that sounds like the kind of prog track Steve Nardelli and
The SYN would release. The album features a number of musicians and
the CD booklet features track by track discographical info and complete
lyrics. Some tracks, with strings and things are more introspective
sounding influenced by greats like Van Dyke Parks and Donovan while
others, especially Crowbaby sound quite influenced by
Judys early encounters with early King Crimson members. Thanks
to the art of digital recording via the internet, on Flow And Change
Judy Dyble quite rightly revives her career with a 21st century prog-rock
masterpiece. www.JudyDyble.com
HUNGER SLEEP RECORDS - Who is Grice and what does he
do? A singer-songwriter and a gifted multi-instrumentalist based in
the U.K., Grice has a fine new CD out on Hunger Sleep Records entitled
Propeller. A somewhat experimental Bowie-esque
sound dominates the 13 track Propeller CD. If only Bowie sounded
this relaxed anymore. In addition to handling all the vocals, guitars,
synth keyboards and string arrangements, Grice gets excellent backup
from a range of musicians including pedal steel legend B.J. Cole,
Lee Fletcher, touch guitar wizard Markus Reuter and
many other fine players. Accurately described as a sonic cocktail
of art-rock and avant-pop synthesis, Grice is essential listening
for serious disciples of 21st century music. www.HungerSleepRecords.com
IMEARTAS - Irish fiddler and concertina player Niamh Ní
Charra released her album Cuz to great reviews in
2013. Featuring a mix of vocal and instrumental music, the 13 track
Cuz is a must hear for fans of Irish and World Music. Acoustic
in nature, the CD is nevertheless full bodied and features a number
of musicians who fill up the sound stage. Basically, the CD was inspired
by the music of Terry Cuz Teahan, an Irish immigrant
who left the old country for Chicago in 1928 and spent six decades
playing music and he actually made a tape of his music for a young
Niamh. Niamhs musicianship is excellent throughout and although
primarily instrumental in nature, the CD features a few tracks with
Niamhs vocals, which are also quite breathtaking. Cuz even appears
on a couple tracks, or rather his voice featuring a quite unique Irish
brogue! The CD features excellent packaging and detailed information
about the making of Cuz. A very cool CD of classy acoustic
music, Cuz is traditional Irish music brought up to date for
21st century ears. www.NiamhNiCharra.com
INEDIBLE RECORDS - With its big, gargantuan studio sound, the
group A.S. will appeal to U2 fans. The sound of their 2013
Inedible Records CD, entitled Exile will also appeal
to fans of Tears For Fears. Based in both Paris, France and Australia,
A.S. cites influences like Radiohead, Crowded House and Coldplay among
their chief influences and group vocalist Mick McRoberts (voice,
piano) gets excellent backup from his bandmates. The second A.S. album,
the ten track Exile was recorded in Paris and mixed in Los
Angeles. Dark and dynamic, with a solid stadium rock aura, Exile
will blow the roof off your house. www.AsTheBand.com
JT CLASSICS - Real skinhead type punk fun, Hard Skin released
a pair of albums in 2013. On The Balls and Why
Do Birds Suddenly Appear combine for quintessential English
rave music (also called Oi! music) at its raunchiest. Their Birds...
CD is actually the same songs from the On The Balls CDrerecorded
with an array of great female singers (hence the birds reference?).
The brainchild of Fat Bob and his partner in crime Johnny
Takeaway, Hard Skin is not for everybody but theres plenty
of raving, loony fun on the songs featured on each of these two 12
track CDs and vinyl albums. As racy and punk-rock based as these two
Hard Skin CDs are, its not completely unexpected given that
Hard Skin have released other albums with titles like Hard Nuts
And Hard Cunts and Same Meat / Different Gravy. Some may
find this stuff racy and/or foul-mouthed but lets face it, in
2013 Hard Skin make rave-up punk a whole lotta fun. Cockney rejects?
I hardly think so. www.JtClassics.co.uk
MANHATON RECORDS - U.K. based Manhaton Records has some of
the best blues rockers on tap and high on the list of their 2013 CD
releases is Standing In The Shadows by King King.
Featuring guitarist Alan Nimmo, the trademark sound
of King King is hard-hitting blues rock in the spirit of Robin Trower
and other U.K. rock legends such as Free and Bad Company. Most of
the tracks on Standing In The Shadows were penned by Alan Nimmo
and group bassist Lindsay Coulson, while the band also breathes
new fire into stomping covers of Heavy Load by Free and
Jealousy by Frankie Miller. Rounding out the King King
lineup are Wayne Proctor (drums) and Bennett Holland (keys,
vocals). Some of these tracks also echo radio friendly rock bands
such as The Doobie Brothers. Standing In The Shadows is powerful
electric blues played with a rock solid attitude. www.manhatonrecords.com
MENTALCHEMY RECORDS - The term progressive rock has carried
with it some valuable and some invaluable moments with it through
the past 45+ years. Ever since The Beatles took us one step beyond
with Revolver, progressive rock as an art form has changed
the music world for good. Only a few of the original 1960's progressive
rock bands are still here although bands such as YES and The Moody
Blues are sadly missing key members in 2013. Some of those missing
YES members
are to be heard on a fantastic new album coming out of Italy by the
group Sarastro Blake entitled New Progmantics.
The brainchild of two gifted Italian music conceptualistsPaolo
Pigni (bass, guitar, keys) and Luca Briccola (electric
guitars, keyboards, production)the 2013 Sarastro Blake album
is filled with memorable music and its also loaded with indelible
performances by some well known musical legends. Among the music icons
appearing on various tracks here are former YES keyboardist Rick
Wakeman and late 1990's YES guitarist / producer Billy Sherwood.
Also among the CD highlights is a track featuring vocals from Pilot
cofounder David Paton while also on hand is Caravan cofounder
Richard Sinclair, who turns in a most respectable vocal performance
on what may be the standout cut here entitled Rememberan
original song built around the words of English poet Christina
Rossetti, who actually lived in England in the 19th century. That
inventive song really captures the essence of the Sarastro Blake New
Progmantics albumwhich takes the poetry of English poets
and authors, including John Clare, William Shakespeare,
Lord Byron and Robert Burns and constructs new song
arrangements around them. The love of that nostalgic, wistful English
poetry is well served on the New Progmantics album. Supported
by these and other fine musicians, Paolos vocals are excellent
and Lucas guitar on target. With sonic geniuses like Wakeman,
Sinclair and Sherwood on board the CD, how can you go wrong? You cant
go wrong because The New Progmantics takes the listener a bold
step forward into the brave new world of 21st century progressive
rock. www.SarastroBlake.com
MPL / HEAR MUSIC - NEW is the album
that in the future will be regarded as McCartneys greatest recorded
achievement. So, as an original Beatlemaniac at 60, I can honestly
say that NEW is also in some ways McCartneys most Beatle-esque
masterpiece. His covers album, of songs he actually owns mind you
(lol), Kisses On The Bottom and his symphonic instrumental
album Oceans Kingdom from 2011 album were somewhat overlooked,
even though no feathers were ruffled. But clearly, with memories still
so fresh from the misery of Hurricane Wilma (and Katrina) in late
2005, when Chaos
And Creation brought disaster to bear in my own backyard, NEW
emerges as a messianic gift to the music world. One thing is clear,
McCartneys backing band - including the multitalented Brian
Ray, guitar ace Rusty Anderson, drummer Abe Laboriel
Jr. and long time Macca keyboard wiz, Wix - sounds reborn
in a way, as if being in Camp McCartney for ten+ years has instilled
in these guys a kind of Beatle-esque ESP. Theres also four fab
producers on NEW including Giles Martin, who follows
brilliantly in the footsteps of his fathers 5th Beatle stature.
The level of production here, even for an artist as finessed as McCartney,
has truly been stepped up a notch. Further production control on various
tracks by Mark Ronson, Paul Epworth and Ethan Johns
offers a wide range of sonically amazing results. The younger
Martin has truly amazing ears as was so clearly proven by his historic
sound work on the George Harrison Let It Roll album from 2009.
Sonically, compositionally and even visually, for Beatlemaniacs, NEW
is nothing less than the aural equivalent of a meeting with the
Maharishi. Singling out one NEW track here over another would
be futile, as in a strange way, theyre all equally connected,
the exception being a hidden, quite stark and naked sounding 15th
track, ostensibly written for his wife Nancy Shevell called
"Scared" that almost abruptly ends NEW. For untold
millions of people who are now over 50, NEW is for you. (As
if a one year old would remember the first time Paul and The Beatles
were on Ed Sullivan! - lol) To coin another Beatle-esque phrase: Life
is what happens to you while youre busy making other plans.
My timeworn theories of the unfortunately never to happen 1986 Beatles
reunion CD and 87 world tour remains not unfounded in my world.
Does anyone else remember, just a few years after the Beatles implosion
of 1970, John Lennon was raving on radio about what a masterpiece
Band On The Run was? Fantasies and rantings about the Beatles
legacy and the what ifs and what really happened that tragic night
in 1980 will go unabated for centuries to come but as Pauls
latest pinnacle NEW cosmically proves: John Lennon would have
truly loved this album. www.PaulMcCartney.com
MELODIC REVOLUTION - An artist rising in the 21st century
progressive rock and pop world, singer-songwriter / keyboardist Paul
DAdamo will make music fans happy with his CD entitled Tell
Me Something. Expertly espousing a smooth
progressive pop ethos ala post-Genesis Phil Collins, theres
some solid musicianship on Paul's ten track CD. DAdamo was very
influenced by Phil Collins era Genesis and true to form, Paul covers
several tracks here written by Phil Collins and Steve Hacketttwo
of the prime movers of the classic Genesis sound. Adding to the professional
sounding recording are contributions by top musicians including Brad
Cole (keyboards), Leland Sklar (bass), Daryl Stuermer
(guitars) and Chester Thompson (drums). With the CD featuring
a number of musicians who have worked with Phil Collins and Genesis
in the past, Paul adds, Phils music was very autobiographical
for me. It seemed that his melodies and lyrics provided a day to day
soundtrack for my life. The sound of DAdamos CD
is quite lush in places and with such a finely tuned band and top
notch studio sound to work with, theres hardly a note out of
place here. With a mix of Phil Collins and Genesis covers, along with
several well placed DAdamo originals, Tell Me Something is
time well spent for progressive rock and pop fans. www.TheDadamoSchool.com
/ www.mrrmusic.com
MUSIC
PRODUCERS INSTITUTE - Country music fans and especially steel
guitar fans will tell you that when it comes to the pedal steel guitar,
few musicians can touch the great Buddy Emmons. Called the
worlds foremost steel guitarist, Buddy is now 76 and a
bunch of his music buds have joined together to pay a heartfelt music
tribute to him. The 2013 CD release of The Big E: A Salute To
Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons is a 16 track superstar filled
album filled with some of the greatest pedal steel players still with
us in 2013 along with a number of musicians, guitarists and singers
performing a range of vocal tracks and several instrumentals. So whos
here to hear? Try, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Willie
Nelson, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Albert
Lee, John Anderson, fellow steelers Greg Leisz,
Paul Franklin, Doug Jernigan, Dan Dugmore, album
producer Steve Fishell and much more. The CD booklet is packed
with voluminous notes but theyre too small to read! (check them
out online) lol But with this much honky tonkin country-rock
and bluesy, steel guitar flecked greatness in play, The Big E is
a fantastic tribute to the greatness of pedal steel guitar legend
Buddy Emmons. www.musicpi.com
MUTE / CITY SLANG - Born in Chile but based in Sweden,
singer-songwriter / guitarist José González has
had a pretty illustrious career in the pop-rock world over the past
decade. Several independent CD releases under his own name established
his sonic cred among those international pop fans in the know. In
2013, José gets back to what he does best with the CD release
of a new self-titled CD from his band Junip. Although influenced
by everything from bossa nova to post punk bands like Joy Division,
on the 2013 Junip CD the sound is very much rooted in the rock/pop
world where Paul Simon and Nick Drake share influences with Eno and
Bowie. The songs on Junip really stick in your head and throughout
the ten track CD, José gets solid backup from his Junip band
mates Tobias Winterkorn (drums) and Elias Araya (keyboards)
while the CD also features a range of contributing musicians. The
album artwork is pretty sparse but dont let that fool you. Featuring
a pallet of stick in your head, toe-tapping tracks, Junip is
one of the most appealing pop meets rock meets electronica albums
of 2013. www.junip.net
MYSTERY
LAWN - Nice 1960s psychedelia played to perfection by a
21st century band, Agony Aunts released their new CD Big
Cinnamon in 2013. There an element of low-fi but Im
sure that is because of budget restraints because these guys (and
girl) think big. Theres a little grunge here and there but its
more like grit amongst the pop jewels (and thats all within
one song!). Vocalists KC Bowman and Karla Kane harmonize
well and Khoi Huynh and Charlie Crabtree fill out the
band although other musicians drop in and add to the mix. Beach Boys,
Fountains Of Wayne, XTC, Beatles circa 1967 and even a dose of late
1970s Bee Gees are just some of the influences. And by way of a good
luck s treak among new pop releases, Agony Aunts pull off a minor
sonic miracle with the pop goodness spinning around the grooves of
Big Cinnamon. www.MysteryLawn.com
NEW WEST RECORDS - Theres a whole lot of good
musical vibes pulsating throughout The Bright Spots by
the multitalented Randall Bramblett. The 12 track CD features
Randall doing his best work yet in the studio backed by a range of
top players. Best known for his work as both a solo artist and session
legend and a founding member of Sea Level, Randall has been often
overlooked for his brilliant song writing and singing, sounding somewhat
like a cross between his old boss Steve Winwood and the Irish soul
belter Van Morrison. To be in that order of company you have to have
great songs and theres plenty of that on The Bright Spots.
With lines like Im tired of waking up in someone
elses dreams, where ever that is..., Randall makes
music as great as Van, Robbie and Steve rolled into one. Hipster soul-rock
music played with plenty of verve and panache, Randall Bramblett has
it covered in spades on The Bright Spots. www.RandallBramblett.com
NORDIC RECORDS - Groups
like Pink Floyd and Genesis made a huge impact in the progressive
music world back in the early 1970s and even today young bands from
all of the world espouse the free form musical thinking these legends
brought to 20th century music. One group from Oslo Norway bringing
back that progressive rock ethos is Kosmoratik. The groups
9 track 2012 CD, Gravitation offers a 21st century update
on state of the art symphonic pop in the best spirit of the early
1970s. Featuring the vocals of Eivind Johansen and
Lise Lotte Ågedal backed up by the soaring electric guitars
of Odd Gunnar Frøysland, the group sound of Kosmoratik
is further fleshed out by a number of players here. Speaking to mwe3.com
about the Kosmoratik sound, the group's guiding light, Eivind Johansen
adds, I do consider us part of the prog-rock scene, in the sense
that we experiment with structures and have an open mind towards what
we do. We do not easily fit into any genres. The sound of Kosmoratik's
Gravitation CD is full bodied and always captivating while
the songs are filled with lush prog-rock soundscapes and memorable
melodic twists and turns. If you like well done progressive rock with
new ideas and fresh sonic vistas give Gravitation by Kosmoratik
a spin. Word has it Kosmoratik are readying a much anticipated second
release planned for later in 2013. www.kosmoratik.com
OTHER MUSIC - Amazingly, the record store called Other Musicsituated
directly across the street from the sadly defunct, yet still fabled
Tower Records on 4th Street in NYChas survived. Now lo and behold
in 2013, the store has branched into the record label business with
the 2013 CD release of Ceremony from Swedish chanteuse
Anna Von Hausswolff. Sparse yet effective sounding, the 12 track
CD features Anna playing and singing with only her pipe organ, which
was recorded in a church in Gothenburg, Sweden. Some of the tracks
feature low key accompaniment from other players, sounding not unlike
Pink Floyd circa Meddle. Theres even some excellent instrumental
tracks which border on a gothic sounding instrumental Pink Floyd,
(check out track 6 Epitaph Of Daniel) which really enhances
the listening experience. Compared at times to PJ Harvey and several
other cutting edge female vocalists, Annas singing gets a little
strident at times but for the most part shes created a most
unusual album filled with harrowing, yet hopeful music. www.OtherMusic.com
PASTICHE RECORDS - Growing up in England and Minnesota, Sarah
Gillespie was influenced early on in her music life by a range
of artists ranging from Bessie Smith and Bob Dylan to Cole Porter.
All those influences and more come to the fore on Sarahs 2013
CD entitled Glory Days. Recorded in London, the
nine track CD features Sarah backed up by her band, which also features
producer / arranger Gilad Atzmon, who lends his talents on
keyboards, guitar, horns, accordion and more. The sound of Glory
Days is very rooted in a bluesy kind of cabaret groove that borders
on Tin Pan Alley. Aiding Sarahs vocals and songs is her nimble
acoustic guitar playing. Capping off the all original fare is Sarahs
engaging rendition of the traditional blues favorite St. James
Infirmary which is given a low-key yet effective rendition on
this well recorded and neatly produced CD. www.SarahGillespie.com
POCONUT - Back in 1969, country rock got a major shot in the
arm with the debut album rom Poco, featuring songwriters Richie
Furay, Jim Messina, Randy Meisner and group pedal steel guitarist
Rusty Young. Rusty keeps the Poco spirit alive and well in
the 21st century with the 2013 CD release of All Fired Up.
Amazingly, the nine track CD covers a wide range of trademark
Poco sounds and styles. All Fired Up almost sounds like 1971
all over again. Backed up by the current lineup of Poco, Young sounds
in prime form on an album of quite substantial compositions. The CD
is superbly recorded and Youngs guitar work remains a focal
point of the famous Poco sound. Theres even a track here called
Neil Young, that praises Young as a main influence going
back to the dawn of Poco as well as sounding as rocked out as Neil
in his Crazy Horse prime. A hoe-down type instrumental called Pucky
Huddle Stomp closes out an album that tastefully honors the
famous Poco country rock sound. www.poconut.com
PROGROCK RECORDS - 21st century progressive rock is still in
the early stages of the millennium and new bands are kicking in all
the time. A welcome addition to the prog-rock world is One Eye
On The Sunrise by the UK band Nine Stones Close.
Released on the Progrock Records label, the sound is very progressive
(as you might expect). There is some excellent Robert Fripp inspired
guitar work from Adrian Jones and vocalist Mark Atkinson
has the rock lead singer sound down pat. All told, Nine Stones
Close will appeal to fans of Marillion and Porcupine Tree and
countless other bands who are being lauded by the current prog mags.
Like those bands, the sound of One Eye On The Sunrise, though
impeccably recorded, is quite manic at times sounding like
Ummagumma era Pink floyd, the next like late period Led Zeppelin.
With the dynamic sounding, well produced new CD, Nine Stones Close
have made some significant inroads into the world of heavy, hard,
prog. www.NineStonesClose.com
PURPLE
PYRAMID - Founding YES guitarist Peter Banks passed away
early on in 2013. After leaving YES in early 1971, Pete moved on to
form the group Flash with singer Colin Carter and bassist
/ multi-instrumentalist Ray Bennett. The Flash albums have
long been praised among YES fans and prog-rock fans in general. Its
taken way too long a time but lo and behold in 2013 Flash have a new
album out on the esteemed Purple Pyramid label in L.A. One may have
their doubts about a Flash reunion without Pete Banks, but after a
few spins, its clear that Colin and Ray have honored the Flash
name with their CD. Simply titled Flash - Featuring Ray Ray
Bennett & Colin Carter, the CD features 9 newly
honed Flash tracks on a CD that clocks in in around 59 minutes. Full
of symphonic sounding rock tracks with Colins voice back on
top, and several drummers in tow, the CD rocks up a storm and is quite
memorable in a YES / Flash kind of way. Bennett released a fine album
in 2003 called Whatever Falls, under his own name and this
new Flash album will be a most welcome addition to the Flash repertoire.
Ironically, Pete Banks died in a year that saw YES added to the rock
hall of fame. His legacy surely lives on and this new Flash album
will find a home in music collections of YES and Flash fans. www.CleoRecs.com
RAVEOLUTION STUDIOS - Most music fans have heard some type
of Indian music, sitars and all, but few have probably heard Indian
music made the way Ricky Kej makes it. Rickys 2013 CD,
entitled Shanti Orchestra is filled with a lush and
colorful palate of sounds, mostly instrumental, yet permeated by all
kind of voices and ambient vocal sounds that are skillfully mixed
into the albums sound spectrum. In fact, the Shanti Orchestra
CD features over 20 musicians, including string, synths and guitars,
who combine forces to create a fresh mix of contemporary World Music
grooves fueled by ambient sounds and down tempo chill-out sounds.
Some have already compared Rickys music to internationally acclaimed
groups such as Enigma and some of the more percussive, uptempo works
by David and Steve Gordon. Sitars and other Eastern sounding instruments
also grace the grooves too so the sound, while very World Beat in
scope, still maintains some of its Indian roots. In addition, the
CD packaging and inserts / liner notes are first rate and add much
to the overall effect and enjoyment of the listening experience. Although
Ricky has produced and played on numerous albums on various record
labels over the years, Shanti Orchestra is his first independent
effort and as a result, the album led to an invitation for Ricky to
become an ambassador for the U.S. based nonprofit Project Peace
On Earth. Born in the U .S. and raised in India, Ricky Kej sounds
the clarion call for world peace through the power of music with the
sublime sounding Shanti Orchestra. www.RickyKej.com
/ www.ShantiOrchestra.com
REVIVER MUSIC - Calling Let Us In Americana the
music of Paul McCartney is a little misleading considering that many
of the tracks here are actually Lennon & McCartney Beatles
related tracks, but oh never mind. True, all the Beatles tracks covered
here do have the McCartney seal of approval and the 16 track album
is well balanced by the inclusion of tracks credited to Paul McCartney
& Wings. Its a little tame but not really lame as these
good old boys and gals take a light hearted approach to these time
honored pop nuggets. A number of 21st century country artists take
part on these new versions including Rodney Crowell (a credible
cover of Every Night from Maccas first solo album),
Bruce Cockburn (Food On The Hill) Sam Bush with
the Rubber Soul hoe-down Ive Just Seen A Face,
Ed Snodderly (a fine take on Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey
from Ram), Will Hoge (a twangishly rockin Band
On The Run) and many more. The Let Us In CD was created
as part of a womans health charity project so it has been done
for a good cause. Country fans will love hearing Beatles and Macca
played with a bit of Nashville twang and who knows, maybe some Beatles
fans will dig hearing Yellow Submarine injected with a
sonic dose of country music via Liverpool England. www.revivermusic.com
RED
HOUSE RECORDS - Back in early 1976 or late 75, Argent
played The Starwood nightclub in L.A. Speaking with Rod Argent
for a few minutes before the show, (there was one question only!)
while guitarist John Grimaldi played pinball, I half jokingly asked
Rod if he was going to play something from Odessey And Oracle that
night and he gave me this slightly grimaced look like, no way
Jose! That pop innocence so skillfully pursued back in early 1968
was totally out of fashion in the gargantuan world of stadium rock
back then. Flash forward to 2013, coming after this past decade of
successful Zombies reunions, Rod continues espousing the timeless
virtues of Odessey And Oracle on a 2013 CD entitled The
Zombies Live In The U.K. With original Zombies singer Colin
Blunstone, guitarist Tom Toomey, original Argent member
Jim Rodford and son, drummer Steve Rodford, this 21st
century Zombies lineup stays closer to its original British invasion
roots while also including a token smattering of new material. Theres
also a fitting, tribute / raveup of the original Russ Ballard vocalized
favorite (and Argents most popular song) Hold Your Head
Up. Artwork and design by Phil Smee is excellent making
Live In The U.K. perhaps, the definitive live Zombies album.
www.TheZombies.net
RIVER RAT RECORDS - Based in the U.K., singer songwriter Ruth
Theodore is paving a new musical road with her 2013 CD entitled
Dear Lamp Love Moth. As if that name wasnt
weird enough, the music inside is equally off beat and a lot of fun.
Imagine Kate Bush singing the songs of Biff Rose. Speaking to mwe3.com
about the album Ruth confesses, "Each of the
10 songs on this record includes one or more references to repetitive
behavior patterns, uncomplicated adoration and inevitable defeat.
Much like the moth, I happen to be very good at all three. My music
is difficult to describe probably because the style, form and instrumentation
varies depending on the narrative I am trying to convey so every song
and record has its own feel. With Dear Lamp Love Moth I was
intentionally dotting choruses around like beacons for the listener
to navigate the darker moments by. It's a weird way of doing things
I suppose. Folk, blues, classical, world, jazz, poetry and storytelling
have all been used to describe what I do so just take you're pick
really." The CD is very well recorded and throughout Ruth gets
sparse but effective backing with instrumentation including french
horn, oboe, viola, cello and drums and percussion. Even with this
much going on, the real focus is on Ruths pixie like voice,
which suits the whimsical manner of the music to a tee. Currently
getting rave reviews in England's music press, Ruth has good things
to say about the music capital of the U.K. adding, "London is
London. Insane and brilliant. I live on the river in Hackney so I
get a break from the chaos. The rivers were until recently a haven
for broke creative types but the entrepreneurs seem to have cottoned
on so it's all set to change I'm sure." www.RiverRatRecords.com
ROB COTTINGHAM LTD. - It isnt easy arriving with a new
and fresh direction in progressive rock music but U.K. based Rob
Cottingham gives it a good shot on his 2013 album entitled Captain
Blue. The keyboardist / vocalist in the progressive
rock band Touchstone, and a solo artist in his own right, Rob expertly
combines an impressive mixture of pop,
rock and progressive sounds on the 18 track Captain Blue CD,
which clocks in just over 70 minutes. Throughout the Captain Blue
CD, Rob receives solid assistance from his band mate in Touchstone,
guitarist Adam J. Hodgson along with singer Heather Findlay,
plus the expert rhythm section of Dr. Goat Foot (bass) and
Gary OToole (drums). Guitarist Steve Hackett goes
all Hackett-esque on a track here and clearly there is a nod to Genesis
and, as such with its soaring majestic prog soundscapes, Captain
Blue will appeal to fans of Genesis, Hackett and YES. With 18
tracks brimming with appealing musical ideas, Captain Blue
is clearly an album to pick and choose as to which tracks will appeal
to the individual listener. As a keyboardist, singer and songwriter
/ arranger, Rob Cottingham has all the bases covered on Captain
Blue and Ms. Findlay's vocals enhances the song harmonies where
its called for. But foremost, these songs hold up as individual
melodic statements. Its hard to keep a 70+ minute album humming
along yet, filled with progressive rock songs that blend in catchy
pop-rock, Captain Blue is a challenging and positive album
of 21st century rock excellence. Listeners will want to keep an ear
open for Rob Cottinghams Fall 2013 album with Touchstone. www.RobCottingham.co.uk
ROUGH TRADE / TIME-LAG / MICROCULTURES - Described
as sci-fi meets low-fi meets experimental pop-rock mixed up with country-jazz
elements filtered through a moog pedal on drugs in a dust storm, Tadaloora
is a fun introduction to the Portland, Maine based Phantom
Buffalo. Sounding more in tune with the trippy, paisley pop 1960s
era sound of The Left Banke, Buffalo Springfield and The Zombies compared
to the chill-out electronica of 2013s younger artists, Phantom
Buffalo knows when to get all dreamy 1960s on you, yet they also know
how to rock out and for the most part, they get it right on this ten
track CD. A number of players take part but Tadaloora sounds
very much like a group effort. Phantom Buffalo offers a flashback
to the groovy pop of the 1960s and Tadaloora is a fine sonic
specimen worthy of further investigation. www.PhantomBuffalo.com
SHINING STONE / BLUE DUCHESS - Jazz and blues go together
perfectly on Whats The Chance..., the 2013
CD from singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Gabriel. The 13
track CD features a number of vocal tracks with several instrumentals
rounding out Pauls impeccable sound. Early in his career Paul
worked with the late great folk-rock artist Harry Chapin and went
on to work with Rory Block and Michael Bolton. An excellent guitarist,
Paul debuted his vocals on his 2001 album Fate and years later,
he really hits a new height on his 2013 CD Whats The Chance...
A number of renowned musicians assist Paul here including excellent
production from jazz/blues guitar legend Duke Robillard. So
influential is/was Duke on Pauls music that Paul writes special
notes in the CD artwork on Dukes influence. Amid the great artists
backing Paul on this fine studio album, Duke adds in some of his own
patented guitar work as well. Blues with a solid jazz and rock edge,
Whats The Chance... is a primo album from guitar master
Paul Gabriel. www.PaulGabriel.net
SINGING EMPRESS - A great singer cant go wrong singing
the songs of the great American songbook and covering the classics
doesnt get much better than Piano Bar After Hours by
lounge-jazz singer Jan Shapiro. If Rod Stewart can do it, why
not Jan Shapiro? Imagine a smooth jazz cocktail lounge, dim lighting
and Jan singing classics from the songbooks of Frank Loesser, Harry
Warren, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and other songbook legends.
A number of piano soloists take turns backing Jans vocals on
different tracks on the ten track CD. Well recorded, great songs makes
Piano Bar After Hours a superb, relaxing set of timeless jazz
classics. www.JanShapiro.com
SONY
MASTERWORKS - The 2013 CD release of Presente by
the group Bajofondo is a wild ride encompassing an amazing
range of World Beat inspired instrumental pop and jazz fusion sounds.
Although Bajofondo plays a wide range of instrumental music, theres
also several vocal numbers on the 21 track CD. Coming from Argentina
and Uruguay, the group Bajofondo are well skilled in tango, milonga,
folk-jazz, electronica, jazz, instrumental pop and much more. Several
of the Spanish language vocal tracks might not be as far reaching
into the non Latin market (although they are cool too) but the instrumental
tracks more than make up for any lack of communication. After all,
instrumental is the international language and few South American
bands do that as good as Bajofondo. Spearheaded by guitarist / producer
Gustavo Santaolalla, the group features a wide range of musicians
and they synchronize perfectly. Released on the world famous Masterworks
label, Bajofondos Presente presents a fresh sort of musical
dynamic for the 21st century. www.BajofondoMusic.com
STRONG BLOOD RECORDS - Having worked with producer Daniel
Lanais in the group Black Dub, Trixie Whitley steps out with
her 2013 solo album entitled Fourth Corner. The
music on the eleven track CD is dark and mysterious but Ms. Whitleys
voice is strong, the songs have staying power and there is some fine
playing from all the musicians taking part including Thomas Bartlett
(co-producer / keyboards) and Pat Dilett (drums). Other
players add to the mix and the CD was well mastered by legendary NYC
sound man Greg Calbi. The Brooklyn based Ms. Whitley may be
well known as being the daughter of the late, great singer-songwriter
Chris Whitley, yet on Fourth Corner she establishes
her own unique brand of folksy, bluesy rock sound. Listeners looking
for something completely different, will be attracted to Trixie Whitleys
appealing rock sound. www.TrixieWhitley.com
SUN PEDAL RECORDINGS - Having great genetics is the best possible
outcome for children of famous artists. Case in point is Ben Taylor.
The gifted singer-songwriter son of rock giants James Taylor and Carly
Simon, Ben Taylor steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park
with his 2013 CD, Listening. The 11 track CD
is filled with easy on the ears pop-rock in the spirit of his dad
and the CD also benefits thanks to the contributions of top players
such as Larry Ciancia (drums) and David Saw (guitars).
Filled with memorable, melodic songs that blend in styles as diverse
as folk-rock, pop and reggae, Ben Taylors Listening is
rewarding music appreciation on every sonic level imaginable. Ben
explains, This album runs the gamut from both the production
style and the period of my life in which they were recorded. These
songs are little windows into the last four years of my life.
The Listening CD features cool black & white packaging
including lyrics and humorous (though slightly biased) liner notes
by Bens sister Sally Taylor. www.BenTaylorMusic.com
TARPAN RECORDS - A master musician of the funk and fusion world,
Narada Michael Waldan has worked with the best in the business
and hes back in fine form with the 2013 CD release of Thunder
2013. The eleven track Thunder 2013 is much
more funk than rock or instrumental fusion music yet theres
still some exhilarating sounds on hand. Instead of focusing on instrumental
music, the Thunder 2013 CD features Narada performing all the
vocals, drums and synth bass. Hes worked with some of the best
jazz-rock fusion guitarists in the world and true to form, Narada
features the electric guitars of Matthew Charles Heulitt who
is featured prominently on the CD along with a number of other excellent
musicians. While Thunder 2013 mostly features Naradas
soulful funk/fusion vocals, track 9 on the CD is in fact a wonderful
majestic instrumental entitled Miracle Of Fatimaa
stellar track dedicated to Mother Mary & The Children Of Fatima.
Speaking of instrumentals, theres also a totally funkified instrumental
here called Thunder / Angel Funk, which closes out this
high octane album. According to Naradas label Tarpan Records,
Narada is also planning to release a companion CD entitled Rising
Sunan instrumental EP that features Narada and his fantastic
new band performing remakes of his greatest fusion hits. www.NaradaMichaelWalden.com
TENOR VOSSA RECORDS - Among the new labels on the UK music
scene, Tenor Vossa make records for the post-punk meets hard rock
generation. Very wave rock in places, the October 2012 CD release
of End Of The Road by the band known as Tenebrous
Liar came to the attention of mwe3.com in early 2013 and features
a solid performance from the entire four piece band including lead
singer Steve Gullick and company. The music on the CD is quite
dark and sinister but very well recorded and depending on your penchant
for gothic tinged pop and rock, you will either love it or leave it.
Great value for the investment, the CD sounds great and features excellent
CD packaging. End Of The Road is the latest CD from Tenebrous
Liar who also have several other intriguing releases to their credit.
Another band on TV records making inroads in the music world is a
band called Breathless, who released a double CD set in early
2013 called Green To Blue. In a similar fashion
to Tenebrous Liar, the group Breathless make highly charged and atmospheric
rock music featuring vocalist / keyboardist Dominic Appleton,
who gets s olid support from his band mates including guitarist Gary
Mundy and Ari Neufeld. Much more post-punk rather than
prog-rock, the sound of the double CD Breathless set never fails to
amaze. With three songs mixed by punk-rock legend Kramer, the
CD set mixes in Dominics work with This Mortal Coil, while other
influences creeping in include Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, some of
Enos rock influences, Joy Division and other harrowing sounds.
Not for the faint of heart, Green To Blue is superbly recorded
and packaged for fans of new and vital 21st century sounds. www.TenorVossa.co.uk
VISIONQUEST - Based in Berlin, Germany, and born in the country
of Chile, the artist known as Dinky released her CD, Dinky
Dimension in 2013. Dinkys CD is ostensibly electronic,
neo-disco techno pop that veers into ambient, house and techno music.
Four albums in, Dinky hits a sonic nerve with Dinky Dimension.
Dinky, whose actual name is Alejandra Iglesisas sometimes sounds
like the great NYC based singer Anna Domino, although Dinkys
songs are a little too ethereal and trance-based to be considered
pop standards, as in the case of Ms. Domino. Dinky wrote, produced
and performed all the songs here with the aid of several key players
who add, drums, drone guitars based on certain tracks. The eye-catching
CD packaging is very effective. If you prefer your ambient electronica
to feature alluring female vocals and atmospheric synth pop, then
Dinky Dimension is for you. www.dinkyland.org
VIZZTONE LABEL GROUP - One of the finest blues music labels
in the USA, Vizztone strikes blues gold with the 2013 CD release of
Hush Your Fuss! by the blues team of Dave Riley And Bob
Corritore. Described as a meeting of Mississippi meets Chicago
blues, the 12 track CD offers a solid bluesy pairing of Daves
guitar and vocals and Bobs chromatic harmonica. The pair receives
some tasty backing from a band featuring Daves son Dave Yahni
Riely, Jr. (bass), Brian Fahey (drums) and Gloria Bailey
(keys). Riley sounds like a seasoned blues man in the spirit of
B.B. King and Corritores harmonica whomp suits Rileys
gritty, bluesy vocals to a tee. Interesting that while most of these
tracks are original compositions by the pair, the songs come across
like stripped down bluesy classics from a bygone era. The key word
on Hush Your Fuss! is authentic. Blues doesn't get any grittier
or more entertaining than this. Also recent on CD from Vizztone is
the 2013 release of Moving by Hungarian native, and
now Georgia based guitarist Little G. Weevil. Interesting that
Little G has three albums already to his credit. Growing up in in
Budapest Hungary, Little G was greatly influenced by American blues
and roots music and he brings his all-acoustic blues into sharp focus
on his latest Vizztone release. Another recent Vizztone CD getting
some name recognition in 2013 is Coming Out Swingin by
blues singer Candye Kane. Teamed with guitarist / producer
Laura Chavez, Candye and company tear through 13 blues rock
tracks that sparkle and sizzle. A veteran blues-rocker, Candye has
released twelve CDs already and, her 2013 Coming Out Swingin
CD is well worth the time to track down among blues aficionados. www.vizztone.com
WEIRDSHIP The country of Finland has a rich history of unique
and in some cases very strange rock music stylings. Aside from their
amazing neoclassical and jazz fusion legends, the country also has
some very adventurous rock bands making waves in 2013 and you can
count Tampere-based Weirdship as being among the most off the
wall. In 2013, Weirdship released Weird Pieces Of The Puzzle.
The guitar work of Make El Wierdo is quite captivating
and the vocals of Dr. Orsaken sounds like Ian Gillan of Deep
Purple. Weirdship combines heavy metal and rock psychedelia to great
effect on the strangely beguiling Weird Pieces Of The Puzzle. www.weirdship.bandcamp.com
ZOLTAN RECORDS - London-based, Paris-bred singer-songwriter
Florence Joelle continues to hone her incredible song craft
on her 2013 CD entitled Stealing Flowers. In
the past Florence has been compared to Marianne Faithful, Marlene
Dietrich and other renowned singers. Much like her 2011 CD, entitled
Kiss Of Fire, the 2013 CD release of Stealing Flowers continues
onwards with a winning combination of retro-pop, blues and Django
Reinhardt era jump-jazz with Ms. Joells tempting vocals right
up front. Ms. Joells band is quite exemplary too featuring guitarist
Paul Seacroft, Chris Campion (bass, acoustic guitar)
and drummers Arthur Lager and Matt Jackson along with
several back-up vocals. Her vocals are great as usual and in addition,
Florence has composed some memorable new music thats perfect
for her unique vocals. In addition, to make things interesting, as
theres a pair of covers of Duke Ellington (Caravan)
and Louis Jordan (Is You Is Or Is You Aint My Baby).
Decked out with memorable CD cover art, Stealing Flowers is
one of the best sounding, and certainly most colorful pop-jazz vocal
album releases of 2013. www.FlorenceJoelle.com
INSTRUMENTAL
ACCURATE
/ ALLEGRO - First thing I thought about after listening
to the 2013 CD release of Book Of Rhapsodies by Ghost
Train Orchestra were those great Ren & Stimpy cartoons. Good
old R&S always used vintage music by artists like Raymond Scott
and others to give their zany cartoons a unique flair that was unbeatable
for a multitude of reasons. So along comes multi-instrumentalist GTO
band leader Brian Carptener, who is clearly a big fan of vintage
1930s bandleaders like Raymond Scott, Reginald Forsythe, Alec
Wilder, John Kirby and others. Assisted by esteemed producer Danny
Blume, Carpenter and his 12 member orchestra takes you back in
time to a most amazing period in music history, before rock and fusion
and all other sonic trappings of late 20th century pizzaz. Sure, this
is vintage music and most of us werent even here when these
songs were written, but with Book Of Rhapsodies, Carpenter,
Blume and company make everything old new again. Extra points for
the superb production, ultra cool cover art and detailed essays on
this music by Brian Carpenter, complete with vintage photos of the
original composers. Ren & Stimpy would surely approve of Ghost
Train Orchestra. www.GhostTrainOrchestra.com
AMG GROUP - A veritable jazz fest featuring some of todays
best players, Feels Like Home is a solid CD of groovin'
sounds from Florida based sax master Mike MacArthur. Theres
plenty of great sounds here to bring you out of the doldrums. From
contemporary jazz to fusion and funk to bop type jazz, MacArthur has
it covered on his ten track CD. Among the players backing up Mikes
sax work are Rick Braun (trumpet), Jeff Lorber (keyboards),
Jeff Golub (guitars), Brian Bromberg (bass) and many
other fine players. Featured among the MacArthur originals are covers
of Horace Silver, Duke Ellington and Joe Zawinal. Commenting on the
CD, MacArthur adds, It confirms that I can stand alone as a
front man. I think the album is a good representation of me, my craft,
and where Im at right now Produced by Brian Bromberg,
Feels Like Home is one of the top contemporary jazz CDs of
2013. www.MikeMacArthur.com
BEDROOM COMMUNITY - If the cover art doesnt shake you
up then the harrowing music inside will. Were talking about
the November 2012 CD release of Disquiet by Paul
Corley. Featuring four elongated tracks that clocks in at 44 minutes,
the music on Disquiet harks back to some of Brian Enos
treated and quietly meditative piano sounds of the late 1970s,
(or Harold Budds for that matter) but theres a different
kind of sonic edge in play here, even more disquieting (theres
that word again) than Mr. Eno. Although the album was released by
the U .K. based Bedroom Community label, its interesting to
note that Corley is actually an American composer whose credits go
was back to the early 1970s. Described as being unearthly, yet
so radiant, sparse, sustained, exquisitely reflective and meditative,
Paul Corleys Disquiet is one of the most sonically rewarding
instrumental music albums of the past year. www.PaulCorley.com
BIG WAVE MUSIC - On the scene since 2001, the Minneapolis,
Minnesota based group known as The Surf Dawgs have a great
new CD out in 2013 entitled Unleashed. In the
spirit of the most renowned American surf-rock band of the USA, The
Ventures, guitarist Zippy Caplan and company knows the value
of a great rock and roll melody. Some tracks here such as a Surfdawgs
cover of the 1962 Bobby Vee hit, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
really benefits as an instrumental. Thanks to imaginative arrangements
and excellent performances from Zippy and his Surf Dawgs band mates,
these instrumental covers, when listened to as an album experience,
makes for solid foot tapping fun. Caplan is a fine instrumental guitar
composer too although, aside from a pair of originals the CD is very
much tilted towards a covers-friendly party time kind of album. Other
highlights include a Surf Dawgs cover of Look For A Star,
written by Tony Hatch and a splendid guitar instro take of the Jerry
Leiber / Phil Spector classic Spanish Harlem. With one
great track after the next, Unleashed is a worthwhile album
of guitar instrumentals by The Surf Dawgs. www.facebook.com/TheSurgDogsMinneapolis
BUZZ RECORDS - Based in Amsterdam, Holland, guitarist Marnix
Busstra keeps the art of instrumental guitar jazz alive and well
with his 2013 CD entitled Sync Dreams. 21st century
mainstream jazz, with the spotlight on Busstras refined, eclectic
guitar pallet, Sync Dreams features Marnix backed up by a solid
jazz quartet featuring Rembrandt Frerichs (piano), Arnold
Dooyeweerd (bass) and Pieter Bast (drums). With its cool
jazz grooves and uptempo guitar-scapes, Sync Dreams is kind
of ECM Records inspired in places, however Busstra's jazzy sound is
fully developed and upbeat. With
Sync Dreams theres a solid bop jazz sensibility in places
and Marnix steps into the spotlight on electric guitar, electric sitar
and bouzouki too, which broadens out the sound with a World Jazz kind
of feel. Several guitar watchers and music fans have also mentioned
the name John Scofield when comparing the sound Marnix gets on Sync
Dreams. Astute Guitar fans may recall Marnix thanks to the albums
he made with vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. Commenting on pressing ahead
with his solo career after recording two albums with a band co-chaired
with Mike Mainieri, Marnix adds, I wanted to make a step forward
musically after the albums with Mike Mainieri. I loved doing them,
of course, but I wanted a little bit more freedom in the music, so
in the compositions I tried to make more space and the possibility
to offer that freedom. The Sync Dreams CD cover art and
the solid studio sound truly enhances the listening experience. Sync
Dreams is one of the most accomplished guitar-centric jazz CD
releases of 2013. www.MarnixBusstra.nl
COOL GROOVE RECORDS - One of the coolest guitar instrumental
albums of 2013 is the CD release of 3 Quarter Dime by
Texas guitar slinger Jim Colegrove. Credited to Jim Colegrove
& The New Rough Riders Of A Dirty Age and released on the
TX-based Cool Groove Records label, the 13 track CD starts off rockin
and just rocks harder and faster. Some of these newly recorded guitar
sessions echo back to that fabled 1959/1960 era when instrumental
groups like The
Ventures and legends like Link Wray and Dick Dale ruled the guitar
world. Several of Jims buddies from way back flesh out the tracks
including drummer Linda Waring. Commenting on returning to
the guitar instrumental sound in 2013, Jim explains, Ive
enjoyed what I perceive as a successful life in music in that I was
able to play and record what I loved. That I did the current record
at this time was largely due to the fact that I wanted to go full
circle in case I was at the end of it all. That and I knew there was
an interest in this kind of instrumental rock n roll by
a certain segment of music lovers. So I started working on it a couple
of years ago. If you close your eyes and put on this CD, it
almost sounds like the early 1960s again. The 3 Quarter dime
CD liner notes offers some key history behind Jim and his extensive
career in the music world and if you go the the Cool Groove web site
you can read some really eye opening facts and figures about Jims
long and colorful history in the rock / guitar world. The whole instrumental
guitar movement is a great way to experience musical nostalgia but
on 3 Quarter Dime, Jim Colegrove blasts the entire guitar instrumental
world into the 21st century. www.TheCoolGroove.com
COSGROVES PHYSIO LTD. - By day, mild mannered British doctor,
by night (and other times) a full-on guitar hero, Stuart Cosgroves
takes center stage in the guitar instrumental world with the 2013
CD release of Blue Heaven by the U.K. based group called
The Epitones. The 19 track CD features Cosgroves and his Epitones
band mates romping through a wealth of guitar classics including some
ingenious covers of favorites, all played through the Epitones
instrumental guitar mixer. Fans of Hank Marvin and the Shadows have
been garnering much deserved praises upon Stuart for his impeccable
tone, technique and echo. As tasteful as his guitar sound gets on
Blue Heaven, his approach and concept is equally strengthened
by the very early 1960s retro studio sound The Epitones get here.
Of course Hanks presence is felt but other influences are also
in abundance including The Ventures, Jeff Beck, Brian Setzer and of
course Les Paul, who gets two solids here with Epitones covers
of Bye Bye Blues and How High The Moon, both
done instrumentally in ways that Les would love. Its a sad thought
indeed that Les never met Hank Marvin but The Epitones really embody
the spirit of that idea. The spirit of that incredible 1958-63 spirit
of the music world is perfectly captured in guitar form on Blue
Heaven by The Epitones. send email to: CallMeStuartCosgrove@hotmail.co.uk
CRAZY ACES MUSIC - Noted for his guitar production company,
Jeff Senn is also the lead guitarist in the quartet known as
Crazy Aces. Based in and around Nashville, Tennessee, Crazy
Aces scores big time with the 2013 CD release of Greatest Hits
Volume 2. Of course, the title is a bit of a put-on,
yet even without a myriad of well known greatest hits under their
belt, Crazy Aces will make guitar instrumental fans very happy with
this all-original, 13 track CD. Fans of The Ventures, The Shadows
and other vintage guitar bands, all the way through till 21st guitar
bands like Los Straitjackets and beyond will flip for this album.
Whatever shade of guitar instrumental music is your favorite, Jeff
Seen and Crazy Aces has it covered. With one foot-tapping rocker after
the next, Greatest Hits Volume 2 is a solid instrumental guitar
CD. A cool spin for guitar enthusiasts, fans and players alike, Jeff
Senn and Crazy Aces is indispensable listening. www.JeffSennGuitars.com
CUL DE SAC MYSTIC PRODUCTIONS - On her 2013 CD, Invitation
From Within, Ann Licater makes soothing music
for your soul. Inspired by the inspirational and healing sounds of
the Native American flute, Ann hits a a new musical high with her
third album. On her latest 12 track CD, Ann receives excellent sonic
assistance from a range of players including co-producers Peter
Phippen (electric bass, percussion) and Ivar Lunde (grand
piano) with other guests including New Age trumpet master Jeff
Oster. The sound of Invitation From Within is stately and
sedate, making for a most relaxing and sublime musical experience.
A near perfect album of healing meditation music, Invitation From
Within is one of the finest instrumental New Age related album
releases of 2013. www.FluteForTheSoul.com
/ www.AnnLicater.com
DISCO GECKO RECORDINGS - On the 2013 CD by U.K. based Banco
D Gaia, the re-mix concept applies. Although it was a great album
to begin with, the 2012 Banco album Apollo has been remixed
for the 2013 CD release of Ollopa: Apollo Remixed.
A number of remix artists take part on Ollopa including
System 7, Deep Fried Dub, Kaya Project, Eat
Static and a whole lot more. Ambient, down tempo, bass driven
beats, psychedelic Gypsy / Balkan music and more are all suitable
words to describe the wild concept behind this other-worldly remix
album. A number of select musicians assist Banco De Gaia on this far-out
take on an already intriguing album from one of the originators of
cosmic, New Age flavored ambient dub music. Fans of Banco De Gaia
wont be disappointed with the 2013 CD release of Ollopa.
www.banco.co.uk
DUANE AND CRAIG - One of the top Gypsy jazz guitar mavens in
Canada, Duane Andrews teamed with fellow guitarist Craig
Young for the 2013 CD release of Charlies Boogie.
Save for one vocal track called The D-18 Song (delineating
the wonders of that famous Martin guitar), the all instrumental CD
continues in a positive direction espousing Duanes love of Django
style guitar jazz and traditional Celtic style instrumentals. The
Django Reinhardt influence is very much in attendance on Charlies
Boogie and clearly Craig Young is the perfect foil for Duanes
guitar-centric musings. Recorded in 2013 at Craigs studio in
Newfoundland, the CD is a fine mix of traditional guitar music, (covers
of Django, Bill Monroe, Tony Rice and more) along with a few originals
and true to form, theres hardly a note out of whack here. Guitar
fans who were lucky enough to pick up on Duanes brilliant 2009
Raindrops CD will find a similarly enjoyable bout of guitar
sonics on the superbly recorded Charlies Boogie. www.DuaneAndrews.com
/ www.CharliesBoogie.com
DUSTIN HOFSESS - Guitarist Dustin Hofsess is currently
getting rave reviews for his 2013 CD entitled Short Stories.
The
10 track CD features Hofsess in a group setting with production handled
by percussionist Jim Brock. Dustin's band on Short Storiesincluding
Adam Snow (drums), Lovell Bradford (keyboards) and George
Porter Jr. (bass)is also first rate. Musically, the all
instrumental CD invents an innovative form of 21st century jazz-rock
fusion that spans and blends a wide range of guitar styles and studio
wizardry. Fans of musicians that Dustin has studied withincluding
Oz Noy, Jim Campilongo and Joel Harrison (all guitar veterans of the
NYC jazz scene)will find much to enjoy with Short Stories.
The CD will find an immediate home among fusion fans and rock
guitar enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy Dustins jazz-fusion
instro rave up of the Led Zeppelin classic Kashmir. www.DustinHofsess.com
E1 ENTERTAINMENT - Despite tragically losing his eyesight in
a subway accident, NYC based guitarist Jeff Golub has made
a miraculous recovery and solid proof can be heard on his 2013 CD
entitled (no pun intended), Train Keeps A Rolling.
The eleven cut CD features a cool mix of of both instrumental
jazz and bluesy rock n roll, all featuring Jeffs
blazing electric guitar skills front and center in the mix. Also on
hand is legendary U.K. organ man Brian Auger. Interestingly,
Golub was a huge fan of Augers early work with the Oblivion
Express and that bands original drummer Steve Ferrone keeps
the beat on the title track. Also lending the voices are vocalist
legends David Pack (of Ambrosia) and Christopher Cross.
The instrumental tracks here are really solid with Golub sounding
influenced guitar wise, somewhere between Freddie King and Wes Montgomery.
Jazz-rock, fusion and blues-rock fans will be in orbit with the release
of Train Keeps A Rolling. www.JeffGolub.com
EDITIONS RECORDS - Finland has always been one of the central
locations of dynamic, dramatic instrumental progressive Eurock music.
Case in point being the much missed musical genius of the late, great
Finnish prog-rock maestro Pekka Pohjola. Well Im happy to say
one of Pekkas two sons, Ilmari Pohjola plays on the 2013
CD by the group known as Oddarrang entitled In Cinema.
Headed up by and featuring the music of drummer / multi-instrumentalist
Olavi Louhivuori, the seven track In Cinema CD clocks
in at 54+ minutes and features an outstanding composite of musicians
playing Olavis music including Ilmari (trombone, guitar), Lasse
Sakara (guitars), Lasse Lindgren (bass, synths) and Osmo
Ikonen (cello). Having played with some of the greats of Euro
jazz, including Tomasz Stanko, Olavis drumming is innovative
and excellent and his cinematic instrumental prog-rock sound is the
perfect backdrop for these outstanding players. Somewhere in prog-rock
heaven, Pekka Pohjola is smiling down on his son and the great music
in play on this fascinating Oddarang CD. www.OlaviLouhivuori.com
ESOTERIC ANTENNA - The Esoteric Antenna label released Squackett
with YES bassist Chris Squire in 2012 and in 2013 they released an
album with one time YES keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, who is
teamed for the first time on CD along with U.K. guitar icon Gordon
Giltrap. For the past 35+ years, Giltrap, as a solo recording
artist, continued to set a high standard with his acoustic / electric
guitar instrumental albums. For the 2013 CD release of the 13 track
Ravens & Lullabies the music includes mostly vocal
tracks with a track here featuring another YES alumni Benoît
David. The prime vocalist here Paul Manzi, as well as the
rhythm section of Johanne James (drums) and Steve Amadeo
(bass) round out the band. Benoît sounds great on the track
hes on here called From The Turn Of A Card. As proven
again, Giltrap remains the consummate guitar professional, blending
his impeccable acoustic guitars with Wakemans genetically programmed
keyboard skills. Several instrumentals prove these guys can really
play. Very progressive in places and very pastoral other times, Ravens
& Lullabies is simply a stellar sounding recording. www.CherryRed.co.uk
EVERGREEN MUSIC - The NYC based group known as TriBeCaStan
continues onwards with their 2013 CD entitled New Songs
From The Old Country. Based around a flexible collective
of musiciansincluding the groups main composer and producer
John Kruth (banjo, mandolin, flutes, sitar), album co-producer
Jeff Greene (marimba, steel drums), Claire Daly (baritone
sax) and Matt Darriau (sax, clarinet)TriBeCaStan have
been described as sounding like an international jazz and folk festival
unto itself. Besides the four core musicians, the CD features contributions
from a wide range of musicians including Todd Isler (drums).
On the 16 track New Songs From The Old Country, TriBeCaStan
continues blending a range of exotic musical styles including Balkan,
Middle Eastern, Klezmer, Cajun, Latin, Americana and more. Of course,
this blend of various styles has already been widely mined by a number
of European jazz fusion bands for the past 35 years, yet TriBeCaStan,
based in New York City, clearly has its pulse on a vibrant mix of
World Music grooves and styles and it all fits together in a most
appealing sonic composite on New Songs From The Old Country. www.EvergreeneMusic.com
/ www.TriBeCaStan.tv
F SHARP RECORDS - Cited as being one of the best among the
new breed of instrumental guitar bands in the U.K., The Waterboaders
hit the surf-rock jackpot with their 2013 CD entitled Surfbeats
N Deadbeats. For a 3 piece guitar instro
band, The Waterboarders make a lot of sonic waves on their nine track
CD. Hard to believe, the nine tracks are all packed into a 24 minute
CD yet you can play it ten times in a row (or more) and it all sounds
fresh. Theres plenty of original surf-rock ideas in play here
and for those who like the old tunes, theres also a new instro
cover of the fabled 1960's classic Secret Agent Man. Guitarist
Darren Miles (who also goes by the name Eddie Stone or Ron,
depending on who you talk to) and company serve up a fresh
batch of surf-rock goodies on Surfbeats N Deadbeats.
www.TheWaterboarders.net
FZIO - Lets face it. For much of the 1960s and 1970s,
Frank Zappa was a musical god. Listening to stories by Jimmy
Carl Black discussing the early Mothers Of Invention are still hilarious
but Frank was really a serious composer under all that 1960s aura.
Case in point where Franks music is given a refreshing reassessment
can be heard on the 2013 CD release of Strictly Gravy - Lex
Bronkowitz Orchestra Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa. In
the spirit of Frank, German guitarist Lex Bronkowitz (his real
name is Alexander Debus) is a fine jazz-rock guitarist and his reworked
covers of 8 Zappa compositions makes for really ear opening listening.
Instrumental and vocal with a contemporary jazz-rock edge, the CD
features Lex backed backed up by a solid band (including vibes and
marimba by Peter Thomas) with singer Katharina Debus on
several tracks. Franks more melodic material, including his
most popular song Peaches En Regalia are given a fresh
treatment by Lex and his band, making Strictly Gravy one of
the most intriguing Zappa related CD releases of the decade. www.FZIO.org
HACK SHACK RECORDS - The international phenomenon known as
Surf-Rock instrumental music continues unabated. The country of Norway
has long been known for great guitar masters and of course many of
the early ECM albums were recorded in the Scandinavian stronghold.
More inspired by American instrumental icons such as The Ventures
and Dick Dale than by ECM type recordings, The Twang-O-Matics have
been making waves with their 2013 CD entitled Freeboard Mojo.
The quartet features the dueling guitars of Nils Tempo and
Stian Golden, who are backed by the rhythm section of Steinar
Nilsen (bass) and Mathias Johnsen (drums). Featuring
a dozen rockin instrumentals, the CD and vinyl pressing clocks
in under a half hour but theres plenty of variety. Some tracks
sound like West Coast surf-rock with a touch of Norwegian melodic
magic (think Edvard Grieg with a Strat). The CD sounds excellent and
the cover art is very effective at conjuring images of Jet Set surf-rock
with shades of western twang and fuzzed out super spy blasts. What
ever your favorite surf-rock sound is, theres plenty of guitar
energy worth hearing on Fretboard Mojo. www.TheTwangoMatics.com
HEADSPIN RECORDINGS - The country of Sweden has a rich history
of jazz-rock, instrumental rock and well, otherworldly type sounds
as was witnessed with the rise of labels such as Silence Records in
the late 1960s. Key to the Silence Records sound was the late, great
Bo Hansson, godfather of Swedish instrumental prog-rock. Had he not
died in 2010, Bo would have really liked the 2013 CD release of The
Reason Why Vol. 1 by Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra.
Perhaps its the jazz side of the trippy, kaleidoscopic instrumental
rock infused sonics in play, and/or the wild variety of musicians
joining forces here, but theres plenty of very cool music vibes
spinning on this wild little CD. A master of the electric trumpet
and Crumar EVI (trumpet synth), Goran is of Croatian heritage, while
he grew up in Sweden. Gorans multi-fold influencesranging
from jazzbo Lester Bowie to rock mavericks Soundtrack Of Our Livescome
out to play on The Reason Why Vol. 1 and theres hardly
a stone (or rock) left unturned. Astute instrumental rockers will
note that track two here is actually a cover of Storstad,
composed by Bo Hansson. Somewhere in rock heaven, Bo Hansson is smiling.
www.HeadspinRecordings.com
HEARTFIXER
MUSIC - One of the leading blues-rock guitarists in the USA today,
Tinsley Ellis pulls out all the stops on his 2013 CD entitled
Get It! On his earlier CDs, Tinsley always included
an instrumental or two but here he lays down the law with a rockin
CD completely full of all instrumental fare. More bluesy in nature
than say surf-rock in general, the CD does include a wealth of music
influences including surf-rock ala Duane Eddy, but more importantly,
fans of instrumentals from blues-rock guitar greats such as Albert
Collins, Freddie King, Chuck Berry, Roy Buchanon and Fleetwood Mac
legend Peter Green will find a home on Get It! The CD sounds
great and is superbly packaged. Throughout, Tinsley gets solid backup
from his band including Kevin McKendree (keyboards, mellotron),
Lynn Williams (drums) and Ted Pecchio (bass). With titles
such as Sassy Strat, Freddys Midnite Dream,
Berry Tossin and Fuzzbuster, Get
It! is a must hear for fans of classy, and rock solid blues-rock
instrumental guitar music. www.TinsleyEllis.com
IMEARTAS - Irish fiddler and concertina player Niamh
Ní Charra released her album Cuz to great
reviews in 2013. Featuring a mix of vocal and instrumental music,
the 13 track Cuz is a must hear for fans of Irish and World
Music. Acoustic in nature, the CD is nevertheless full bodied and
features a number of musicians who fill up the sound stage. Basically,
the CD was inspired by the music of Terry Cuz Teahan,
an Irish immigrant who left the old country for Chicago in 1928 and
spent six decades playing music and he actually made a tape of his
music for a young Niamh. Niamhs musicianship is excellent throughout
and although primarily instrumental in nature, the CD features a few
tracks with Niamhs vocals, which are also quite breathtaking.
Cuz even appears on a couple tracks, or rather his voice featuring
a quite unique Irish brogue! The CD features excellent packaging and
detailed information about the making of Cuz. A very cool CD
of classy acoustic music, Cuz is traditional Irish music brought
up to date for 21st century ears. www.NiamhNiCharra.com
LINDBERG LYD AS / 2L - In the year 2013, you have
to be quite dedicated to record classical music but with all the advancements
in the recorded medium over the past 25 years, its nevertheless
still a booming enterprise. Case in point is a double disc SACD /
Blu-ray pairing of The Shubert Connection from the Norway
based group called Oslo String Quartet. The concept of the
recording is comparing the link between String Quartet In G
Minor by fellow Norwegian Edvard Greig (1843-1907) and
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor by Franz Schubert
(1797-1828). By placing, on disc, these two works side by side,
Oslo String Quartet attempts to bring into the open, the fascinating
details that connect them. With the package including the SACD and
Blu-ray 5.1 mix of the master, these classical masterpieces have never
sounded better. The double disc set is quite attractively packaged,
with the two discs packaged in a classical Blu-ray designed jewel
case featuring extensive liner notes (in English and Norwegian) by
OSQ cellist Øystein Sonstad, who adds much history and
brings a present day focus to the new recording of these historical
and revered classical masterpieces. www.StringQuartet.com
MARLIN RECORDS - Since the late 1970s, guitarist Dave
Arnson has tested the waters, so to speak, when it comes to instrumental
surf-rock. Completely dedicated to the West Coast American surf-rock
vision, Dave and his band The Insect Surfers are back in top
form in 2013 with the 15 track Infra Green. The
CD is filled with a sonic array of original guitar instrumentalswell
recorded and quite well matched with a sonic precision that cant
be beat. Arnsons Insect Surfer band matesfellow guitarist
Michael Abraham, bassist Jonpaul Balak and drummer Jeff
Utterbackare joined by a number of guest guitarists and
musicians including Croatian guitar ace Ferenc Dobronyi, American
surf-rock giant Paul Johnson and the one and only king of surf-grunge
Davie Allan. From the ultra cool neo-insect inspired cover
art, to the immaculate recording style and execution, the Insect Surfers
breath new Infra Green energy into the art of 21st century
surf-rock. www.InsectSurfers.com
M-K-D-K RECORDS - Based in Estonia, Phlox makes music
that defies both description and definition. The closest you could
come to a defining characteristic for Phlox would be both avant gard
and jazz-rock fusion. The latest Phlox CD, entitled Vali,
was recorded and broadcast live for Estonian classical radio on
April 4, 2012. The band features a solid ensemble including Kristo
Roots (guitar), Pearu Helenurm (keyboards), drummer Madis
Zilmer and other fine players. The music is all instrumental so
theres plenty of enjoyment here for fans of international jazz,
meets rock meets avant garde. Theres some connection here to
late 1970s Soft Machine (theres some very Mike Ratledge inspired
sounds here) and even some of the more radical elements of Scandinavian
free jazz, but Phlox are making their own name heard loud and clear
with their latest CD, Vali. www.Facebook.com/phlox.mkdk
MONKEYWOOD RECORDS - Described as a beautiful exploration
of the sea in all its magic, The Sea Cabinet is the
sixth CD from U.K. based singer-songwriter Gwyneth Herbert.
Supporting herself on piano, ukulele and toys, the 13
track CD also features some fine contributions from Al Cherry (guitars),
Sam Burgess (bass) and David Price (percussion, fiddle)
and other players. Ms. Herberts music is hard to classify as
it subtly and skillfully mixes in vintage pop, jazz, folk and colorful
tin pan alley inspired cabaret sounds. Among her influences, Gwyneth
also cites Janis Ian, Bowie, Lou Reed, Nina Simone and others. That
must be the case as The Sea Cabinet is eclectic, atmospheric
pop at its finest. In addition to the top studio sound and adroit
musicianship from the variety of players, the CD packaging, with a
cover kind of inspired by Procol Harums A Salty Dog features
excellent artwork and graphics. www.GwynethHerbert.com
MOONJUNE RECORDS - Formed back in 1993 by keyboardist Riza
Arshad, the group known as Simak Dialog continue releasing
fine CDs and in 2013. 20 years after they formed, Moonjune have a
fine new album from the band, their 6th album, appropriately entitled
The 6th Story. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Simak
Dialog are quite effective in combining jazz, rock and an exotic form
of Southeast Asian fusion music that tastefully combines traditional
Indonesian gamelon and other Javanese / Indonesian rhythms. Key to
the Simak Dialog sound is the ethnic percussion that is featured throughout
the nine track CD. Also key to the sound is some excellent guitar
work from Tohpati Ario Hutomo, who excels here on acoustic
and electric guitars. The Simak Dialog instrumental sound might be
comparable to Return To Forever (minus the vocals) from the time of
the Light As A Feather era especially when considering that
Rizas acoustic piano work and Rhodes playing is quite excellent
and Tohpati sounds inspired by great players such as Bill Connors
(former RTF guitarist). Rounding out the Simak Dialog sound are a
number of fine musicians including three percussionists (playing exotic
sounding instruments including Sudanese kendang, kethuk and other
instruments) who bring some intriguing metallic elements to the fore.
With so much excellent musicianship on the CD, Riza and Tohpati really
rise to the occasion making The 6th Story the best sounding
Simak Dialog album yet. www.moonjune.com
MOONJUNE RECORDS - U.K. music icons Soft Machine started out
as an off the wall art rock band with Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Daevid
Allen, Hugh Hopper and Mike Ratledge. It was too good to last and
with several of them long gone, Soft Machine are revered as icons
now. One of the top guitarists in the U.K. today, John Etheridge
has kept the thread of history alive this past decade with his
Softs' related offshoot band called Soft Machine Legacy. Some
of the music on the 2012, 13 track CD release of Burden Of Proof
maintains the high experimental spirit of the original Soft
Machine but much of Soft Machine Legacy is rooted in the contemporary
jazz-rock scene of the post 1970s era. Joining Etheridge are U.K.
music greats including drumming ace John Marshall, Roy Babbinigton
(bass) and horn man Theo Travis, who doubles on flute and
Fender Rhodes. Along with the cool, arty, instrumental rock fusion
grooves on Burden Of Proof are some Softs like keyboard sounds
which adds to the overall Canterbury connection so fondly espoused
by the original Wyatt era band. All in all, Burden Of Proof is
a fond look back at the original Soft Machine concepts while keeping
open the immense future possibilities of this stellar lineup of musicians.
www.moonjune.com
MOONJUNE - Another amazing fusion CD release from Moonjune
comes in the form of The Last Tribe from Brazilian jazz-rockers
Dialeto. Featuring guitarist Nelson Coelho, touch guitarist
Jorge Pescara and Miguel Angel (drums), The Last Tribe
have been described as a take no prisoners progressive
rock steamroller. Nelsons compositions are uniformly excellent
throughout but the energy level of these players is the thing that
grabs you right away. Being all instrumental theres no need
to sift through Brazilian language vocals. Anyone who thinks the music
scene of Brazil is just about languid
bossa nova sounds or classical guitars ala Heitor Villa-Lobos will
be in for a jolt with the almighty prog-fusion instrumental grooves
well on display on this excellent Moonjune debut CD from Dialeto.
Dialetos CD The Last Tribe is yet another example of
pan-global guitar fusion breakthroughs from Moonjune. www.Moonjune.com
MOONJUNE - Who knew Indonesia would turn into such a hotbed
of musical integrity? Not much of the country is known by most Americans
but you dont have to know that much about Indonesia to appreciate
Chapter One, the 2013 CD by the group known as
I Know You Well Miss Clara. This jazz-rock fusion quartet specialize
in daring and driving instrumental music and cite influences such
as Jimi Hendrix, Soft Machine, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis
(to name a few) among the solid inspirations behind their music. At
the center of this rising young quartet of musicians is guitarist
/ composer Reza Ryan and keyboardist Adi Wijiya, who
are ably aided by the rhythm section of Enriko Gultom (bass)
and Alfiah Akbar (drums) as well as the occasional sax skwonks
of Nick Combe. Despite the fact that theyve only been
playing together for a few years, theres a solid musical chemistry
in play on their debut CD. I Know You Well Miss Clara is a pretty
unusual name for a band (maybe thats a good thing) but Chapter
One is a pretty serious musical statement from a rising band to
keep your eyes on. www.moonjune.com
MUZSIKUS KAVEHAZ - The timeless music of Hank Marvin And The
Shadows is still huge world wide and case in point are two CD releases
by an instrumental guitar group from the country of Hungary called
The Shadows Hungary Band. Two of the groups CD titles,
Atlantis and Aphrodite, the latter
released in 2011, features a wealth of Shadows related guitar instrumentals.
Featuring 14 instrumentals, Aphrodite doesnt feature
Shadows songs as such but instead features guitar-centric Shadows
style instrumental rockers composed by the SHB themselves as well
as covers of Mark Knopfler, Leonard Cohen, Glenn Frey, ABBA, the group
1961, Ennio Morricone and famed Swedish guitar instrumental composer
Lennart Clerwall. The SHB release of Atlantis, (from 2009)
is much more Shadows-related featuring newly recorded covers of Shadows
classics from the early 1960s as well as several interesting SHB originals.
A fine band who record in a very smooth guitar style, The Shadows
Hungary Band are well worth the time to take the time to listen for
fans of the timeless instrumental guitar music of Hank Marvin and
The Shadows. www.shadowhb.hu
MUSIC
PRODUCERS INSTITUTE - Country music fans and especially steel
guitar fans will tell you that when it comes to the pedal steel guitar,
few musicians can touch the great Buddy Emmons. Called the
worlds foremost steel guitarist, Buddy is now 76 and a
bunch of his music buds have joined together to pay a heartfelt music
tribute to him. The 2013 CD release of The Big E: A Salute To
Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons is a 16 track superstar filled
album filled with some of the greatest pedal steel players still with
us in 2013 along with a number of musicians, guitarists and singers
performing a range of vocal tracks and several instrumentals. So whos
here to hear? Try, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Willie
Nelson, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Albert
Lee, John Anderson, fellow steelers Greg Leisz,
Paul Franklin, Doug Jernigan, Dan Dugmore, album
producer Steve Fishell and much more. The CD booklet is packed
with voluminous notes but theyre too small to read! (check them
out online) lol But with this much honky tonkin country-rock
and bluesy, steel guitar flecked greatness in play, The Big E is
a fantastic tribute to the greatness of pedal steel guitar legend
Buddy Emmons. www.musicpi.com
OLLOCS - Inhabiting the place where hard rock and heavy
metal meets guitar fusion, the Long Island band known as Ollocs
released their 13 track CD release Life Thread in
2013. Featuring the one, two punch of guitarists Zach Vanderberg
and Joshua Travis, Ollocs are balanced out by the taught
rhythm section of Russell Frohberg (bass) and Andrew Bieler
(drums). Although the band claim their sound is progressive in
nature, most of the favorable press thus far is coming from rock-metal
community, and for a good reason. The CD features a wealth of crunchy
power chords that hit you over the head but its done with good
taste and clearly these guys are musical and can play. The Life
Thread CD is well recorded and the CD album packaging and cover
art is first rate. Hopefully Ollocs will vary up their sound, and
include other types of rock instrumental styles, for their anticipated
second CD. www.ollocs.com
PET PEEV MUSIC - Back in 1981 I had the chance to meet
the now late, great Swedish guitarist Thomas Almqvist, who had just
released his '82 album The Journey. On a similar trail of guitar
think, Ive been a fan of guitarist Jeff Pevar for quite
a while, or since his great albums with David Crosby during the CPR
years. So now in 2013, Jeff recently released an album that kind of
reminds me of Thomass album. That album released by Jeff is
called From The Core. Strangely enough, another
album that I thought about while listening to From The Core is
the Jon Anderson album Toltec, from 1996 and this is
even more critical as the former leader of YES, Jon sings the lead
vocals on the only vocal song on Jeff's album called River Of
Dreams. So yes, From The Core is very mystical, eclectic,
mainly instrumental acoustic / electric folk-jazz that goes into every
possible type of music genre. Jon Andersons track is excellent
as are the other songs which feature a number of musicians adding
to various tracks. Interestingly, From The Core was originally
proposed as a PBS soundtrack, but the results were so impressive,
it just grew from there into a fully formed album. Full of healing
and meditative sounds and vibes, From The Core is 21st century
instrumental folk-jazz as its finest. www.pevar.com
RAVEOLUTION STUDIOS - Most music fans have heard some type
of Indian music, sitars and all, but few have probably heard Indian
music made the way Ricky Kej makes it. Rickys 2013 CD,
entitled Shanti Orchestra is filled with a lush and
colorful palate of sounds, mostly instrumental, yet permeated by all
kind of voices and ambient vocal sounds that are skillfully mixed
into the albums sound spectrum. In fact, the Shanti Orchestra
CD features over 20 musicians, including string, synths and guitars,
who combine forces to create a fresh mix of contemporary World Music
grooves fueled by ambient sounds and down tempo chill-out sounds.
Some have already compared Rickys music to internationally acclaimed
groups such as Enigma and some of the more percussive, uptempo works
by David and Steve Gordon. Sitars and other Eastern sounding instruments
also grace the grooves too so the sound, while very World Beat in
scope, still maintains some of its Indian roots. In addition, the
CD packaging and inserts / liner notes are first rate and add much
to the overall effect and enjoyment of the listening experience. Although
Ricky has produced and played on numerous albums on various record
labels over the years, Shanti Orchestra
is his first independent effort and as a result, the album led
to an invitation for Ricky to become an ambassador for the U.S. based
nonprofit Project Peace On Earth. Born in the U .S. and
raised in India, Ricky Kej sounds the clarion call for world peace
through the power of music with the sublime sounding Shanti Orchestra.
www.RickyKej.com
RAVELLO RECORDS / PARMA RECORDINGS - Parma Recordings
and its subsidiary label Ravello remain on the cutting edge of 21st
century music with the 2012 CD release of Birdsong In Midst
by U.K. based composer Kim Halliday. To call Hallidays
music adventurous would be an understatement. Many serious neoclassical
composers are not easy to pigeonhole but on the 15 track, hour long
Birdsong In Midst, Halliday invents an entirely new form of
instrumental sonicsa daring blend of Neoclassical, soundtrack,
rock and electronic music. The only composer I can think of who so
expertly blends such a wide range of instrumental music would be Ron
Geesin, the English composer who worked so tastefully with Pink Floyd
on Atom Heart Mother. If that album, as well as Geesins
manifold releases are your cup of tea, then by all means give a listen
to Kim Hallidays CD. Music fans who also appreciated Brian Enos
piano treatments, or Harold Budds for that matter, will also
tune into the magnificence of Birdsong In Midst. In the spirit
of Eno and Budd, and even Tangerine Dream for that matter, perhaps
the most amazing thing about Halliday is that once you think you have
him pegged with one style of music, he turns around and amazes with
a completely different, often diverging blend of music. For example,
after nine tracks of haunting, treated piano instrumental soundscapes,
Kim features his electric guitar performance with some harrowing electronic
trimmings and the results bode well for some Syd Barrett inspired
rock instrumentals that takes the listener in a completely different
direction. Back in 2011, another of Parmas offshoot labels,
Navonna, amazed with the double CD release by Lawrence Ball, which
also featured input by Pete Townshend. Like Lawrence Ball, Kim Halliday
isnt afraid to take any kind of sonic chance. A daring sense
of sonic collision pervades the challenging but always entertaining
sound of Kim Hallidays Birdsong In Midst. www.BirdsongInMidst.com
/ www.KimHalliday.com
REAL MUSIC - One
of the reasons New Age music took off so big over the past 30 years
has been in part due to the unrelenting pace at which we all live
nowadays. For music lovers, artists and music business people who
can remember back to the dawn of the digital age at the start of 1984,
the CD brought the recorded sound of New Age instrumental music to
a higher level, especially noticeable with the rise of Windham Hill
Records in the early to mid 1980s. One label continuing
onwards as leaders of the New Age instrumental movement is Real Music
and they have another winner on their hands with the 2013 CD release
of Daytime Dreamer by composer / keyboard player Omar
Akram. Deceptively simple in its scope and depth, Daytime Dreamer
lulls you in with its sumptuous soundscapes and easy on the ears
melodies. Some may call it background music but others will actually
find their blood pressure lowered as a result of simply sitting down
and listening to Omars latest CD masterpiece. You can blissfully
listen, keep it on in the background as you work or even talk or write,
but your train of thought will not be derailed as a result of spending
time with Daytime Dreamer. Several key audio contributors are
featured as well including David Arana (synths, arranging),
Pedro Eustache (dukuk), Ramon Stagnaro (guitars) and
Gregg Karukas (drums, programming). Daytime Dreamer
tastefully showcases Omar Akram and his magical, mysterious New Age
instrumental music grooves. www.RealMusic.com
/ www.OmarAkram.com
REAL MUSIC - Renowned for their meditative and dreamy instrumental
music albums, Real Music will make a whole lot of listeners quite
happy with their 2013 CD release of Dreamweaver by music
maestro Gandalf. Based in Austria, Gandalf, whose real name
is Heinz Strobl, has a number of Real Music releases to his credit
and Dreamweaver is being heralded as his
finest yet. Over the years, Gandalfs music has delved into quite
elaborate New Age electronics, yet on Dreamweaver, the sound
is more sparse yet no less effective. With Gandalf performing acoustic
guitars, piano, percussion and atmospheres, the sound
of Dreamweaver is further enhanced by cello, flutes and Irish
whistles and percussion performed by several guest artists. Its
interesting to note that in the past, Gandalf has worked with artists
such as progressive rock guitarist Steve Hackett. Like Hackett, Gandalfs
music can be quite meditative and also like Hackett, Gandalf is masterful
at portraying his own acoustic guitars like a dreamy watercolor painting,
meant to calm and relax you. Gandalf explains, Music is a kind
of sanctuary for me, a protected place to withdraw from the noise
and craziness in the world. Truer words were never spoken. If
youre looking for sonic solace and a way to close your eyes
and turn the world into a kinder, gentler place for a while, look
no further than the sublime, peaceful sounds of Dreamweaver by
Gandalf. www.RealMusic.com
REAL MUSIC - The
premier New Age music record label in the world today, Real Music
continues releasing music masterpieces on CD. Advocates for sonic
works of art as opposed to mere music, Real Music has another winner
on their hands with the Autumn 2013 release of Day Of Life from
Bernward Koch. Drawing on the essence of classical inspired
European romanticism, the 13 track, 61 minute CD features Bernwards
piano and synth keyboards merging together for a
dreamlike, relaxing hour of music. At the center of Real Music is
their music as a form of healing therapy and theres a lot to
be said for that effect on Bernwards latest music masterpiece.
Commenting on the making of Day Of Life, Bernward adds, The
music made me think of memorable days in my life, wonderful memories,
from childhood or a few years ago, a sunny and warm day, feeling
free and happy. While playing and recording I was in a state of complete
concentration - really lost in another world. In addition to
the piano and synth keyboards on Day Of Life, Bernward also
performs guitar, bass, melodica, glockenspiel, cymbals and gong, all
fitting together like a complex painting on a sonic canvas. Several
musicians assist including Bernwards wife Christiane Böhm,
who adds in flute and piccolo. Fans of Bernwards other Real
Music CD titles will thoroughly enjoy Day Of Life. If New Age
music is the source you're seeking for stress relief and meditative
relaxation, then Day Of Life by Bernward Koch CD is a worthy
sonic remedy for sure. www.RealMusic.com
RED RIVER ENTERTAINMENT / MCKHOOL - Located at that
place where Gypsy Jazz meets orchestral music is the 2013 CD release
of Symphony! by the Canadian group known as Sultans
Of String. Featuring violinist Chris McKhool, along
with guitarists Kevin Laliberté (nylon string and electric
guitar) and Eddie Paton (nylon string guitars), the CD also
features a number of other musicians and percussionists along with
a full string orchestra. In addition, the CD also includes a number
of guest musicians including Paddy Maloney of The Chieftains,
here on penny whistle and uilleann pipes. Musically, the 49 minute,
10 track instrumental CD is all over the placefrom Celtic and
World Music to Flamenco flavored light classical and even wide screen
soundtrack type music. It may be eclectic but overall, Chris McKhool's
Symphony! makes for quite a colorful and rewarding listening
experience. Very well recorded and presented, the CD also features
packaging that is equally eye-catching, complete with detailed booklet
with track by track liner notes and a number of color pictures from
the studio recordings sessions. www.SultansOfString.com
RITUAL PRODUCTIONS - Described as doom-metal rock
and hard space-rock, the music of Bong is heady stuff indeed.
Although its very strange and primordial at its core, Bong will
indeed find its appeal among fans of Ummagumma era Pink floyd
and also some of Gongs more out there sounds. Being all instrumental,
theres no words to get in the way and besides this is really
music to kick back with your black lights, day-glo posters and your
favorite bong (pun intended!). The groups most recent albums
include Mana-Yood-Sushai and Wizards Of Krull.
Both wonderfully packaged and recorded CDs are filled with side
long tracks of mesmerizing drones, guitars and sitar like sounds that
will have you chanting OM in no time. www.RitualProductions.net
ROBB CAPPELLETTO - Although he grew up listening to prog metal,
Toronto, Canada based guitarist Robb Cappelletto was equally
inspired by jazz and blues guitar instrumentalists such as Wes Montgomery
and Buddy Guy. Robb puts his experience to the test and comes up a
winner with his 2012 CD humorously titled !!!. Those
are three exclamation marks by the way and for those who get excited
by such things the ten track CD features Robb on all manners of electric
guitar while getting supreme backing by his group members Jon Maharaj
(electric bass) and Amhed Mitchel (drums). The all original
instrumental set is offset by instrumental covers of a pair of tracks
originally written by Antonio Carlos Jobim (Corcovado)
and Cole Porter (Its All Right By Me). Jazz guitar
enthusiasts will want to give a listen to Robb Cappellettos
modern day jazz guitar masterpiece !!! www.RobbCappelletto.com
RRO
ENTERTAINMENT - Guitarist / composer / vocalist Les Fradkin
has a rich history in the music world going back to the 1970s
when he was a member of the original cast of Beatlemania (with
his uncanny guitar skills he played the George role).
Following years away from the music world, Les returned big time in
the early 2000s with a number of amazing
instrumental guitar based albums followed by a rock opera called Reality.
In the last few years Les has released a number of self-produced
albums of both vocal and instrumentals on his RRO label and in 2013
he steps back in the limelight with his latest all instrumental CD
entitled Suite For Ztar And Orchestra In G minor Op.1 No.1.
Suffice the say, the album is a major sonic breakthrough for both
electronic music and classical music. For his Suite For Ztar And
Orchestra, Les combines 21st century technology enabled by the
amazing Ztar (a futuristic guitar looking creation) and puts a new
spin on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. What Wendy Carlos did
for Bachs music on moog synths back in 1969 with Switched
On Bach, Les does for Bachs music on Ztar. With its futuristic
guitar shaped body, the Ztar is able to recreate the sounds of a number
of musical instruments including 6 and 12 string guitars, strings
and a vast number of other sounds and is combined by Les adding in
more traditional instrumentation including Roland synths, Rickenbacker
guitars, bass and much more. If you thought youd heard the last
of Bach in a switched-on mode and concept, think again.
Somewhere in the heavens above, Johann Sebastian Bach must be looking
down and smiling on Les Fradkin. www.LesFradkin.com
SEQUOIA RECORDS - Making inroads into the world of New Age, ambient
electronica and healing meditation music for three decades, David
& Steve Gordon are renowned as visionary artists.
David and Steve established Sequoia Records back in the
1980s and they continue with a number of intriguing, instrumental
CD releases. High on the list is a 2013 studio CD entitled Chakra
Balance. Even if you discount the albums positive, healing
musical vibes, and know nothing about meditation music, Chakra
Balance is still a fantastic and powerful listening experience
in its own right. With Chakra Balance, the sound weaves its
way into the realm of ambient electronica and will find crossover
appeal among listeners of Brian Eno, Steve Roach and John Serrie.
Another recent release on Sequoia Records is the 2013 CD, Deep
Healing Elements: Music For Reiki & Meditation 4 by the
artist known as Shajan. A Reiki master and composer, Shajan
mixes ambient synths and natural sounds to great effect. Whether youre
seeking meditative music for health reasons or youre looking
to chill out with state of the art ambient / electronic World Music
grooves, David & Steve Gordon and Sequoia Records have the sound
down to a science. www.SequoiaRecords.com
/ www.TheGordonBrothers.net
SONY
MASTERWORKS - The 2013 CD release of Presente by
the group Bajofondo is a wild ride encompassing an amazing
range of World Beat inspired instrumental pop and jazz fusion sounds.
Although Bajofondo plays a wide range of instrumental music, theres
also several vocal numbers on the 21 track CD. Coming from Argentina
and Uruguay, the group Bajofondo are well skilled in tango, milonga,
folk-jazz, electronica, jazz, instrumental pop and much more. Several
of the Spanish language vocal tracks might not be as far reaching
into the non Latin market (although they are cool too) but the instrumental
tracks more than make up for any lack of communication. After all,
instrumental is the international language and few South American
bands do that as good as Bajofondo. Spearheaded by guitarist / producer
Gustavo Santaolalla, the group features a wide range of musicians
and they synchronize perfectly. Released on the world famous Masterworks
label, Bajofondos Presente presents a fresh sort of musical
dynamic for the 21st century. www.BajofondoMusic.com
SPLEEN RECORDS - Although he grew up listening to Hendrix,
Santana and The Beatles, L.A. based Andrea Balestra is primarily
a jazz-rock instrumental music guitar player. His 2010 Fine Arts
Avenue turned heads around and he carries his sound forward with
the 2013 CD release of Painting On Silence. Full
of high-powered instrumentals, the 9 track CD features Andrea in the
studio with fine
players including drummer Dario Benzoni and co-producer Dave
Hill. Cut live in the studio theres an electric energy on
hand. Several guitar legends guest assist Andrea and appear on various
tracks here including Carl Verheyen, Julien Kasper,
Scott Henderson, John Pisano and Steve Trovato.
The songs are more than up to the test and a funky, jazzy instrumental
fusion cover here of the Beatles Abbey Road classic Come
Together featuring Andrea and his band, including Carl Verheyen,
bestowes a new and innovative shine on a timeless classic. Also covered
is the Thelonius Monk favorite Round Midnight, featuring
Andrea and group with guitarist Steve Trovato. In addition to writing
the music, excepting the Beatles and Monk covers, Andrea has also
done a good job on the mixing and mastering of the album, complimented
by excellent CD mastering by Gary Lurssen. Guitar fusion fans
will want to hear the smokin and very appealing sound of Painting
On Silence by Andrea Balestra. www.AndreaBalestra.com
SUN SEA SKY PRODUCTIONS - Released on CD by the Chicago-based
Sun Sea Sky label, Signal Hill has tuned in a modern day instrumental
rock masterpiece with their second full length album entitled Chase
The Ghost. The CD is appropriately titled as the music
is a haunting cross section of instrumental soundscapes that owes
as much to film scores as it does rock. Some of this CD is reminiscent
of 1980s bands like Love Tractor while Group 87 is another signpost.
This music almost sounds as if it has been ingrained in a collective
psyche, so these younger musicians have found it through genetic programming.
Signal Hill found their start around 2004 and the L.A. / NYC based
band features a pair of fine electric players with Dave Masters
and Rishi Arora who are teamed with Tim Cooper (drums)
and Brian Vasallo (bass). Described as a mix of indie rock,
instrumental / post-rock, electronic music, jazz and more, Signal
Hill are breaking boundaries for 21st century instrumental guitar-centric
rock music. Chase The Ghost is choice spin for instrumental
rock fans and open-minded jazzers. www.SignalHillMusic.com
TIP TOP RECORDS - A power trio of sorts in the instrumental
genre known as surf-rock, Glasgow Tiki Shakers stir up some
tasty sonic trouble with their 2013 CD Little Orbit.
Containing a solid band sound featuring Bill McGlynn (guitars),
Joyce Seko (bass) and Bruce Graham, the album features
a dozen original compositions. The sound is sparse and somewhat retro
but McGlynns guitar is superbly tracked and the recorded levels
of the bass and drums is exemplary. You can hear the influences but
theres enough of a new feel, thanks in part to the all original
fare, to make this of interest to surf-rockers and surf / jazz-noir
and 60s soundtracks fans looking for some fresh sonic thrills.
www.facebook.com/glasgow.shakers
ULTIMAE RECORDS - French DJ and arranger Mahiane has
a new CD out on Ultimae and its a good one. Filled with the
same, kindred otherworldly ambient vibes that Ultimae has become renowned
for, Oxycanta III is actually a compilation of various
electronica artists including Mer-A, AES Dana, Scann-Tec,
Lars Leonard, Miktek and others. This release is the
third
Oxycanta compilation on Ultimae. Commenting on the CD, Mahiane adds,
It took me over two years to finalize this project, along the
way I heard some beautiful music and I thank all the artists who trusted
me with their compositions and were patient with me. From the
impeccable, hypnotic grooves and lush visual imagery featured in the
prominent, eye-catching CD artwork, you just know and feel, Oxycanta
III to be one of the finest releases yet on the world renowned
Ultimae label. Also quoted from the online press kit for the CD, Driven
by her passion for music and nature, Mahiane titled her collection
Oxycanta as a tribute to Crataegus Oxyacantha, a species of
Northern European hawthorn dear to old time herbalists.' How cool
is that? www.ultimae.com
UNICORN RECORDS - One of the top prog-rock music labels in
North America, Montreal-based Unicorn released Solipsistic by
the international prog / jazz / rock band Semantic Saturation in
2013. A project of Syrian bred / Canadian based guitarist Shant
Hagopian, the band lineup is rounded out by big name fusion icons
including Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Ric Fierabracci (bass)
and Virgil Donati (drums). Theres a certain majesty to
the music which is very much rooted in the progressive rock meets
metal and hard rock realm. The album is quite well recorded and nicely
packaged with some memorable album art and graphics. Although mostly
instrumental based, the CD does conclude with a vocal track featuring
a collaborative track composed by Shant and singer-lyricist Andy
Kuntz. Although the sound is very western based fusion, its
interesting to note that Shant Hagopian is one of the first Syrian
guitarist / composers to emerge out of the Middle Eastern jazz-rock
scene. Overall Semantic Saturations Solipsistic is a
fine choice for fans of exotic instrumental rock music. www.SemanticSaturation.com
UNICORN RECORDS - Although the record company name is Unicorn
Digital, the label run by progressive guitar hero Michel St. Pere
actually makes great CDs, complete with amazing looking artwork and
snappy looking discs. Case in point is a fantastic 2013 CD release
by composer / bass player Antoine Fafard entitled Occultus
Tramitis. One of the top jazz-rock bass players and
instrumental music composers in the world today, Antoine turned
heads around with his stellar
musicianship in the group Spaced Out, who released some excellent
albums on Unicorn during the last decade. That said, Antoine fulfills
his sonic mission with his second solo album. Antoines greatest
musical statement as a solo artist to date, Occultus Tramitis
is superbly packaged with eye-popping album art and the music inside
is white hot too, filled with solid performances featuring Antoine
backed up by a range of players including ex-Group 87 drummer Terry
Bozzio, the great Jerry Goodman, drummer Simon Phillips
and more. Although Antoine plays bass and also guitar, he gets
solid backup from other fine ax men including Scott Henderson,
Jerry De Villiers Jr. and George Hayes. An hour of high-powered
instrumental fusion music, Occultus Tramitis is a dynamic,
superbly recorded album of 21st century jazz rock at its finest. www.AntoineFafard.com
/ www.UnicornRecords.com
WD-41 - Improvisation when in the right hands is quite
effective as a musical device. Case in point is the newest CD from
Shrunken Head Shop entitled Live In Germany.
At the core of Shrunken Head Shop is free form guitarist Willie
Oteri, who leads the charge on guitars and live loops. A number
of musicians assist Willie including Jan Fitschen (bass, stick)
and someone named Schroeder on drums. Also on hand are the
trumpet blasts of Dave Laczko. Like the best improvisational
jazz / fusion, Shrunken Head Shops Live In Germany (recorded
in 2012) works because the musicians involved, especially Willie Oteri,
are such solid musicians. Jazzers and open-minded rockers will catch
a buzz off of Willie Oteris Shrunken Head Shop. www.WillieOteri.com
WH SOUND STUDIO - Piano goddess Fiona Joy Hawkins helped
turn mwe3.com on to another great pianist called Danny Wright and
his 2013 CD entitled Reflections. Mostly solo
piano music, the double CD Reflections is filled with supremely
relaxing music that borders on New Age and easy listening. Although
Danny is well versed in the art of classical and Broadway music, on
Reflections he takes the opportunity to honor his friends and
loyal fans and, true to form each of the 18 piano tracks on Reflections
is dedicated to one lucky fan. Incredibly, Danny has nearly 40
solo albums of his amazing piano recordings. On Reflections, Danny
has recorded a double album of supremely relaxing solo piano tracks.
www.DannyWright.com
YOU DIG? RECORDS - Its hard to say no to a group called
The Hangmen, you dig? Hailing from Swansea in the U.K., The
Hangmen are capturing the attention of the guitar world with their
2013 CD entitled Singapore Slingers! Im not sure
what that title is in reference to, but their music features a rockin
mix of instrumental stuff indeed. Featuring guitarist Alastair
Jenkins at the helm, the quartet blasts off into outer space with
a driving, guitar-centric instrumental sound that borrows from Link
Wary and Davie Allan while also carving out a unique niche of their
own. The ten tracks breeze on by in 27 minutes but rest assured, the
replay button will be hit and hit again to keep this CD spinning on
players for hours of never ending sonic instro guitar enjoyment. www.YouDigRecords.BigCartel.com
ZOHO MUSIC - Based in NYC, Zoho Music remains on the cutting
edge of contemporary jazz-fusion with the 2013 CD release of Throwback
by guitar prodigy Jake Hertzog. On Throwback
Jake puts it all together thanks in part to an excellent backing
band including top jazzers such as Randy Brecker (trumpet,
flugelhorn), Harvie S (acoustic / electric bass) and Victor
Jones (acoustic / electric drums). Commenting on his approach
in the recording studio for Throwback, Jake adds, On
Throwback I wanted us to make a record using a vintage method,
but have the music be this contemporary blend of jazz and rock that
has always been our vibe. For me personally, as a guitar player, I
enjoyed the challenge of making this album in a "live" way.
In addition to his critically acclaimed album releases, theres
another significant reason why Hertzog has gained such acclaim in
the international guitar community and thats simply because
he can play. Equally influenced by both rock and jazz guitar styles,
Jake Hertzog combines the best of both worlds on the superbly recorded,
all instrumental guitar driven fusion sound of Throwback. www.JakeHertzog.com
REISSUES
& RETROSPECTIVES
ANGEL AIR RECORDS - Over in the U.K. Angel Air continue
finding relics from the vaults of pop and progressive rock of the
past and high on their 2013 release list is a 2013 CD reissue of the
1973 Ironbridge by the group Ironbridge. With
an Lp release by EMI international label, Ironbridge were actually
popular in France. Ironbridge espoused a late period Denny Laine era
Moody Blues kind of sound with a slight prog-pop edge. Definitely
a good investment for Badfinger fans although some tracks here sound
very neopsychedelic. Another U.K. guitar-rock legend, Del Bromham
is famous for leading the group Stray back in the 1970s
and lo and behold Del is back with a new 2013 CD on Angel Air called
Nine Yards. With 14 newly penned rock songs that
also features Del with a solid support band, Nine Yards is
more 21st century blues rock then the progressive neo-psych sound
of mid 1970s Stray. The Nine Yards CD is quite well recorded
and proves Del still has the right stuff on Nine Yards. Also
out on Angel Air in 2013 are a couple CD titles that are Sweet
related. Sweet as in the case of the U.K. pop rock group that broke
the sound barrier with their 1973 world wide smash hit single Ballroom
Blitz. Associated with the advent of early 1970s glam-rock sound,
The Sweet are fondly remembered again with the 2013 Angel Air CD release
of Sweet Live At The Marquee 1986. Featuring
original Sweet guitarist Andy Scott, drummer Mick Tucker
and a well rehearsed Sweet lineup, the 13 track CD features The
Sweet rocking out at Londons fabled Marquee Club in 1986, running
through a number of the Sweets 1970's classics including Ballroom
Blitz, Fox On The Run and many more. Another Sweet
related CD released in 2013 on Angel Air is Solo Singles by
Sweet guitarist Andy Scott. Most of the tracks on Solo Singles
were cut by Andy Scott back in the 1980s. Theres a definite
Sweet flavored glam-rock edge to many of the songs on
Solo Singles, while both of these intriguing Sweet related
Angel Air CDs feature excellent sound, packaging with 2013 liner notes
that brings the Sweet story up to date. www.AngelAir.co.uk
BGO RECORDS - Superstar of rock, the great Russ
Ballard is recalled on a 2013 double CD set on BGO. Following
his classic rock career as the founding guitarist / vocalist in Argent,
Russ began his solo career in 1974 with his self titled debut album
entitled Russ Ballard. BGOs double CD set
combines the first three Ballard solo albumsRuss Ballard
(1974), Winning (1976) and At The Third Stroke
(1978). Although the extensive liner notes by John Tobler
takes the listener way back to the 1950s and early 1960s
when Russ wrote the great Shadows favourite The Lost City,
their double
Ballard CD set is a timely reminder of just how gifted Russ is and
still is as a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Interesting to note
that some of the tracks on these three albums, feature songs that
became hits for other artists including Winning (a hit
for Santana) and I Dont Believe In Miracles (a hit
for Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone). A wide range of musicians
and renowned producers back up Russ on these three albums but the
sonic key lies in Ballards impeccable guitar skills and timeless
pop-rock songs. Rock historian John Toblers 2013 penned liner
notes takes the listener through Ballards star-studded career
all the way up to his 2009 masterpiece Book Of Love, which
is yet another Ballard album worthy of reissue / remastering.
One of the most revered jazz artists in the world today, Keith
Jarrett is given the BGO treatment with a 2013 CD reissue of,
Mysteries and Shades, his two 1975
albums. Throughout BGOs double CD Jarrett remaster, Keiths
piano skills are red hot. His band back then was simply unbeatable,
including Paul Motian (drums), Charlie Haden (bass)
and Dewey Redman (sax). Detailed 2013 liner notes by Charles
Waring takes the listener through Jarretts Impulse Records
years up to the present. Even though these two albums have been released
before, its great to have them back, with detailed liner notes
and fresh remastering on the great BGO label.
Also on BGO in 2013 is a fantastic two CD set combining two classic
Jefferson Airplane albumsBark (1971) and
Long John Silver (1972). Bark was the first Airplane
album without Marty Balin and long time Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden,
who was replaced on Bark by drummer Joey Covington.
Turns out that Covington, who died in 2013, was also a primary writer
of the most popular Bark track called Pretty As You Feelwhich
was constantly played on FM radio back then. The rest of the bandGrace
Slick, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
as well as Papa John Creachare also well represented
on Bark. Even though it isnt remembered as well as the
other Airplane albums, with its wide range of classic rock, Bark
remains a bonafide music classic from 1971. The Airplanes
follow up to Bark was entitled Long John Silver. When
released back then, the album was featured in a most remarkable packaging
(as was Bark for that matter). Even though there were no instant
hit singles on Long John Silver, the album was still a big
hit among fans of the Airplane and the lineupthe same as on
Bark with Covington replaced by John Barbatawas
in top form. BGOs 2 CD set features reproductions of some of
the original album art, complete discography info while 2013 liner
notes by John ORegan fills in all the missing links behind
both of these now classic albums by Jefferson Airplane. www.BGO-Records.com
CLASSIC MUSIC VAULT / MVD - The group known as Its
A Beautiful Day rode in on the same wave as Santana and Big Brother
& The Holding Company. Compared with those legends, little is
known of what became of Its A Beautiful Day, and their musical
guru David LaFlamme but that is somewhat remedied with the
2013 CD/DVD release of Live At The Fillmore 68.
Of course, thats the year 1968 and the group was just about
to enter their heyday. Four classic albums on Columbia and they were
already legends. Their 1968 Fillmore West show is superbly recorded
and it's probably the best sounding Its A Beautiful Day concert
release but the key thing here is a great 41 minute documentary of
David LaFlamme, wife Linda LaFlamme and the band theyve
been famous for for 45+ years. The documentary contrasts the band
live in concert through the years and is complete with new and revealing
interviews with the LaFlammes, the current IABD lineup as well
as interviews with former members of Country Joe & The Fish and
Big Brother. Once one the the most promising artists on Columbia Records,
LaFlamme has instead turned Its A Beautiful Day into a cottage
industry and this double disc set is a historical release that carries
his musical legacy forward. www.ClassicMusicVault.com
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT - Eagle continues onwards
with some amazing CD and DVD releases in 2013, the best of which may
be the DVD release of an excellent look back at The Beach Boys.
Released on DVD, Good Vibrations Tour takes a look back
at the Boys during their 15 Big Ones period during 1976.
1976 was also the year the U.S.A. celebrated its 200th anniversary
and what better band to help celebrate than the band started by Brian
Wilson back in the early 1960s. Sadly, the DVD only clocks in
around 50 minutes but it very skillfully mixes in performance video
of the Boys live at the Anaheim Stadium with some really eye-opening
documentary footage. Only a few songs from 15 Big Ones are
actually included in the show which mostly features the groups
biggest hitsGood Vibrations, California Girls,
God Only Knows, Be True To Your School and
more. The best parts features the interspersed documentary parts,
with one bit including Brian, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson
sitting around the piano singing Im Bugged At My Old
Man. In a word: priceless. The DVD, or rather the movie version
(years before the DVD was invented) was originally shown on American
television following the release of 15 Big Ones and thanks
to Eagle its well worth seeing again. Another artist finding
release on Eagle is U.K. guitar great Ritchie Blackmore who
is remembered with the DVD and CD release of Black Masquerade
by Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow. Released by Eagle
as both double CD set and 103 minute DVD, Black Masquerade features
Blackmore and company performing live during a 1995 Rockpalast
TV concert in Dusseldorf, Germany. With Blackmores legendary
guitar chops backed up by a number of fine musicians, including Blackmores
long time partner, vocalist Candice Night and vocalist Doogie
White, the concert features a range of classic covers of tracks
made famous by Blackmore in Rainbow and Deep Purple (including a rousing
Smoke On The Water) and is bound to please Purple fans
and Blackmores legion of fans. In addition, both the CD set
and DVD features a very cool booklet featuring a number of photos
from the show along with in depth liner notes by Jeff Katz.
Another band getting the Eagle treatment is Status Quo and
their 2013 DVD release of Pictures: Live At Montreux.
Pictures (as in the very first Quo hit Pictures
Of Matchstick Men), from way back in the 1960s is performed
here, along with other classic rock tracks from the legendary U.K.
band. Filmed and recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2009, Eagles
142 minute DVD release features the original Quo lineup performing
their most popular tracks. In addition, the DVD features an in depth
booklet packed with photos and new liner notes and is packed with
several bonus features, making Pictures a good investment for
long time Status Quo fans. www.EagleRockEnt.com
ESOTERIC RECORDINGS - One of the best of all the 2013 CD remasters
on Cherry Reds Esoteric imprint is a straight reissue of Royal
Bed Bouncerthe classic 1975 album Dutch prog-rock legends
Kayak. Released by Janus Records on Lp in the USA, the CD has
never been reissued Stateside, and the 2013 CD on Esoteric is the
first time the album has come out on CD in the UK. The liner notes,
written by Wouter Bessels, are really insightful featuring
interview quotes with group leader Ton Scherpenzeel and a myriad
of details following the band up to 2012. Kayak's drummer on Royal
Bed Bouncer, the late Pim Koopman is also cited in the
liner notes. Royal Bed Bouncer is often cited as the groups
best balance of early 70s prog-rock and the pop-prog resurgence
of 1975. Also included on this in depth look at Royal Bed Bouncer
are the complete lyrics and the original front cover of the US
Lp on Janus. www.CherryRed.co.uk
ESOTERIC RECORDINGS - Not many rock bands from Denmark have made
international music headlines around the globe but the country has
no doubt had a thriving rock, jazz and fusion scene as far back as
1969. That fact is well documented with the 2013, two set entitled
Canal Trip: An Anthology by Danish jazz-rockers Burnin
Red Ivanhoe. As the early 1970s turned into the mid 1970s, Burnin
Red Ivanhoe would soon morph into a much more focused kind of instrumental
prog-rock band called Secret Oyster. Yet pre-Secret Oyster, that groups
soon to be leader Karsten Vogel (saxophone, keyboards), BRI
drummer Bo Thrige Anderson, Steen Claeson (guitars,
vocals) and company were busy recording albums filled with jazz, rock,
and other assorted avant gard instrumental music. More jazz like and
free from music compared to the tight Secret Oyster sound, Burnin
Red Ivanhoe was kind of a precursor to the much more gothic tinged
sound that would soon be coming out of Europe in the mid later 1970s.
An essential look back at an early Danish rock legend, this 2 CD setdrawing
on four different Burnin Red Ivanhoe albums released on the fabled
Sonet Recordsfeatures in depth liner notes on the groups
legacy by Malcolm Dome. www.CherryRed.co.uk
GONZO
MULTIMEDIA - That whole 1969 to 1971 period in rock music has
maintained its place in the history books as being unsurpassed for
both content and innovation. It seems staggering to think about that
whole period today. Following the first Jethro Tull album from 1968,
Ian Anderson and Tulls founding guitarist Mick Abrahams split
the difference with Mick leaving Tull and forming Blodwyn Pig.
The Pig, as they were lovingly called are remembered in 2013 once
again on a fascinating sounding CD collection called Pigthology,
The CD features a dozen studio and live tracks that feature alternate
versions of favorite songs, instrumentals, BBC sessions and more.
Liner notes from the late U.K. journo Mick Farren fills in
some missing pieces behind these overlooked Blodwyn Pig gems. Best
thing here besides the music, which features superbly mastered and
mixed sound, is the album cover, which features the band's famous
smoking pig logo in full flight! www.GonzoMultimedia.co.uk
MVD - PA. based Music Video Distributors have a very busy Fall
2013 release schedule underway and among the most prominent is Going
Underground. Subtitled Paul McCartney, The Beatles
And The UK Counter-Culture and clocking in at 153 minutes,
the DVD takes a solid look back at the life and times of The Beatles
during their psychedelic period from 1966 to 1968. To call The Beatles
musical innovators would be an understatement and for those who are
either clueless or need a refresher course, this DVD is perfect. With
John Lennon sadly gone now nearly 33 years, the onus of history
has fallen, often unfairly, on Paul McCartney to carry that weight.
Theres a good reason why Lennon picked McCartney to be his musical
partner. McCartney the musical innovator, the Fab Fours astute
businessman, the cultural philanthropist and rock humanitarian are
well explored on this amazing DVD. Released on U.K. based Pride label
and handled Stateside by MVD, the DVD features a wealth of interviews
with snippets of The Beatles but mostly of the artists and associates
they knew and worked with during those heady breakthrough years including
Barry Miles, Hoppy Hopkins, music producer
Joe Boyd, Mick Farren, John Dunbar, Robert
Wyatt and many more including some very prominent music journalists.
While The Beatles and specifically Beatles survivor Paul McCartneys
involvement in the U.K. counter culture, are at the heart of this
documentary, theres plenty more here including great performance
clips of Pink Floyd, during the Syd Barrett years and
so much more. Beatles fans, miss Going Underground at your
own risk.
Fans of Bob Dylan will want to explore a 2013 CD/DVD from MVD
entitled After The Crash. After The Crash takes
a look at Dylans life between 1966 and 1978. The nearly 3 hour
CD/DVD was produced in association with ISIS magazine and features
interviews with a wide array of music journalists who discuss Dylans
life between these high points in his artistic career. The CD half
of the set features phone conversations between Bob and political
agitator A.J. Weberman. One of the top jazz-rock bands from
England, Colosseum is given a fine retrospective with the 2013
DVD release of Colosseum - In Concert. Featuring
the now late great horn man Dick Heckstall-Smith, (pictured
on the DVD cover art) the 44 minute DVD was recorded live during a
1971 television performance and features classic Colosseum tacks including
Walking In The Park and The Machine Demands A Sacrifice.
Released by the U.K. based Sexy Intellectual label and released in
the U.S. by MVD, Song Of The South: Duane Allman And The Rise
Of The Allman Brothers is must see video for fans of the late
great guitarist. Clocking in at 131 minutes, the DVD takes a look
at Duanes early years in Florida, his session work and of course
his involvement in The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton. Featuring
rare footage of Duane Allman, the DVD also features new interviews
with a number of the late great guitarists associates, friends
and a side of musicologists. Released by MVD, the 90 minute DVD release
of Welcome To The Machine, a rockumentary by
Andreas Steinkogler, presents an insiders look into the music
business and features a number of artists including Kim Wilde,
Lydia Lurch, Uriah Heep, Fatboy Slim, Kool And
The Gang and many more. The group known as Level 42 are
given the DVD treatment with the 2013 release of Live At Londons
Town & Country Club Released by U.K. DVD experts
Weinerworld and offered in the U.S. through MVD, the 97 minute DVD
features Level 42 performing live in March 1992 at the end of their
Guaranteed tour with the DVD featuring original members Mark
King and Mike Lindup from the original Level 42 band, who
are joined here by U.K. drumming legend Gary Husband and prog
guitar hero Jakko Jakszyk, from the King Crimson tribute band
Twentieth Century Schizoid Band. 21 years after the show was filmed,
Level 42 Live is a fitting look back at this rock legend. www.MVDb2b.com
REPRISE
RECORDS - By late 1969, Danny Kirwan all but owned Fleetwood
Mac. Peter Green was about to collapse from near mental exhaustion
and would bow out of the band following that crazy Fall 69 tour
where at Madison Sq. Garden Mac opened for Grand Funk Railroad, who
were sandwiched in between Mac and headliners Sly & The Family
Stone. I was lucky enough to see that Madison Sq. Garden triple bill
and Mac were brilliant (Grand Funk werent bad but we left during
Sly). The opportune aspect of having finally attained the big time,
a recording contract on Frank Sinatras Reprise label and prospect
of millions of new ears and eager eyes ready to gape and gawk at the
new stars of Reprise was too much for Kirwans mentor Peter
Green, a guitar god who at that moment was primed to become the
next Clapton. Unknown to many of the band's teeny bopper fans, Peter
Green had reached a zenith, a watershed with Then Play On,
released in the early Autumn of 1969. Finally in 2013 Rhino Records
reissued Then Play On on single disc CD and also as part of
a four album vinyl box set compiling Fleetwood Mac's Danny Kirwan
years. Featuring new liner notes and original artwork, the Rhino CD
reissue of Then Play On is quite fascinatingan ear-opening
track lineup restoring the original U.K. album order while also adding
in both the A and B sides of a pair of singles from the album sessions,
including the original Oh Well Pt. 1 and Oh Well
Pt. 2songs that, in Mac history, were quite significant
and influential in their own right. Typically, Green and Kirwan contribute
some stellar tracksinstrumental and vocaland bolstered
by the archetypical rhythm section of John McVie and Mick
Fleetwood, and a seemingly hardly there at times appearance of
5th member Jeremy Spencerthe sound of Then Play On
has perennially proven to be quintessential Fleetwood Mac. Rhinos
2013 CD release of Then Play On is a sonic revelation for original
Fleetwood Mac fans and an essential homework assignment for burgeoning
students of rock history. www.rhino.com
UNIVERSAL
MUSIC - One of the archetypical progressive rock groups to emerge
in Europe during the early 1970s, Kayak featured the
music of keyboardist / vocalist Ton Scherpenzeel. Several other
fine musicians have filed through the Kayak ranks since 1972, including
the bands founding drummer, the late, great Pim Koopman,
vocalist / drummer Max Werner and original Kayak guitarist
Johan Slager. Kayaks second all time masterpiece, entitled
The Last Encore, from 1976, was reissued in
2012 by Universal in Holland as part of a two disc set with another
Kayak album, the bands album from 1980 entitled Periscope
Life. Featuring (then) new vocalist, Edward Reekers,
Periscope Life, recorded in L.A. during the fall of 1979,
was not quite on par with The Last Encore but it has its
moments. Only second in stature to 1975s Royal Bed Bouncer
(see review of the 2013 Esoteric remaster in this reissue section),
The Last Encore was a most worthy follow up to Royal Bed
Bouncer, although sadly Kayak was undervalued in North America
adding to the groups decline in popularity, at least in the
U.S. Universals Two Original Albums series double CD
set of The Last Encore and Periscope Life is a great
look back at a stellar period in the development of 1970s prog-rock
from the European continent. Best part of these newly reissued CDs
is the upgraded sonic remastering, while the album lyrics are reprinted,
giving rise to the theory of Kayak being the best English singing
rock band ever to emerge from Holland. www.KayakOnline.nl
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