MuzikMan's Reviews And News

Showing posts with label Ambient. Show all posts

5/12/2026

Asai Kastan Duo Releases New Ambient Jazz Album Earth Travelers

Earth Travelers is a new album by Asai Kastan Duo, consisting of Takeshi Asai on piano and Brian Kastan playing fretless bass. Together, they create an atmosphere of space and texture with an ongoing gentle flow of energy. This album is like waves on the ocean; waves are constantly flowing creating tension and release, as a wave gently rises and breaks then forms another wave. Together, the piano and bass are like the wave as the musical tension and release is an ongoing state of flow.

Earth Travelers offers the listener a chance to take a deep emotional journey and tap into an imaginary world. Earth Travelers covers several musical directions, from ballads, jazz blues, open grooves, short abstract moments, to open ambient spaces.

Released April 23^rd, 2026.

The concept behind Earth Travelers is to create dialogue between acoustic piano and fretless bass. At times the bass plays the melody, sometimes it plays the groove, and vice versa with the piano. Earth Travelers offers a unique sensitive listening experience as the piano and fretless bass keep offering each other new musical ideas to interpret and develop into new energy. Often the album is ambient and mellow, sometimes swinging, sometimes grooving, and anything in between.

Earth Travelers was composed and recorded live at Takeshi Asai studio at DCT productions in New York City.

Asai Kastan Duo tour dates will be announced soon.

Takeshi Asai

Traditional yet modern, lyrical yet dramatic, jazz pianist Takeshi Asai has been a one-of-a-kind voice in New York’s jazz scene for more than ten years. His performance combines the melodic lyricism of Bill Evans with the feverish blues of Thelonious Monk, all enriched by the sophisticated improvisational style and the classical piano roots.

What makes Takeshi Asai’s music unique and aesthetic are his multitude sources of inspiration. He sees beauty in 12th-century French troubadours, Gregorian chants, Baroque and Romantic traditions, 20th-century music (i.e. Janáček, Takemitsu), religious music (Faure, Poulenc), the Beatles, Irish and Japanese folk music, as well as modern electronic music.

Besides his constant club engagements in NYC with talented contemporaries and legends, Takeshi Asai has a hugely successful international career; touring in Poland, UK, France, Germany, Egypt, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

He currently lives in New York, where he runs his own production company.

Brian Kastan

Brian Kastan is a prolific composer and improvisor.

Brian has recorded 100 albums under his Space 2 Groove record label and recorded 11 albums with 5 different Grammy-winning jazz artists such as Mino Cinelu, Rachel Z, Scott Petito, Leo Genovese, and Miles Griffith. Brian has completed European tours with the Brian Kastan Freedom Trio and Transatlantic Concept with Urbuli Baba. Plus, Brian toured in China headlining Lincoln Center Shanghai with the Brian Kastan Quartet.

Brian also has composed soundtracks for TV and Film:

Movie: American Criminal, Blue Lives Matter

TV Show: Hospital Arrest with acclaimed movie & TV director Dylan Bank. Starring Robert Loggia, Jimmie Walker, Martin Kove, Gilbert Gottfried, Michael Winslow, Todd Bridges, Jewels McCollough

Side Projects: Played guitar on Rhys Chatham’s A Crimson Grail (Nonesuch Records), played guitar for MTV Rock the Vote, composed songs with Emmy-nominated composer recording engineer Marc Solomon.

To purchase: https://space2grooverecords2.bandcamp.com/album/earth-travelers

For more information:
https://www.space2grooverecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/brian.kastan.9
https://www.facebook.com/TakeshiAsaiJazz

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

2/03/2026

Multi-Instrumentalist & Chapman Stick Maestro Tom Griesgraber To Release New Soundtrack Album The Split (Music From The Motion Picture Prairie Prophecy) March 6

Tom Griesgraber is releasing a new album called The Split. The album is currently available as CD and multi-format download on tomgriesgraber.com, with a wider release planned for March 6 including Bandcamp. The Split is Tom Griesgraber's soundtrack album from the feature length documentary film Prairie Prophecy. It includes all nineteen tracks from the film, along with two bonus tracks. The music features Tom Griesgraber on Chapman Stick, analog synths and samples. Tom's California Guitar Trio bandmate Bert Lams also makes a guest appearance on acoustic guitar.

Watch the trailer for The Split:
https://fb.watch/ETuAVHBc7O/
https://youtu.be/skNQfhEP0XQ

While Tom Griesgraber is primarily known in progressive rock circles, The Split leans more towards ambient music than much of his other work.

Says Tom, “I tried in writing it to have recurring themes for the subjects being discussed in the movie. The album tracks are in the same order they appear in the movie, with themes and motifs that develop as the album progresses.”

“I tried to also have something thematic with the instrumentation. Generally, when topics being discussed are more about the problems of industrialization the analog synths become more prominent, and when the discussion is more about natural things or the progress scientists are making, the Chapman Stick and orchestral strings are more prominent.”

The film Prairie Prophecy is an engaging exploration of natural systems agriculture and its potential to address some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges. Anchored in the work of The Land Institute, the film traces how perennial farming systems—modeled after native ecosystems—could help restore soil, conserve water, and build resilience in a changing climate. Both educational and hopeful, the program offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of food and land stewardship.

The movie is currently playing at screenings and festivals across the US and will be available to all Public Television stations starting in April 2026.

For more information about Prairie Prophecy: www.prairieprophecy.com

The Split Track list:
01 - At A Moment
02 - The Split
03 - Paradox
04 - Cassettes
05 - A Species Out Of Context
06 - Prairie Suite
07 - Planting Prairie
08 - A New Worldview
09 - I Just Wanted Kansas
10 - A Big Idea
11 - Land Institute
12 - Perennial Plants
13 - Junkyard
14 - Geologic Time
15 - Perennial Pantry
16 - Seeds
17 - Partners
18 - Love In Action
19 - The Tree Of Life
20 - Asked Of Us
21 - This Land

About Tom Griesgraber:
Tom Griesgraber picked up the Chapman Stick in 1997 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music as a guitarist in 1995. In late 1998 he began performing around San Diego County as a Stick player doing both solo shows and performances with his group Agent 22. In 2000, the group won a year-long local battle of the bands at the Belly Up Tavern, beating about 230 other groups. From there venues started having Tom or the group open for nationals. In 2001, he opened for the California Guitar Trio (CGT) at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. The next year Tom attended a Guitar Craft course taught by Robert Fripp with CGT members Bert Lams and Paul Richards assisting. Afterwards, CGT asked him to go on the road as their opener for about 100 shows over the next few years. Bert Lams from the group and Tom started doing duo tours as well and eventually two albums. In 2021, Bert and Paul Richards asked Tom to join CGT as a regular member.

To date, Tom Griesgraber has also released two other solo albums, one with CGT recorded while opening for King Crimson, two with Agent 22, and a duo album with drummer Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel) with whom he also toured internationally for several years. He has performed four times for Grammy events, toured as an opener for The Tony Levin Band, opened multiple times for Carl Palmer, Adrian Belew, Steve Morse and the Dixie Dregs, Al Dimeola and Stick Men and opened shows for Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Andy Summers, Alan Holdsworth, Stanley Jordan, Steve Hackett, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Paul Stanley, Paula Cole, Tuck and Patti, Asia and dozens of others. Tom has also performed on, produced and/or engineered dozens of albums for other artists including two with RyMo (of Slightly Stoopid), CGT, guitarist Peter Pupping and Dübh.

The Chapman Stick, Tom’s primary instrument is a combination of twelve guitar and bass strings, played in both hands with a technique closer to playing piano than guitar. Multiple outputs allow for simultaneous guitar, bass and keyboard-like sounds but with a unique timbre and unusual musical structures.

For more information:
https://tomgriesgraber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TomGmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/user/thossounds
https://cgtrio.com/
https://tomgriesgraber.bandcamp.com/

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

11/11/2025

Billy Yfantis Celebrates a Decade of Cosmic Soundscapes with the Album “2015–2025 The First Years in Space”

Experimental electronic composer Billy Yfantis proudly presents his new double-length anthology album, “2015–2025 The First Years in Space.” Spanning a full decade of sonic experimentation, this 30-track release represents Yfantis’ artistic evolution through ambient, electronic, and noise-based soundscapes inspired by the mysteries of the cosmos.

The album compiles highlights from Yfantis’ previous releases along with nine previously unreleased compositions, forming a complete chronicle of his creative journey across the past ten years. Each piece reveals a unique approach to sound design, mixing music technology with conceptual art and a fascination for scientific exploration.

Among the most distinctive pieces:
• “The Electric Drill Session” features real sounds of an electric drill, turned into rhythmic, industrial elements that blur the boundaries between man-made tools and music.
• “Landing” incorporates authentic NASA spaceship sounds, carefully edited and arranged to recreate the sensation of landing onto an unknown planet.
• “Dust Not Found” includes real vacuum cleaner recordings, turning the chaos into an experimental metaphor for the emptiness and silence of space.

Other highlights include the meditative “Ionosphere Reverie,” the expansive “Cosmic Noise” and “Planetary Noise,” and “The Universe Collapses (Live at Norcal Noisefest 2022),” a 15-minute improvisational performance recorded at one of the world’s leading experimental music festivals.

“I am pleased to present you my compilation which is a fair synopsis of my recordings (8 full albums and 5 singles) between 2015 and 2025. This is a reference point on the evolution of my music.”— Billy Yfantis

The second part of the album introduces nine previously unreleased tracks, including “The Journey,” “Dreaming Among Planets,” and “Behind the Eye of the Universe,” which explore new territories of analog synthesis, lo-fi atmospheres, and ambient acid tones.

Watch the Official Video Teaser

YouTube (Shorts): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4jSajQY4Gzs

Listen to the New Album

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4IL0S3CN6QYVn77seqENqc?si=oMDWcRTFSNy2YSSzyX_vUQ
• YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k2XhV-8YDvbWGHULUpbixaCxydMUO02BA
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/2015-2025-the-first-years-in-space/1825805358
• Bandcamp: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com/album/2015-2025-the-first-years-in-space

Album Details

• Title: 2015–2025 The First Years in Space
• Artist: Billy Yfantis
• Release Year: 2025
• Format: Digital Album (30 Tracks)
• Genre: Experimental / Ambient / Space Music / Noise
• Label: Independent

About Billy Yfantis

Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis holds two master's degrees in computing science and a Ph.D. in the field of e-government. Billy has been working on music since the late 1990s by experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. Billy is playing digital keyboards but prefers to express his artistic dream through the electronic sounds that come from unusual machines. He has experimented with the recording of vacuum cleaners, electric blenders, and other strange sounds that have resulted in musical releases. Moreover, Billy has authored books on music, business, and science, and from time to time he speaks about electronic governance at scientific conferences all over Europe.

More Music: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Vasileios-Yfantis/e/B00JNNL306

Contact Details

Email: Byfantis@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billyyfantis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis

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

1/16/2025

Held By Trees To Release Second Album “Hinterland” Featuring Talk Talk/Hollis veterans Robbie McIntosh, Laurence Pendrous, Andy Panayi With Simone Marie Butler (Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain), Matt Simms (Wire), Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine) and Others!

“Hinterland” is the second LP by Held By Trees, taking in elements of jazz, post-rock, and ambient music and will be released on CD/Vinyl (and digital download only on Bandcamp) on Friday 4th April, 2025 on Tweed Jacket Music Ltd and Lasgo Records Distribution. The follow-up to 2022’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Solace’, this new eight-piece album is a sonic journey through ambiguous spaces, within and without.

Once again, Held By Trees – helmed by composer/producer David Joseph - brings together living DNA from its chief influence, the latter work of Mark Hollis with Talk Talk, and as a solo artist. This includes this time his son Charlie Hollis who plays piano on four of the tracks. Returning Talk Talk/Hollis veterans are Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Laurence Pendrous on piano, Andy Panayi on flute, clarinet and saxophone (who are each member of the live HBT band), plus Martin Ditcham on drums/percussion and Simon Edwards on double bass.

Other notable contributors to the album include: Rob Coombes (Supergrass) on Hammond Organ, Stephen Gilchrist (Stephen Evens, Graham Coxon) on drums, Simone Marie Butler (Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain) on synths and sound effects, Matt Simms (Wire, It Hugs Back) on guitar, Norman Westberg (Swans) on guitar, Robert Poss (Band of Susans, Phil Niblock) on guitar, Simon Scott (Slowdive) with field recordings, Mark Simnett (Bark Psychosis) on drums and percussion, Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine, Hurtling, Graham Coxon) on guitar, Chris Pedley (The Baker Brothers) on bass.

David Joseph said, “‘Hinterland’ is a meandering celebration of the vague, the between places, the forgotten, nameless margins – not just in the landscape around us physically, but also internally – somewhere in the middle of faith and doubt, joy and melancholy, departure and arrival.”

“The thrill of Held By Trees is bringing such a variety of musicians together and sculpting something surprising and unique from the ideas they submit. This album is an odyssey of guitar, with some of the most innovative guitarists of the last 50 years of alternative, left-field music taking part. ‘Hinterland’ is full of soundscapes using guitars like paintbrushes, painting a variety of rich, delicate, floating and abrasive textures that evoke the liminal spaces around us and within us.”

In a departure from previous releases, the artwork this time is supplied by Brighton-based abstract mixed-media artist, Gareth Hayward. David said, “Gareth’s artwork is the perfect visual pairing for the music. It asks us what we see within it, without dictating what or where it is. There is plenty of intentional ambiguity, which is central to the album’s musical theme. I adore Gareth’s use of negative-space and his visceral approach to capturing landscapes full of mood and mystery.”

David Joseph

For more information: www.heldbytrees.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com (North America, Europe)

11/06/2024

Joe Satriani Bass Sideman & Mermen Co-founder Allen Whitman Releases 4th Ambient Soundtrack “The Eternal City”

ALLEN WHITMAN, former bassist with legendary virtuoso guitarist JOE SATRIANI and co-founder of the influential San Francisco-based instrumental surf-rock trio THE MERMEN, announces the digital-only release (through label SQUEAKEY STUDIOS) of his 4th soundtrack/ambient travel log album “THE ETERNAL CITY.”

The album, his 4th in a series, continues the artist’s predilection for incorporating acoustic guitar-driven sonic environments with samples and synths - and this time out forwarding the in-your-face pace of that Grande Dame of cities, Rome. The sounds, making use of field recordings made on his recent sojourn in Italy, are compelling, occasionally contemplative, and often propulsive.

ALLEN WHITMAN, a stalwart of the San Francisco music scene, credits past live performance and musical collaboration with, among many others, HELIOS CREED, TINY TIM, THE SANDALS, THE INK SPOTS, NELS CLINE, MIKE KENEALLY, CARMINE APPICE, DJ QUEST, SAMMY HAGAR, TONY MACALPINE, DWEEZIL ZAPPA, STEVE LUKATHER, STEVE VAI, STEVE MORSE and JOHN PETRUCCI.

Additionally, WHITMAN’s band, FIVE DAY MIRACLE TENT CRUSADE, explores deep ambient and dense vocal-heavy refusenik-pop reminiscent of Godley and Creme, John Cale and Holgar Czukay, recently collaborating with chanteuse DOROTHY MOSKOWITZ of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHITMAN has worked extensively in live music for theater, particularly with California-based Theatre of Yugen for live performance in a modern Noh style in San Francisco, New York City, Tokyo and Austin.

To purchase: https://squeakeystudios.bandcamp.com/album/the-eternal-city-an-ambient-travel-log-album

Previous ambient travel log albums:
https://squeakeystudios.bandcamp.com/album/m-hitotsu-no-f-kei-album
https://squeakeystudios.bandcamp.com/album/monogatari-no-f-kei-album
https://squeakeystudios.bandcamp.com/album/the-summer-solstice-sessions-album

Additional online resources:
https://www.instagram.com/squeaksmore/
https://audius.co/squeakeystudios
https://soundcloud.com/squeakey-studios

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

11/07/2023

Joe Satriani Bass Sideman and Mermen Co-founder Allen Whitman Releases New Ambient Soundtrack “Monogatari no Fūkei”

ALLEN WHITMAN, former bassist with legendary virtuoso guitarist JOE SATRIANI and co-founder of the San Francisco-based influential instrumental surf-rock trio THE MERMEN has announced the digital-only release (through label SQUEAKEY STUDIOS) of a new soundtrack/ambient album “MONOGATARI NO FŪKEI.”

The album incorporates acoustic guitar-driven sonic environments with samples and synth that forwards a pace matching its title: “Landscape Of Stories”. The movement, using field recordings made on a recent visit to Japan, is compelling, occasionally contemplative and often propulsive.

ALLEN WHITMAN, a stalwart of the San Francisco music scene, also credits live performance and musical collaboration with, among many others, the likes of HELIOS CREED, TINY TIM, THE SANDALS, THE INK SPOTS, NELS CLINE, MIKE KENEALLY, CARMINE APPICE, DOROTHY MOSKOWITZ, DJ QUEST, SAMMY HAGAR, TONY MACALPINE, DWEEZIL ZAPPA, STEVE LUKATHER, STEVE VAI, STEVE MORSE and JOHN PETRUCCI.

WHITMAN has also worked extensively in live music for theater, particularly with California-based Theatre of Yugen for live performance in a modern Noh style in San Francisco, New York City, Tokyo and Austin.

To purchase: https://squeakeystudios.bandcamp.com/album/monogatari-no-f-kei

Additional online resources:
https://www.instagram.com/squeaksmore/
https://audius.co/squeakeystudios
https://soundcloud.com/squeakey-studios

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

8/31/2023

Featured Artist Track: Monster Taxi-Reflect

Genre: Chill-Ambient

Release Date: August 4, 2023

Label: ‎ Independent

Website

Some artists enjoy creating alter egos or clandestine bands to pursue something different. Jason Klein is one of those people, but I don’t think he will be undercover for too long with his latest track, “Reflect” as Monster Taxi. You may think with a name like that, it would be something that rocks, right? Well, think again and have a listen.

When I loaded the MP3 in iTunes, it came up as trip-hop. As we all know, that program can be way off at times. In this case, some of those elements are on the track and, more importantly, the essential rhythm and movement that drives everything along nicely.

“Reflect” has an exciting melody with a terrific bass line. The keyboards/electronics are as ambient and chill as it gets. The sounds did make my ears very happy, and there was a good feeling inside, like when your heart and soul smile. I listened a few times and wondered why it had to end. Is this a precursor to more of the same at some point? I sure hope so because this is fantastic music with a nice groove.

The track already has over 7k monthly listeners on Spotify, with an upward trajectory that must be very pleasing to Mr. Klein.

You can read more about Monster Taxi here https://www.monstertaxi.com

and learn where this man is coming from and where he is going. From what I can see, it looks like the right direction!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

August 30, 2023

8/24/2023

Electric Forgiveness, A Lysergic Mood Journey of Epic Proportions, To Release Debut Album “Original Score” Featuring Contributions by Rabbit (The Who), Steve Kilbey (The Church) and Doug MacMillan (The Connells)

An auditory movie that cleanses the third eye while blinding the other two!

A Lysergic Mood Journey of Epic Proportions

“Original Score” is a 43-minute piece of music consisting of 11 uninterrupted tracks. The intent is for it to be listened to all at once, in the dark, accompanied by someone you trust, and a Lava Lamp.

“Electric Forgiveness was initially a side project that I developed with John Bundrick,” said Third of Never founder Jon Dawson. “We (Third of Never) were recording at the House of Vibes in New Jersey at the same time as The Smithereens. At one point we couldn't book sessions due to their mixing deadline, so I put the guitar down and dove into the world of electronica.”

The new Electric Forgiveness album “Original Score” was also conceived during a break in Third of Never's recording schedule.

“I obtained a Korg Kasoscillator synthesizer and did not come up for air for days,” Dawson said. “Within a week I had the basis for another Electric Forgiveness record. This led to quite a bit of cross-pollination between the Third of Never and Electric Forgiveness projects.”

While dabs of electronica floated into the Third of Never album (slated for an April 2024 release), Electric Forgiveness inhaled some guitar and vocal tracks from the Third of Never camp.

“We’re lucky to have Doug MacMillan of The Connells as our vocalist in Third of Never,” Dawson said. “We sampled his voice along with a Steve Kilbey cameo and bits of my guitar for the Electric Forgiveness record. You’d think it would be terrifying trying to juggle two albums at once, but they actually informed each other rather nicely.”

“Steve Potak (The Connells) did 90% of the keyboards on this album in one take,” Dawson said. “What makes this even more remarkable is that he didn’t really hear any of the tracks until he sat down to record his parts.”

Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Sara Bell was enlisted for Electric Forgiveness after participating in a Third of Never session.

“Her voice is as pure as you’ll ever hear, so I asked her to come in and improvise over sections of the Electric Forgiveness music,” Dawson said. “Her performance elevated everything. There's a beautiful eeriness in her voice that pulls the listener in instantly.”

Kurt Reil of the Grip Weeds contributed drums to the album.

“This is the most amazing recording of Kurt’s drumming I’ve ever heard,” Dawson said. “He usually has to be concerned with ‘playing for the song’ and finding the proper spots to explode, but with this music, there aren’t any songs in the traditional sense, so he’s allowed to just blow for 40 minutes, and his performance is staggering.”

Bassist Michael Kelly (Femmes of Rock, Grip Weeds, Gene Simmons) came to mind after Dawson remembered a conversation they’d had about music over a decade earlier.

“The Grip Weeds and Third of Never played at a music festival in Philadelphia around a decade ago,” Dawson said. “Michael and his wife had a cookout for both bands afterward. While we were there I played Michael bits of the first Electric Forgiveness album. One piece reminded him of Tomita - which he was a fan of, so when it came time to find a bassist for this new project he seemed like a natural fit. He did a great job adding melody to this sprawling ball of sound.”

The album will be released on October 15, 2023 by Broken Sound Tapes in conjunction with 343 Records and Jam Recordings. The initial formats will be CD, cassette and digital.

Electric Forgiveness: Jon Dawson, John Bundrick, Sara Bell, Michael Kelly, Steve Potak, Kurt Reil

Guests: Doug MacMillan and Steve Kilbey

Track List:
1. Two-Week Notice (Bundrick, Dawson, Potak, Kelly)
2. Initials In The Wood (Bell, Dawson, Kelly)
3. Rose Is On The Air (Bell, Dawson)
4. Frank and Paul Meet Rod (Dawson, Potak, Kelly)
5. Expired Dreams (Dawson, Kelly, Bell, Potak)
6. Meaning To Send (Dawson, Potak, Bell, Kelly)
7. Bucklesberry Nocturne (Dawson, Bell, Kelly, Potak)
8. Prozac's Theory of Attraction (Dawson, Potak, Bell)
9. A Name Without Pier (Dawson, Bell, Potak)
10. Dude, Rose Isn't Here (Kelly, Bell, Potak, Dawson)
11. What Kind of Battery Was He Wearing? (Bell, Dawson, Kelly)

All tracks arranged by Electric Forgiveness:

Produced by Jon Dawson, Benjy Johnson, and Tim Harper

Recording Studios: Little Vegas (La Grange), Earthtones (Greensboro), House of Vibes (Highland Park), Starpoint (Carrboro), Mrs. Kelly's Son Studios (Philadelphia), Rabbit Studios (Somerset)

Doug MacMillan: vocal samples from “Rolling Down A Hill,” “We Grabbed The Ground” and “Wild Piece” by Third of Never

Steve Kilbey: vocal sample from “Rolling Down A Hill” by Third of Never.

To purchase: BrokenSoundTapes.Bandcamp.com

For more information:
www.ElectricForgiveness.com
www.facebook.com/electricforgiveness
www.instagram.com/thirdofnever

For review copies contact: jon@thirdofnever.com

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

8/29/2022

Bass Virtuosos Alberto Rigoni and Michael Manring To Release New Album “Grains of Sand” on Sept. 15, 2022

Bass virtuosos Alberto Rigoni (solo, BAD As, Kim Bingham, Vivaldi Metal Project etc.) and Michael Manring (solo, Alex Skolnic, Steve Morse etc,) are glad to announce the release of their new album “Grains of Sand” on September 15th.

The album, fully instrumental, spans from prog to fusion, jazz, ambient and features Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, A-Z) on drums. Also, on some tracks the duo invited some bassists as special guests such as Billy Sheehan, Stuart Hamm, Adam Nitti and more.

Alberto Rigoni says: “After the release of ‘Song for Souls’ in memory of my father I said I was going to retire (at least for a bit) but well… I could not resist making an album with one of the best bass players in the world like Michael. Hope you will enjoy it!”

Michael Manring says: “Alberto is a prolific artist with a deep love of the bass. His enthusiasm is inspiring and it’s always a pleasure to work with him.”

The duo have already released two videos that you can view at the following links:
https://youtu.be/GuXJxlNYcBY (“No Escape” feat. Adam Nitti)
https://youtu.be/G5SjE0vRU54 (“Grains of Sands” ft. Billy Sheehan)

“Grains of Sand” will be available in digital, Digipack CD and limited edition tape/cassette! You can pre-order “Grains of Sand” at http://albertorigoni.bandcamp.com

For more information:
https://linktr.ee/albertorigoni
http://www.manthing.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

8/24/2022

Composer Charles Xavier To Release Ambient Solo Piano Album “Pandemic Piano” on Sept. 9, 2022

San Francisco composer and recording artist the Xman aka Charles Xavier is releasing an ambient/melodic/neo-jazz album titled “Pandemic Piano” on September 9, 2022. The music speaks for itself… It’s new age ambient piano music that Charles will perform as he crosses the country and live streams the tour.

He will continue his Xman drama with the first single titled “When I Think Of You” (Dolby Atmos mix by immersive mix engineer McKay Garner) on July 29th. The second Atmos single titled “Sexual Vibration Chakra” will be released on August 19th.

Says Charles, “I was creating out of my comfort zone. I improvised each morning after I had awakened from my unconscious dark shadow and I recorded endless loops of anguish & despair. I was capturing the moment until I was able to release my darkness with loving light through this piano. Isn’t that what every artist strives for? To capture our souls on fire, so that we can present to our audience the true essence of our art, engage our listeners in our battles, our conflicts with egos that are present in every man. There’s a magic in our madness as human creatures that the superior beings that control the universe cannot predict or prescribe into…. DIG.”

Encouraging meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness, these songs are a perfect introduction to Charles Xavier!

Says Charles, “I present this new set of songs recorded during the pandemic and throughout its current state of osmosis, separation, disruption, disdain and frustration from our being separated from our commutative, tribal, creative souls. This living project began as the last six albums have but quickly took shape into a life changing force all-encompassing into oneself. I exist now as a solo human being drifting across America…”

Ambient solo piano music by composer/percussionist/sound designer Charles Xavier. “Pandemic Piano” is sometimes spontaneous, then magically serene, dipping into quadrants of clarity then unspoken shifting moods, pain then dreams, dreams then gain. Different pianist, different speed. It’s worth a listen.

What’s next for Charles….

The show “ELLA ACROSS AMERICA” is a real-time docudrama about a Composer/musician/post-production director who separates from his wife after 30 years, he leaves a thriving Silicon Valley Suburbia named San Bruno with his dog Ella, a spiritual breed of a dog Great Pyrenees, then he travels cross country in a specially equipped RV van for capturing streaming media.

The short synopsis: “One man, one dog, one piano. He decides to leave California after his marriage ends, so he buys an RV, then sets out to explore 5,000 miles while busking & performing ACROSS AMERICA…

In closing Charles has this to say, “Live in the present! A year ago I never would have predicted this tour to happen.”

Composer – Musician - Producer

Charles Xavier, aka “The Xman,” is a visionary producer, composer, electronic musician, and percussionist based in the Bay Area. He has been the seeking force to build something new for multiple businesses and endeavors in the music and recording industries for the past 30 years.

About Happy Note Records

Happy Note Records is a multifaceted entertainment company that is currently developing its musical production capabilities so that the business can promote the music of its featured artist Charles Xavier from the onset of its formalized operations. The business produces artist tracks and downloadable media for each production completed by the business. HNR is designed to be a full-service record label, promotion, and distribution company, focused initially on the career of Charles Xavier, a San Francisco-based, nationally touring musician, with the future potential for the label to apply this business model to other “up and coming” and “established” recording artists.

Listen to “Pandemic Piano Collage” by Charles Xavier: https://soundcloud.com/charlesxavier/pandemic-piano-collage-2021-charles-xavier

The JazzSummit PLAYLIST: The two piano videos starting the playlist link below gives the listener a visual idea of the two directions the album leans towards: Ambient piano and electronic FX piano. From “Cristi to Bosco” shows the creative music side. Also the localization twist Charles added to his production work. Then some live shows at festivals and venues. https://bit.ly/JazzSummitPlaylist2022

To purchase the new single: https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-i-think-of-you-single/1634449086
To purchase the album on BandCamp Sept. 9th: https://charlesxavierjr.bandcamp.com/album/pandemic-piano
The album will be available at Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other digital stores on the web on the release date of September 9th.

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/charlesxavierxman
http://www.twitter.com/charlesxavierjr
www.youtube.com/charlesxavier
www.soundcloud.com/charlesxavier
https://www.reverbnation.com/label/happynoterecords
https://www.instagram.com/charlesxavierjr/
www.myspace.com/thexman

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

12/09/2021

Experimental Musician Billy Yfantis Releases The Symphonic Music Album “Cinematic Works, Vol. I”

A double album of 50 epic compositions inspired by cinematic artists such as Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, Rick Wakeman and Vangelis

Athens, Greece - Experimental musician and author Billy Yfantis, releases his 4th solo album entitled “Cinematic Works, Vol. I”. The double album consists of 2 disks featuring 50 instrumental cinematic tracks inspired by the soundtracks of Epic movies such as “The Lord Of The Rings” and “Stars Wars”. The album is the first part of a series of cinematic music albums that Billy intends to release in the next years.

Disc 1 includes compositions that capture the sound design of dramatic, epic scenes of Fantasy Adventure and Sci-Fi movies. Symphonic Classical Music is used as a medium to create a heroic and atmospheric soundtrack for sophisticated listeners. Disc 2 continues the trip of Epic sounds and operatic influences however, there are additional tracks with Jazz and Ambient music elements to complete the puzzle of the atmospheric music soundtrack.

Promotional video (The Empire):

Promotional video (New Planet):

Cinematic Works, Vol. I Track list

Disc 1
1. Hail to the King of Wrath
2. Entering the City of Gold
3. The Dragon
4. New Planet
5. Beauty of the New Land
6. Knights of the New Revolution
7. Coming by the Sea
8. The Barbarians
9. Dreaming of the King
10. Hero's Quest
11. Exploring the Field
12. Above the Tower
13. Among the Trees
14. Flag of the New Empire
15. Preparing the Spaceship
16. Neoclassical Runes
17. Reaching the Promised Land
18. Riding the Horses of Heaven
19. Ship
20. The Battle of Sparta
21. The City of Gold
22. Royal Wedding
23. The Dynasty
24. The Kingdom of the Elfs
25. The Empire

Disc 2
26. Age of Innocence
27. At the Church
28. At the Luna Park
29. At the Movies
30. At the Opera with Friends
31. Atmospheric Sunrise
32. Beyond the Clouds
33. Beyond the Mountain
34. Chinese Beauty
35. Drama
36. Fairytale Stories
37. Family Memories
38. Happiness of Yesterday
39. In the Streets of London
40. Jazzy and Nostalgic
41. The Land of Hope
42. The Magic Ring
43. The March of the Elfs
44. The Royal Temptation
45. The Ship of the Pirates
46. The Soldiers
47. The Village
48. The Warrior's Path
49. Trip to the Stars
50. Dreaming the Sky

Listen to the new album here:
Napster: https://us.napster.com/artist/billy-yfantis/album/cinematic-works-vol-i
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6DhBVOWts2dmpeLTbF6xX9?si=_QZ3s0urRo6h81NTlM51OQ
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ny7cUMEuMyPKjiz86Dox1-KQ8tcdU3dcw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cinematic-works-vol-i/1594345429
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/album/271619562
Tidal: https://store.tidal.com/gr/album/204337997
Bandcamp: https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com/album/cinematic-works-vol-i

Billy Yfantis, except his solo recording career, has a very busy schedule with other related activities. On Jan. 27, 2021 he participated as a guest presenter at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) by presenting the nominees/winners of the “Best World Music” and “Best Lyrics/Lyricist” awards. You can watch the whole event here: https://vimeo.com/505567704 Moreover, later in 2021 he remixed a track from the Desert rockers Sons of Alpha Centauri which was included as a bonus 3-inch CD on the vinyl format of the recent album “Sky Island” by the Yawning Sons (project by members of the Yawning Man and Sons of Alpha Centauri). Billy Yfantis plans to experiment with new instruments and technologies for the recording of his 5th full album with a release schedule in mid-2022. Stay tuned for more information!

About Billy Yfantis
Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis holds 2 Master Degrees in Information Technology and is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of West Attica by conducting research on e-government. Billy has been working on music since the late 1990s by experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. Billy is playing digital keyboards, but prefers to express his artistic dream through the electronic sounds that come from unusual machines. He has experimented with the recording of vacuum cleaners, electric blenders and other strange sounds that have resulted in musical releases. Moreover, Billy has authored books on music, business and science while from times to times he speaks about the electronic governance at scientific conferences all over Europe.

Famous Quotes (What Others Have Said)
Krautrock legend Harald Grosskopf (Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze, Cosmic Jokers): “I always like electronic music made by younger musicians who consequently follow their personal instinct, rather than trying to copy what’s already been made in the past, in the spirit of: Whenever you meet Buddha kill him. Keep on tracking Billy!”

Tom McLoughlin (Director of the movie “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives”): “I really dug his music!! VERY cool stuff!!”

Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep): “I like the track 'Waiting for the battle.' Great riff. I can see this as soundtracks to Psycho - punk movies and the like.”

Bobby Borg, (Music Business Author, Consultant, Professor): “This is fkn bad ass music that everyone needs to hear… imagine the coolest meditation music out there and the coolest sci-fi movie soundtrack rolled into one! Stream it and trip out today.”

Steve Whitfield (Producer and engineer of The Cure, The Mission UK): “This music is crying out to be used in films but at the same time it's great to just sit back listen and immerse yourself in them without any moving images and let your imagination run wild!”

Snowy Shaw (ex-King Diamond, Therion, Mercyful Fate): “I didn't know what to expect when I had this album sent to me by the composer Billy Yfantis. To be perfectly honest, 9 times out of 10 when people send me their new album it makes me feel a bit uneasy and awkward. Firstly because I don't listen an awful lot to contemporary music and secondly, even less to other metal & hard rock artists due to lack of interest and I don't wanna hurt their feelings. I don't mean that in any rude, disrespectful or arrogant way, but I'm into creating my own music, not so much into consuming music of my peers. However, this was something entirely different. I'm not even sure it's considered music, but it's the kind of atmospheric and meditative type of sounds that I've been listening a helluva lot over the past few years to try relax and cope with my stressful, turbulent life, constantly on the verge of being burnt out. That being said, I liked it and it made me calm, mindful and sleepy. Presumably the worst kind of reaction my metalhead peers would wanna hear about their new album but in this case it's probably the best sort of compliment one could get.”

Discography
1. Cinematic Works, Vol. I (Full album, 2021)
2. Noises from the Outer Space (Full album, 2021)
3. Entering the Solar System (Full album, 2020)
4. The Noisy Whispers Compilation (Full album, 2019)
5. The Mysterious Trip (Digital single, 2018)
6. Dust Not Found (Digital single 2017)
7. Crossing The Line (Digital single 2016)
8. The Electric Blender Session (Digital single, 2016)
9. The Missing Link (Digital single, 2015)

Check out music by Billy Yfantis here:
https://billyyfantis.bandcamp.com

Bibliography
1. Power Ballads And The Stories Behind (2021)
2. Is Prog Rock Really Progressive? (2020)
3. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I – Extended Version (2020)
4. Hip Hop Goes Science: Volume I (2019)
5. Metal Goes Science: The Academic Metal Bibliography (2017)
6. Disadvantaged Populations And Technology In Music (2017)
7. City Streets Of Europe (2017)
8. Punk Goes Science: The Academic Bibliography Of Punk (2015)
9. The Lost Lyrics (2013)
10. The Commercial Exploitation Of Color As A Consumer Stimulus (2013)

Find Books by Billy Yfantis here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vasileios-Yfantis/e/B00JNNL306/

Contact details:
E-mail: Byfantis@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billyyfantis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

7/05/2021

Italian Composer, Multi-instrumentalist Giancarlo Erra Releases New Single & Video “Previous Tape”

Taken from the forthcoming new album Departure Tapes released on Kscope on July 2, 2021

With his new album Departure Tapes released July 2nd on Kscope, UK based Italian composer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Giancarlo Erra has revealed the 3rd single and video for “Previous Tape”. He comments, “Whatever music I write, whether for a soundtrack or for a rock band, for me, songwriting and melody are always something that must be there (I grew up listening to Beatles so I can't escape that!). At the same time I'm not a big fan of solos, but I'm obsessed with vocals, even if synthesised. I own a couple of synths dedicated almost exclusively to that.

So on 'Previous Tape', I used a Seaboard (keyboard/synth) because it allows me to play instruments and sounds without quantised pitch, like a vocal (or a theremin), while at the same time with a dynamically controlled expression of other parameters, exactly like I would while I sing."

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “PREVIOUS TAPE” HERE

The new studio album Departure Tapes, the follow up to 2019’s Ends I-VII, consists of 6 contemplative recordings, written while travelling between the UK and Italy and reflect the extremely difficult year Giancarlo experienced due to the death of his estranged father. Erra comments “In 2019 my first solo album was just being released, and I already had the view that I wanted to be more experimental with the second one, but no precise idea how at that point. Then my father suddenly got ill with cancer, and everything changed. I found myself taking care of this man, someone who I have been distanced from for so long. During this time both of us came to terms with many things. I wanted to get closure, but a positive one, for him and for me.

Creatively it was an interesting period for me – writing this album without realising I was actually writing it, as it is so intrinsically linked to one of the hardest and yet more healing parts of my life. The end result is the most experimental, and at the times, the darkest material I have ever written, without compromise or set plan. It contains all the elements of my music in a very unconscious free flowing way.”

Departure Tapes sees Erra using a wide mix of analogue synths and digital plugins though he is keen to highlight the unsung hero of many of his albums, “The 1979 monophonic Korg MS10, deserves a mention because this synth has a wicked filter, a squelching and screaming one that can really do some unique stuff once you use it with the modular part of the synth. In Departure Tapes and in possibly all of my albums, any bass synth part is performed on the MS10, and I believe is the one sound I use it for most of the times. Once you manually tune down the synth and then you tune and move the filter at resonant peak around the notes you need, this thing is able to make not just walls shaking bass sounds, but also ones that contain enough upper medium frequencies to cut through the mix: I would be lost without this little gem.”

Max Richter, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and the more electronic / ambient recordings of Brian Eno may offer a reference point by which to enter Erra’s world, but the depth within his recordings is truly original.

Departure Tapes track listing
1. Dawn Tape [06:15]
2. Previous Tape [01:48]
3. 169th Tape [02:51]
4. Unwound Tape [08:24]
5. Departure Tape [16:51] WATCH VIDEO
6. A Blues For My Father [07:31] WATCH VIDEO

Departure Tapes will be released on the following formats and is available to pre-order HERE (https://GiancarloErra.lnk.to/DepartureTapes)
• A gatefold LP on oxblood coloured 180g vinyl
• 2-disc CD/DVD with the DVD-A/V including high resolution stereo & 5.1 mix:
DVD-V: stereo 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround and DVD-A: 5.1 Surround 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes
• Digitally (with digital pre-orders receiving the single “Departure Tape” as an instant download from 22nd April)

(photography by Caroline Traitler www.carolinetraitler.net )

Album Listening Party!

Giancarlo will be hosting an album listening party on Tuesday 6th July at 1:30 PM EST (6:30pm BST) on his YouTube channel. He will be listening to the album live and answering your questions.

2 viewers will be in with a chance of winning a free signed copy of Departure Tapes in any format.

See you there!

Follow Giancarlo Erra:
https://facebook.com/giancarloerramusic
https://twitter.com/giancarloerra
https://www.instagram.com/giancarloerra/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aXOIiw7HiVfCdZ6r66bKA
https://soundcloud.com/giancarloerra

All artist photography by Caroline Traitler www.carolinetraitler.net
Album artwork by Giancarlo Erra
For more hi-res images: www.kscopemusic.com/media/erra

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Italian Composer, Multi-instrumentalist Giancarlo Erra Releases New Single & Video “Previous Tape”

Taken from the forthcoming new album Departure Tapes released on Kscope on July 2, 2021

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “PREVIOUS TAPE” HERE

(photography by Caroline Traitler www.carolinetraitler.net )

Album Listening Party!

Giancarlo will be hosting an album listening party on Tuesday 6th July at 1:30 PM EST (6:30pm BST) on his YouTube channel. He will be listening to the album live and answering your questions.

2 viewers will be in with a chance of winning a free signed copy of Departure Tapes in any format.

See you there!

All artist photography by Caroline Traitler www.carolinetraitler.net
Album artwork by Giancarlo Erra
For more hi-res images: www.kscopemusic.com/media/erra

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

5/27/2021

Guitarists Jon Durant & Stephan Thelen Team Up For An International Musical Conversation “Crossings”

An intercontinental guitar dialogue

Swiss guitarist Stephan Thelen and his American counterpart Jon Durant have teamed up for an international musical conversation. The pair conceived and executed the album “Crossings” during the Covid lockdowns of 2020. Each working in his own home studio, Thelen on Lake Zürich, Durant on the Willamette River, the pair fell into a remarkable sense of shared purpose as they developed the seven tracks that comprise the album. While the album was entirely done with guitars (and one bass part), there are frequent trips into sonic spheres that bear little resemblance to the traditional sounds of the instrument they share.

Following on from Durant’s work on Thelen’s “Fractal Guitar 2,” the pair began the work as a project for a sampler project that MoonJune Records were to release. Those plans were scrapped but the two had so enjoyed the process that they began to explore more pieces together. Thelen noted: “In April 2020, during the lockdown, I immediately thought of doing a duo with Jon. I decided to revisit the title track from my 2004 solo album, 'Vol de Nuit', which we recorded as a homage to two of our favorite guitarists, Robert Fripp and Terje Rypdal.”

The album contains a series of musical dialogues, often begun with Thelen’s polymetric guitar loops, which allowed Durant a wide range of options for textural and lead work, notably his expressive fretless and colorful electric 12 string playing on the title track, “Crossings.” The sublime “Sunrise” features Durant’s cloud guitar drifting above Thelen’s hypnotic minimalist patterns before the deeply emotional lift of fretless lead towards the end. The darker hued “Dream Sequence” and “Infinity” showcase the two guitarists’ textural soundscaping, with the former offering a nod towards innovative trumpeter/composer Jon Hassell.

Durant commented, “Working with Stephan offers me a chance to explore in ways I wouldn’t necessarily do on my own, and it challenges me to step up my game and let my playing be more extroverted.” Thelen added, “We did a lot of file sharing, and I was very pleased at incredibly good, fast, and reliable working with Jon was.”

“Crossings” will be released June 11, 2021 on Alchemy Records.

For North America:
https://jondurant.bandcamp.com/

For Europe:
https://stephanthelen.bandcamp.com/

About the artists:

Innovative guitarist Jon Durant brings a unique sense of texture and melody to his instrument. His distinctive “cloud guitar” soundscapes and engaging lead work have graced numerous CD recordings and film soundtracks and his very distinctive use of fretless guitar has been widely admired.

Durant has previously released 10 solo albums and three Burnt Belief records (with Colin Edwin of Porcupine Tree). Durant has also been featured on the Astarta / Edwin album which was released in 2016. Durant, Colin Edwin and Ukranian singer Inna Kovtun released a CD in 2019 which featured a completely unique and modern take on traditional Ukranian folk music, with a blend of progressive rock, ambient, and pop elements.

Durant’s acclaimed 2018 solo release “Parting Is” was his first ‘solo guitar’ recording and the follow up solo guitar album “Alternate Landscapes” continued to stretch the boundaries of what a guitar record can sound like. Both solo CDs have been nominated for “Best Ambient Album” in US new age radio publications, while “Alternate Landscapes” also spent multiple weeks at the top of the NACC Chill Charts. In 2020, Durant released the well received duo album “Across the Evening” with Estonian guitarist Robert Jürjendal as well as his most recent solo album, “Soul of a River” (Myndstream Records) which featured Jon playing guitars and piano. In addition, Durant released a pair of recordings with keyboardist and Brian Eno collaborator Peter Chilvers, “Always Golden Sands” and “Vista” at the end of 2020 and start of 2021.

Stephan Thelen was born in Santa Rosa, California, where he spent his first ten years. He then moved with his family to Switzerland, where he still lives. After studying mathematics and music at the University of Zürich, he attended several Guitar Craft courses under the direction of King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, closely studied the music of Béla Bartók and Steve Reich, and eventually concentrated on studying polymetrical music.

As a guitarist and composer, he has worked and recorded with many internationally acclaimed musicians including Bill Laswell, Henry Kaiser, David Torn, Markus Reuter, Eivind Aarset, Hans Koch and Irene Schweizer. He has composed music for many ensembles, most notably the Kronos Quartet, from which he received a commission in 2016 to compose a piece for their “50 for the Future” program: https://www.50ftf.kronosquartet.org/composers/stephan-thelen

He is founder, guitarist and main composer for SONAR, an internationally acclaimed Swiss quartet, that specializes in minimalistic and polymetrical rock music that uses a unique tuning called the tritone tuning. SONAR has recorded five studio albums, the latest two (“Vortex” and “Tranceportation” with David Torn on RareNoiseRecords). He has recently released “World Dialogue,” an album of string quartets on RareNoiseRecords, and “Fractal Guitar 2” on Moonjune Records.

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

2/25/2021

Cleopatra Records Issues Deluxe Collector’s Edition Of HAWKWIND Co-Founder NIK TURNER’s 1978 Album XITINTODAY!

Produced by GONG’s Steve Hillage

Los Angeles, CA - From ‘60s legends the Grateful Dead to Grammy winning flautist Paul Horn, industrial band Killing Joke, and Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner, Egypt’s Great Pyramids have been a powerful source of inspiration for many musical adventurers over the years. Some, like Turner, have even gone so far as to record their instruments inside the ancient wonders, capturing the unique resonance of these mystical spaces and blending them with modern techniques and sensibilities to create a truly innovative work of art. Shortly after his abrupt departure from Hawkwind in the late ‘70s, Turner recorded nearly a half an hour’s worth of improvised flute melodies within the Egyptian pyramids, which he then used as the basis for his incredible 1978 experimental ambient masterpiece Xitintoday. The album, which is officially credited to Nik Turner’s Sphynx, is an adventurous, groundbreaking collaboration with several alums from prog rock legends Gong including Steve Hillage (who produced the album), Miquette Giraudy, Harry Williamson, Mike Howlett, Tim Blake and more.

For Turner, the album has a more personal meaning as he explains, “Xitintoday was a very necessary source of catharsis and healing for me, not only from being fired by my former band but also from the death of my father.”

Now this superb project is being reissued in a deluxe collector’s edition on gorgeous picture disc vinyl housed in a gatefold jacket with 16-page booklet insert that meticulously recreates the distinctive artwork of graphic design icon Barney Bubbles. The package also includes the entire album on CD with a special bonus track of Turner's raw 30-minute flute recording from deep within the pyramid.

Order the album: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turners-sphynx-xitintoday-limited-edition-picture-disc-vinyl-bonus-cd-booklet/

Track List:
VINYL
SIDE A
1. The Awakening (Life On Venus)
2. The Pyramid Spell
3. The Hall Of Double Truth
4. Anubis
5. Thoth

SIDE B
1. Horus
2. Isis And Nephthys
3. Osiris
4. God Rock (The Awakening)

CD
1. The Awakening (Life On Venus)
2. The Pyramid Spell
3. The Hall Of Double Truth
4. Anubis
5. Thoth
6. Horus
7. Isis And Nephthys
8. Osiris
9. God Rock (The Awakening)
BONUS TRACK
10. Pyramidflutenik

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Follow PURPLE PYRAMID @
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Purple Pyramid Store
Facebook @PurplePyramidRecords
https://www.facebook.com/PurplePyramidRecords/
Instagram @Purple.pyramid
https://www.instagram.com/purple.pyramid/
Twitter @PurplePyramid1
https://twitter.com/PurplePyramid1
Youtube @ Purple Pyramid
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiCec6bS6mX3c7dpitfYRQ
Purple Pyramid Store @
https://cleorecs.com/store/product-category/record-label/purple-pyramid/

Cleopatra Records Issues Deluxe Collector’s Edition Of HAWKWIND Co-Founder NIK TURNER’s 1978 Album XITINTODAY!

Produced by GONG’s Steve Hillage

Order the album: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turners-sphynx-xitintoday-limited-edition-picture-disc-vinyl-bonus-cd-booklet/

Track List:
VINYL
SIDE A
1. The Awakening (Life On Venus)
2. The Pyramid Spell
3. The Hall Of Double Truth
4. Anubis
5. Thoth

SIDE B
1. Horus
2. Isis And Nephthys
3. Osiris
4. God Rock (The Awakening)

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

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