Showing posts with label Marco Minnemann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marco Minnemann. Show all posts

5/05/2023

Prog Legends UK’s 10th Anniversary Release of “Curtain Call (2023 Remaster)” Concert Video

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Jobson has announced the first worldwide release of “Curtain Call (2023 Remaster)” by the legendary progressive-rock supergroup UK. Previously only available in Japan, this one-off 2013 reunion concert in Tokyo features UK founding members Eddie Jobson and the late, great John Wetton, along with new-generation virtuosos Alex Machacek and super-drummer Marco Minnemann, and captures the only ever live performance of both UK studio albums “UK” and “Danger Money” in their entirety.

Released on both Blu-ray and DVD in a single package, this rare concert footage has been fully remixed and remastered for worldwide release on May 19th.

UK were a British progressive rock supergroup originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band was founded by bass guitarist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford, formerly the rhythm section of King Crimson, along with former Roxy Music and Frank Zappa violinist/keyboardist/composer Eddie Jobson; guitarist Allan Holdsworth completed the original lineup. Bruford and Holdsworth left in 1978, and Bruford was replaced by drummer Terry Bozzio. Jobson, Wetton and Bozzio reformed UK for a world tour in 2012, with further Jobson-Wetton reunion tours extending through to 2015. Throughout their brief existence, UK’s music was characterised by skilled musicianship, complex harmony, odd time signatures, electric violin solos, and unusually varied synthesizer (Yamaha CS-80) sonorities. The band spans various genres ranging from progressive rock to jazz fusion.

To purchase UK “Curtain Call (2023 Remaster)”:
https://burningshed.com/store/eddiejobson/uk_curtain-call-remaster_dvd_blu-ray
https://www.amazon.com/Curtain-Call-Blu-Ray-Audio-Booklet/dp/B0C24N5LVK/

Eddie Jobson FB page: https://www.facebook.com/EJ.UK.fanpage/

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

2/13/2023

Warr Guitarist Jason Blake To Release New Instrumental Progressive Rock Album “Subsequent Ruins” Featuring Marco Minnemann

Jason Blake has been establishing himself over the past few years as “one of the most distinguished technicians on the Warr.” The Warr guitar is a unique twelve-string instrument incorporating the range of a guitar and bass that is played by tapping the strings, a technique known as touchstyle.

Primarily known for his work with the progressive metal instrumental band, Aziola Cry (Sensory Records), Jason Blake has begun to build an impressive resume as a solo artist. For this work, Blake has pushed the boundaries of the instrument while incorporating elements of progressive rock, ambient, and classical. Having released a varied series of instrumental albums under his name, Blake returns with his most ambitious album yet.

“Subsequent Ruins” is the title of Jason Blake’s upcoming instrumental progressive rock album featuring the Warr guitar as the sole melodic instrument along with Marco Minnemann on drums. The songs work as a modern retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln (The Pied Piper), whereas screens play the title role. The six song album was mixed in Chicago at Gravel Road Recording by Amery Schmeisser and mastered by Andy VanDette (Rush, Porcupine Tree). Hajo Mueller (Steven Wilson, Mariusz Duda) completed the thought provoking artwork for the release.

Says Jason, “As I began writing music for this album, I kept thinking about how phones and other screens have become so addictive and controlling of young minds today. This led me to the idea of creating a soundtrack for a modern retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln (The Pied Piper). I saw screens as the lead character in the story as they symbolically lead children blindly off of a cliff. I also worked with frequent collaborator, Hajo Mueller to create an elaborate CD package that acts as a lost artbook of one of these children. Once I had the idea for the album in place, I began writing music that I felt worked to tell this story. I typically begin with song titles to help guide the direction that I want to take. I knew that I wanted some longer songs as the center pieces for the album along with some shorter solo Warr guitar pieces that worked almost as interludes. Going into the writing process, I wanted to create music that on the record would sound big with the use of overdubs, but also could be performed solo for quieter settings. Once the music was written, I knew that I wanted a drummer that could take the music to the next level and so I reached out to Marco Minnemann who supplied the perfect accompaniment. The music was then recorded on and off over the summer of 2022.”

In support of his new release, Jason plans to release at least one video for this album that is almost complete. He is currently working on bringing this material out live in the louder settings and will continue to perform solo shows that will include some of this material. He is also very excited to be a part of the 7D Media family and look forward to working with them on this release.

In closing Jason has this to say, “I hope that people join me on this solo progressive rock journey that I am about to begin. While I feel like the music has some similarities to my band, Aziola Cry, it is different in that this is all Warr guitar. I think that as a result, it takes a unique approach to the music. Speaking of Aziola Cry, I have just completed writing the next album for that band and hope to have new music by the end of the year.”

Here's what the press has said about Jason Blake:

He once again confirms why he is one of the most distinguished technicians on the Warr.” - Betreutes Proggen

As much an album as a soundscape for a personal apocalypse the album reads like a soundtrack to a futuristic dystopian film.” - Ghost of Cult Magazine

The Compromise Rationale” deploys seven expansive new songs totaling more than forty-two minutes of engaging, unpredictable, instrumental exploration of an incredibly diverse sounding instrument delivered with impeccable precision.” - The ProgSpace

At once cinematic, haunting and image-provoking, this is truly musical food for emotional thought.” - Prog On

An aural feast of different sounds.” - Sea of Tranquility

Blake is so fluent on the Warr guitar, he can make it sound like a bass or keyboards. It was hard to believe these sounds only came from one person.” - Music Street Journal

Jason Blake - Subsequent Ruins

Obsolete Perception 3:46
Pretense of the Herd 9:54
Follow I (Emanated Hook) 4:42
False Streets of Entanglement 5:07
Follow II (The Coercible Leash) 5:05
A Bleak Outcome 10:33

Jason Blake - Warr guitar
Marco Minnemann - Drums

Recorded at Gravel Road Recording by Amercy Schmeisser and Lakeshore Studios
Mastered at Evolve Mastering by Andy VanDette
Artwork and Design by Hajo Mueller

Release date: March 17, 2023

To purchase:
https://jasonblake.bandcamp.com
https://www.jasonblakemusic.com/store
https://www.7dmedia.com
https://music.7dmedia.com

For more information:
https://www.jasonblakemusic.com
https://www.Facebook.com/jasonblakewarr
https://www.instagram.com/jasonblakemusic/
https://twitter.com/jasonblakewarr

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

1/13/2023

Multi-instrumentalist Matt Dorsey To Release New Progressive-Pop-Rock Album “Let Go” Feat. Marco Minnemann and Dave Kerzner

“Let Go” is a new collection of songs written and recorded by multi-instrumentalist Matt Dorsey. Stylistically it stands as a blend of all the artists and bands that influenced him including, Rush, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, XTC, The Police, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan and more. It can be described as progressive-pop-rock. On it Matt sings and plays guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion and, on two of the songs, the drums. Marco Minnemann provides drums on three tracks and Jonathan Mover on another three. Dave Kerzner performs a keyboard solo that he wrote for one of the songs.

Says Matt, “‘Let Go’ is a collection of songs that cover many aspects of life. I studied philosophy in college and the first song I wrote following my studies was MAN, which is something of a summary of the human condition and a celebration of the mystery and miracle of human existence. Following my college days, I shifted my focus from western to eastern philosophy and you can hear a sense of that influence in the song Echo which expresses a deep connection with all living things. ‘Let Go,’ too, is a reflection of the eastern philosophical tradition expressing a sort of taoist disposition toward the flow of things and a zen-like non-attachment. Waiting for the Fall and Castles Made of Sand are a bit darker, expressing a more existential despair, the one about perpetual failure and the other about the fleeting nature of time. But, to round the album out, Compromise, Dangerous and Impossible Friends are more straight-forward love songs. Life is many things. Art should reflect that. ‘Let Go’ is an album about the philosophy of life.”

The album contains 8 tracks recorded almost entirely at Matt’s home studio in Orange County, except for the drum tracks provided by Minnemann and Mover, and the keyboard solo by Kerzner. The album was mixed by Matt and mastered by Andy VanDette. The album artwork was created by Ed Unitsky.

Matt Dorsey is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Orange County, CA. Best known as a founding member of Sound of Contact he has also played with Beth Hart, Dave Kerzner, In Continuum, and most recently with the all-star progressive rock cover band ProgJect.

Says Matt, “I hope those who listen to my music actually get something meaningful or useful out of it, even if it’s just the enjoyment of the rhythms and melodies or the tapping of the foot. If one gleans anything more deeply significant, all the better. If I’m honest, I write and play music entirely for the sheer joy of it. I guess that’s a bit selfish to say. That said, I know there is power in music, to be sure, and it can move people in very potent ways. I feel privileged to be a part of that. I guess to sum it up my message is simply, life is extraordinary and we would do well to look longer and more carefully at it.”

photo by Andy Wright

Track List:
1. Castles Made of Sand
2. Compromise
3. Waiting for the Fall
4. Man
5. Impossible Friends
6. Echo
7. Let Go
8. Dangerous

Release date: April 7, 2023
Pre-Order Campaign date: January 13, 2023

To purchase:
Physical Product https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/matt-dorsey
Digital Product https://mattdorsey1.bandcamp.com/music

Find Matt Dorsey Online:
http://www.mattdorseyofficial.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/matt.dorsey.1291
Matthew Dorsey (@mattdorseyofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
Matt Dorsey (@MattDorsey18) / Twitter

Inquiries about Matt Dorsey:
Management Assistance: Rita Kay Drew
The Band Wagon USA
115 Pearl Street
Cortland, OH  44410 USA
PH: 1-440-227-9216
Rita@TheBandWagonUSA.com

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