MWE3.COM
MUSIC NEWS & NOTES
WINTER 2015 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
ACC
RECORDS - Mixing Americana musical strains with power pop is a
great idea that comes to fruition on the 2014 CD release of Harlequin,
the second album from the North Carolina based band called Alarm
Clock Conspiracy. Other influences abound on the 13 track CD including
indie rock, power-pop, alt-country, acoustic folk and 1960s
rock. Youd think with so many influences, the music would be
all over the map, but theres plenty of musical focus here and
the band takes a solid approach to their musical goals. The ACC sound
is mostly shaped by the songs, vocals and guitars of Chris Carter
and Ian Reardon and they get plenty of backup from their
band mates James Hurlston (drums) and Wes Jameson (bass)
along with several guest artists like John Keane. Recorded
in Athens, Georgia, ACCs Harlequin is a fun-filled set
of 21st century pop-rock magic. www.AlarmClockConspiracy.com
CEOLS CRAIC - Its not often youll hear a modern
pop album with lyrics sung in Gaelic, an ancient tongue from way up
in the Scottish highlands. Singer-songwriter Willie Campbell explores
his Scottish roots with his 2014 CD Dalma. The
songs are really soaring, well crafted pop and though the vocals sound
lost in translation, the tracks have an urgency that expertly combines
pop with a Byrds-inspired kind of country rock groove. Some songs
explode in full flight and some are more atmospheric but its
all done in the best of taste. Two songs sung in English are featured
at the end of the 12 track CD. Folk-rock fans looking for something
fresh and different will enjoy the well crafted sound of Willie Campbells
Dalma. www.WillieCampbell.co.uk
BEACHWOOD
RECORDINGS - Singer-songwriter James Lee Stanley returned
in 2014 with The Apocaloptimist. The twelve track
album features another memorable set of breezy California pop marked
by deep, introspective lyrics. Stanley released a pair of album tributes
to The Rolling Stones called All Wood And Stones, with fellow
guitarist John Batdorf, but as far as his solo work goes, The Apocaloptimist
is James Lee at his finest. For guitar geeks, the CD lists some
of guitars played on the CD and James Lee proves his worth as a guitarist
of merit throughout the album. A smooth and funky cover of the Beatles
Drive My Car sets a cool smooth-pop groove and serves
as a diversion to the all original music on the rest of the CD. The
instrumental Etude In E Minor demonstrates James Lees
guitar prowess. Fans of 1970s mellow rock icons like Seals &
Crofts and Batdorf & Rodney will catch a buzz from James Lee Stanley
and his easy on the ears brand of acoustic guitar-based pop and rock.
www.JamesLeeStanley.com
CARPARK
RECORDS - Just when youre getting older in life, it doesnt
mean you have to top listening to cutting edge music. Brooklyn based
Carpark Records is right there on the cusp of 21st century music with
the 2014 CD release of Breathing Statures by the NYC
band called Young Magic. The centerpiece of Young Magic is
the voice of Melati Malay, who is superbly produced by Isaac
Emmanuel. The ten track CD was recorded all over the world and
put together in NYC. The sound of Young Magic is best described as
train of thought rock with a definite bent towards extreme sonic experimentalism.
In the wrong hands, this could have been a disaster but in the hands
of singer Melati and her producer, the sound is magical indeed. Also
on tap at Carpark is The Way And Color by the band called
Teen. The group centers around the sonic vision of three sisters
- Teeny Lieberson (vocals), Lizzie Lieberson (keyboards)
and Katherine Lieberson (drums) who are aided by bassist Boshra
AlSaadi. Again, the sound is quite extreme yet sonically pleasing
to the ears. The CD sound is accurately described as being a mix of
brooding pop with minimalist beats and complex harmonies. Teen will
bowl you over with a one, two sonic punch but youll be back
for more. Lastly on Carpark in 2014 is Fortuna by New
Zealand rockers Popstrangers. Not quite as harmonically dense
or daring musically as Teen or Young Magic, Popstrangers, featuring
singer Joel Flyger and some ultra hot electric guitar work,
is nevertheless another welcome 21st century alt-pop CD release on
Brooklyn based Carpark. Carpark keeps on the cutting edge of new modern
pop music with their 2014 CD releases. www.CarparkRecords.com
COOL
COUNTRY MUSIC- The Swedes in Sweden love American country music
and case in point is the 2014 from singer Cina Samuelson. Blessed
with a rocking set of strong musical pipes, Cina gets it right on
her 13 track Roots & Memories CD released on the
Cool Country Music label. Not surprisingly, the album kicks off with
a rousing cover of Aint Had No Loving, written by
Dallas Frazier.Cina's album is actually a tribute CD, filled with
spot-on covers of American country music icons like Buck Owens, Conway
Twitty, Willie Nelson, Bill and Dottie West, George Jones, Dustin
Tubb, Dallas Frazier and more. The album was tastefully produced by
Cina and pedal steel guitar ace Berra Karlsson and features
the cream of the crop of Swedish session players. With one memorable
cover after the next, Roots & Memories is a great introduction
to the 21st century country-rock sound of Cina Samuelson. www.CinaSamuelson.se
CROMERZONE
- Singer-songwriter Judy Dyble returned in 2013 with her critically
acclaimed album Flow And Change. Following the success of that
CD, Judy is back in 2014 with a live album recorded in 2013 called
Live At WM Jazz. Assisted by a full band including
keyboardist Alistair Murphy, guitarist Jeremy Salman and
others, the eleven track CD features live versions of music from Flow
And Change, while other tracks echo her work as the original lead
singer in Fairport Convention and her involvement in the very early
King Crimson. The CD booklet reprints the original concert review
in Prog magazine while and also features b&w pictures of the concert.
For those who havent heard Judys music, she clearly remains
a masterful vocalist and her presence on the 21st century music scene,
despite years of being out of the public eye and ear, is a most welcome
reminder of just how gifted she really is. While none her early musical
cohorts from Crimson and Fairport are present on this live CD, backed
by a fantastic group of musicians, on Live At WM Jazz Judy
uniquely redefines the essence of progressive music and comes
up with a sound that can only be described as 21st century prog-folk.
Fans of classic English progressive music, dont miss this CD.
www.JudyDyble.com
EAGLE
ROCK ENTERTAINMENT - Also new on
Eagle for 2014 is Planes, Trains And Eric by U.K. guitar
hero Eric Clapton. One of the all time great blues-rock guitarists,
Clapton has numerous CD and DVD titles to his credit since his days
with Cream back in the mid 1960s and this new DVD should please long
time fans. Filmed and recorded during Claptons 2014 tour of
the Far East and the Middle East, the DVD features EC backed up by
a hot band including drummer Steve Gadd, bass ace Nathan
East, piano legend Chris Stainton and on Hammond organ
Paul Carrack. In addition to classic live versions of favorites
like Layla, I Shot The Sheriff, Tell
The Truth and more, theres also plenty of interview clips
featuring Eric and his band. All in all, Planes, Trains And Eric
features an intimate and totally rocking look at EC and company
during their 2014 tour of Japan, Singapore and Bahrain. With the 2014
passing of Jack Bruce and Joe Cocker, Clapton remains one of the last
seminal figures of classic British rock history. Another British rock
legend, Deep Purple is given another look and listen with Deep
Purple With Orchestra: Live In Verona. Although for
the longest time missing original guitarist Richie Blackmore, the
current Deep Purple lineup does features long time singer Ian Gillan
and founding members Ian Paice (drums) and Roger Glover
(bass), while filling in for Blackmore on guitar since the mid
1990s is still Dregs founder Steve Morse. Featuring
the band backed up by a full symphony orchestra live in Rome during
the summer of 2011, theres plenty of classic Purple rock in
play on Live In Verona, making the nearly two hour live in
concert DVD essential for long time Deep Purple fans. Like usual for
Eagle Releases, the DVD is well packaged and features in depth booklet
with detailed liner notes. www.Eagle-Rock.com
EARACHE RECORDS / SOUTHERN GROUND ARTISTS - Southern
rock is alive and well in the grooves of The Whippoorwill by
Atlanta based rockers Blackberry Smoke. Some have compared
this band to legendary rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker
Band and some tracks also echo Robbie Robertson and The Band, most
notably on the title track The Whippoorwill. Lead vocals
by Charlie Starr are neatly framed by solid musicianship all
around including guitarist Richard Turner. Blackberry Smoke
has toured all over the world, jamming with ZZ Top in Florida, and
like Skynyrd they offer a rocking blend of country, pop and rock as
well. Commenting on carrying the Blackberry Smoke torch forward, band
drummer Brit Turners adds, We love it or we wouldnt
do it. The CD is quite appealing looking as well, complete with
excellent CD packaging and booklet with in depth liner notes and credits.
With their 16 track CD The Whippoorwill, Blackberry Smoke have
recorded a totally hot album of Southern rock. www.BlackberrySmoke.com
ESOTERIC
ANTENNA - Belgium based prog-rockers Fish On Friday follow
their critically acclaimed 2013 Airborne CD with the 2014 release
of Godspeed. Once again at the helm is group
vocalist / producer Frank Van Bogaert and keyboardist William
Beckers. Those who havent heard Fish On Friday yet will
be in for a treat as their latest album maintains a lush sonic landscape
from start to finish that makes the most of the fine compositions
featured here. For the release of Godspeed, the group once
again features guitarist Marty Townsend, bass ace Nick Beggs
and the drumming of Marcus Weymaere. Also on Godspeed are
several guest musicians, including the sound of flutist Theo Travis.
The album is again superbly packaged with stunning graphics and full
lyrics sheet. The CD starts off with the ten minute title track, which
serves as a suite of sorts with plenty of melodic hooks and hair trigger
time signatures. Frank has cited 1970s prog bands like YES and Alan
Parsons Project as big influences but theres also other influences
here such as Tears For Fears and The Buggles and, true to form, theres
plenty of eclectic prog-rock sounds on Godspeed. Music fans
will completely enjoy the 21st century prog-rock sound of Fish On
Friday. www.FishOnFriday.be
FORTY
BELOW RECORDS - Blues-rock veteran John Mayall is unquestionably
the Godfather of British Blues. For his first new studio
album in five years, Mayall is back in 2014 with A Special Life.
Long time fans of Mayall wont be disappointed with A
Special Life, which has his musical stamp all over it. Backing
up the blues rock veteran this time are Texas guitarist Rocky Athas
and the Chicago-based rhythm section of Greg Rzab (bass)
and Jay Davenport (drums). Back in 2007, Mayall released In
The Palace Of The King, which was called Mayalls 56th album
and since then hes also released a wide range of live recordings
on his own online label Private Stash Records, so A Special Life
is right up there among the 60+ albums Mayall has released over
his prolific career. At 80 years young, John Mayall is still defining
and refining the sonic template for blues-rock. www.JohnMayall.com
FRIENDS
RECORDS - Featuring the alluring vocals and songs of Anne Watts,
the band known as Boister returned in 2014 with Your
Wound Is Your Crown. I say returned because this band
has been around for a number of years, mainly under the radar, and
having released their first album in 1997, this is actually their
seventh album. Theres a number of fine players here including
Warren Boes (guitars), Lyle Kissack (drums) and Glenn
Workman (keys). The music is quite experimental and impressionistic.
This isnt pop with a hook and a beat. Instead Boister makes
atmospheric pop. Theres also several instrumental tracks, that
have a Bowie-esque feel. Sort of Bowie-esque by way of Jacques Brel,
Your Wound Is Your Crown might not be everyones cup of
tea, but the sound really sticks in your head and before you know
it, youll be hitting the replay button to dive deeper. www.boister.net
GLASSVILLE
RECORDS - U.K. based band The David Rhodes features
the singer-songwriter talents of guitarist David Rhodes. Rhodes
has played with a number of U.K. music superstars including Peter
Gabriel, Kate Bush and Scott Walker as well. Teamed with Ged Lynch
(drums) and Charlie Jones (bass), the sound of The David Rhodes
CD is adventurous 21st century rock that borrows various influences
from Gabriel and others. One look the discography page on the David
Rhodes web site and you can see Rhodes has lent his guitar playing
to a number of artists, as well as earning a number of soundtrack
credits, so its nice to see him getting some well deserved acclaim
for his own music. The songs click, Davids guitar work is imaginative
and the CD packaging is also first rate, making The David Rhodes
CD is pick to click among fans of cutting edge U.K. pop-rock.
www.david-rhodes.uk
HORNBEAM
RECORDINGS - Canadian born / England based folk music legend Bonnie
Dobson made her name as the composer of the folk classic Morning
Dew. Written way back in 1960, when she was 20. Morning
Dew is just one of the highlights on Take Me For A Walk
In The Morning Dew. Bonnies long awaited comeback
album was released in 2014 CD on the U.K. based Hornbeam Recordings.
Recorded over the summer of 2013 in London, the 15 track CD finds
the singer in the studio getting solid support by top UK session guys
including the esteemed BJ Cole on pedal steel and dobro, Dave
Morgan (drums) and many others. With the album full of lushly
recorded acoustic guitars, dulcimers fiddles, double bass and
other folk-rock instrumentation, the sound is quite full and clean.
Bonnies voice is a real joy to behold and when she hits those
notes on her remake of Morning Dew in 2014, backed by
these fine musicians, you can really feel a sense of history. Amazingly,
that song was written way back in 1959 when Bonnie was so inspired
by the famous Stanley Kramer movie On The Beach. Also Im
sure the CD is available as a download but if you can find the CD,
its really well designed. With their Bonnie Dobson album, Hornbeam
is keeping up Englands tradition for releasing really well packaged
CD titles. www.HornbeamRecordings.com
KAYOS
PRODUCTIONS - Back in 1966, the band known as The Blues Magoos
were lighting up the AM radio dials coast to coast. Big hits like
We Aint Got Nothin Yet and Tobacco Road
established the band with the teenybopper set and in 1969 FM radio
went bonkers for Never Goin Back To Georgia. Albums
on Mercury Records were well presented and further cemented the bands
image among pop fans. Holy smokes but Blues Magoos are back after
40+ years with a new studio album called Psychedelic Resurrection.
A sonic flashback to the mid to late 1960s, Psychedelic
Resurrection still features founding Magoos members Ralph
Scala (vocals, keyboards) and Peppy Castro (vocals, guitar)
and both are joined by a number of musicians, including cameos by
original Magoos guitarist Mike Esposito and original
bassist Ronnie Gilbert. The best thing here is, Psychedelic
Resurrection really sounds just like the original Blues Magoos.
Original Blues Magoos fans will love this. There's even a new remake
of We Aint Got Nothin Yet and other neo-psychedelic
sounds to make it seems like its 1966 all over again. Psychedelic
Resurrection is a most welcome comeback from one of the early
architects of mid 1960s American psychedelic music. With cover
art to match the wild sounds within, Psychedelic Resurrection heralds
the return of the legendary Blues Magoos. www.TheBluesMagoos.com
LIGHTYEAR
ENTERTAINMENT - Although they were big in the 1980s, The
Call ended when lead singer Michael Been died in 2010.
Years after the bands 1997 reunion, the core band reformed in
2013 for a live performance with Beens son Robert Levon Been
(of the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) singing in place
of his late father. As you would expect, theres a highly atmospheric
kind of 80s techno rock kind of groove in place andcaught
live on April 19th, 2013 at The Troubadour in Los Angelesthe
performance and recording is first rate. Backing the younger Been
is the remaining core of The CallJim Goodwin (keyboards),
Tom Ferrier (guitars) and Scott Music (drums). In the
deluxe edition of the CD theres a DVD included with behind the
scenes bonus footage, while for purists there is also a 180 gram double
vinyl package available. www.lightyear.com
MANGO
MUSIC
- A whole new generation of recording artists are arriving and theyre
bringing a wide range of influences to their recordings. Case in point
is the band called The Mangoes. Their self-titled album, called
The Mangoes, mixes in power
pop,
rock and progressive rock and the effects are sonically satisfying.
The 19 track album is the brainchild of singer songwriters Bret
Bingham (vocals, guitars) and Tim Morse (keyboards, vocals).
The album rocks up a storm and finds the two musicians joined by a
number of players, including drummer Bruce Spencer. The band
has good pedigree as Morse is a noted author who turned heads around
with his acclaimed book on rock legends YES, called Yesstories.
Tim also released a 2012 solo album called Faithscience.
There is a bit of a mid 1980s YES feel on the Mangoes CD but
some may argue its more in the realm of The Buggles, Badfinger
and The Monkees. Based in the Sacramento area of California, The Mangoes
bring the spirit of 20th century pop-rock alive and well into the
21st century. The CD is nicely packaged and features complete lyrics
and liner notes to bring the Mangoes story into perspective. www.TheMangoesBand.com
METAL
POSTCARD RECORDS - Hong Kong based Metal Postcard is making sonic
waves with their 2014 CD called Whisky Cambodia from
The
Cambodian Space Project. Apparently, these guys are from Cambodia
and sing in Cambodian too. The band features the alluring vocals of
female singer Srey Channthy and the band features a number
of musicians including funk-jazz guitarist, and the albums co-producer,
Dennis Coffey and a range of players. Complete with actual
Cambodian language vocals, the album is filled with infectious, punky
rock that benefits from the talents of some great musicians. Also
on Metal Postcard is The Fates, an excellent
album by U.K. based Matthew
Edwards & The Unfortunates. A fine 21st century pop-rock
artist, Edwards was clearly influenced by U.K. rock legends like Kevin
Ayers and to prove it, he actually has some fine players on board,
including one time Henry Cow guitarist Fred Frith who adds
in some of his supernatural guitar sounds in key locations. Throughout
the album, Edwards takes a lot of musical chances but, overall, the
CD is highly entertaining sonic enjoyment that is also quite a lot
of fun. The ghost of Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers lives on The Fates.
Another intriguing Metal Postcard CD release is Flow Chart
by Tasmania based singer-songwriter Zoe
Zac. Describing her M.O. on Flow Chart, Zoe tells mwe3.com,
I named this cross continental expended play song writing
adventure "Flow Chart" after
the
title track of the EP and also by definition it has a great meaning.
Written in Tasmanian, Beneath the branches off this flow chart my
division remains unbroken. My weaknesses cremated, my heart beats
to the mayhem. The CD was recorded in Phnom Penh and Hong Kong and
post produced, mastered in Melbourne and launched in Hong Kong. Playing
with different musicians and producers... I worked with acclaimed
author Tom Vater, Professor Kinski from Dub Addiction in Phnom Penh
and Matt Nicholson in Melbourne as well as Luke chow in Hong Kong!
My band split up on tour, I got mugged twice, I got dumped on my birthday,
the King was being cremated the logical conclusion was to go into
the studio and collaborate with the guitarist from Pussy and LearJets!
And play my heavily distorted guitar till I dripped with sweat. Lyrically
I come from a history of spoken word. Flow Chart marks a period of
time for me as as songwriter. I find the song writing process really
healing and therapeutic. We pressed Zoe further to discuss
her future plans for her coming full length CD, and she obliged adding,
In January I will be heading back into the studio in Hobart
with local producer to have a hand in post production of the 3 new
songs I recorded in October in Hong Kong. At this time I also plan
to record new works. These shall be added to Flow Chart to make a
full length album which shall be released as a vinyl Lp on Metal Postcard
2015. I work full time in management position with a corporate firm.
In my spare time I play electric guitar. There's a chance I will be
touring to the New Zealand I feel like keeping it local. Each
of these three adventurous 2014 CDs from Metal Postcard are essential
listening for 21st century rock fans. www.MetalPostcard.com
MEXICAN SUMMER - Liberation is the 2014 CD by Philadelphia
based singer-songwriter Peter Matthew Bauer and its a
great title that perfectly describes his music. Backed by a range
of players and backing singers, Bauer sounds like a younger version
of Lou Reed. Even though no one could fill Lous shoes, its
kind of a tribute to Bauer that his songs and arrangements cut things
loose with a riff-heavy range of pop and rock songs. Described as
a dynamic blend of soulful balladry, folk-tinged meditations
and full-bore rock n roll, Liberation is
both hypnotic and spellbinding in its sound and vision. Before Liberation,
Bauer was the singer in the NYC band The Walkmen and on his first
solo album he carries on the tradition of innovative pop music making.
The studio sound of Liberation is first rate as is the CD booklet
which features lyrics and very cosmically conceived cover art. www.PeterMatthewBauer.com
MONOLOGUE
RECORDS - U.K. based singer-songwriter Jon Allen is making
waves with his 2014 CD Deep River. The 11 cut
album successfully veers from introspective acoustic folk-rock to
a more full bodied bluesy rock sound. Vocally, Allen has a distinctive
sound somewhere between Rod Stewart and Steve Nardelli of The Syn.
The studio sound is first rate and the CD features solid accompaniment
by several artists including Rich Milner on keyboards. The
CD was produced by Allen and Tristan Longworth, so, between
those two, its clear theres a number of finely layered
tracks with excellent guitar work and drumming. The album also features
an evocative cover art and finely designed booklet with all the lyrics
and pictures of the artist. Deep River is one of the most auspicious
pop albums of 2014. www.JonAllenSongs.co.uk
MULTI-POLAR
MUSIC - Holland based guitarist and singer-songwriter Lonnie
Ziblat returned in 2014 with another successful album by his band
Modest Midget. The 12 track Crysis is a most
worthy follow-up the 2011 Modest Midget CD release of The Great
Prophecy Of A Small Man. Musically Crysis is all over the
musical map, drawing on pop, rock and progressive rock sounds. As
a pop vocalist and composer, Ziblat has the science covered down to
a tee. Crysis features several instrumental cuts that bring
to mind some of the music of Jan Akkerman and Focus but its
the Beatles inspired pop and rock sounds that Ziblat excels in and
Crysis is clearly his finest moment yet. Recorded in Amsterdam,
Crysis finds Ziblat backed up by some some fine Dutch players.
The CD is a sound investment and features an appealing booklet filled
with intriguing photography and the song lyrics. www.ModestMidget.com
MSB MUSIC - One of the key members of the legendary Stackridge
band, Mutter Slater could sing and write great songs and he
was the bands flautist too. Going in and out of Stackridge at
varying times since they formed in 1969, Mutter was a
key
member on the bands 2011 comeback classic A
Victory For Common Sense, so its even more surprising
to find that in 2014 Mutter has left Stackridge again but it isnt
all for naught. With the 2014 CD release of Absobloodylutely,
Mutter further establishes himself as a solo artist. Backed by
a tight rock band, the songs on Absobloodylutely offer a variety
of late period Mutter music: one part pop, one part tin pan alley,
vaudeville and even cabaret. Speaking about his band Mutter Slater
tells mwe3, Weve only been together a year or two,
but I agree that it sounds nice and tight. That is down to the musical
experience, pedigree if you like, of the individual members.
Balancing the solid rock and pop vibe of Absobloodylutely,
some of the tracks are more soulful and R&B tinged but each of
these tracks accurately reflects the many talents of long time British
pop maestro Mutter Slater. A 21st century pop/rock masterpiece from
Stackridge icon Mutter Slater, Absobloodylutely brings the
classic Stackridge rock sound alive and kickin' into the 21st century.
www.mutterslater.co.uk
ODDIYO
RECORDS - Vancouver based singer-songwriter Cary Heuchert is
well known on Facebook for his keen insights into progressive rock
history. Like many musicologists, Cary is also a gifted recording
artist in his own right. On his CD debut, entitled Blue Rain,
Cary Heuchert delves deep into the archetypes of rock and pop
music and provides a fascinating
assortment
of folk-rock, psych-pop and progressive rock sounds of his own design.
Blue Rain is self-produced and, while it may be more Emitt
Rhodes than Paul McCartney, its Cary's songs that will have
you coming back for seconds and thirds. One track here called Maoershan
is very much in the Mike Pinder tradition of mellotron styled instrumental
music. Speaking to mwe3.com about the wide variety of folk-rock meets
progressive rock sounds on Blue Rain, Cary explains, "Yes,
it started off as folk-rock, but in a progressive way, because I realized
early that I wanted each song to be a little different and show diversity.
I've always admired artists who were diverse. The Beatles perhaps
started this trend and opened the doors and inspired other groups
like Pink Floyd, Spirit, Traffic, Family and others. Bands which you
couldn't classify so easily..." The tracks on Blue Rain
vary widely from track to track, but theres a cutting edge
sounding early Traffic meets Nick Drake kind of approach here. A very
cool album by a rising artist with a lot to offer, Cary Heuchert's
Blue Rain is a fascinating look and listen into the art of
21st century progressive music. www.OddiyoRecords.com
www.CDBaby.com
PIXIESMUSIC
- 1991 was a great year for music. Things were changing but that was
the year The Pixies released their last album, until now. Fans
have waited for this and the 2014 CD release of Indie Cindy
will be musical nirvana for pop fans. Recorded during the
fall of 2012 in the U.K., the 12 track album is packed with one great
pop tune after the next. Theres definitely a Bowie like vibe
in the music of Black Francis, who gets solid support from
lead guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering,
Production from Gil Norton is first rate as is the album artwork
and packaging which is equally mind blowing. www.PixiesMusic.com
RED
RIVER ENTERTAINMENT - Between the mid 1960s and mid 1980s, The
Kinks ruled the rock world. Group cofounder Dave Davies was
always overshadowed as a singer-songwriter by brother Ray Davies,
but Dave could always be on target with a track or two on many Kinks
albums. With groups like the Who and the Stones continuing to tour,
The Kinks havent done much since the early 1990s and their To
The Bone era. Dave has made a number of fine solo albums over
the years. Despite his illness back in 2005, the younger Davies continues
onwards in 2014 with Rippin Up Time. The sparsely
packaged CD does little to indicate the great music inside and the
lyrics are poorly reprinted. Even in a world of download dominance,
an artist of Davies proportion deserves a better package and
art work for his music. But then there's the music which features
some of Daves best songs in years. Featuring Dave playing a
number of instruments, backed up multi-instrumentalist Dave Nolte,
with contributions from son Russ Davies, the album combines
a classic Kinks sound with a more primal kind of rock pulse that Dave
excels in. Camp, tongue in cheek moments like King Of Karaoke
mix well with more heartfelt numbers like In The Old Days
and especially Front Room and spacier numbers like Between
The Towers and the primal frenzy of the title track. In short,
Kinks fans wont want to miss this. www.DaveDavies.com
SLOW
RECORDS - Sweden
continues exporting fine pop-rock albums with new artists who sing
in English in an effort to reach out to the international music market.
Case in point is the artist called Slowman, (his real name
is Svante Törngren) who is back in 2014 with the 12 track
CD, Happy Boy. An excellent guitarist / composer
and vocalist, Slowman rises to the occasion with Happy Boy. The
closest classic rock comparison would to Bruce Springsteen, but the
Happy Boy album also
abounds
with a kind of positive originality that will keep you coming back
for more. Released after returning to the music business over the
past decade, Happy Boy is a fab look into Slowman's original
rock style. Further explaining his steady comeback over the past decade,
Svante tells mwe3.com, 'My return to the music business was "The
Best Of Slowman" that came out 2008, the second album was "I'm
Back" in the Spring of 2010. And then in September 2010 I released
my tribute album "Hey Jimi", which was my third full length
album.' When
asked to compare the wide contrasts in his music, Svante tells mwe3.com,
'Youre right in your theory about the two sides of my personality.
And theyre linked to the two instruments I use for songwriting.
If I use the guitar, I often end up with bluesy riffs and driving
licks. If I sit down at the piano, the ballad side of Slowman is closer.
Happy Boy is definitely the album I wanted to do now. Where Ill
be next is a white paper" Slowmans band on Happy
Boy is first rate and the memorable music matches the highly professional
studio sound. The entire album flows start to finish, while track
five Every Heart Is Crying would bring a smile to any
number of Springsteen fans. With the release of Happy Boy, Slowman
is one of the hottest current pop-rock acts coming out of Sweden,
dont miss him. www.slowman.se
STRANGETOWN RECORDS - Kind of a soul-pop supergroup, the band
known as The Earth is a wildly successful collaboration between
Dafydd leuan (drummer in Super Furry Animals), Mark Roberts
(guitarist of Catatonia) and singer Dionne Bennett (of
Slowly Rolling Camera). Just as she did in SRC, singer Dionne Bennett
sounds like a psychedelic Fontella Bass and echoing the eclectic pop
vibe of SFA, The Earth kicks that sonic football over the goal posts
and into the end zone. The bands 2014 CD release is called Keltic
Voodoo Boogaloo, but dont let that weird name
scare you off. The Earths CD is highly accessible soul-pop with
an array of ultra modern touches. Much like the always eclectic Super
Furry Animals, The Earth makes music that sticks in your brain and
these tracks will have you grooving along in short order. Fans of
dazzling, cutting edge 21st century pop, give a listen to Keltic
Voodoo Boogaloo by The Earth. www.theearthearthearth.com
UNIVERSAL
MUSIC GROUP - Simply put, Leon Russell is an American music
treasure. Having inspired both George Harrison and Elton John at different
times in music history, Leon returns in 2014 with Life Journey.
His voice might be a little more ragged than it was 45 years ago,
but nevertheless Life Journey is pure Leon. Most of the music
here feature Leon serving up covers of classics from the pens of Hoagy
Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Robert Johnson, Billy Joel, Paul Anka
and lesser known composers of songs like Fever, That
Lucky Old Sun and other timeless tracks. A number of musicians
appear on Life Journey including the late great guitar hero
Hugh McCracken, keyboardist Larry Goldings, bass legend
Willie Weeks, McCartney drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and
more. Interesting to note that Elton John serves as the albums
executive producer, while the album producer is record label legend
Tommy LiPuma (producer of the first two Dave Mason solo albums
on Blue Thumb). Of course, Leon in no longer in his prime, so theres
no Pisces Apple Lady or Delta Lady here, but
who cares? This is the master of space and time, Leon Russell and
were all damn lucky that hes still around to teach the
new generations how to rock n roll. www.LeonRussellRecords.com
WILLOW WILLOW MUSIC - Echoes of the Bangles and the Mamas half
of the Mamas And The Papas can be heard on the latest CD from Willow
Willow. Sure to be making waves in the music world, Listening
To Music is a solid intro to the sound of Willow Willow singer-songwriters
Jessica Vohs and Miranda Zeiger. The California based
duo actually met up in kindergarten way back in 1981. In their early
twenties, Willow Willow released a first album on the Mod Lang Records
label and now Willow Willow are back with their long awaited follow
up simply called Listening To Music. Backed up by a fine band
of musicians, Willow Willows music is filled with breezy California
soft pop sounds. Fittingly, Willow Willow is actually named after
a song by the group Love. Filled with one catchy, soft rock track
after the next, Listening To Music will make fans of retro
pop very happy indeed. www.willowwillowworld.tumblr.com
INSTRUMENTAL
ALCHEMY
RECORDS - Back in 2013, guitarist Jon Durant and bass player
Colin Edwin released the first self-titled CD by their band,
Burnt Belief. That first Burnt Belief album successfully merged
a number of instrumental music styles, mostly from the progressive
rock and ambient jazz / instrumental fusion genres. As cool as that
first Burnt Belief is, now in 2014, the pair have reunited once again
for their second Burnt Belief CD called Etymology.
Again, this wordless CD is never at a loss to put magic to music
and in doing so comes up with one of the defining progressive guitar
albums of the year. Masters of each of their respective instruments,
both Durant and Edwin could easily fill up the sonic sound stage themselves
but on Etymology theyre joined by three drummers who
are clearly on a similar wavelengthVinny Sabatino, Dean
McCormick and Jose Duque. Also here is the soaring, symphonic
violin sounds of Steve Bingham from the UK art-rock band No-Man.
Clocking in at 70 minutes, Etymology is being described as
a fruitful symbiosis and a clear developmental path across their
shared musical landscape that assimilates diverse elements from poly-rhythms,
deep ECM style atmospherics and angular nu-jazz abstraction.
If you have ears that are open to adventurous instrumental music that
combines, progressive elements from both jazz and instrumental rock
then you will completely flip for Burnt Belief. Burnt Beliefs
Etymology is one of the key progressive instrumental jazz fusion
albums of 2014. www.facebook.com/BurntBelief
BLACK
TARANTULA ROCKS - The country of Holland is known for producing
a number of fine musicians, especially guitarists. On that front you
can add the name Black Tarantula to the ranks of cool new rock
instrumental bands out of Holland. Funny enough, the band describes
their music as Netherkraut, which I assume is a mix of
Dutch rock and German Kraut Rock. Featuring seven cuts
and clocking in around 38 minutes, their Deze Kant Boven
CD has a kind of feel from both the surf rock genres and German art-rock
bands like Faust. Spacy, linear stuff, Black Tarantula also include
elements of psychedelic and garage rock in their sound. Guitarist
Ernesto gets solid support from his Black Tarantula band mates.
Fans of Link Wray and Los Straitjackets will enjoy the rockin
psychedelic surf sounds of Black Tarantula. www.Facebook.com
CHRIS BIESTERFELDT MUSIC -
NYC based jazz guitar ace Chris Biesterfeldt scored big with
his debut CD entitled Urban Mandolin and now in 2015 hes
back with a new CD entitled Phineas. Essentially
a self-produced jazz tribute to jazz pianist Phineas Newborn Jr.,
Biesterfeldts 13 track Phineas CD features the guitarist
in rare form backed up by the solid rhythm section of Matthew Rybicki
(bass) and Jared Schonig (drums). The net result is a stellar
sounding jazz album featuring covers of Newborn and other jazz icons
such as Horace Silver, Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington and more with
the CD closing out with Blue From Phineas, the only Biesterfeldt
original here. Jazz guitar fans will take note of Chris Biesterfeldts
flawlessly played Phineas. www.facebook.com/chrisbguitar
CRAZYPHONIC
RECORDS - Guitarists still cant enough of the surf-rock
guitar instrumental craze. Generations have come and gone since the
early days of Dick Dale, The Ventures and Davie Allan yet new guitarists
keep coming and trying to emulate that feel, that sound, and so it
goes. You can add the name Crazy Aces to that list of sonic
emulators. Also haunted by the tone and sound of Shadows guitar figure
Hank B. Marvin, Crazy Aces guitar ace Jeff Senn pulls out all
the stops and tops his 2012 Crazy Aces CD with the 2014 CD release
of Surfadelic Spy-A-Go-Go. Sure youre thinking
surf, psyche, spy and dance rhythms right? Well thats what this
is but Senn has a real flair for original composition and coupled
with his fine guitar skills, and noted guitar building skills, the
album is superb start to finish. www.facebook.com/crazyacesmusic
CRIME
LEAGUE - A CD of postmodern, industrial strength avant gard instrumental
electronics and sundry sounds, Reflective is a good
introduction to the sonic wall of sound of Gnome & Spybey.
The ten track CD, the third from G&S, features an all original
set of sonic sounds that blends electronica with a more experimental,
and often times harrowing industrial edge. The experimental edge often
times wins out as this is not an album that's easy on the ears. New
Age music this isnt, but the overall approach does not suffer
because of it. A number of artists guest, including guitar experimentalist
Robert Rich. Fans of Enos more industrial strength avant-gardica
will benefit from repeat spins of Gnome & Spybeys Reflective.
www.facebook.com/gnomeandspybey
/ www.CrimeLeague.net
DISCUS
MUSIC - Over in the U.K, Discus Music is continuing to release
very adventurous music and high on the list in 2014 is Orchestra
Of The Upper Atmosphere. A large scale, double CD project,
the OUA features a number of musicians, headed up by multi-instrumentalist
Martin Archer. Musically, the double CD is very much in the
spirit of massive UK art-rock projects such as Keith Tippetts
Centipede along with more ancient sounding works by Terry Riley, Frances
Magma, various types of Krautrock as well as influences from Sun Ra,
to name a few. The astonishing sounding double OUA CD covers such
a wide range of sonic moves, that it will get your head spinning in
short order. Amazingly, Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere features
a working band sound throughout, with the musicians recording
in the studio over a two day period, all carefully edited and orchestrated
to form a massive finished work. Those lucky enough to hear Orchestra
Of The Upper Atmosphere will be amazed by the meticulous care and
construction of a fascinating album that will be viewed as one of
the great sonic accomplishments of 2014. www.discus-music.co.uk
DAVID
STOCKDEN MUSIC - U.K.
guitarist David Stockden is making sonic waves with his 2014
CD Time Dilation. Essentially a one man band
effort, the ten track CD features a cross section of electric and
acoustic guitar based instrumental sounds. Stockdens expertise
at overdubbing himself on a range of instrumental tracks makes the
CD a tasteful
blend
of appealing guitar-centric sounds. Theres even some tracks
in the realm of Indian music and moodier, often times soothing acoustic
/ electric moments. Commenting on the time between his last release,
2010's Reflections Of Themes and the 2014 CD release of Time
Dilation, Stockden explains, "It came together after a
period of not being able to play due to injury. My hands had been
playing up for a few years and I finally took the decision to not
play for 8 months, which was tough as any musician knows. When I came
back to playing in August 2014, I found I had to relearn a bit and
it took my playing in a slightly different direction. I played a lot
with my fingers rather than a pick. Because of this, my approach to
music changed and that has been the most development that has taken
place over the year,s technique-wise at least." Fans of guitar
heroes such as Jeff Beck and Joe Satriani will appreciate Stockdens
grasp of various guitar instrumental genres. On the 2014 CD release
of Time Dilation, David Stockden successfully merges an intriguing
and highly listenable coalition of jazzy, rocking guitar instrumentals.
www.DavidStockden.com
DEKATRIA
RECORDS - On his 2015 CD, entitled Liars Incorporated,
guitarist Strat Andriotis redefines the role of the guitar
in classical music. The twelve track Liars Incorporated CD
clocks in at just under 28 minutes but its filled with some
breathtaking guitar-centric, classically inspired music. Assisting
Strat on this CD are some gifted accompanistsJeff Vidov (piano)
and Adrianna Lee (violin). Also on the CD are Katie Avery
(violin) and album co-producer Bob Doidge (cello).
Although
Strat grew up in Canada listening to Cream and Jimi Hendrix, his love
of jazz was ignited by the Miles Davis album In A Silent Way. His
early solo albums featured nylon string guitar and piano with samples
and, following another venture into the realm of hard rock, in early
2015 Strat returned to the neoclassical guitar style. Inspired by
classical music greatssuch as Paganini, Satie and BeethovenStrat
recorded Liars Incorporated. The results are truly striking
and quite satisfying, both from a guitar perspective and a neoclassical
music perspective. Strats fluid guitar work is in total sync
with the other musicians and instead of stealing the spotlight with
his mercurial guitar skills, he acts as the central cog in a well
oiled musical machine. Perhaps the most fascinating thing is that
Strat has written all the music here, so while it may sound like it
was composed in another century, the music here is actually a well
honed representation of 21st century neo-classical guitar-centric
music at its finest. Another good thing is, how often you play this
amazing CD, it never seems to wear out its welcome. Liars Incorporated
is a masterful guitar statement from neoclassical / rock guitar
maestro Strat Andriotis. www.StratMusic.net
DELTA
MUSIC - With the double CD release of The Best Of Jack Fender
the sound of guitar instrumental music is alive and well and living
in Germany. The Austrian born artist is going by the stage name Jack
Fender and thanks to some tasty guitar work, he more than lives up
to his moniker. Released by the Germany based Delta Music label, the
30 track double CD set features Jack and company performing a number
of well known rock instrumentals, including a range of Shadows flavored
guitar numbers and other well known pop vocal tracks that work well
as rock/pop instrumentalsfrom MacArthur Park and Let
It Be to Da Doo Ron Ron and Michael Row The
Boat Ashore. Theres not much written about the guitarist
and the music hes chosen to cover here as the CD packaging is
not very in depth. Aimed at guitar lovers and fans of the classic
1960s instro sound, the sound is excellent and the cover art of The
Best Of Jack Fender clearly speaks of an artist that loves the
music he plays. www.DeltaMusic.de
DOUBLE
CROWN RECORDS - Guitarist Dick Chiclet and company form
the axis of the Michigan based band known as The Concussions.
Having released Fall In Love With The Concussions in 2012,
the band is back in 2014 with Break Up With The Concussions.
Cited as being more heavy then its predecessor, Break Up With
The Concussions rocks up a storm but throughout the band never
forgets its melodic roots, especially on the CD closer, Struggle
In Overtime, a track that combines Beatles / Shadows influences
in a real heartfelt melody that breathes new life into the 21st century
instrumental rock genre. The eight track Break Up With The Concussions
clocks in under twenty minutes but instrumental rock fans will flip
for The Concussions and their fab instrumental rock sounds. www.TheConcussions.com
EAGLE
ROCK ENTERTAINMENT - Highly influential rock fusion guitarist
Jeff Beck is feted with a fine DVD release recorded and filmed
live in Tokyo Japan on April 9, 2014. Predictably entitled, Live
In Tokyo, this is the most up to date release by the
legendary guitarist and fans will totally enjoy the sound and vision
of Eagles DVD. One word to describe Becks approach on
this DVD is the word arch, in the sense that there is hardly a wasted
note and musical themes are oozing with intensity. A number of tracks
here spotlight highly melodic mood music sequences that makes the
most out of Becks Hank Marvin on steroids approach to instrumental
guitar music. Becks band is also first rate, including Jonathan
Joseph (drums), Nicolas Meier (guitars) and Rhonda Smith
(bass). The Live In Tokyo DVD booklet is filled with pictures
of Becks new lineup of jazz rock fusion all stars as well as
in depth liner notes that include interviews of Beck discussing his
highly eclectic approach to searing instrumental rock. Highlights
are quite varied, featuring the guitarist revisiting classics from
yesteryear including his famous Beatles cover of A Day In The
Life along with other covers of classics from the pens of Billy
Cobham, Mahavishu, Charles Mingus, Jan Hammer and others. Becks
scintillating instro cover of the Hendrix classic Little Wing
will leave you speechless. Several bonus features enhance the appeal
of this DVD. At 70 years young, Jeff Beck shows no signs of wearing
out his unique jazz-rock fusion guitar vision and Live In Tokyo
is a surefire winner. www.JeffBeckOfficial.com
EARTHSIGN
RECORDS - One of the finest recording acts on the 21st century
nouveau flamenco guitar scene, Terra Guitarra returned in 2014
with Firelight. Spearheaded by the guitar duo
of Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli, Terra Guitarra
create timeless guitar sounds for 21st century music lovers. Every
song on Firelight is filled with a passion and love of the
guitar. Firelight is a most intriguing instrumental guitar
album inspired by the primordial elements of mankind.
Commenting
on the album Bruce Hecksel explains, Creating fire was arguably
the biggest innovation on the planet. This new music is our way or
remembering the old ways and trying remind the world of the importance
of the basic elements of our existence - fire, earth, air, water and
the sun. Harmonically and melodically, Firelight sonically
fixates the listener with a number of daring and dynamic fretboard
moves. Melodically, the title track, Firelight, is filled
with stirring emotions. Overall, it's a fantastic approach to the
twin guitar guitar sound and is clearly a highlight of this album,
while the CD closing Coucher du Soleil is a fitting finale
to a memorable album. Perhaps those two tracks best represent the
feel and sound of Firelight. Stylistically, the Firelight
album is more like a complete journey rather than a series of short
trips. Bruce also proves his worth as a fine painter, and his artwork
and paintings in the multi-panel packaging also enhances the music.
Further commenting on the album, Julie Patchouli adds, This
recording has a lot of rhythmic diversity and energy, a fiery spirit.
We also take the Firelight concept to another level by thinking of
our sun as the ultimate firelight. The best Terra Guitarra
album yet, Firelight is a brilliant step forward for the art
of guitar magic. www.TerraGuitarra.com
ENJA
RECORDS - NYC based guitarist Rez Abbasi has been a mainstay
on the world wide jazz scene for the past decade. Having released
several critically acclaimed albums over the past ten years, Rez released
Intents And Purposes in 2014. Featuring the Rez Abbasi
Acoustic Quartet, the 8 cut CD is kind of a tribute album by Rez in
honor of his big influences such as Joe Zawinul and Weather Report,
Herbie Hancock, Pat Martino, Chick Corea and more. All instrumental,
Intents And Purposes is a fine showcase for Abbasis excellent
guitar chops and hes backed up throughout by a fine band including
Bill Ware (vibraphone), Stephan Crump (acoustic bass),
and Eric McPherson (drums). The mix of Wares vibes and
Abbasis stinging electric guitar sound is most pleasing on the
ears and the choice of material to cover here it stellar. Tastefully
packaged and superbly recorded, with the CD booklet featuring in depth
notes by the guitarist, Rez Abbasis Intents And Purposes
is one of the top instrumental bop jazz events of 2014. www.reztone.com
FIRE
RECORDS - U.K. based Fire Records is breaking new sonic ground
with the 2014 CD release of Fantastic Planet by the
artist called Noveller. Essentially an electric guitar
project by Texas-bred, NYC based guitarist Sarah Lipstate,
the all instrumental album sounds inspired by fellow Brooklyn-ites
Explosions In The Sky. As a guitarist, Noveller also sounds influenced
by the ECM works of Terje Rypdal and even Robert Fripp, but her new
music is even more cutting edge and perfect for the 21st century.
Fantastic Planet is not Novellers first recorded work
but, clearly thanks to the higher profile of Fire Records, its
surely going to be her most visible and recognized work to date. Rather
than an album of hummable instrumental tunes, Fantastic Planet
is an instrumental outing filled with glacial soundscapes that
provides the soundtrack to an imaginary movie in your mind. Fans of
Fripp and all the King Crimson disciples, dont miss this fantastic
album by Noveller. www.FireRecords.com
GENERATOR
- The country of Poland is gaining more name recognition thanks
to the Generator label. High on the list of new albums on Generator
is Future City by the artist named Lunar Synth.
Essentially the work of Polish artist Mark Wyrwas, the album
is very much in the realm of Tangerine Dream and other German synth
artists, yet theres some clear originality here that is worth
noting. Wyrwas has a PhD in the field of optoelectronics and on the
CD he combines synth sounds with other instruments including cello,
guzheng, guitars and various percussion instruments. As indicated
in the liner notes, the nine track CD was very much influenced by
space exploration and track eightentitled Cosmonautica
- The Moon Landingfeatures parts of JFKs speech
and snippets of the Apollo mission radio transmissions. All in all,
Future city is a fine introduction to the music of Lunar Synth.
www.facebook.com/generator.label
GREYDISC
- Sonically surpassing the 2013 CD release of Dark Sonatas, the
CD release of In Stories is the 2014 recording by the
guitar team of Kevin Kastning and Mark Wingfield. With
the release of In Stories, both Wingfield and Kastning embark
on a new sonic journey and explore the lighter shade of their sometimes
dark and exploratory sonic musings. From the following mwe3.com interview
with both guitarists, Kevin Kastning explains, At the outset
of the recording sessions for In
Stories
we set out to do something very different from Dark Sonatas. Some
of the previous albums had pieces that contained a very slight lyrical
element. By lyrical, I mean more of a clear linear melodic content.
None of those were predetermined; they just turned out to have a slightly
more lyrical direction than our other work, which, as you know, is
usually more dense and angular. By employing this slightlly
different tact, the music on In Stories achieves a new sound
that this team of existential guitarists are well known for.
The In Stories CD booklet features some intriguing liner notes
by Mark S. Tucker, who makes some interesting points
about their music, describing the approach here as improvisatory
compositions, vistas struck from rare elements, shifting and evolving
at a moments notice. Writer Tucker also accurately
points out that the music of Kastning and Wingfield is quite hard
to describe by using mere words. Using state of the art guitar setupsmerging
Kevins guitar arsenal highlighted by his revolutionary 36 string
Double Contra guitar and Marks ever increasing range of high-tech
21st century electric guitar sounds and computerized sonic enhancersIn
Stories is clearly the most illuminating CD yet from these two
dedicated fretboard explorers. Making sonic breakthroughs is par for
the course on every album from each of these unique musicians, yet
In Stories is in and of itself a sonic marvel that stretches
boundaries for 21st century guitar. www.KevinKastning.com
/ www.MarkWingfield.com
HARANT
MUSIC - A rising musician who combines melodic instrumental rock
guitar with a shred metal rock approach is Canadian guitarist Harant.
Simply going by the name Harant, the guitarist strikes instrumental
rock gold with his 2014 CD Unleashed. Key to
the album sound is Harant playing together with keyboard virtuoso
Derek Sherinian. The album is quite well rounded and, filled
with a number of fretboard moves, theres something for every
guitar fan here. The best tracks are the more melodic cuts, Hope
and the CD closer From The Heart but the harder rocking
numbers are done so quite tastefully. Speaking about working with
Derek Sherinian on Unleashed, Harant tells mwe3.com "Me
and Derek connected on MySpace actually, he had an interest in what
I was doing, so he ended up playing on my project. Derek is sharp,
pro and fast with miles of experience and to the point. It was pretty
overwhelming at first to handle that kind of an encounter especially
as I was new at this. Come on! The guy plays with all top names, but
he kinda coached me through it." Harants homeland is
the country of Armenia and the track here called Armenia
is a heartfelt tribute to the guitarists homeland. Being all
instrumental with no language barriers, the CD is bound to be of interest
to guitar fans around the planet. Harant's Unleashed is a vital
and bold guitar statement. www.HarantMusic.com
/ www.CDbaby.com
HOLLAN
HOLMES MUSIC - The spirit of electronic instrumental music is
alive and well on the fourth solo album from Texas based synthesist
Hollan Holmes. A film animator by day and an electronica wizard
by night, Hollan has been honored with
several
awards including 2013 electronic album of the year at One World Music
for his album Phase Shift. In 2014, Hollan is
back with yet another New Age synthesized masterpiece called The
Spirits Of Starlight. Hollan cites a number of synth
favorites like Steve Roach, Erik Wollø and Tangerine Dream
among his influences yet his music maintains its own unique flair.
With his four CD titles, Hollan is being heralded as a modern day
master of ambient soundscaping. Summing up his own musical philosophy,
Hollan explains, Music is an escape for me. It is my sanctuary
and it is essentially how I pray, how I purge my demons and how I
lament. It is a deeply personal experience for me, but one that brings
me joy to share with anyone who wishes to listen. Some might
think an artist with such amazing influences might be based in Berlin
or even Paris, yet coming from Texas, Hollan Holmes revolutionizes
the spirit and scope of 21st century ambient electronica with The
Spirits Of Starlight. www.HollanHolmesMusic.com
INFINITA
RECORDS - Guitar maestro Lawson Rollins reaches a new musical
zenith on his 2015 CD release Traveler. Commenting
on his 5th solo album, Lawson explains, Traveler is a musical
travelogue for me, chronicling some of my journeys in life and evoking
some of the places Ive lived, visited and returned to in my
memory. On this journey, my guitar serves as a kind
of
filter through which my impressions of the world are processed and
expressed in the language of music. Lawson always surrounds
himself with expert musicians on his albums and members of his Traveler
recording crew include violinists Charlie Bisharat and
Mads Tolling, Randy Tico (bass), Dave Bryant (drums,
percussion), Matt Tudor (slide guitar, dobro) and Cameron
Stone (cello), along with members of the swing jazz band Big Bad
Voodoo Daddy. Also on board is album co-producer Dominic Camardella
on keyboards and associate producer Stephen Duros (drums,
programming, keyboards). As he's proven on his previous releases,
Full Circle (2013), Elevation (2011), Espirito (2010)
and Infinita (2008), Lawsons albums are always multicolored
sonic excursions that center around his rhythmic and fluid fretboard
work, which just seems to sound better album to album. Fans
of state-of-the-art guitar music describe Lawsons original music
as both guitar fusion and symphonic flamenco jazz while theres
also a wide range of World Beat groove sounds that keeps the music
inclusive. With highlights including the spirited sounding title track,
the Euro-tinge of the Bach inspired Berlin Bossa and the
epic three part suite, The Urban Trilogy, including the
album finale City Electric, Lawson Rollins Traveler
is 21st century universal guitar instrumental music at its best. www.LawsonRollins.com
LOST
GROVE ARTS - Guitarist Toulouse Engelhardt doesnt
make a lot of albums but when he does, its certain to be of
interest to music and guitar fans. Toulouse was part of the Takoma
7, a group of finger style guitarists who recorded instrumental
guitar music for Takoma Records back in the 1960s and 1970s. Other
guitarists that were part of that group were label head John Fahey
and Leo Kottke. Fans of both of those legends will catch a buzz upon
hearing Mind Gardens, the 2014 studio album from
Toulouse Engelhardt. The 13 track mostly acoustic instrumental CD
is filled with 6 and 12 string
acoustic
guitar excursions that runs the gamut from instrumental Americana,
New Age, Spanish style classical guitar, jazz, folk and more. Enthusiastically,
Toulouse admits Mind Gardens is his finest album and in the
following interview he tells mwe3.com, Mind Gardens is my
best effort to date simply because it encapsulates all of the above
ingredients and captures the essence of my musical expression and
maturity at this time in my life. I have always said that the guitar
is a universe onto itself. The longer I play the more I realize that
I really dont know anything at all for the perpendicular and
parallel lines intersect to form wondrous sounds just like the endless
combinations of nucleotides inside a DNA molecule create wondrous
phenotypes. From a guitar perspective, Mind Gardens
is quite diverse in its scope but sonic diversity and daring fretboard
maneuvers is the beauty of the Toulouse Engelhardt guitar sound. The
state of the art for instrumental 12 string guitar music reaches new
heights of sonic excellence with Mind Gardens. It is quite
rightly one of the finest acoustic instrumental guitar albums so far
in the 21st century!
www.ToulouseMusic.com
MELODIC REVOLUTION RECORDS - Texas based prog-rock maven Leon
Alvardao is no stranger to the world of music and he makes that
clear on his 2014 CDEP entitled Music From An Expanded Universe.
The all-instrumental album contains only 5 tracks, and clocks
in just under 24 minutes, but each track has a lot to offer music
fans. The album features a definite King Crimson kind of vibe and
luckily for music fans, Leons album features key contributions
from King Crimson alumni Trey Gunn and Jerry Marotta,
the latter from Peter Gabriels band. Other influences running
through the grooves of Leons CD include ELP, YES, Vangelis
and Larry Fast of Synergy. Music From An Expanded Universe is
only a jumping off point from Leon as he already has another in the
works album planned that will feature contributions from Billy Sherwood
and Rick Wakeman. Music From An An Expanded Universe is an
excellent example of 21st century instrumental prog at its best. www.LeonPlaysMusic.com
MUTE - The U.K. label Mute Records has remained
on the cutting edge of experimental rock music for decades and theyre
sure to make fans happy with their 2014 CD from the musical unit called
Land Observations. Featuring guitarist James Brooks,
Land Observations made waves with their 2012 CD called Roman Roads
IV-XI and their 2014 CD, entitled The Grand Tour is
equally beguiling. Although the music of Land Observations is ostensibly
New Age instrumental, its also cutting edge and experimental
in the same way that guitarists such as Michael Rother and Vini Reilly
of Durutti Column were in their heyday. From a conceptual standpoint,
much like Roman Roads, this second Land Observations is well
presented and features immaculate art work. Each track is pictorialized
in the CD booklet with two pages of artwork that serves to enhance
the listening experience. On the Land Observations blogspot page you
can see artwork and video selections from The Grand Tour, but
audio buffs and music devotees are advised to pick up on the CD. As
per the case with 4AD, the sonic experience and visual experience
collide for a perfect listening experience. www.LandObservations.blogspot.co.uk
/ www.LandObservations.com
MUTE
/ MINUS - The artist known as Plastikman is back
on the scene with a new CD entitled Ex. The album
is really a platform for the man known as Richie Hawtin, a/k/a
Plastikman. The album is very much centered in the chill out, ambient
electronic sound of pioneers like Tangerine Dream. Its amazing
to note that Plastikman has been making CD since the early 1990s
and Ex is a good introduction if youre first catching
up. Not surprisingly, Plastikman is based in Berlin Germany, although
Ex was actually recorded live during a special performance
on November 6th, 2013 at the Guggenheim museum, NYCs famous
art museum on 5th Avenue at 89th street. The high tech nature of the
chill-out grooves here is well matched by the amazingly packaged CD
artwork, which really should win a Grammy or something. Fans of hi-tech,
21st century techno / ambient minimalist electronica will catch a
buzz from Plastikmans Ex. www.plastikman.com
NEW
FOLK RECORDS -- Minnesota based New Folk has a 2014 CD by Obsession
by Spains electric bagpiper Hevia. The all instrumental
21 track CD is very refined sounding and, coming from the heart of
Europe, the album sounds somewhat influenced by Mike Oldfields
Tubular Bells at times but for electric bagpipes. Interestingly,
the album sold 2 million in Europe and he has over 5 million you tube
views. Going by the group name Hevia, on his CD, and composing all
the tracks himself, José Angel Hevia is aided by a number
of musicians including a core band with electric bass, drums and percussion
with added contributions from a choir, and several tracks with string
sections. Pop instrumental and New Age music fans looking for something
new and interesting musically, just might find it on Hevias
Obsession. www.hevia.es
NEW
FOLK RECORDS - A master of all forms of acoustic guitar based
music, Greg Herriges has made a number of albums over the years
but clearly his 2014 CD Artifacts is his finest album
yet. Subtitled Traditional Music From Around The World, the
17 cut CD is actually a collection of recordings from Gregs
soundtrack and instructional projects. Featuring Greg in the studio
performing acoustic guitars, balalaika, bouzouki and other far out
sounding fretboard instruments, the Artifacts CD tastefully
blends music from far off places like Russia, Japan, India, Hawaii,
Thailand, China and beyond. Key to the sound is Gregs expansive
world view as it pertains to global music. As much of the music here
was originally featured on soundtracks and various guitar instruction
books, each track is listed on the back cover and to the right is
discography info that informs the reader as to where each track is
from originally. On Artifacts, Greg Herriges more than lives
up to his stellar reputation as a
world
class musician. www.GregHerriges.com
/ www.NewFolkRecords.com
RAFI LEVY MUSIC - Based in L.A. by way of Israel,
guitarist Rafi B. Levy continues to amaze music fans with his
unique guitar sound. Theres a definite Middle Eastern kind of
vibe on his long awaited comeback album, 2014s Uplift
Your Soul, but theres also plenty of instrumental
sounding Latin / African flavored and Reggae tinged grooves to keep
your attention strong. The beats sizzle but this album is very easy
on your ears and should pick up the ears of guitar fans with open
minds. Rafi handles all the electric guitars and bass work with fine
drumming from Tamir Barzilay. Guitar fans into well produced,
exotic sounding instrumental sounds will thoroughly enjoy Rafi Levys
Uplift Your Soul. www.RafiLevyMusic.com
REAL
MUSIC - Pianist / composer Eamonn Karran made a lot of
instrumental music listeners very happy with his 2013 CD Distant
Sun and in 2015, Eamonn returns for his best album yet with his
CD Forgotten Road. Evolving from the musical
path of Distant Sun, Eamonns twelve track, hour long
Forgotten Road album conjures a dreamlike atmosphere filled
with memorable melodies that creates a sense of deja-vu with half
remembered dreams that are more evocative then lamenting. Eamonn has
cited artists such as synth master Jean Michel Jarre and from the
pop world, pop singer Bruce Hornsby as big influences but clearly,
on Forgotten Road, the sound is very ethereal in the best spirit
of the Celtic-inspired instrumental music of Mike Oldfield and soundtrack
composer Mark Knopfler. On Forgotten Road, Eamonn combines
his
tasteful
synth work with his superb sounding piano and the results are both
haunting and celestial. Speaking to mwe3.com about Forgotten Road,
Eamonn explains, "As
a follow up album to Distant Sun, Forgotten Road is much more of a
piano based album, my primary instrument. When I first started developing
ideas for Forgotten Road my aim was to go back to my roots and create
something that was a piano album without being too cliché.
I didnt want it to sound like any other artist, it had to have
my own sound and include my passion for ambient synth soundscapes
mixed with traditional Celtic instruments. In some ways it is a natural
follow up to Distant Sun but in others it is a completely independent
album that I believe stands on its own and has a more mature sound
in both performance and production."
Theres
no denying the healing New Age aspects of Eamonns compositions
as those elements have remained part of his music since his surviving
a near fatal car accident in 2011. Theres an air of reflection
on Forgotten Road, especially with Eamonn losing his mother
during the recording sessions. Lifes rich tapestry of dreams
and memories are brought to light on the haunting sonic palate of
Eamonn Karrans Forgotten Road. www.RealMusic.com/
www.EamonnKarran.co.uk
REAL
MUSIC - California based Real Music released part five in the
Elements Series by keyboardist / composer Peter Kater.
Featuring 7 tracks, and clocking in just under one hour, the 2015
CD release of Etheria is filled with memorable
and enchanting instrumental music from the Hawaii based Kater. Following
in the footsteps of Kater's earlier Elements CD titles
Air,
Fire, Water and Earth, Etheria is actually the 5th album
in the series even though there are only four elements so far known
to man. Commenting on the album in the Etheria CD liner notes,
Real Music director Terrance Yallop explains, Wanting
to create a new project, Peter and I kept referring back to the series
until realizing the answer was right there in part of our conversation.
If only there was a fifth Element! From that arouse the concept of
creating an album representing the vast environment containing both
our planet and its elements. And so Etheria came to be. Peter
Katers Etheria is overflowing with majestic instrumental
music made crystal clear with his signature piano / synth sounds and
enhanced by Native American and bamboo flutes and other heavenly effects.
The cover art of Etheria is quite intriging and overall, the
entire CD fits in well within Real Music's celestial
approach
to ethereal and healing New Age instrumental music. www.RealMusic.com
RIGA RECORDS - New
Age and modern classical music keyboard fans will be in for a treat
with the 2014 CD release of Aquarian Dream by piano
virtuoso Carmen Rubino. The 12 track CD is filled with superbly
performed piano-based instrumental music that features Carmen's piano
accompanied by his soaring synths. According to the artists
web site, the album was composed to be music for your life, as its
backdrop and soundtrack. Giving the album its sparkle and sonic shine,
Carmen employs a wide range of high-tech electronic gear and software.
Speaking about the making of Aquarian Dream in the following
interview, Carmen tells mwe3.com, I always set the highest
standards possible when writing and recording my music. I then make
sure the instruments are playing at their very best and compliment
the music with their very own identity. My
hope
is that my listeners will experience their very own musical journey
when listening to Aquarian Dream, and that the music will preserve
a timeless familiarity for my listeners. That said, Aquarian
Dream is equally about the sublime sound that Rubino and his co-producer
John Barcelona get in the studio that makes the album so appealing.
Carmen's piano sound is very clear and shimmering and his synth harmonies
are very well orchestrated, enabling Carmen Rubino to sound like a
one man electronic / symphonic orchestra. Fans of Vangelis, Yanni,
Mike Pinder's orchestral rock approach in The Moody Blues and Rick
Wakemans instrumental albums will enjoy Carmen Rubinos
brilliant Aquarian Dream. www.CarmenRubino.com
ROOTS
ART RECORDS - Instrumental rock guitar fans will be in for a treat
with Three! from Andres Roots Roundabout. The
all instrumental album features a stellar mix of blues rock and even
funk and Western Swing sounds. Guitarist Andres Roots is joined
by his band mates Martin Eessalu (guitar) and Raul Terep
(drums). Some of these tracks are so cool and funky (check out
Moby Duck) that you can almost picture them in a Ren
& Stimpy cartoon. Roots himself is adept in various blues
and rock guitar mediums including electric guitar and slide guitar.
It has been noted that Three! is very much centered in the
blues genre, and while it has a definite bluesy edge to it, theres
plenty here for all fans of electric guitar instrumental styles to
enjoy. Whats equally amazing is just how cool the country of
Estonia is becoming, especially for fans of instrumental guitar music.
From heavy metal to jazz-rock fusion and now with the bluesy, funky
sound of Andres Roots hitting foreign shores, the country of Estonia
is quickly becoming a vital zone for major instrumental guitar talent.
www.AndresRoots.com
SECRETS
MUSIC - Finland is renowned for their tasteful guitar players
and as the band The Secrets prove on their 2014 CD Erottamattomat,
guitar instrumental is a timeless art form alive and well in Helsinki.
Featuring the guitar stylings of Marko Virtanen backed up by
Kari Änäkäinen (bass), Esa Hallivuori (guitars)
and Kimmo Koskipuro (drums), The Secrets are definitely retro
but its all done with such respect that their sound is equally
very much 21st century in scope. The thirteen track Erottamattomat
CD features eleven instrumentals with only two tracks featuring vocals
but the guitar is equally well presented on the two vocal tracks as
well. Theres plenty of great rock instrumental bands from Finland
and all of Scandinavia, yet few are as proficient and tasteful as
The Secrets. Purists will cite The Shadows and The Ventures among
big influences on the Secrets sound, yet in the end, perhaps the Finnish
influence is what makes their sound so inviting. Theres a Secrets
cover here of the Mondo Cane classic More that
will please guitar fans no end. Several guest artists appear, including
Finnish female vocalist Sonia Tammi, who enhances a track here.
The Secrets make surf-rock with a decidedly European twist and the
results make for a nicely recorded foot tapping album of instrumental
fun. www.facebook.com/thesecretsfinland
658
RECORDS - California based guitarist Lee Vilensky leads
his band, the Lee Vilensky Trio, through another round
of instrumental guitar magic on the 2014 CD release of Destination:
Love. Its hard to exactly pin down the Lee Vilensky
guitar sound except that everything he does works so well. The all
instrumental CD features eleven originals and a set closing cover
version of the John Barry classic You Only Live Twice.
Barry, who died on Long Island on January 30th, 2011 would be quite
happy with Lees cover here. Musically, the Destination: Love
CD kicks off with a great surf-rock kind of instro called (not surprisingly)
A Good Day To Spy and things just get better from there.
Theres hardly a note out of place as the sound touches on surf-rock,
jazz-rock, bluesy instro-rock and even soundtrack sounds. For Destination:
Love Lee gets solid support from a number of musicians including
drummer Jamie Lease and Bill Macbeath, who adds in acoustic
and electric bass and is also the albums co-producer. Some nifty
pedal steel by Max Butler and organ from Steve Lucky spices
things up nicely on several tracks. The CD cover art is very cool
and the sound is first rate, making Lee Vilenskys Destination:
Love a very cool sonic destination for guitar music fans of all
persuasions. www.LeeVilensky.com
SONOLUXE
- One of the most intriguing guitar collaborations of the decade,
Fantastic Guitars is a most incredible CD from guitar
icons Reeves Gabrels and Bill Nelson. Of course, Reeves
was Bowies guitarist on the 1989/90 Tin Machine albums and Bill
Nelson is the founder of Be-Bop Deluxe and a reputable guitarist in
his own right. As great as both of these legendary musicians are,
no one was prepared for the might and majesty of their Fantastic
Guitars CD. The liner notes feature illuminating words by both
musicians. From Reeves 2014 notes he explains that, What you
hold in your hands is a series of conversations between two friends
masquerading as songs, with Nelson adding It is a six-string
cinema, a paean to the passion we both have for the guitar and the
magic of music itself. Fantastic Guitars is filled with
a stunning cross-section of instrumental rock sounds, drums included,
as well as spacier guitar interludes that will infinitely please fans
of both these guitar super-heroes. With eleven instrumental tracks
that take you straight into the guitar twilight zone, Fantastic
Guitars will open your ears and mind to the infinite possibilities
of the electric guitar and those expert practitioners who still sing
of its praises. www.reevz.net
/ www.BillNelson.com
SPIN ACRE - Simply put, Indiana based Patrick Woods makes
the guitar sound like a entire band. Other guitarists, such as Steve
Howe, are equally adept at entertaining with just one acoustic guitar
and Woods is definitely in that realm. Patricks 2009 CD Vortex
Of Discovery made waves in the guitar world and likewise, the
2014 CD release of Candlelight Utopia is
another
impressive effort. Fans of Windham Hill guitar greats including Will
Ackerman and Michael Hedges will continue to find much to enjoy about
Woods and his guitar approach. Speaking to mwe3.com about Candlelight
Utopia, Patrick says, "I would definitely say that this
album is by far my best. Basically, your latest effort is always going
to feel like your best at that moment in time. I personally feel like
that is the way it should be, because there is no point in going backwards,
and repeating yourself. Candlelight Utopia is probably the most diverse
of any album I've recorded yet." Although there are no vocals
on this CD, the CD booklet features Patricks track by track
synopsis of the history behind the ten tracks here. Much like the
wide open spaces of the midwest where he comes from, Patrick Woods
Candlelight Utopia is a scenic, sonic journey filled with ten
expressive acoustic guitar adventures. www.PWguitar.com
SPACESTIMES - Hard rock guitarist Lucas Fagundes is one
of the top guitarists in Brazil and hes back in a big way with
his 2014 CD called Spacestimes. The 12 track
CD offers a barrage of heavy metal guitar-centric instrumental cuts
and jams that skillfully combine a number of musical genresfrom
jazz-rock to heavy metal riffing. A guitarist not afraid to take things
to the sonic edge, Lucas has developed a solid reputation as being
one of the top fusion guitar aces in South America and with the 2014
CD release of Spacestimes, hes kicked things up another
notch. In addition to the musical aspect of the release, the CD packaging
is also something quite amazing to behold. Lucas has pulled out all
the stops on the CD packaging, making it an equally impressive part
of the Spacestimes release. In addition to the packaging, the
CD also features a color poster that features track by track liner
notes from Lucas and sheds a light on his method of operation on Spacestimes.
Assisting Lucas on Spacetimes is drummer Bruno Roll.
Hard rockers and fans of the entire rock instrumental genre will get
a solid sonic buzz from Spacestimes. www.spacestimes.com
STEVE
WATSON GUITAR - South Carolina based guitarist Steve Watson
has an impressive list of album sessions to his credit including
his acclaimed 2012 CD with the band Watsons Riddle that also
featured keyboardist Chuck Leavell. In the spirit of that jazz-rock
classic, the sound of Steve Watsons 2015 solo CD Heat
It Up is pure 21st century fusion. Heat It Up
reaches
for and attains a musically accomplished caliber of instrumental jazzone
part smooth jazz and one part a groove based instrumental guitar sound
that owes something to the jazzy and melodic instrumental guitar melodies
of Southern rock bands like The Allman Brothers. Anybody here remember
the Dickie Betts instrumental "Jessica" from Brothers
And Sisters? Watson worked for many years in Los Angeles and was
guitarist for soundtrack kind Mike Post, and theres plenty of
cinematic type grooves in Watsons music. Theres a number
of excellent tracks here including the sizzling sounding Left
Turn In Space that works its magic as an intricate jazz fusion
track. Watson gets rare support from his band mates including Matt
Olson (sax), Keith Davis (keys), Rusty Milner (rhythm
guitar) Greg Alewine (bass), Hazen Bannister (keys)
and Big Tez Sherard (drums). Heat It Up is essential
guitar based instro jazz-rock and is Steve Watsons most impressive
recorded works so far. www.SteveWatsonGuitar.com
TONE CENTER - Guitarist Steve Khan is a legend of the jazz-rock
world. Going back to the late 1970s, Steve has released a number
of albums and his catalog is extensive, having worked with jazz greats
such as Ron Carter, Dennis Chambers and Manolo Badrena, just to name
a few. In recent years Steve has kept up his reputation as a choice
guitarist thanks to several 21st century CD titles on the Tone Center
label. Steves 2014 CD release is called Subtext and
its a great CD filled with exotic sounding World Music grooves
and lots of Latin music influences. Subtitled Subtexto en Azul,
the nine track CD clocks in around 70 minutes and its a
nonstop guitar feast from start to finish. A number of artists fill
out the studio sound stage including drummer Dennis Chambers.
The songs on the Subtext CD are a mix of Khan originals as
well as covers of Ornette Coleman, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter
and Thelonious Monk. Extensive liner notes by Josef Woodard takes
the listener through the album history and details regarding Khan's
love affair with Latin music. With the album having so many sonic
complexities and a myriad of musical refinements, Subtext is
an album that is best appreciated with repeated listening. www.SteveKhan.com
TONEWOOD MUSIC - Back in 2012 guitarist Tim Sparks released
a 20th anniversary CD of his solo guitar recording The Nutcracker
Suite on his Tonewood Records label. In 2014 Tim returned with
a new solo instrumental guitar album entitled Chasin The
Boogie. The 12 track album is once again filled with
a fine array of cover tracks and a range of Sparks originals. Simply
put, Tim Sparks breathes new life into the solo steel string acoustic
guitar sound with Chasin The Boogie. Jazzy with a fine
pop sensibility, Chasin The Boogie features Tim covering
The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Roy Orbison, Jerry Jeff Walker and more
yet the Sparks original tracks have staying power too. Liner notes
by guitarist Teja Gerken are followed by in depth notes by
Tim that go deep regarding the history of the music herein. www.TimSparks.com
/ www.MaraHaleyMusic.com
STRIKEZONE
- When it comes to jazz drummers, only a select few can compose,
lead and drum all over the course of one album but NYC based Christian
Finger puts it all together on his 2014 album. The 13 track Ananda
finds Finger in the studio with top jazz musicians including
Jeff Ballard (drums), Dave Stryker (guitar), Pete
McCann (guitar) Vadim Neselovskyi (piano), Adam Armstrong
(bass), Zach Brock (violin) topped off by the evocative
sounds of the Mivos String Quartet. Theres even a vocal
track here featuring the voice of Bobby Harden. Calling Fingers
Ananda album just jazz would be a disservice as the album veers
into all kinds of sonic complexitiesfrom avant gard to progressive
jazz-rock fusion and even neo-classical. Fingers 3rd solo album,
Ananda is complex, yet highly accessible sounding instrumental
music. Finger is of German descent, yet his jazz sensibilities have
found him recording and playing all over the map, including throughout
Europe, Australia and the US. Finger has played and recorded with
a number of jazz greats, including jazz legend Lee Konitz and he brings
that depth of experience into focus on Ananda. Jazz fans looking
to branch out into some deep and wide instrumental sounds will get
a sonic high from Peter Fingers Ananda. www.ChristianFinger.com
TRAIL
RECORDS - Based in NYC, Trail Records continues mining music in
the field of 21st century cosmic psychedelic music. For a good cross
section of new artists recording on Trail check out Psychedelic
World Music - Discover. The nine track CD clocks in
at just over 65 minutes and features bands from all over the world
including Germany, USA, Russia, Italy and even China. The CD is proof
that the power of music transcends nationality or language. The CD
is mainly all instrumental so what you have here are a range of bands
delving into the time honored traditions of cosmic space music and
guitar based free form psychedelic sounds. One of the many fine bands
on Trail Records making waves is Sweden based In The Labyrinth,
who released One Trail To Heaven back in 2011.
ITL werent on the Psychedelic World Music collection
but its really a good one. Interestingly, the 13 track CD, clocking
in at 60 minutes, was actually recorded between 1993 and 2004 and
is a fine collection that touches on the best of this instrumental
cosmic space music band. Forget Pink FLoyd, check out this amazing
Trail Records retrospective on In The Labyrinth. Also out on Trail
is Relations At The Borders Between from the band known
as Beyond-O-Matic. A truly psychedelic album from the San Francisco
band, the CD features the group blending in vocals to give their music
an otherworldly effect. To their credit, Beyond-0-Matic accurately
describes their music as being improvo-bombastic space rock.
Recorded in 2012 and 2013, the music on Relations At The Borders
Between is not for the faint of heart. Space rock fans feeling
adventurous may want to give a listen to Trip To Innerself by
the Turkish based band Siddhartha. The album was actually rec
orded in Istanbul in 1998 and after additional editing in 2009 was
released by Trail in 2011. Another spacy sound trip on Trail, Siddartha
fits in well on a label that makes more than its share of sonic experimentalism.
www.TrailRecords.us
ULTIMAE
- Ultimae continues to pave the way for 21st century electronic
music. One can only underline that statement with Radio Universe,
the 2014 CD from France based Asura. The 12 track, CD is
yet another example of Ultimaes devotion to
the
ambient, ethnic, trance, trip-hop and classic electronic music genres.
The album is the brainchild of composer Charles Farewell and
is a 21st century take on the 1970s sound of original New Age electronic
artist composers like Jean-Michel Jarre, Klaus Schulze and Vangelis.
Even with so may influences and such a vast number of artists and
albums to be compared to, the Asura album is actually very original
sounding in its own right. Taking its place in the prolific and impressive
Ultimae Records catalog, Asuras Radio Universe album
is essential listening for fans of 21st century ambient / electronica.
www.ultimae.com
UNICORN DIGITAL - In 2013, bass ace Antoine Fafard released
his album Occultus Tramitis to critical acclaim. In 2014 Antoine
is back once again with with a CD entitled Ad Perpetuum
and its another all around winner of an album. For the 10
track Ad Perpetuum, Antoine is joined by guitarist Jerry
De Villiers Jr. as well as drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Also
on hand this time are guest musicians Gerry Etkins (keys),
Jean-Pierre Zanella (sax) as well as Gary Husbandthe
drumming legend who is featured on a track here. Antoines rock
solid six string bass work once again holds down the fort while De
Villiers guitar just wails over the powerhouse drumming of Vinnie
Colaiuta. The all instrumental sound of Ad Perpetuum is simply
devastating and rocking up a storm, the CD tastefully refines and
redefines the sound of jazz-rock fusion in the 21st century. Antoine
has spoken about writing his music for specific instruments while
also at times having certain players in mind for specific tracks.
The bass ace couldnt have picked a better crew of players for
Ad Perpetuum. Antoine Fafards ten track Ad Perpetuum
CD just sails on by on a cloud of sonic vapor trails. www.AntoineFafard.com
VINTAGE SOUNDS - Over in England, guitar players are still
living the Shadows dream of guitar instrumental music. Case in point
is guitarist Roger Allcock, who released Backin
Our Yesterdays as a self-produced release. Overall, its
well produced and its a neat little album. The 12 track CD is
mostly guitar instrumental covers of timeless music classics from
the pens of Neil Sedaka, Mort Garson, Sonny Curtis, Bob Crewe and
the like but its done with a nice light Hank Marvin inspired
touch that should please fans of the guitar instrumental genre. Easy
on the ears fare indeed but its done with the utmost respect
and musical finesse. If you enjoy The Shadows and The Ventures, check
out Roger Allcocks Backin Our Yesterdays. The CD
booklet features complete liner notes, info on the composers, the
keys that music is played in and other insights. Following the twelve
track album, theres another twelve tracks featuring backing
tracks so you can get out your electric guitar and play along with
Roger. www.Vintage-Sounds.co.uk/cds/
WHALING
CITY SOUND - Last year, drummer Gerry Gibbs released his
Thrasher Dream Trio CD on Whaling City sound. Featuring Gibbs
with Ron Carter (bass) and Kenny Barron (piano), the
album was so successful that the TDT is back with a second album with
the same players entitled Were Back. Jazz
legends, both Barron and Carter were childhood heroes of Gibbs and
the trios unmistakable buoyant jazz energy returns for round
two in full force on this second CD. Thrasher Dream Trio receives
some vital contributions from guest artists including Warren Wolf
(vibes), Larry Goldings (Hammond B3) and Steve Wilson
(sax). The subject matter for the CD revolves around jazz impressions
of R&B classics from the pens of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Burt
Bacharach, Earth Wind & Fire and other notable R&B and pop
music composers. Instrumental covers are nothing new but in the hands
of these fine players, these classic pop songs spring to life again
as jazz standards. The CD booklet is filled with in depth liner notes
and details about the album and is also filled with new color photos
of these fine jazz players. If you enjoyed the first Thrasher Dream
Trio album then Were Back should be right up your alley.
On Were Back, Thrasher Dream Trio breathes new life into
R&B classics of the past. www.WhalingCitySound.com
REISSUES
& RETROSPECTIVES
ANGEL
AIR RECORDS - One of Angel Airs best CD / DVD releases in
2014 is the double CD / DVD Ronnie Lane Memorial concert.
The late great Ronnie Lane was one of the cofounders
of The Small Faces, which later turned into The Faces,
the band with Rod Stewart. Lane also played bass on many of Rods
early hits. Recorded live in concert on April 8, 2004, both the CD
and the DVD of the show features U.K. rock legends galore including
Ronnie Wood, Kenny Jones, Pete Townshend, Paul
Weller and many others. Townshend revives Heart To Hang
On To from the album he made with Ronnie Lane back in 1977.
Highlights include remakes of many of the classic 60s songs
Lane made with Steve Marriott and Kenny Jones as part
of the Small Faces. The sound and the packaging is first rate with
other highlights including the amazing title track to Ogdens
Nut Gone Flakethe psychedelic beat prog instrumental title
track that rates right up there with George Martins Theme
One for quintessential Englishness. With Kenny Jones pumping
out the big beat as he did in 1968, how can you miss? Also on Angel
Air is Cactus Choir by U.K. prog-rockers Greenslade.
Released on vinyl back in 1976, this is the first ever CD for the
album. The music is excellent U.K. rock with a progressive edge but
it sounds mastered off of a slightly scratchy vinyl pressing. (lol)
If you can get past that, the music on this CD is excellent. Featuring
Greenslades keyboards leading the band, including drummer Simon
Phillips, through a number of instrumentals and several vocals,
Cactus Choir follows a number of Greenslade titled on Angel
Air, the label where Greenslade's prog legacy still lives on. www.AngelAir.co.uk
BGO
RECORDS - U.K. based BGO Records continues to amaze listeners
with their incredible CD reissues. As 2014 winds down, its worth
noting a number of late in the year reissues by BGO including a double
CD set from jazz flautist Hubert Laws. Laws may be a relic
from the 1960s and 70s but hes left his mark with
a number of amazing instrumental jazz albums and BGO have combined
3 of them on a double CD set called Crying Song - Afro-Classic
- The Rite Of Spring. These three jazz classics - released
in 1969 and 1970 - fit neatly on the double CD set which is filled
with incredible covers of classics from the pens of Traffic, Pink
Floyd, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Monkees, Francis Lai, James
Taylor, Andre Popp,
Don
Sebesky and more. First released on the fabled CTI Records label,
and featuring a number of jazz legends, these albums are brilliant
and serve as a wake up reminder as to just how cool the late 1960s
were and still are. BGO also has a single CD reissue of River
by rock innovator Terry Reid. Reid rose to fame during
1969 and 1970 thanks to his Mickie Most produced albums on Epic Records.
His 1973 album, River, features key collaborators including
guitarists David Lindley and Robin Trower while production
by Eddie Offord and Tom Dowd enhances the album. Like
all BGO titles Terry Reids River features in depth liner
notes, this time by John ORegan. BGOs 2014 CD release
of Bang and Miami is a good look
back at The James Gang during their post Joe Walsh period
and the enclosed liner notes puts it all into perspective. Speaking
of jazz legends, BGO has a single disc, two albums on one CD set by
jazz vibes master Gary Burton. The 18 track CD combines Burton
albums Duster (from 1967) with Country Roads &
Other Places. Recorded and released during Burtons RCA
Records era, both albums feature name guitarists: Larry Coryell
(on Duster) and Jerry Hahn (on Country Roads
& Other Places). Speaking of jazz icons, BGO has a 2014 double
CD set pairing two albums from U.K. jazz fusion guitarist John
McLaughlin. Recorded during the Mahavishnu Orchestra heyday,
both Between Nothingness & Eternity (recorded with
the original Mahavishnu Orchestra live in Central Park in 1973)
and Visions Of The Emerald Beyond (1975 - with
only McLaughlin left from the original band) offers a good indication
of McLaughlins popularity during that exciting time in music
history. Another jazz guitar icon, Lee Ritenour is given the
BGO treatment with a 2014 CD release of his 1976 Epic Records debut
entitled First Choice. Produced by jazz icon
Dave Grusin and featuring the cream of the L.A. studio scene,
First Choice proved to be the first release in the career of
an exciting guitar legend. Each of these 2014 CD reissues on BGO represent
some historic musical milestones and are each worth taking the time
to listen again. www.BGO-Records.com
EAGLE ENTERTAINMENT - Fans of the
legendary rock band The Doors will be happy with Feast
Of Friends. Originally planned by the band in 1968
as an intimate and rare look at the explosive rock band,
the movie was finally readied for release in 2014, 45 years after
it was put into production. The movie features The Doors, in performance
and at play, joking around as if to prove they were only human after
all. Eagles DVD version has been completely restored from the
original negative as well as being color corrected with the soundtrack
remixed by legendary Doors studio ace Bruce Botnick. The DVD
also features a number of bonus videos including a feature called
Feast Of Friends: Encore as well as including a newly
restored version of The Doors Are Open, a 1968
feature filmed in London and centered around the bands December
1968 performance at the Roundhouse in London and The End,
filmed in Toronto, Canada in August 1967. In addition to the DVD,
the packaging includes extensive booklet filled with color pics and
in depth liner notes by original Feast Of Friends producer
Paul Ferrara. Doors fans cant miss with this unique
and exciting triple threat DVD from Americas historic classic
rock legends. Another classic remaster on Eagle is a CD release from
the late great Gary Moore entitled Live At Bush Hall.
Although he passed away on February 6, 2011, Moore is still remembered
as one of the key guitarists on the classic British blues-rock scene.
Eagle has been keeping Moores blues-rock flame burning brightly
and this live concert, recorded at Londons Bush Hall on May
17, 2007 features 13 live tracks covered from his then album Close
As You Get and features a smokin set with Moore backed up
by his band. In addition, the CD features new liner notes by Liz
Barnes. www.Eagle-Rock.com
ESOTERIC
- The
history of late '60s / early 1970s rock from England reads like a
text book filled with 20th century musical greatness. In Englands
post-Beatles landscape, by 1970 the stage was being set for a new
brand of progressive music inspired by The Beatles, yet ready to take
it to the next level. Bands like YES and Jethro Tull were reinventing
the concept of the long playing vinyl album as a musical art form,
while, solo artists such as Elton John and David Bowie were both maturing
at light speed pace. Another U.K. based artist interconnected with
both Elton and Bowie was South African native John Kongos.
Kongos had made inroads with his late 1960s and early 70s music,
yet with international success elusive, something was missing. That
crucial missing piece in the Kongos repertoire was found on the 1971
Lp release of the Kongos album. Fortified by a pair
of hit singles in Tokoloshe Man and (Hes Gonna)
Step On You Again, the ten track Kongos album quickly
became a favorite among early Elton and Bowie fans, while carving
out a unique and completely original niche all its own. Despite releasing
several singles in the wake of the Kongos album, John Kongos
soon disappeared from the mainstream pop landscape, leaving rock superstardom
for a behind the scenes vantage point that maximized his interest
in studio recording and recording technology. His exit as a contender
and big name rock artist was not lost on his fans and, in the decades
that followed, Johns name and legacy has always remained a bright
spot in the memories of early 70s pop fans. Since those heady
days, the Kongos album has been reissued on CD at various points,
including an early 2004 remaster of the American nine track Elektra
Lp, reissued on the now defunkt, L.A. based Collectors Choice
imprint. Ten years after, at the time of writing this in 2014, its
worth noting that, also in 2014, the prodigious Esoteric label in
London has reissued the Kongos album one more time, pairing
the original ten track U.K. album with nine singles, collected here
as bonus tracks, while also including historically pertinent liner
notes by Michael Heatley. Also included in Esoterics
19 track 2014 Kongos remaster are rare pictures of John along
with complete lyrics of all ten songs from the Kongos album.
Thanks to Esoteric's excellent work as one of the leading reissue
labels in the U.K. and in fact, the world today, music fans who want
to revisit this vital slice of vintage rock history from late 1971
can pick it up once again. What more could a fan of pop culture history
want? www.EsotericRecordings.com
FIRE
RECORDS - U.K. based Fire Records is making waves with a 2014
CD retrospective called The BBC Sessions from the band
known as The Chills. Very much rooted in the post punk sounds
of the early 1980s, the New Zealand based Chills featured singer-songwriter
Martin Phillipps. The Chills cite David Bowie as a big influence
so that heady Bowie-inspired sound is never far away. As the title
indicates, The BBC Sessions were recorded over the course of
three different John Peel radio shows. Best track here is the post
punk urgency of track 5, Dan Destiny And The Silver Dawn,
a majestic instrumental called Moonlight On Flesh and
the upbeat bounce of Track 10, Christmas Chimes. The band
has a cool punk groove going on throughout and the CD is appealingly
packaged complete with discography information. Keep your eyes peeled
for a new Chills album, Silver Bullets, set for 2015. www.SoftBomb.com
GONZO
MULTIMEDIA - One of the key musicians from the dawn of late 1960s
progressive rock, the late great Hugh Hopper passed away in
June 2009. Considered as a founding member of classic U.K. prog outfit
Soft Machine, strangely enough replacing Kevin Ayers on bass
in 1969, Hopper rose through the ranks and released a large body of
work before his untimely passing. Fans of Hopper and Soft Machine
can celebrate his work thanks to a voluminous body of work, encompassing
over sixty different albums Hugh recorded with various bands and as
a solo artist. Gonzos 10 CD series is appropriately entitled
Dedicated To Hugh and the first two installmentsMemories
(Volume 1 - a cross section of tracks spanning Hoppers
career, starting in 1969) and Frangloband (Volume 2
- Live at The Triton Club, Paris 2004) were released in mid 2014.
Each of these first two CDs is packed with detailed liner notes and
rare pics of Hopper with a number of key bands and musicians. Memories
features in depth interview and liner notes while Frangloband
features more modest packaging including liner notes by Aymeric
Leroy. Released by the great U.K. based label Gonzo Multimedia,
each CD in the series was superbly compiled, edited and mastered by
Michael King. Fans of Soft Machine as well as Hoppers
prodigious output in a number of bands will enjoy this in depth look
into the archives of a real hero of U.K. prog-rock. www.Hugh-Hopper.com
/ www.GonzoMultimedia.co.uk
MIG / MVD - One of the founding architects of 20th century
rock music, Jack Bruce died on October 25, 2014. It was clearly
one of the biggest losses for the music world as Jack had just released
his album Silver Rails earlier in 2014. This double DVD set,
released on the German-based MVD Records features a memorable concert
that dates back to 1993, in honor of Jacks 50th birthday. Although
the music had been released on CD earlier, this is the first time
the video footage of the entire concert has been issued. In some ways,
the 34 track. double DVD set is the one the great live documents of
Jack. The concert starts off low-key and eventually lifts off as a
full fledged rock show complete with cool stage setting. Appearing
with Jack as he sings and plays some of his most famous songs are
a whos who of rock greatness including legends like Ginger
Baker, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Gary Husband, Gary
Moore, Clem Clemson, Bernie Worrell, Maggie Reilly
and much more. Plus, unlike the earlier CD versions of this concert,
the DVD features the entire show. Some versions feature an additional
CD, and theres also a version with another DVD with additional
footage and interviews, but the key here are the two DVDs, which captures
all the festivities of Jacks 50th birthday party. www.mvdb2b.com
/ www.JackBruce.com
MPL
/ HEAR MUSIC / CONCORD MUSIC GROUP - Following the massive commercial
success of Band On The Run in 1974, Paul McCartney
& Wings released Venus And Mars in 1975. While
John Lennon was making babies on the Upper West Side of Manhattan,
Paul and Wings were busy touring the stadiums of the world and with
Venus And Mars they had ample reasons to keep the Wings name
front and center in the music world. The original 13 track Venus
And Mars album contained a bouncy hit single called Listen
To What The Man Said and other songs like Rock Show
and Letting Go to keep the Beatles / Wings sound all over
mid 70s radio. Even with such a great McCartney / Wings album
flooding the radio airwaves of 1975, other good things can be said
about a number of other songs by Paul that were quite overlooked back
then. With the entire Venus And Mars taking up the first CD,
this 2014 reissue of Venus And Mars comes with a second CD
filled with numerous mid to late 1970s songs by Paul that were hardly
noticed way back then. So with two CDs, including a bonus CD of 14
rarities, this 2014 double CD set of Venus And Mars is like
the holy grail for McCartney fans. CD 2 here kicks off with a pair
of rare single tracks by Paul, Juniors Farm and
Sally G but thats just where the fun starts. Also
included on the 14 track disc two are other rarities and remixes that
will amaze those who think Venus And Mars was just another
McCartney / Wings album. Rarely heard McCartney instrumentals like
Bridge On The River Suite and Lunch Box / Odd Sox
mix things up with rare Macca from the One Hand Clapping soundtrack,
an early version of Rock Show, a single edit of Letting
Go, the haunting 4th Of July and even a version
of Baby Face. The sound of this 2014 reissue of Venus
And Mars is first rate and the double CD set comes with a wealth
of Venus And Mars era pics and artwork. McCartney and Wings
fans will also note that Venus And Mars was reissued at the
same time as the 2014 reissue of Wings At The Speed Of Sound.
Released in early 1976, Speed Of Sound was slightly less
influential than Venus And Mars but no less popular. That said,
the 2014 double CD reissue of Speed Of Sound, features the
original 11 track SOS album remastered on CD 1, with a second
CD featuring just seven bonus cuts. Even so, McCartney fans will welcome
these two 2014 double CD remasters that will soon be followed by 2015
reissues of Pauls second and third solo albums of the 1980s,
Tug Of War and Pipes Of Peace. www.PaulMcCartney.com
RAVEN
RECORDS - Fans of the original lineup of The Byrds will
want to check out Ravens 2014 CD reissue of the bands
famous reunion in 1973. Apparently the album was panned by some short
sighted critics and amidst the burgeoning prog rock revolution of
the early 1970s, The Byrds were almost overlooked by certain segments
of the audience then. There are some flashbacks to the bands
early years but it mostly clears the way for the coming mid 1970s
era of stadium rock. Produced by Byrds cofounder David Crosby,
the album benefits from wall of sound harmonies by the original five
piece band including Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Gene
Clark and Michael Clarke. Its been said that the
album suffers from the lack of a producer who could crack the whip
and rescue them from somewhat bland pop. The vocals are the best part
of this album. Ravens reissue features the original eleven cut
album and two bonus tracks by Gene Clark, cut around the same time
that features the entire original five piece Byrds' lineup. One weird
track here is a version of David Crosbys track Laughing,
which as redone here harks back to the Younger Then Yesterday era.
Also on Raven in 2014 is a double CD set by folk-rock balladeer John
Prine called Angels From Montgomery: 4 Essential Albums
1971-1975. Albums featured include the self-titled
John Prine (1971), Diamonds In The Rough (1972),
Sweet Revenge (1973) and Common Sense (1975).
U.K. rockers Foghat were a mainstay on the FM radio dial in
the early 1970s and the band is remembered on the 2014 double CD set
entitled Drivin Wheels: Best Of 1972-1982.
Foghat carried on the tradition of late 1960s blues rock
band Savoy Brown but the group really streamlined their sound to meet
the sonic expectations of FM radio trends. A very cool set tilted
towards original Foghat fans, the 32 track double CD set draws on
ten different Foghat albums including studio versions of all the bands
original hit singles, complete with appealing packaging and extensive
CD booklet. www.RavenRecords.com.au
REAL
WORLD RECORDS - Has it really been 25 years since Peter Gabriel
started Real World Records? The one time lead singer and guiding
light of Genesis went full blown into World Music and the music world
hasnt been the same since. The 2014 release of a three CD box
set called Real World 25 celebrates two and a half decades
of Real World music releases. Enclosed in an appealing looking clamshell
box, the three CDs enclosed feature highlights from the many albums
the label as released. Although the music is mostly exotic sounding
World Beat kind of music, theres also certain progressive rock
and pop etchings on a lot of the tracks here. With so much music to
choose from, listeners are bound to have their favorites. Music from
exotic locales like Tanzania, India and Uganda mix things up nicely
with various music from the U.S., England, Ireland and elsewhere.
One thing is certain and that is that the high quality of music provides
a seamless listening experience that is both haunting, educational
and entertaining. Summing up the 25 experience, Gabriel is
quoted as saying, Looking back we realize how lucky were were
to be working with so many extraordinary artists from all over the
world. We have a rich, vibrant and varied catalogue of authentic and
soulful music. World Music fans and fans of Gabriels always
eclectic brand of rock, will catch a sonic buzz from the widespread
music magic on 25. www.RealWorldRecords.com/25/
RHINO / PARLOPHONE - Following several highly adventurous albums
that completely transformed the concept of the long playing vinyl
album, Jethro Tull went for a more commercial but no less rewarding
sound on the 1974 album release of Warchild. After
the amazing artistic breakthroughs on both of Tulls early 70s
masterpieces, Thick As A Brick and A Passion Play, the
sound of Warchild signaled a desire by Tull founder Ian
Anderson to get back onto the Top 40 singles chart. It seemed
to do the trick because Bungle In The Jungle and the title
track were being played everywhere forty years ago. Rhino and Parlophone
celebrate 40 years of Warchild greatness with a 40th anniversary
edition of Warchild that simply boggles the mind. The net result
is a 4 disc box set featuring 2 CDs and 2 DVDs. First, the original
ten track CD was remixed by Steven Wilson in stereo while the
second CD features no less than 21 bonus tracks, including various
mid 70s Tull pieces that are known and loved by long time fans,
as well as ten orchestral instrumental pieces from the then proposed
Warchild film and soundtrack that were unfortunately shelved.
The two included DVD discs here feature the 5.1 remixes, various transfers
of the original album, including flat transfers of the original Lp
mix and a quadraphonic version, as well as promo footage of The
Last Hoorah, and footage from a January 11th, 1974 press conference
where the Warchild project was announced. Also included is
an 80 page booklet that goes well into the history of the entire Warchild
project, a film script synopsis, an abundance of rare photographs
and track by track notes by Ian Anderson. Arguably Tulls finest
commercial moment as a stadium-filling superstar
rock band,
Warchild remains a milestone of mid 1970s progressive
rock history. Tull fans looking for the final word and the most extensive
history of Warchild to date, need to start here. www.JethroTull.com
/ www.Rhino.com
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