SBB, a legend of Polish music scene, returns with a new studio album entitled “Iron Curtain”. The band, comprised of composer Jozef Skrzek, guitarist Apostolis Anthimos and drummer Gabor Nemeth, plans to support the release with a tour. On “Iron Curtain” the band will show an even rockier side. The new material will also include some more expanded tracks, which are so distinctive of SBB. “Iron Curtain” will be released by the Metal Mind label on 26th January 2009.
Rhino Records presents the release of Genesis’s “Genesis 1970-‘75 Box Set” on November 11. The 7-CD /6-DVD boxed set contains 5 studio albums expanded with bonus audio and video, plus an exclusive disc of rarities. Since launching an upgrade of the entire Genesis catalog last year, the comprehensive series has followed Genesis' transformation from prog-rock pioneers to stadium-filling power trio. With the final installment, Rhino ends at the beginning with a set covering the band's early years with lead singer, Peter Gabriel. Produced by Banks, Collins, and Rutherford, “Genesis 1970-‘75” presents five of the band's studio albums as CD /DVD sets featuring new stereo mixes of the original albums on CD, along with a DVD that includes the original album in 5.1 DTS (96/24) and Dolby Digital Surround Sound, plus bonus videos and new interviews with band members filmed exclusively for these reissues. The set contains hours of previously unreleased video as well as photo galleries featuring rare pictures and tour memorabilia. One of the top-selling recording artists of all time, Genesis has sold more than 150 million albums so far. This 7-CD/ 6-DVD set collects some of the band's most adventurous and ground-breaking albums, covering Peter Gabriel's tenure with the group. “Genesis 1970-‘75” spotlights five albums: “Trespass”, “Nursery Cryme”, “Foxtrot”, “Selling England by the Pound”, “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” (2CD), plus “Extras 1970-‘75”, a newly assembled compilation only available with this collection.
Featuring favorites like The Knife and White Mountain, Genesis' second album, “Trespass” (1970), marked the beginning of a five-year journey that saw the band create ever-more daring albums of progressive rock. The album includes guitarist Anthony Phillips and drummer John Mayhew, who were replaced on the following album by Steve Hackett and Phil Collins respectively.
“Nursery Cryme” (1971) opens with The Musical Box, a beautiful 10-minute sprawl that captures the essence of the band's sophisticated musicality tweaked with freewheeling theatrics. Genesis' new lineup starts to define its unique voice on songs like The Return of the Giant Hogweed and The Fountain of Salmacis.
The band returned the following year with “Foxtrot” (1972), a breakthrough album hailed by critics and embraced by fans, especially in England where it reached #12. Two tracks in particular – Watcher of The Skies and Supper's Ready – became live staples for years to come. Nearly filling the album's second half, Supper's Ready stands as an avant-garde showcase for each member's individual talents. DVD extras include: over 30 minutes of live video from 1972 of the band performing on Belgian television's Rock of the ‘70s and on stage at the Piper Club in Italy.
Genesis' popularity continued to grow with its fifth studio album, “Selling England by the Pound” (1973). These eight songs find the band's inventive storytelling and imaginative arrangements coming into sharper focus with I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) – Genesis' first hit single in the UK. The album also introduced audiences to The Cinema Show and Firth of Fifth, songs that would become popular concert staples. DVD extras include: video from 1973 recorded during a performance on Italian television and on stage in Bataclan, France – over one and a half hours of live performance.
The band wasn't at a loss for inspiration for “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”, a double album about a Puerto Rican hood searching for his brother. It was to be Gabriel's final release with Genesis. The band toured for the album, performing the entire 90-minute album along with an ambitious stage show complete with costume changes, theatrical lighting and pyrotechnics. The title track, Carpet Crawlers and In the Cage remain popular parts of the band's live show. The album will be presented with the Surround Sound mix. Additional bonus features will be included on a DVD, including a performance on the French television show Melody.
Genesis concludes with “Extras 1970-‘75”, a disc of rarities offered exclusively as part of this boxed set. The compilation contains 10 tracks, including the 7" single Happy the Man, a demo of Going Out to Get You, and the b-side Twilight Alehouse. Three songs – Shepherd, Pacidy and Let Us Now Make Love – are taken from the BBC program Nightride. The disc also includes a VH1 Boxed Set Special on Genesis 1967-1975 and a performance from the Midnight Special.
The final four songs on this CD – Provocation, Frustration, Manipulation, and Resignation – are the legendary "Genesis Plays Jackson" tapes. The band recorded these songs in 1970 for a documentary about painter Mick Jackson. The documentary never happened and the songs were lost until now. Fans will notice how sections of this music evolved into other songs. Frustration is an early version of Anyway, while Manipulation features themes heard later in The Musical Box.
“Genesis 1970-‘75” will be available November 11 from regular retail outlets and at Rhino Records.
On Mangrove’s website the preview of the upcoming new album “Beyond Reality” is revealed for the first time. The titletrack Beyond Reality is featured. As the mixing process is still ongoing, this can be considered as a temporary teaser. The final mix might differ from this one, but you will get a good impression of what to expect.
Mangrove will play two exclusive gigs in the UK at the Robin (November 17th, Wolverhampton) and The Peel (November 15th, London). In the Netherlands a special preview show will take place on December 19th at the Bluescafe.
At Le Triton (November 15, 2008: only)
Wurzburg, Germany: Cafe Cairo (March 17, 2009)
Linz, Austria: Posthof (March 19)
Praha, Czech Republic: Palac Akropolis (March 20)
Dresden, Germany: Jazzwelten (March 22)
Wroclaw, Poland: Firlej (March 22)
RIO Festival is postponed, probably to September, more news as soon as they become available.
Big-Big Train is currently working on their new album for release in 2009. This will be called “The Underfall Yard”. In 2010, they will be releasing “When Everything Was Made of Wood” , a retrospective of previously unreleased songs and re-recordings of some of the best songs from our early demos. The band is also pleased to announce that they will be re-releasing their 1997 album, “English Boy Wonders”, on the 1st December 2008.
Acclaimed for his work with Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Anja Garbarek, amongst others, Steven Wilson’s debut album “Insurgentes” will be released on K-scope Music in February 2009. Comprising 10 new tracks that range from ballads and anthems to all-out industrial noise assaults, the dark, cinematic, and richly textured disc represents two years’ worth of creative output and numerous recording sessions worldwide in studios from Mexico City to Japan and Israel. Wilson recruited a stellar cast of guests to work on the album including bassist Tony Levin, flautist and saxophonist Theo Travis, drummer Gavin Harrison and keyboardist Jordan Rudess, alongside British guitarist Sand Snowman and Japanese Koto player Michiyo Yagi.
Since Michael Sadler left Saga and took on the role of new daddy back in January, he's done very little music and figured now would be a good time to get out of the house and back in to some music. He's going to just be coming to CalProg as a fan, but will also be hanging around the Progrock Records tables and said he's autograph anything that anyone wanted to bring by for him (Saga, solo). PS: Michael has been doing vocals on Shawn Gordon’s solo album that is nearing completion.
Apostolis Anthimos (of SBB) returns with his third solo album, “Miniatures”, which will be released by Metal Mind Records on 10th November 2008 in Europe and 20th January 2009 in USA (via MVD).
Parallel Or 90 Degrees releases “A Can of Worms”, via ProgRock Records
Although Andy Tillison Diskdrive's The Tangent project is well known in Progressive Rock circles, the music of his earlier band Parallel Or 90 Degrees is less known, yet highly respected among many. With all their albums long deleted availability has been difficult, this compilation of the band's work from 1996 to 2001 with as a bonus over 30 minutes of brand new tracks, is a perfect introduction. This double CD is a comprehensive selection across all 5 albums also includes several new and unreleased tracks from 2002 album sessions, put on hold by the emerging success of The Tangent. This includes the Po90 original of Four Egos, One War (later re-imagined by The Tangent) and a version of Blues for Lear featuring the guitar and vocal of Roine Stolt. The band’s acclaimed Afterlifecycle suite is also presented as a continuously running track for the first time.
Asia Featuring John Payne will perform at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA, on November 14. They will perform many of the hit songs plus new material from their upcoming CD release "Architect of Time" (planned for release in late 2009). John Payne replaced vocalist / bassist John Wetton as the front man of the supergroup Asia in 1992 at the invitation of keyboardist Geoff Downes. Asia extensively toured the world for the next 14 years performing new classics and old favorites. With John Payne fronting the band, Asia released 8 studio albums and several live recordings. In 2006, Geoff Downes left the band to reform the 1982 lineup for their 25th anniversary. On the 9th of May 2006, John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually agreed that John Payne would continue his 14 year legacy with Asia as “Asia Featuring John Payne” ASIA Featuring John Payne”. Personnel: John Payne (bass, vocals), Guthrie Govan (guitar), Jay Schellen (drums) and Erik Norlander (keyboards, of Rocket Scientists).
Progressive rock band Satellite revealed the title of their forthcoming album. “Nostalgia”, the follow up to the highly acclaimed album “Into the Night”, will be released by Metal Mind Records in mid March 2009. More details on the new record will follow as the recording process progresses.
Latest news (coming from Leonardo Pavcovic, the manager of MoonJune Records):
Dear MoonJune friends,
Not sure if all of You know that my very dear friend and legendary Soft Machine and Soft Machine Legacy’s bass player Hugh Hopper had recently, since last June, some health problems and complications that didn’t allowed him to do any gigs since early June. Hugh was suffering from back pain for few years and suddenly in June got worse. Hugh had to cancel concerts in Mexico with Chris Cutler and 10 shows tour of Japan with Yumi Hara-Cawkwell, and series of his solo concerts, or concerts with Soft Machine Legacy and Delta Saxophone Quartet during the last Summer were compromised. While treating very bad lower back pain, Hugh was having blood tests, and in hospital doctors have discovered beginning of leukaemia and that his blood had very low platelet-count. Hugh started to have an ongoing and painful chemotherapy treatment which was going relatively well but Hugh also suffered from some minor infections after the course finished. Hugh is doing better now, but still in hospital and only occasionally was able to go home. In any case Hugh Hopper has a very positive outlook on life and accepts life in a positive way and we all “hopperfully” hope this hassle will end as soon as possible.
Sadly, with the lack of revenue resulting from his inability to perform since last June, Hugh and his family (his lovely wife Christine and 13 years old daughter Rosa) are currently in a less than comfortable financial situation – this is the reason for doing the benefit concert at the London’s 100 Club on December 14th, an idea generated by his colleagues in Soft Machine Legacy, and made possible thanks to John Etheridge and (the entire profit will go to Hugh Hopper):
Soft Machine Legacy (filling for Hugh: Fred Baker on bass)
Delta Saxophone Quartet
Ohik Miller In Cahoots
Bash Quartet
Genockey
Sophia Domanchic & Simon Goubert
Yumi Hara-Cackwell
While thinking of similar benefit concerts in New York, Paris and elsewhere, there are few ways that You also can contribute to this great cause and help Hugh Hopper in this difficult times. In addition, MoonJune Records / MoonJune Global Media is offering all Hugh Hopper related CDs for purchase.
100% of the profit of the below mentioned CDs will go to my dear “fuzz-bass” buddy Hugh Hopper:
Hugh Hopper – “Numero D’Vol”
Humi (Hugh Hopper & Yumi Hara-Cackwell – “Dune”
50% of the profit of the below mentioned CDs will go to my dear “fuzz-bass” buddy Hugh Hopper:
Soft Machine – “Drop” (this particular CD ready to be shipped on November 21)
Soft Machine Legacy – “Steam”
Soft Machine Legacy – “Soft Machine Legacy”
Soft Machine Legacy – “Live In Zaandam”
30% of the profit of this particular CD featuring Hugh Hopper:
Chris Stassinopulous – “Light in the Dark” (featuring David Cross and more)
30% of the profit of the rest of MoonJune Records’ catalog will go to my dear “fuzz-bass” buddy Hugh Hopper!
You can also contribute any additional donation payable via PayPal in US currency to MoonJune Global Media. If You do not have PayPal , You can simply tell how much is a desired amount to contribute and MoonJune Global Media can send You a money request that You can pay with your credit card. In addition, You can also send personal or company check, made payable to MoonJune Global Media and mail to:
Leonardo Pavkovic
MoonJune Global Media
32 Union Square East #206
New York, NY 10003 USA
I also have two Fender Jazz bass guitars belonging to Hugh Hopper sitting in my office in New York, which he uses when playing in the USA, and me and Hugh might decide to put one of them on the auction sale. The other one I must keep it here, since I have promised Hugh, that as soon as he gets better, he will be invited by myself to come to New York and play few local gigs in the area.
I have to see my busy traveling schedule this end of year and hope I might be able to go to London and be at The 100 Club on December 14th, in case I cannot make it, all donations collected by MoonJune Records & MoonJune Global Media will be sent to Hugh as a nice Christmas present which we all hope he can enjoy at home with his lovely family.
If anything else You need to know, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail, and do not forget, send post card or letter to Hugh Hopper, he will gladly appreciate and love it.
For more updates, check . Everyone who contributes in any form and with any sum will be mentioned on Hugh Hopper’s webpage. Hope to hear from You.
In the name of Hugh Hopper, thanks in advance to everyone,
All the best,
Leonardo
Martin Orford is best known for his 26-year career as keyboardist and main songwriter with legendary progressive rock band IQ, though he was also a significant player for many years in Jadis as well as the John Wetton band. He released his first solo album "Classical Music and Popular Songs" to critical acclaim in September 2000. Martin left IQ in the autumn of 2007 to work on solo material, and "The Old Road" is the culmination of this project. The album features an all-star line-up including John Wetton (Asia), Nick D'Virgilio and Dave Meros (Spock's Beard), John Mitchell (It Bites, Arena), Dave Oberle (Gryphon), Gary Chandler (Jadis) and Steve Thorne. Martin describes the album as "Unashamedly retro and proud of it", and the overall theme of the CD reflects a celebration of traditional ways and a rejection of the less attractive aspects of the 21st century. An outspoken critic of the Internet and the 'free music' culture, Martin recently announced his complete withdrawal from the music industry at the end of 2008, and this album provides a fitting and poignant farewell.
New uploaded space-rock and contemporary prog-psych on Joxfield ProjeX's Orange Mother Site (check Related Links below), featuring contributions from Pat Mastelotto (Kong Crimson), Regina P, Nikke Strom and Hakan Almkvist. From future releases “Abstract Numbers” and “Concrete Letters A-Z” which includes contributions from Geoff Leigh (Henry Cow), Hiromichi Sakamoto, Dan Eifling (Churner), Jos'e Poao and Kenji Siratori: 2 ? hours of all new music. Also all new uploaded experimental contemporary music from future release “Bits And Pieces”.
VoTuM was formed in 2003 and have performed regularly in clubs in Warsaw and other places in Poland, actively promoting a single entitled "Jestem" which was released attached to Heavy Metal Pages magazine in May 2006. September 2006, however, brought significant changes not only for the band’s line-up, but also for the repertoire and the style of the music which took on a more progressive mood. After an eight-month period of working on new music, eight brand new tracks were recorded in the DBX Recording Studio in Warsaw, with Jacek Melnicki as the sound producer. The record was entitled “Time Must Have a Stop”. Votum is not only concerned with sound though. The band pays the utmost attention to song lyrics which, like the music, function as a sort of a binding material for the compositions. In addition, rich visual setting is provided by Mindfield Art Group and serves as a background for the pieces. The merging of music, lyrics and visual art work, as well as the ensuing emotional expression, have been the key concepts for the creation of the new album. Their main concern is not any particular style of music, but the atmosphere pouring out of it.
Established by Eliton Tomasi (formerly the editor of Valhalla “Rock Hard Brazil” magazine), Som Do Darma Records is a new management, booking and promotion company. For more info, visit their website (see Related Links below).
Matthew Montfort (USA) – “'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar”
Mariah Parker (USA) – “Sangria”
Ancient-Future Records are about to release two new recordings. ”Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar” is the long-awaited debut solo recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. “Sangria” is the debut Indo-Latin jazz recording by composer, pianist, and santurist Mariah Parker, which includes musicians from the bands Ancient Future, Oregon, Sun Ra, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. The CDs are scheduled to be released on February 10, 2009.
