LEGENDARY PROG ROCK BAND NEKTAR SELLS OUT OF THE FIRST PRESSING OF MISSION TO MARS AND ISSUES LIMITED EDITION AQUA BLUE HAND NUMBERED AND SIGNED TO KICK OFF THEIR 2026 MISSION TO MARS TOUR.

Stockton, NJ – Formed in Germany in 1969, Nektar favored extended compositions and concept albums over the constraints of pop. They were among the progenitors of the progressive rock movement of the 1970s as well as the jam-band scene that arose in the late 1990s. Their sound traveled well to the States, where they enjoyed Top 40 success with A Tab in the Ocean (1972) and Remember the Future (1973). Nearly 20 albums later, the band’s artistic and personal charisma has earned them masses of devoted fans along with their album “The Other Side” (2020) which was Number 1 on Amazon Progressive Music. For over half a century, Nektar has been the guiding star for countless fans, leading them on mesmerizing expeditions through the vast expanses of the cosmos and the depths of the ocean. With their unique fusion of progressive rock and stunning visuals, these trailblazing prog-rock legends have ignited the imaginations of generations.

Nektar’s latest release, Mission To Mars, is the first in a trilogy and the first to feature new drummer, Jay Dittamo, alongside longtime members Ryche Chlanda (guitars, vocals), Kendall Scott (keyboards, synths), Maryann Castello (vocals) and original founding member Derek “Mo” Moore (bass guitar, vocals). Nektar melded those aforementioned traits with the soothing mellowness and adventurous jamming of Camel, the Grateful Dead and Caravan. Nektar’s knack for thought-provoking concepts and entrancing music has rarely wavered and is just as evident on Mission To Mars.

The first pressing of Mission To Mars is officially Sold Out worldwide so Deko Entertainment is thrilled to announce a second pressing Limited to 300 copies on Aqua Blue only for Indie Record Stores and 100 hand numbered and signed by the band available only direct to consumer. As founding member Moore says, “We have had the Mission to Mars LP pressed in a very different color.  There will be 100 units numbered and signed available.  Please order these special copies NOW before they run out.  Please note the first pressing is Sold Out.”

Watch “Mission To Mars” 3D Video: https://youtu.be/hKdO04l2Flc?si=zSPTGYher-KbhtZi

The band also kicks off the first of their 2026 dates in January at the following venues.
Friday January 23^rd – My Father’s Place – Roslyn, NY
Saturday January 24^th – The Dunellen Theater – Dunellen, NJ

Tickets here: https://nektarsmusic.com/events/

There are a limited number of the autographed vinyl available while supplies last: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/nektar

Track list:
Mission To Mars
Long Lost Sunday
One Day Hi One Day Lo
I’ll Let You In

For more information:
www.dekoentertainment.com
https://nektarsmusic.com/
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

GONG ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM BRIGHT SPIRIT, SET FOR RELEASE ON 13TH MARCH 2026

NEW SINGLE ‘THE WONDERMENT’ + NEW MUSIC VIDEO OUT TODAY

Psychedelic institution Gong have announced their new album Bright Spirit today, set for release on 13th March on the Kscope label. The news comes alongside a new single and video for the track ‘The Wonderment’. Speaking on the announcement, frontman Kavus Torabi shared –

“Structured around modulating glissando guitar and a pulsating analogue synth sequence, The Wonderment finds Gong in deeply meditative form. A mystical and explorative journey both inwards and outwards. Timeless and expansive, The Wonderment is another piece of the kaleidoscopic puzzle that makes up Bright Spirit. A healing charge of cosmic rays beamed out from deepest space. All is sound, all is love. Gong is one and one is you.”

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO FOR ‘THE WONDERMENT’
Created by Drain Hope

STREAM/DOWNLOAD ‘THE WONDERMENT’

Back in November, Gong released the album’s first single ‘Stars In Heaven’, a colourful and kaleidoscopic slab of the band’s signature cosmic rock.
Watch the video for ‘Stars In Heaven’ here.

GONG – BRIGHT SPIRIT
1. Dream Of Mine [10:32]
2. Mantivule [06:22]
3. The Wonderment [05:11]
4. Stars In Heaven [04:01]
5. Fragrance Of Paradise [07:39]
6. Relish The Possibility [03:09]
7. Eternal Hand [06:48]

PRE-ORDER THE NEW ALBUM BRIGHT SPIRIT, AVAILABLE ON TRANSPARENT TURQUOISE VINYL, CLASSIC BLACK VINYL AND CD

Bright Spirit marks the third instalment in a trilogy that began with The Universe Also Collapses (2019) and continued with Unending Ascending (2023). Recorded with long-time collaborator Frank Byng in his South London studio, Bright Spirit sees Gong at their experimental best, more adventurous and more open to the dream than ever.

And dreams are central here. Not just as lyrical imagery, but as a way of thinking - where psychedelia, love, and the thin membrane between worlds feed into the music. The opener, ‘Dream Of Mine’, unfurls like a transmission from the in-between, its mid-section blooming into harmonies and an angular melody that feels like a key turning in a long-awaited lock. Frontman Kavus Torabi describes it as a moment everything has been pointing toward, a flash of clarity inside the swirl.

Elsewhere, there’s tenderness - unexpected perhaps, but unmistakably Gong, ‘Fragrance Of Paradise’ being Torabi’s first-ever love song. ‘The Wonderment’ finds Gong in deeply meditative form, a mystical and explorative journey both inwards and outwards, timeless and expansive, another piece of the kaleidoscopic puzzle that makes up Bright Spirit.

GONG TOUR DATES
Mar 19 – Brighton, UK – Gong & Henge
Mar 20 – Canterbury, UK – Gong & Henge
Mar 21 – Swansea, UK – Gong & Henge
Mar 25 – Birmingham, UK
Mar 26 – Lincoln, UK – Gong & Henge
Mar 27 – Manchester, UK – Gong & Henge
Mar 28 – Liverpool, UK – Gong & Henge

Apr 09 – Pordenone, Italy
Apr 10 – Livorno, Italy
Apr 11 – Borgomanero, Italy
Apr 14 – Jena, Germany
Apr 15 – Karlsruhe, Germany
Apr 16 – Rüsselsheim am Main, Germany
Apr 17 – Antwerp, Belgium
Apr 18 – Oslo, Norway
Apr 19 – Zoetermeer, Netherlands

Jul 07 – Balma, France – Gong & Blood Incantation
Jul 08 – Aix-en-Provence, France – Gong & Blood Incantation

Jul 25 – Teramo, Italy – MoonJune Festival
Jul 26 – Treviso, Italy – Prog Event: Treviso

Aug 09 – Builth Wells, UK – Kozfest 2026
Aug 23 – Hernhill, UK – A New Day Festival 2026

BUY TICKETS
Gong’s new album Bright Spirit will be released on 13th March on Kscope. Pre-order here.

GONG ONLINE
https://www.gongband.com
https://gongband.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/officialgong
https://twitter.com/gong_band
https://www.planetgong.co.uk/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/47yvARr7dCOKqvjDVwfbf3
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gong/6663678
https://kscopemusic.com/artists/gong
https://linktr.ee/gongband

www.kscopemusic.com

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Age Notes Magazine - January 2026

The latest copy of New Age Notes Magazine is now available for download!

https://www.newagenotes.com/magazine/

REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, AND ARTICLES COVERING ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

PROG ARTIST LEON ALVARADO REVEALS NEW DETAILS FOR UPCOMING ALBUM “THE WICKED FOREST” FEATURING MEMBERS OF YES

Houston, TX - Progressive rock artist Leon Alvarado has announced new details surrounding his highly anticipated studio album, The Wicked Forest, slated for release on February 27, 2026.

The album showcases an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including Billy Sherwood, Jon Davison (Yes), and Johnny Bruhns (CIRCA). With its blend of lush atmospheres, dynamic keyboards, driving progressive percussion, and soaring vocals, The Wicked Forest continues Alvarado’s legacy of creating evocative, concept-driven musical experiences.

Following the critical success of The Changing Tide, Alvarado’s upcoming release expands his repertoire with seven new compositions that deliver a contemporary progressive rock sound while honoring the classic spirit of the genre.

The Wicked Forest is dedicated to the memory of Johnny Bruhns, honoring his musical contributions and lasting friendship. He sadly passed away before the album was completed, but his spirit lives on in the music.

Track List:
THE BIG BANG
BEYOND
URBAN DISTURBANCE
CHASE IN THREE
MAN IN A WHITE CAR
LOST IN THE FOREST THE WICKED FOREST

Personnel:
Leon Alvarado: Drums, Keyboards (all tracks), Backing Vocals (track 5)
Billy Sherwood: Bass (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7), Guitars (3, 6, 7)
Jon Davison: Vocals (2, 3, 5, 6)
Johnny Bruhns: Guitars (1, 2, 5), Sitar (2) James Griggers: Additional Guitars (3)

Lyrics:
Tracks 2 and 3 by Linda Alvarado
Track 6 by Leon Alvarado

Songwriting:
All songs by Leon Alvarado except “Man In A White Car” by Alan White, Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire.

Production:
Produced and Mixed by: Leon Alvarado
Mastered by: Maor Appelbaum
Cover Art: Synergy Design

About Leon Alvarado
Leon Alvarado is an American progressive rock artist, and composer celebrated for his cinematic soundscapes and collaborations with notable figures in the progressive rock community. His discography includes acclaimed releases such as The Changing Tide, The Future Left Behind and Music From an Expanded Universe. Blending intricate arrangements, atmospheric textures, and rich narrative depth, Alvarado’s music resonates with fans of both classic and contemporary progressive rock, solidifying his place as a distinctive voice in the genre.

Website: https://leonalvarado.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leonplays

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Contemporary Progressive Instrumental Review: Daniel Walzer-Hoosier Songs

Release Date: December 19, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

Daniel Walzer is an Associate Professor of Music and Arts Technology at IU Indianapolis. As a versatile musician, composer, educator, and media professional, Walzer brings a wealth of experience to his craft. His latest release, Hoosier Songs, showcases his multifaceted talent.

The instrumental pieces draw on field recordings made across Indiana between 2022 and 2025, blending a myriad of sounds into musical expression.

“Sounds of Summer” opens the album with a light, airy jazz ambiance highlighted by the vibraphone. The addition of strings introduces another layer of tasteful progression. This inviting opener allows listeners to settle in comfortably, setting an optimistic tone for what’s to come.

“Cloud Dunes” continues the album’s gentle touch, showcasing a sophisticated blend of instruments. The track invites attentive listening as its textures unfold. Near the end, the tempo accelerates, punctuated by a distant whistle that playfully suggests a burst of energy or motion.

“Areal Rain” shifts the mood with a reflective, purposeful tone. The piece branches into a progressive mosaic of sounds and varying tempos, best described as progressive ambient jazz. This transformation, coming after the first two tracks, feels both prolific and captivating.

“Sketch 2” shifts the mood yet again, evoking a cinematic sense of unease from the first note. The composition softens briefly before returning to its mysterious, dissonant atmosphere. Notable guitar passages add texture, while the persistent dark undertones keep listeners engaged through to the spellbinding conclusion. True to its name, the piece paints vivid musical scenery.

“Hoosier Song,” the title track, serves as an expansive centerpiece at 7:43. Prominent drums set the pace as bells, vibraphone, and bass interact seamlessly. The excellent mix allows each instrument to shine while maintaining cohesion. The bass, more pronounced than in earlier tracks, perfectly complements the percussion. This progressive, innovative composition is rich with subtle nuances and keeps the listener’s engagement throughout. Its balance and complexity make it a standout moment on the album.

“Soldiers and Sailors” may resonate deeply with active-duty military or veterans, as the title lends a personal dimension. Measured rhythms and a slower tempo provide a foundation for gradually layered instrumentals. The beautiful keyboards evoke the texture and pace reminiscent of Bowie’s Low. Ultimately, the track exemplifies music’s ability to suggest unique emotions and interpretations for every listener.

What stands out most about Hoosier Songs is how Daniel Walzer and his collaborators establish a specific tone in the opening tracks, then venture into diverse musical territories throughout the album. The journey moves from contemporary instrumental jazz to progressive, genre-blending pieces filled with varied sounds, tempos, and unexpected twists. This dynamic evolution is what makes the album both enjoyable and consistently intriguing.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder

December 26, 2025

Credits:

Daniel Walzer: Piano, Marimba, Keyboards, Vibraphone, Bells, Drums (1,2,4, 6), Percussion, Programming, Field Recordings

Carl Richardson: Bass, Guitars

Wells Gordon: Bass (Track 1)

Chris Dobbs: Guitars (Track 1)

Gareth Dylan Smith: Drums (3, 5) and Percussion

Andrea Carroll: Strings

Wilson Marks: Classical and Electric Guitars

Matthew Parmenter: Bass, Keyboards, Guitars, Percussion

Tracks:

1. Sounds of Summer 5:07

2. Cloud Dunes 3:28

3. Areal Rain 4:14

4. Sketch 2 4:59

5. Hoosier Song 7:43

6. Soldiers and Sailors 4:45