Keyboardist/Songwriter Neal Rosner Releases New Album “Kentucky”

The new album by Neal Rosner titled “Kentucky” chronicles the artist’s 12-year residency in Madisonville, KY. Songs were written between 1972 -2023. Engineered by Steve Baker, a small studio with a big heart, the album is divided into 2 parts: Plain (secular) and With Peanut (semi- religious).

Neal plays keyboards, some percussion and vocals. Some terrific local musicians are featured on the album like guitarists Boscoe France, Alonzo Pennington.

Says Neal, “I especially like doing the harmonies. When you sing with yourself you often have a good vocal blend.”

Songs are written about past and present events…
“Micajah”: USA first serial killers,
“The Radical”: SLA Shootout in LA 1974
“Red and Blue”: written after the 2016 election...political divisions and the curse of social media
“Le Cirque Des Enfants”: Children’s Circus song.
“What is God/ Seed of Abraham”: we are all one.

Line-up:
Neal Rosner: keyboards, bass and keyboard, percussion, vocals
Steve Baker: engineer, co-producer, percussion.
Barb Rosner: backup vocals, spoken word.
Alonzo Pennington: guitar
Boscoe France: guitar
James Dillingham: guitar

In support of Neal Rosner’s new release he will be playing gigs in the Chicago area with his prog-rock ensemble McLuhan.

To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK8CGRYB/ref=sr_1_1

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/neal.rosner
https://open.spotify.com/album/3TDLktKAlUvphAwkB5Ldaw?si=ie7sNzJXTy6s42MVwHB-Dw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2sj64LA4PMI90RuUyH5IYc?si=5FYAZGLzQGy-P8uOIbulrQ
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lavh-KwdOiU1qFSmihYvZtOpwLuY-tgTg&si=gjDQSwHHI-GaEErs

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

Progressive Jam-Fusion Supergroup PAKT Featuring Brand X Bass Legend Percy Jones Heading To West Coast USA Tour To Promote New Album “No Steps Left to Trace”

PAKT, a true super group of master musicians merging & colliding new music in the realms of progressive rock, electric jazz, experimental, ambient, psychedelic and beyond, is an experience as much as a musical project. An IMAX film for the ears, PAKT takes its listeners on an improvised sonic voyage with no preconceived destination, minimal pre-planning and little use for forms and conventions. Rare is the musician who can thrive in such a spontaneous environment but Percy Jones (fretless bass guitar), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Kenny Grohowski (drums) and Tim Motzer (guitar and electronics) are all up to the task. Armed with enough tastefully used effects to stock a small music store, Motzer and Skolnick create sounds so atmospheric and ethereal that one might not guess their source is a guitar. Meanwhile, Grohowski and Jones approach their instruments in textural manners that seamlessly intertwine with each other and the quartet as a whole. The music runs the gamut from highly sensitive to intense, with all four musicians’ listening skills so strong that their collective playing is as cohesive as it is unpredictable. Welsh bassist Jones (now a New York resident) is known for his tenure in the legendary jazz fusion group Brand X (whose classic lineup included drummer Phil Collins, yes that one) and extensive studio work (especially with Brian Eno). Skolnick is a diverse improviser whose jazz and world playing and instrumental associations (including bass virtuosos Stuart Hamm and Michael Manring) forms a Jeckyll & Hyde dynamic with his high profile as lead guitarist of the metal band Testament. Grohowski's many recent associations include John Zorn, a reincarnated version of Brand X and masked avant-metal outfit, Imperial Triumphant. Motzer has a long background in free improvisation, including the bands Bandit65 (with fellow guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel) and Orion Tango, plus many other recorded collaborations for his 1k Recordings label.

Before this album, all of PAKT’s releases had been taken from live performances. This studio session took place during the band’s East Coast tour in December, 2021. Primed from several successful shows in Upstate New York (including musician Daryll Hall’s thriving venue in Pawling, NY, Daryl’s House), the band took the day off in the Catskills Mountains, where they tracked live at NRS Studios. NRS is located in the home of musician/recording engineer Scott Petito, whose studio has hosted such luminaries John Scofield, Chick Corea and James Taylor. The PAKT musicians set up in a circle, all in the same room and performed, just as they would at a live concert. This began in the late morning and continued past dusk. By day’s end, they had accumulated a bunch of material—quite a nice document of where the band was musically back in 2021.

Tim Motzer, who produced this recording as well as providing artwork, says the following: “One of the things we all realized is that this band isn't going backward...it may be fueled by what we've done in the past, but really it’s a forward-evolving band composing in-the-moment, finding new language, and discovering our music as we go along. It's in that feeling that the title, ‘No Steps Left To Trace’, came to me because our music is a continuum, and more like a journey or an experience. We are, in a sense, tunneling or boring through the musical abstract toward and through to the ‘other side’.” Skolnick adds “From the moment we did our first performance together, it was clear that this project had a special chemistry that doesn’t happen all that often. The fact that we found this chemistry in our favorite Brooklyn venue, called Shape Shifter Lab, is fitting. It being the height of the 2020 Pandemic, that first show was streamed, with no audience present. Our first studio album ‘No Steps Left to Trace’, is a return to us just playing to each other, only this time, we have a number of live shows and touring under our belt, recorded in a high-quality studio. It’s a great document of PAKT in 2021.”

Live, of course, they have an audience that takes the ride with them. It is a real shared experience in that regard. Motzer curated five such journeys for the Live CD, one from Buffalo, three from NYC (Nublu), and one from Philadelphia. Adding the live album to the double release shows the growth and evolving chemistry in PAKT from the 2021 studio recording to the newer live recordings in 2023. It's a nice contrast with a lot of great interplay and listening happening from all the players. It also makes the album an excellent introduction to the band’s music for anyone new to it, as well as a fine addition to their discography.

PAKT
with
PERCY JONES - bass
ALEX SKOLNICK - guitar
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums
TIM MOTZER - guitars, electronics

“PAKT recalls the fearless attitude and daring approach that originally defined progressive music: where the magic of the moment always triumphed over preconception. Templates be damned ... this music blazes its own path! This is truly exquisite fare, serving as a reminder to aficionados of what initially drew them to this most creative, visionary of genres.”

WEST COAST TOUR DATES
Feb 01 - Seattle, WA (Funhouse)
Feb 02 - Portland, OR (Alberta Abbey)
Feb 03 - Eugene, OR (WOW Hall)
Feb 04 - Redding, CA (The Dip)
Feb 06 - TBA
Feb 08 - Mill Valley, CA (Sweetwater Music Hall)
Feb 09 - Fresno, CA (Fulton 55)
Feb 10 - Los Angeles, CA (Baked Potato, 2 shows)
Feb 11 - Los Angeles, CA (Baked Potato, 2 shows)
Feb 12 - Costa Mesa, CA (Wayfarer)
Feb 13 - Phoenix, AZ (The Rhythm Room)

To purchase PAKT “No Steps Left to Trace” (2CD, 2LP, 24bit Download):
https://pakt-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/no-steps-left-to-trace

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

Prog Legends Happy The Man Return With New Single “Only Love” From Forthcoming Album

New single available January 15, 2024!

Prog legends Happy The Man have returned with the release of a new single, “Only Love,” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2024. The song is from the band’s highly anticipated forthcoming album of the same name.

Stanley Whitaker, Ron Riddle, Michael Beck, and Rick Kennell have reunited and recorded a phenomenal new song promising to please fans of the band and prog fans worldwide.

Says Stanley Whitaker, “The basic concept was to not only express my frustration and sadness in the world while shedding light and awareness. In late August 2020, while in a deep meditative state, I wondered what John Lennon would say about the state of affairs in America. I craved his voice and message and prayed for inspiration. In a blast of energy, I wrote over ten pages of lyrics and spent the next two weeks editing and laying down musical ideas. Recently, our former bandmate, Frank Wyatt, passed away on January 10, 2023, and the following morning, I awoke to, ‘Now it’s time to put HTM back together.’ Gobsmacked! I called Rick, Ron, and Michael, and everyone was on board to reunite as Happy the Man. All of the music was developed remotely from our studios across the country.”

Says Ron Riddle, “My work as a film and TV composer/orchestrator and my work as a drummer has always been at odds and very separate from each other. I would say that over 95 percent of the music I’ve written had no drums at all! Stanley and Rick approached me to get the band back together, and Stanley asked me to do the orchestration and drumming. I was smitten, thrilled, and, honestly, a bit nervous. ‘Could both exist in the same song?’ I wondered. It’s like Dr. Jeckel meeting Mr. Hyde!”

Michael Beck says, “Putting Happy The Man back together and creating new music is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I could not be happier and prouder to work with these incredible musicians and friends again.”

Says Rick Kennell, “How can you not enjoy working with musicians of this caliber? What fun!”

Born out of the intensely creative and artistic art rock and fusion movements of the 70s, Happy The Man is regarded as one of the most legendary progressive rock bands of all time. Although Happy The Man only released two official albums before breaking up, their impact continues to endear the group to a cult following that has been growing ever since. With the passing of many years, Happy The Man’s music has demonstrated a timeless quality that suggests that it was ahead of its time and beyond this world.

Original members Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass guitar) first met in Germany. They soon returned to the US, enlisting Frank Wyatt (keyboards, saxes, flute), Kit Watkins (keyboards), and Mike Beck (drums and percussion). They created two of the most deeply admired prog-rock albums of all time on Arista Records: “Happy The Man” (1977) and “Crafty Hands” (1978), with Ron Riddle taking over drumming from Mike Beck.

“This world is on fire, my friends and we desperately need to share our love and light to heal this planet earth!”

To purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-onlylove
Only Love (Original Version or OV)
Only Love (Radio Edit or RE)

For more information: http://www.happytheman.com

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

Prog Legends Gentle Giant’s “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson Remix To Be Released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g Vinyl & Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl on February 16, 2024

Previously unreleased bonus track “Winning (outtake)”

In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album “The Missing Piece.” It was a time of change. Punk, disco and rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established progressive rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky pop (“Two weeks in Spain”), a grandiose power ballad (“I’m turning around’), syncopated funk (“Who do you think you are?”) and even the punky aggression of “Betcha thought we couldn’t do it.” Meanwhile the call and response soul shouting of “Mountain Time” hearkened back to the “big sound” of their Simon Dupree R & B revue days.

Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate progressive stylings to date. The breezily baroque “As old as you’re young” led into the yearningly elegiac “Memories of Old Days” with a particularly heartfelt vocal from Derek Shulman. The percussive tour de force of “Winning” then set up the blazing finale of “For Nobody,” another mind blowing complex collection of driving intertwining riffs that the band would nonchalantly thunder through with apparent ease.

It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. “The Missing Piece” certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA.

Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In addition, the digipak CD/Blu-ray version also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track. All remixes except the Atmos contain a bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of “Winning.”

Gentle Giant's “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson remix will be released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g vinyl and Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl variant on February 16, 2024.

Personnel:
Derek Shulman – Lead Vocals
Kerry Minnear – Keyboards, Vocals
Ray Shulman – Bass Guitar, 12 string Guitar
Gary Green – Electric and Acoustic Guitars
John “Pugwash” Weathers – Drums and Percussion

Track Listing:
SIDE A
1. Two Weeks in Spain 3:04
2. I’m Turning Around 3:58
3. Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It 2:16
4. Who Do You Think You Are? 3:37
5. Mountain Time 3:21
SIDE B
1. As Old As You’re Young 4:21
2. Memories Of Old Days 7:22
3. Winning 4:15
4. For Nobody 4:09
5. Winning (Outtake) 3:31 (Bonus Track)

To pre-order: https://linktree.com/gentlegiantband

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

Guitarist Jeff Aug To Release 9th Acoustic Instrumental Album “Kiss of the Liquid Moon” on February 1, 2024

Guitarist Jeff Aug will be releasing his solo album “Kiss of the Liquid Moon” on February 1, 2024. This will be his 9th acoustic instrumental album (7 solo, 2 as the duo Floating Stone together with Niko Lai who died in 2018). The album is a cross section of his solo acoustic instrumental fingerstyle guitar playing from the last few years. Some of the pieces have been played live, but never recorded. Some have been played live, but never sounded like this. And some will probably never be played live.

For “Kiss of the Liquid Moon”, Jeff enlisted the recording and production prowess of Murat Parlak at his Living Room Studios in Germany. Murat is also featured on many of the tracks, as well as a few other special guests. The album also includes a few purely solo pieces.

Coming off a major European tour in Nov/Dec 2023 as the guitarist for the British icon Anne Clark, Jeff will kick off 2024 with the album release and follow it up with yet another major European tour supporting the legendary fusion guitarist Scott Henderson. The year will follow with yet to be announced Jeff Aug and Ape Shifter (Jeff´s instrumental rock band) festival performances. In September and October 2024, Jeff will be headlining his own European tour. More dates are to be announced.

So, sit back and enjoy “Kiss of the Liquid Moon”.

To purchase: https://jeffaug.bandcamp.com/album/kiss-of-the-liquid-moon

Track list

01 The Kiss (3:06)
02 Liquid Moon (2:24)
03 Quarantine (2:32)
04 Matilda´s Lullabye (3:22)
05 Heavy Breeze (4:10)
06 Ceramic Tiles (2:44)
07 One Way Beat (3:09)
08 Bogracz (2:46
09 F**k The Neighbors (2:33)
10 The Last Minutes in This Town (2:50)
11 Baritone Butterfly (2:43)
12 Two Rooms (2:21)

(c) & (p) 2024 Heavy Progressive Records / Brainstorm Music Marketing AG.  All Rights Reserved.  Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting of this recording prohibited.

CREDITS

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Murat Parlak at Living Room Studios in Germany.
Post production by Tim Hecking at  Sounzz Studio in Germany.
Hubble eXtreme Deep Field (XDF) by NASA, ESA, G- Illingworth, D. Magee, and P. Oesch (University of California, Santa Cruz), R. Bouwens (Leiden University), and the HUDF09 Team
Artwork & layout graphics by Chris Lakriz.
All compositions by Jeff Aug.

Guitar: Jeff Aug
Cello: Francesco Fosati
Percussion: William Wertlieb
Upright Bass: Thomas B. Berger
Piano & Keyboards: Murat Parlak

Jeff Aug uses D´Addario strings, Planet Waves cables, Fishman pickups, AER acoustic guitar amps, Vision Ears, Earebel, and Dunlop picks and guitar accessories

Artist Management & Booking by MAXIMUM Booking:  info@MAXIMUMBooking.com

For more information:
Website: www.JeffAug.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.aug/
TikTok: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.aug/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffaugofficial/

Photo by Helmut Soltau

Born on Friday the 13th in Washington, D.C. and raised in Laurel, Maryland, Jeff Aug is a cool underground guitarist who lives at the foothills of the Alps in Southern Germany for the last 20+ years. He has toured as support for Allan Holdsworth, Soft Machine, Scott Henderson, Stu Hamm, Greg Howe, Alex Skolnick, Carl Verheyen, Johnny A., Albert Lee, and has performed shows with Jawbox, Shudder To Think, and Ice-T & Bodycount with his old band. He’s worked with John Stabb from Government Issue, has been touring and recording with Anne Clark for the last 20+ years, has been touring as a solo guitarist for the last 30+ years, and can also be heard on the Atari Teenage Riot album “Is This Hyperreal?” (Dim Mak Records / Digital Hardcore Records). Jeff has also set the world record for the “most concerts performed in different countries in 24 hours” twice (2009, 2012). He’s been featured on NPR’s show Morning Edition and has had a #1 selling album on iTunes Acoustic Music Charts in the U.S. Jeff Aug also leads the instrumental rock outfit Ape Shifter and the rockin’ acoustic country blues combo Dead Tuna. During the 2nd lockdown of the pandemic, Jeff wrote and illustrated two children’s books which are available worldwide through Amazon.

Jeff Aug Live Video “Boots On Fire”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQziV7Y6fKI
Jeff Aug Live Video “Lightness”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2DVme9FQt0
Jeff Aug Live Video “7 Ate The Cat”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVcm_vNSmzM
Live Video at NPR studios: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdnHoKz3hZI
Guinness(TM) World Record Listing: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/6000/most-concerts-performed-in-different-countries-in-24-hours

“Kiss of the Liquid Moon Solo & Instrumental” Tour Dates:
16.02.2024 PL-Jaworki, Muzyczna Owczarnia*
17.02.2024 PL-Jaworki, Muzyczna Owczarnia*
18.02.2024 PL-Wroclaw, Vertigo TBC*
19.02.2024 PL-Poznan, Blue Note*
20.02.2024 CZ-Prague, Jazz Dock*
21.02.2024 DE-Bamberg, Jazzclub*
22.02.2024 DE-Passau, Café Museum*
23.02.2024 AT-Vienna, Porgy & Bess*
24.02.2024 AT-Velden, Bluesiana*
25.02.2024 IT-Bologna, Bravo Caffé*
26.02.2024 IT-Verona, Il Giardino*
27.02.2024 IT-Milano, Zio Live*
28.02.2024 CH-Chur, Streaminghall.ch*
29.02.2024 CH-Geneva, eMa*
01.03.2024 (private)*
02.03.2024 FR-Paris, Le Triton*
05.03.2024 GB-Folkstone, Chambers*
06.03.2024 NL-Tilburg, Paradox*
07.03.2024 DE-Bergheim, MEDIO.RHEIN.ERFT*
08.03.2024 NL-Hoofddorp, Poppodium C.*
09.03.2024 DE-Hasbergen, Gaste Garage*
10.03.2024 DE-Hamburg, Kent Club*
11.03.2024 DK-Kolding, Godset*
12.03.2024 SE-Malmö, Babel*
13.03.2024 SE-Karlskrona, Sparresalen*
14.03.2024 SE-Göteborg, Pustervik*
15.03.2024 NO-Oslo, Cosmopolite*
16.03.2024 SE-Sala, Rockland*
17.03.2024 SE-Stockholm, Fasching*
19.03.2024 FI-Tampere, G Live Lab*
20.03.2024 FI-Äänekoski, Painotalo*
21.03.2024 FI-Espoo, Sellosali*
22.03.2024 EE-Võru, Võru Kultuurimaja Kannel*
23.03.2024 LT-Vilnius, club VAKARIS*
19.09.2024 DE-Kempten, Lollipop e.V.
20.09.2024 DE-Sonthofen, Kulturwerkstatt
21.09.2024 DE-Fürth, Kofferfabrik
23.09.2024 DE-Reutlingen, FranzK
25.09.2024 DE-Annaberg-Buchholz, Altebrauerei
26.09.2024 DE-Berlin, Zimmer16
27.09.2024 DE-Schwerin, Der Speicher
28.09.2024 DE-Göttingen, Nörgelbuff
29.09.2024 DE-Braunschweig, KuFa
02.10.2024 DE-Haar (bei München), Kleines Theater
28.02.2025 DE-Steinau an der Strasse, Theatrium

*as support for SCOTT HENDERSON TRIO

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

New Orleans Rock Ensemble Aarythmers Release Second Album “Cardiac”

Aarythmers is a band that showcases some of the best songwriters and musicians in New Orleans playing songs written by Guy Wall. The group just released their highly anticipated second album “Cardiac.” Guy wrote the songs on the record, sang lead on most songs, and played guitar on some of them.

Says Guy, “The new album is an attempt to emphasize vocal harmonies, and avoid strumming guitar chords, while performing various eras and sub-genres of rock music. I wrote the songs over the last five years. Our first record, ‘Below Sea Level,’ contained the songs that had an old time R&B or blues feel. The ones that were rock were saved for ‘Cardiac,’ the second record. We recorded the song instrumentation and most backing vocals in the living room of Vince Marini, the lead guitar player. Most songs were recorded with the drums and bass live and followed by overdubbing guitars and vocals. The lead vocals were recorded in a separate studio. The mixing engineer, who is a member of the Afghan Whigs, added the organ and piano during mixing at his studio.”

Guy played guitar (self-taught) in various rock bands in the 1970s and 1980s, during which time he obtained a law degree. He stopped playing in the late 1980s to raise his children with his wife Lisa and build his law practice. After the kids went to college, Guy sought formal guitar and music instruction and found it in Vince Marini.

Vince Marini received formal training in classical guitar at the University of Connecticut and in jazz guitar in New York city. Vince played in rock bands, orchestras (e.g., Tommy and various television talk shows), jazz bands and had a successful solo career. Vince played classical guitar at various venues including Yale university. He also obtained a pilot’s license and developed a successful courier service. Vince played guitar on most of the songs, played bass on a couple of songs (e.g., Better), sang back-up vocals, and acted as the sound engineer for the recording.

Guy Wall and Vince Marini

The rhythm section consisted of Moses Eder on drums and David Gilman and Dave Pomerlou on bass, all of whom have been in numerous successful bands. Emma Moates sang lead vocals on WTF and Lover Forever and backing vocals on most of the songs. Rick Nelson added keyboards on some of the tracks. Aarythmers’ second album evolves from the rhythm and blues feel of their first album, “Below Sea Level” (released in June 2021), to a modern rock sound with new songs and new members on bass, drums and keyboards.

“Cardiac” opens with a rock/pop song, “Thinking of Her,” which harkens back to the early 60s Beatles, and follows it with “WTF,” a whimsical exploration of the idea that opposites attract. Then come slower songs that explore and evoke emotion, such as the feelings in the beginning of a relationship (“Senses”), the courage to face fear (“Stand”), the hurt of rejection (“Love Forever”), and the search for happiness in life (“Find It Again”). The record then displays influences from various genres such as punk and classical (“I Was Wrong”) and progressive rock (“Upside Down”). It ends with the classic rock sound of “Miss Right Now.”

Says Guy, “The main goal is to write about actual thoughts and feelings and to describe with lyrics that depict scenes that embody the emotion without having to describe the emotions. I also try to add chromatic, i.e., out of the key, chords and notes to make the music more interesting.”

This album is dedicated to the memory of Vince Marini...

To purchase: https://aarythmers.hearnow.com/cardiac

Watch the promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/@aarythmers574

For more information:
https://aarythmers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Aarythmers

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

Bill Nelson’s “Starlight Stories” Now Available!

Bill Nelson’s “Starlight Stories” is an album comprising a mixture of song based and instrumental material issued on the Sonoluxe label in a limited edition of 1000 copies, and available digitally.

Despite being recorded during the same 2022 recording sessions that produced the “All The Fun Of The Fair” album, “Starlight Stories” has a wholly different atmosphere and intent.

Wistful and melancholic, the album contains dreamy meditations fed through the filter of Bill Nelson's contemporary musical sensibility.

“The inspiration for many of the songs came from my memories of a set of children’s story books, published in the 1920s, that my Mother had owned when she was a child in the early 1930s. She had kept these books and would read to me from them when I was an infant in the early 1950s. They were thick, heavy bound books with embossed covers and had titles such as ‘The Golden Wonder Book For Children’. They were brilliantly illustrated by artists who displayed a combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The books contained stories by famous authors such as HG Wells, Miguel De Cervantes, Homer, William Blake and others, plus poems by various poets, both classical and contemporary to those times. I was entranced by the wonderful stories and illustrations they contained. They had an aura of magic and mystery about them, with fairy tales and evocatively British poetry, filled with seasonal and rustic imagery. A treasure trove of fantasy and adventure, which I loved.

‘Starlight Stories’ doesn’t attempt to directly portray those old books but it does try to capture some of their atmosphere and manifest my nostalgia for them. Consequently, the songs on this album have a softer, melancholic quality about them, albeit with some distressed, patina-like textures that evoke the scent and feel of those old books. They are dreamy meditations, wistful reveries fed through the filter of my contemporary musical sensibility. I hope they will, in some small way, connect you with your own lost story books, as well as with mine.” - Bill Nelson 2023.

TRACKS:
01) A Wide Open Window (With A View Of The Stars)
02) Sailing Through Skies Of Blue
03) Antoria
04) My Signal Light
05) Goodbye Golden Sands
06) Everything Is Ancient Now
07) Standing In A Starlit Room
08) Slow, Slow, Slow
09) Meanwhile, Elsewhere
10) Ghosts Of Ancient Houses
11) Celestrum
12) Starlight Stories
13) The Land Of Lost Dreams
14) The Doctor Was An Alchemist
15) Ian’s Radio Is On

To order:
“Starlight Stories” is available for purchase at the Dreamsville Store: https://www.billnelson.com/starlight-stories
and Burning Shed: https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_starlight-stories_cd

Also available, Bill Nelson “All The Fun Of The Fair”: https://www.billnelson.com/fun-of-the-fair

Available as both physical CD (from Burning Shed) or as a digital download (from Bandcamp).

For more information: www.billnelson.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Prog Ensemble Cymbalic Encounters To Release “Incandescent Spirits”

“Incandescent Spirits” features a mixture of prog-vocal and instrumental songs that are in the tradition of  the experimental side of Cymbalic Encounters.

Drummer/Composer, Mark Murdock says, “These works are considered to be the sister album of my recently released title “Electricus.” Rather than releasing a double album, it was necessary to split the tracks.”

Album Tracks:

1. Exploring Minds in the Vastness of Possibilities
2. Electro-Luminescence Pulse
3. Incandescent Spirits
4. Voltaic Currents
5. A Surge in Electricity
6. Random Reaction
7. Electrolytes
8. Electrical Permittivity
9. When Sparks Ignite
10. The Disappearing Future

Mark Murdock/drums/synthesizer/fretless bass
Tim Pepper/vocal on 1, 3, 5 & 10
Joe Berger/lead guitar
Dave Juteau/guitar on 1 & 4
David Rambeau/guitar on 5
Preston Murdock/lead guitar on 9
Charles Lambiase/fretless bass on 9

*Song 3 is dedicated to the memory of drummer Ron Howden (R.I.P.) of the band, Nektar, who presented Mark with his Paise Flat Ride cymbal used on this song.

“Incandescent Spirits” Cymbalic Encounters
Music and Lyrics composed by Mark Murdock
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Mark Murdock at OffShore, Tokyo and  BEAM Audio, NYC
Copyright 2023

Available on digital platforms:
https://cymbalicencounters.bandcamp.com/album/incandescent-spirits

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

L.A. Alt-Rock Band Make Believe Friends Releases New Single “INTENTIONS” Along with Their New Album “MAKE BELIEVE FRIENDS”

L.A. based Make Believe Friends drops their latest single and new album on Friday, December 15, 2023.  The new single, “Intentions”, is an upbeat alt-rock style song featuring Mindy Milburn on lead vocals and music by guitarist/keyboardist Laura Espinoza and lyrics by Milburn & Espinoza. Legendary Producer Ed Stasium (Talking Heads, Ramones) provided the full mix and Bernie Godwin (whose father Dito Godwin produced No Doubt), was the recording engineer.

“Intentions” releases in tandem with Make Believe Friends’ first album to be called by the band’s name: “Make Believe Friends”.

“The catchy 'Intentions' opens Make Believe Friends' new self-titled debut album, with struggling relationship lyrics in parallel to current world issues. Mindy Milburn powerfully declares, 'I'm walking away' and Laura Espinoza echoes that strength with her fuzz guitar in the bridge. 'Intentions' is followed by seven equally great original compositions and an edgy cover of Blondie's 'Rapture' from this talented group who also perform as the Blondie tribute band, Heart of Blonde. Intentions is in my Top 5 Fabulous Albums of 2023”. - Warren Kurtz, Goldmine

The album contains the following songs:
1) Intentions
2) Haunt Me
3) Scream
4) Rapture (Blondie Cover)
5) Somewhere There Forever (ft. Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons)
6) The Truth
7) Thank the Academy
8) Follow Me to the Sun
9) An Act of Love

About Mindy Milburn:
Mindy has a passion for all performing arts- starting out as a ballet dancer and actress, & eventually finding her voice and passion for songwriting and music. She is also the lead vocalist for the Blondie Tribute Band “Heart of Blonde”. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, she has performed in numerous musical theater productions & indie films and was also a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team.  Mindy made the move to southern California to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist and feels very blessed by the opportunities that have come her way.

About Laura Espinoza:
Laura is a songwriter/guitarist, playwright, and TV producer. She has performed on stage with Luis Maldonado (Train), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons) & Prescott Niles (The Knack) and started her career with Matt Sorum (Guns n' Roses). She has recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, Abbey Road, UK and is the host of “The Rock Radio Show” on KBUU-FM, Malibu. Laura is also the recipient of 3 Emmy Awards.

To purchase/listen to the music of Make Believe Friends: https://makebelievefriendsband.com

For more information:
www.MakeBelieveFriendsBand.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makebelievefriendsband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakeBelieveFriends
Instagram: @Makebelievefriendsband

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

Family “It’s Only A Movie” 2CD Remastered Expanded Edition Released January 26, 2024

• A NEW EXPANDED 2CD EDITION OF THE CLASSIC FINAL ALBUM BY THE LEGENDARY FAMILY.

• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE MASTER TAPES.

• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 19 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM SINGLES, STUDIO OUT- TAKES & BBC RADIO SESSIONS.

• INCLUDES AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET WITH A NEW ESSAY.

Recorded in Somerset utilizing a mobile studio and at Olympic Studios in the Summer of 1973, “It’s Only A Movie” was the final studio album by Family featuring yet another line-up of the band. Vocalist Roger Chapman, guitarist John “Charlie” Whitney and drummer Rob Townsend recruited new members Tony Ashton (keyboards) and Jim Cregan (bass, guitar). Released in September 1973, the album closed a chapter on one Britain’s most unique bands.

This new two-disc edition of this classic album has been newly remastered from the master tapes and also includes 19 bonus tracks drawn from singles and previously unreleased studio out-takes along with a bonus CD of BBC Radio sessions from 1973, including a superb In Concert performance and a final Session for the Top Gear show. This release also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay and is a fitting tribute to a much-treasured band.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
“It’s Only A Movie” – Remastered
1 It’s Only a Movie
2 Leroy
3 Buffet Tea for Two
4 Boom Bang
5 Boots ‘n’ Roots
6 Banger
7 Sweet Desire
8 Suspicion
9 Check Out
Bonus tracks
10 Stop This Car (B-side of single)
11 Drink to You (B-side of single)
12 Boom Bang (early version)
13 Suspicion (early version)
14 Stop This Car (early version)

DISC TWO
BBC Radio Sessions 1973
BBC In Concert January 1973
1 Burlesque
2 Sat’dy Barfly
3 Top of the Hill
4 My Friend the Sun
5 Buffet Tea for Two
6 Children
7 Glove
8 Ready to Go
9 Holding the Compass
10 Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
BBC Session May 1973
11 Boom Bang
12 Buffet Tea for Two
13 Check Out
14 Sweet Desiree

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/family-its-only-a-movie-2cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

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

Philadelphia Artist Stephen DiJoseph Goes International With Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner Music Group) For 'Songs Dreams Circumstance'

Stockton, NJ - The anticipation surrounding Stephen DiJoseph's upcoming record release, Songs Dreams Circumstance, is elevated by exciting news. DiJoseph, a renowned Billboard-honored pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist, has announced a significant partnership with Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner Music Group).

With an intriguing career marked by numerous accolades, DiJoseph's musical artistry has consistently left an indelible impression on the industry and audiences alike. His ability to stir profound emotions through his vocals, instrumentally, and neurodiversity story makes him an unforgettable artist. This forthcoming album features 12 award-winning songs earning praise and recognition from critics and competitions. DiJoseph is reminiscent of such iconic and varied artists as Michael Hedges, Peter Gabriel, Keith Jarrett, Cat Stevens, and John Mayer.

Deko Entertainment, a notable player in the music industry, is known for its expertise in distribution, marketing, and artist development. It is collaborating with DiJoseph to ensure the visibility and success of Songs Dreams Circumstance, by promising to bring DiJoseph's music to a wider and more diverse audience. Stephen DiJoseph expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, "Teaming up with Deko Entertainment and Warner Music Group's ADA is a fantastic opportunity to reach even more music lovers. Their expertise and passion for music align perfectly with my vision for Songs Dreams Circumstance, and I can't wait for the world to hear it."

Listen here: https://ada.lnk.to/SDC

Music enthusiasts and fans can anticipate the release of Songs Dreams Circumstance on December 22, 2023, through various digital platforms and physical copies available at select retailers. Deko president, Bruce Pucciarello, states, “ Kinetic. That is the energy behind the connection I have with the artist Stephen DiJoseph. Can I say brilliant musician, composer, and performer? Although you may have never heard of him, this insanely profound man has become one of my favorite playlist inhabitants.”

To purchase:  https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/stephen-dijoseph

Songs Dreams Circumstance Tracklisting:
"Ride"
"To Be Found"
"Ophelia"
"Walk In Your Shoes"
"Flyin"
"No Chance" (Acoustic)
"Bigger Than This"
"What Did You Learn"
"Gone So Far"
"Give"
"Sunlight"
"No Chance" (Electric) CD ONLY

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

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

From the Heinous to the Sublime, Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer Release New Single “A Journey of Dreams” As a Prelude to Their Upcoming Album

Worldwide release 12/7/23

Chicago, IL – Living thousands of miles apart, United States based, award-winning multi-instrumentalist, Paul Adams, and Australia based, award-winning multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Elizabeth Geyer, have been creating music together from opposite ends of the globe since their debut collaboration, “Imaginings.” Across the oceans and continents, something definitely worked synergistically and continues to work. Their album won the award, “Contemporary Instrumental Album of the Year” at the Zone Music Reporter Awards in 2015.

Following, “Imaginings,” came “Deeper Imaginings” and “Sanctuary,” the New Age Music Guide's “Album of the Year” of 2022. Continuing to unfold the timeless, spiritual sanctuary that has become a trademark of their music, comes a new single from their next album, “A Journey Of Dreams.” The single, the title track from the new forthcoming album, involves Adams’ creative musical talent and his collection of exotic instruments as well as the electric sitar he made in the days when he was a luthier. Their successful journeys have amassed over 132 million streams on Pandora as well as regular programming on SiriusXM Radio.

Blended with Elizabeth Geyer’s sensitive piano and instrumental vocalizations, “A Journey of Dreams,” continues the beautiful and exotic flow of their previous releases. Adams said, “We wanted to focus on beauty, especially as the world seems to be in such deep chaos.” When referring to Geyer’s solo album projects, Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records called Elizabeth “A brilliant musician and songwriter.” For “A Journey Of Dreams,” Elizabeth says her intention was to create a place of safety and home. “Imagine a place where you once came from, where you will go back to, and a place you sometimes visit in dreams.”

With its exotic nature and ethnic impressions, Adams describes the piece as offering a bit of artistic and spiritual pragmatism. “It's all right here on ‘circus Earth’ – from the heinous to the sublime. We felt a need to create something that might focus on the deep beauty we are all capable of. We feel as if God, nature, or whatever you wish to call it, is challenging us. ‘She’s’ wondering if we have the interpersonal maturity and cultural skills to work together in this rapidly changing, growing, yet shrinking world.”

Paul Adams: Keys, Dobro, Sitar, Anasazi Flute
Elizabeth Geyer: Piano, Vocalizations

Full length video of A JOURNEY OF DREAMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BxL-b36zWk

Release date to all digital platforms: 12/7/23

Music Link To All purchase/streaming Sites: https://pauladams.hearnow.com/

For more information:
Official artist website – Paul Adams: www.pauladams.org
Official artist website – Elizabeth Geyer: www.elizabethgeyer.com
Paul Adams -Twitter: https://twitter.com/ppaul3
Paul Adams – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.adams.754/
Paul Adams – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppaul3/?hl=en

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

Guitar Legend Scott Henderson To Release New Album “Karnevel!”, Announces Forthcoming European Tour

Scott Henderson will be releasing his highly anticipated new album “Karnevel!” on February 2, 2024! Scott’s previous album “People Mover” was voted best fusion album of 2019 by Jazz Times magazine, and he won both Best Guitarist and Best Electric/Jazz-Rock/Contemporary Group in JazzTimes Readers Poll.

“Karnevel!” features a diverse set of beautiful compositions, and demonstrates Scott's striking ability to combine elements of jazz, rock, funk and blues in an authentic, seamless and musical way. After 35 years as a bandleader, Scott is a musician who's playing and composing continues to grow.

The album was recorded live in the studio with Romain Labaye on bass and Archibald Ligonnière on drums, the same musicians on “People Mover.” After the live session, Scott spent quite a bit of time layering additional guitar tracks. “I’m happy I was able to come up with quite a few sounds I’ve never used before” said Scott in a recent interview. “The variety and pacing are very important aspects of a record to me, and this one covers a lot of territory, from heavy rock moments to very harmonic jazz, and there’s a solo guitar piece which is something I haven’t done on an album before”.

Scott replied about the album concept, “It comes from being a fan of the LA Fair and carnivals in general, not so much as a kid, but from being a dad. Disneyland is fun, but the fair is way more quirky, ridiculous, and always hilarious. It’s a crazy atmosphere filled with variety, like my music.”

Born in 1954, Scott Henderson emerged in the 1980s with his legendary band Tribal Tech and has since become one of the top guitar players/composers in jazz fusion. Scott has toured and recorded with Chick Corea, Weather Report’s Joe Zawinul, Jean-Luc Ponty, and many others. As a bandleader, Scott has toured in over 70 countries and released over 20 albums. Throughout his career, he’s won numerous Best Guitarist awards in Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines, and been on the cover of many international guitar magazines.

“Few players have joined the spirit of jazz and rock as successfully as Scott Henderson, who consistently cranks out masterpieces of harmonic sophistication, overdriven energy, and tonal beauty. He is fully steeped in both jazz and rock tradition, and he’s woven them together to create one of the most powerful voices in fusion guitar.” - Guitar Player Magazine

Track List:

1. Step Right Up
2. Karnevel!
3. Haunted Ballroom
4. Covid Vaccination
5. Puerto Madero
6. Sea Around Us
7. Sky Coaster
8. Greene Mansion
9. Bilge Rat
10. Acacia
11. Carnies’ Time

To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Karnevel-Scott-Henderson/dp/B0CHN3FM3P/

“Karnevel!” will be available at major retailers like Amazon, and in digital form at iTunes and other streaming platforms.

For more information:
www.scotthenderson.net
https://www.facebook.com/scotthendersonmusic
https://www.instagram.com/scotthendersontrio/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iqVI0BpCxVVHyVyGSfAmn

Tour dates:

FEBRUARY
Friday 16 - Jaworki, Poland - Muzyczna Owczarnia
Saturday 17 - Jaworki, Poland - Muzyczna Owczarnia
Monday 19 - Poznan, Poland - Blue Note
Tuesday 20 - Prague, Czech Republic - Jazz Dock
Wednesday 21 - Bamberg, Germany - Jazzclub
Thursday 22 - Passau, Germany - Café Museum
Friday 23 - Vienna, Austria - Porgy & Bess
Saturday 24 - Velden, Austria - Bluesiana
Sunday 25 - Bologna, Italy - Bravo Caffé
Monday 26 - Verona, Italy - Il Giardino
Tuesday 27 - Milano, Italy - Zio Live
Wednesday 28 - Chur, Switzerland - Streaminghall.ch
Thursday 29 - Geneva, Switzerland - eMa

MARCH
Saturday 2 - Paris, France - Le Triton
Monday 4 - London, UK - Ronnie Scott´s
Tuesday 5 - Folkstone, UK - The Chambers
Wednesday 6 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Paradox
Thursday 7 - Bergheim, Germany  - Medio Rhein Erft
Friday 8 - Hoofddorp, Netherlands - Poppodium C.
Saturday 9 - Hasbergen, Germany - Gaste Garage
Sunday 10 - Hamburg, Germany - Kent Club
Monday 11 - Kolding, Denmark - Godset
Tuesday 12 - Malmö, Sweden - Babel
Wednesday 13 - Karlskrona, Sweden - Sparresalen
Thursday 14 - Göteborg, Sweden - Pustervik
Friday 15 - Oslo, Norway - Cosmopolite
Saturday 16 - Sala, Sweden - Rockland
Sunday 17 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fasching
Tuesday 19 - Tampere, Finland - G Live Lab
Wednesday 20 - Äänekoski, Finland - Painotalo
Thursday 21 - Espoo, Finland - Sellosali
Friday 22 - Võru, Estonia - Võru Kultuurimaja Kannel
Saturday 23   Vilnius, Lithuania - Club Vakaris
Wednesday 27 - Gran Canaria, Spain - Teatro Perz
Thursday 28 - Tenerife, Spain - Teatro Leal
Friday 29 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Galileo Galilei
Saturday 30 - Athens, Greece - Athina Live

APRIL
Tuesday 2 - Beijing, China - Blue Note
Wednesday 3 - Hangzhou, China - Meeting Jazz
Thursday 4 - Shanghai, China - Shanghai JZ Club
Friday 5 - Shanghai, China - Shanghai JZ Club
Saturday 6 - XiAn, China - Meeting Jazz
Sunday 7 - Chongqing, China - Meeting Jazz
Monday 8 - Guangzhou, China - Guangzhou JZ
Tuesday 9 - Shenzhen, China - Meeting Jazz
Friday 12 - Bangalore, India - Windmills
Saturday 13 - Bangalore, India - Windmills

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

Sixties Hitmaker Brian Hyland To Release “Sealed With A Kiss” 60th Anniversary Single

Legendary American Singer/Songwriter Brian Hyland has released 2 new special songs on Solar Music. The 60th Anniversary of “Sealed With A Kiss” and “A Little Bit of Christmas Time.”

Brian Hyland came to prominence during the early 1960s. The success of his song “Sealed with a Kiss” was worldwide. It has been recorded by hundreds of artists. His career has enjoyed an impressive string of hits with “The Joker Went Wild,” “Tragedy” and “Gypsy Woman,” all reached #3 as well. Hyland’s hit “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” went to #1.

Hyland continues to record, tour and release new music to an ever-loyal base. Solar Music is proud to release the 60th Anniversary digital single of “Sealed with a Kiss” (A-side) and the soon-to-be Christmas classic, 2023’s “A Little Bit of Christmas Time” (B-side).

To purchase: https://solarmusic.com/brian-hyland/,
Available on Spotify, Distrokid, Apple Music, Amazon music.

Videos:
“Sealed With A Kiss” 60th Anniversary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbSshPO18vY
“A Little Bit Of Christmas Time”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKRkjzTmKsY

For more information: Solar Music www.solarmusic.com

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

Italian Prog Legends Acqua Fragile Release New Album “Moving Fragments”!

Legendary Italian prog ensemble Acqua Fragile, fifty years after the first album by the same name in 1973, comes out with a brand new work, an album with totally original songs, entitled “Moving Fragments”.

Confirming the salient characteristics of A F style - vocal harmonies, odd tempo signatures, romanticism, aggression, theatricality, and research - some new features and significant developments embellish this new album.

The three original members of the band Piero Canavera (drums, percussion and vocals), Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar and Glovox), are joined in by Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards), Claudio Tuma (guitars) and the vocalist Rossella Volta, all previously together on stage in live adventures, over the past two years.

Nine songs of which five in English, one instrumental and three in Italian. Developing the mode experimented in Aqua Fragile’s previous work, “A New Chant”, released In 2017, there are numerous guest musicians including one British and one American.

In three songs, Bernardo Lanzetti's creative motor is fueled by the contribution of keyboardist and composer Stefano Pantaleoni. The production is entrusted to Dario Mazzoli, already a partner of Lanzetti in various adventures in the recording studio, including his latest solo album “Horizontal Rain” (2021).
In detail, here’s the CD track list. Naturally for the vinyl, with sides A and B, the order is different:

1. “Her Shadowʼs Torture” (S. Pantaleoni/B.lanzetti). Guest Gigi Cavalli Cocchi
on drums but also produced the cover and the band’s brand new logo
2. “White Horse On Dope” (B. Lanzetti). Guest guitarist Stef Burns
3. “Moving Fragments” (B.Lanzetti)
4. “Malo Bravo” (B.Lanzetti). Guests Brian Belloni/guitars and Sergio Ponti
(drums)
5. “I A - Intelligenza Artificiale” (S.Pantaleoni/B.Lanzetti). Guest Davide
Piombino (7 string guitar)
6. “Black Drone” (B.Lanzetti). Guests, Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (drums) and David
Jackson (sax and flute)
7. “DD Danz” (S.Pantaleoni). Instrumental
8. “Il Suono Della Voce” (B.Lanzetti)
9. “Limerence Ethereal” (B.Lanzetti). Guest Sergio Ponti (drums)

All guest musicians have militancy or knowledge of the Progressive Rock genre. The presence of Stef Burns who, in a concert with his Rock Trio, did positively strike Bernardo, is quite interesting. Of course, famous for his collaboration with Italian Big Star Vasco Rossi, Stef mentioned a previous period of research very close to Prog.

“White Horse On Dope”, the song featuring Mr. Burns on electric guitar, could be described as “Hard Rock in odd time” on which vocal harmony, in pure Acqua Fragile style, produces an eerie effect. “Black Drone” makes use of the total contribution of the horns of David Jackson, legendary player with Van Der Graaf Generator and frequent visitor to Italy. Once taken in all parts of the arrangement submitted by Bernardo, David went so far as to perform EVERYTHING!

Among the songs in Italian it is worth mentioning “IA Intelligenza Artificiale”, where the vocalist Rossella has two short solo parts, as the song was written three years ago, before the topic became so every day.

To purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Fragments-Acqua-Fragile/dp/B0CKWN1FLW/ref=sr_1_1
https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments

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

Mandalaband Debut and “The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies” Featuring Justin Hayward & 10cc Members Remastered Vinyl and CD Box Set Available November 30, 2023

The Mandalaband’s debut album and second release “The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies” will be released on remastered vinyl and CD box set on November 30, 2023!

Mandalaband (Expanded Edition)

Mandalaband began life in the early 1970’s, gaining cult status as one of the most forward-thinking prog outfits of the time. The brainchild of David Rohl, who formed a lineup featuring future Sad Café members Vic Emerson (keyboards), Ashley Mulford (guitars), John Stimpson (bass guitar and backing vocals), Tony Cresswell (drums) and vocalist Dave Durant.

Mandalaband received critical acclaim with legendary BBC radio presenter John Peel playing the entire album on his show before promptly re-broadcasting the whole thing immediately after. Unfortunately, at the time, this didn’t translate to sales and Mandalaband fell into obscurity. However, with the advent of the internet, their legend grew, exciting a new generation of prog fans.

We are now pleased to make these recordings available again and offer a chance to dig into some of the most interesting progressive music of the ‘70s. As well as presenting the original album remastered, David gained access to the original 24-track analogue master tapes, having them restored and digitized at Abbey Road Studios before reinforcing the sound and instrumentation before remixing the entire album. Nearly fifty years on, a veil of sonic mist has been lifted from these unique recordings.

Format: 2LP 180g gatefold edition featuring the original album and David Rohl. 2024 remix of entire album, both remastered at AIR Mastering, with rare bonus track. Includes newly written liner notes.

The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies (Expanded Edition)

The second Mandalaband album – “The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies” – took two full years to create. Recorded at Strawberry Studios with the help of Barclay James Harvest plus a plethora of musician friends and colleagues with whom David had worked with over the years including Eric Stewart (10cc), Maddy Prior (Steeleye Span), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Graham Gouldman, Lol Creme & Kevin Godley (10cc) and Paul Young (Sad Café / Mike and the Mechanics).

The narrative is based on a Tolkienesque fantasy of a magical gemstone, set in prehistory, the music and lyrics tell the tale through different vocalists playing the roles of the leading characters in the story. The Mandalaband founder carefully created this classic symphonic rock album on a budget of just £8,000.

As well as presenting the original album remastered, David gained access to the original 24-track analogue master tapes, having them restored and digitized at Abbey Road Studios before reinforcing the sound and instrumentation before remixing the entire album.

Listening to David’s newly remixed version is a stunning sonic journey, with elements of prog, electronica, soft rock and instrumental soundscapes, the influence of these recordings on prog-music that followed is clear.

Format: 2LP 180g gatefold edition featuring the original album and David Rohl 2024 remix of the entire album, newly remastered at AIR Mastering. Comes with the original 6-panel booklet telling the full “The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies” story with beautiful illustration and newly written liner notes.

4CD Edition:
Both albums will be released as a 4CD edition housed in a clamshell box, featuring 2024 David Rohl remixes of the band’s first two albums, along with the original versions, with rarities from the archives, all newly remastered at AIR Mastering. Comes with a 24-page booklet with liner notes previously unseen photographs.

TRACKLISTING:
Disc 1: Mandalaband – 2024 Remaster
1. Om Mani Padme Hum (In four movements) 2. Determination 3. Song For a King 4. Roof of the World 5. Looking In
Disc 2: The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies – 2024 Remaster
1. The Eye Of Wendor 2a. Florian's Song 2b. Ride To The City
3. Almar's Tower 4. Like The Wind 5a. The Tempest 5b. Dawn Of A New Day 6. Departure from Carthilias 7. Elsethea 8. Witch of Waldow Wood 9. Siledandre 10. Aenord’s Lament 10a. Funeral of the King 10b. Coronation of Damien
Disc 3: Mandalaband – 2024 David Rohl Version
1. Om Mani Padme Hum (In four movements) 2. Determination 3. Song For a King 4. Roof of the World 5. Looking In 6. Om Mani Padme Hum (Camel Studios Demo) 7. Looking In (CBS Studios Chrysalis Live Audition) 8. Roof of the World (Indigo Sound Demo)
Disc 4: The Eye of Wendor: Prophecies – 2024 David Rohl Version
1. The Eye Of Wendor 2a. Florian's Song 2b. Ride To The City
3. Almar's Tower 4. Like The Wind 5a. The Tempest 5b. Dawn Of A New Day 6. Departure from Carthilias 7. Elsethea 8. Witch of Waldow Wood 9. Siledandre 10. Aenord’s Lament 10a. Funeral of the King 10b. Coronation of Damien 11. Dawn Of A New Day (Single Mix) 12. The Eye Of Wendor (Indigo Sound Demo) 13. Witch Of Waldow Wood (Indigo Sound Demo) 14. Silesandre (Indigo Sound Demo) 15. The Tempest / Dawn Of A New Day (Australian Single Version) 16. Florian's Song / Ride To The City (Australian Single Version)

To purchase: https://burningshed.com/store/mandalaband

Images available on request

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

Friday Harbor-Based Rock Band Desolation Sound Releases Second Album “Silver Rain”

Living on an island in the Pacific Northwest sets a mood and a mindset. The music DESOLATION SOUND makes together has a unique sound that the band likes to call “Salish Rock”.

“I’m fascinated with that beautiful place where the Salish Sea meets the shore of our island. It’s a mysterious, shifting boundary and I often draw deeper meaning from my experiences there” says Daniel, the band’s primary lyricist.

Hot on the heels of the band’s debut release “Salish Rock,” DESOLATION SOUND has released their second album “Silver Rain.” The music touches on the recurring theme of remaining true to oneself while living in the fog of confusion and falsehood that is so prevalent in our world today. We think this album is hopeful, while recognizing the underlying unease we all feel. The message of this record is that purity can still exist in an environment of filth, love can exist in an environment filled with fear and hatred. That even in this insane world one can still find truth and beauty among the chaos.

DESOLATION SOUND is made up of Friday Harbor locals: Scott Sluis - Drums and Vocals, Darvis Taylor - Bass and Vocals, Tom Henry - Lead Guitar and Daniel Day - Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar.

The band is produced by Adam Kasper and assisted by Jon Auer.

“Silver Rain” was Mixed by Matt Bayles, Mastered by Ed Brooks, and produced by Desolation Sound.

To purchase: https://robojackrecords.bandcamp.com/album/silver-rain

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

Indie Rockers RED HOT SHAME Defy Convention with Their New Album YOU CAN’T MAKE ME

Eureka, CA – RED HOT SHAME is a Northern California-based indie rock group fronted by singer-songwriter Xeff Scolari and his fluctuating lineup of musical cohorts. For their sensational new album YOU CAN’T MAKE ME, Xeff Scolari recorded with frequent collaborators Steven Pitsenbarger (vocals, percussion), Ryan Wilson (guitar), Spencer Kennedy (bass, drums, keys, vocals), and Mark Bennet (harmonica), a lineup that brings an energy and excitement to RED HOT SHAME that Xeff could not accomplish alone. Adding to their ever expanding catalog of imaginative visual media, RED HOT SHAME also released music videos for their new tracks “Stone” and “Vampire Empire” ahead of the album’s December 1, 2023, release date.

Xeff Scolari recorded, mixed, and mastered YOU CAN’T MAKE ME at his own Shameful Studio collaboratively with the whole group. They tried some new things on this record to make it more representative of how the band sounds live; on some previous releases the material was developed largely in the studio, but on this new album they were able to begin recording with the songs already fleshed out and developed across months of performances. With less layering and more live in-the-room recording, YOU CAN’T MAKE ME better captures the wild ride feel of a RED HOT SHAME live show.

YOU CAN’T MAKE ME features striking album art by Jeff Jordan, known for his work with The Mars Volta. Reminiscent of Gulliver, the band’s signature giant chick is unsuccessfully tied down by likenesses of the band. Look closely and you’ll see many of the band’s friends and fans represented amongst the captivated onlookers. In fact, the album’s title YOU CAN’T MAKE ME comes from a playful joke between Xeff and his friend Linda (she’s the fairy godmother on the cover), who would taunt each other with the phrase.

Over the years, RED HOT SHAME has included a range of talented multi-instrumentalists who add layers of sonic textures to the group’s releases, at times including horns, vintage mellotron, or even accordion. The group began in 2017 when it was just Xeff Scolari with a few guest tracks by some close friends like Steven Pitsenbarger and James Terris on the debut release Curiosity. In 2021, RED HOT SHAME released the follow up album Sounds Like, which also featured Chad Johnson. Their last album My Satellite (2022) also included Rick Fugate (drums) and James Terris (keys), starting with a literal bang on the opening track “Liftoff” and from there soaring into musical outer space.

A resident of Eureka, CA, lead vocalist and songwriter Xeff Scolari has played in several other local bands including Colorblind, Acoustic Gypsies, Sugardaddy, and Chowderhead, the last of which was on the Magnetic Oblivion Records label. Throughout 2020 he created and launched Shelter N Play, an online virtual open mic with musicians signing up to perform 15-minute sets from all over the country, a hugely valuable resource to the musical community throughout the pandemic. These also helped Xeff to further hone his own vocal and songwriting chops, and it was actually through the Shelter N Play open mics that Xeff met bassist Spencer Kennedy and guitarist Ryan Wilson, a fortuitous meeting indeed.

Xeff Scolari has been singing together with Steven Pitsenbarger for so long that it feels like instinct, a vocal blending that is rich with decades of collaboration and friendship. Steven Pitsenbarger was a member of the San Francisco bands RhythmChaos, and Machine Shop, and has been making music together with Xeff since the late 80s. The only core member of the band that doesn’t live near the rest, Steven collaborated on many of the songs via email, sending tracks back and forth to Xeff. Together they also have another band known as Vanity Project.

Guitarist Ryan Wilson’s inventive stylings bring the RED HOT SHAME sound to life. They call his pedalboard “the spaceship” because of all the crazy sounds he wields with it. He also performs with bassist and multi-instrumentalist Spencer Kennedy in another group called Stable Vices, who were regulars at Xeff’s Shelter N Play open mics. Mark Bennet and Xeff are old friends who met on the open mic circuit. They’ve performed together for years, and Mark is featured on multiple RED HOT SHAME tracks.

Keep an eye out for a new music video for their song “Sophie” along with a four-song RED HOT SHAME EP in early 2024 tentatively titled “Scratched Tracks” and featuring one song from each of their four albums that was left off. The new RED HOT SHAME album YOU CAN’T MAKE ME is available December 1, 2023!

For more information about RED HOT SHAME please visit: www.redhotshame.com

To order or stream YOU CAN’T MAKE ME please visit: https://lnk.to/YouCantMakeMe

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR at (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective at jerome@independentdistro.com

Italian Prog Legends Syndone To Release New Concept Album “DirtyThirty”

Sit down, make yourself comfortable. This is the story of an artistic journey, a 30-year parable.

Listen. Immerse yourself. Eliminate all distractions; let the music speak to you, like it used to do. “DirtyThirty” is the culmination of a class struggle, of the utopian ideal of those who stubbornly cling to a model of the world that still embraces thought, wonder and the courage of art. Syndone is a vision, a nine-album journey, the desire to make a mark in the world. Syndone is a shapeshifter, a band that’s changed its skin and its musicians without ever changing its soul: swimming against the tide, defying fashion and the decline (not only musical) of an era in which you can be successful only if it pleases the powers that be.

Yet there was a time when record albums were capable of transporting us, starting with the artistry of the album covers, of breaking the rules, crossing boundaries, with a whole set of atmospheres, sounds, and thoughtful, refined, stylistic constructions. Those were the days of progressive rock; at the time it was simply called ‘pop’, because it was popular. Today there’s very little left that’s progressive: there’s no thrill of discovery, we’re no longer open to wonder and amazement, we don’t deviate from the idea of an increasingly standardized and replaceable human being.

Nik Comoglio, the musical heart and soul of this story, has never surrendered to that reality; flanked by the vocal and conceptual talents of Riccardo Ruggeri, the Turin-based keyboardist and composer has truly succeeded in making his mark. Syndone, with their erudite, impeccable rock, as violent and energetic as they are melancholic and orchestral, are a dare, a counterpoint, a raised middle finger to the devious strategy of collective narcosis slyly dropped from above in the Kali Yuga of Western civilization. They’re an antidote.

“DirtyThirty” is their crowning achievement, the (perhaps) final chapter. Enjoy it like fine wine, in small sips, and remember to stay human.

Track list:

1. DirtyThirty - the end of my love - (Comoglio/Ruggeri)  [5’06”]
2. Fight Club (Comoglio/Rubinato/Ruggeri) [3’08”]
3. The Angel (Comoglio/Rubinato/Ruggeri) - quoting the track “Il fiele e il limite” from the album “La bella è la bestia”, 2012 [4’19”]
4. Valdrada’s Screen (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - restyling the track “Spleen” from the album “Spleen”,1992  [3’46”]
5. I spit on my virtue (Comoglio/Rubinato/Ruggeri) [4’40”]
6. I only ask for a super glue (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - quoting the track “Eros & Thanatos” from the album “Odysséas”, 2014 [5’02”]
7. Mary Ann (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - restyling the track “Marianne” from the album “Spleen”,1992   [5’57”]
8. René (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - restyling the track “Magritte” from the album “Melapesante”, 2010   [4’25”]
9. God’s will (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - restyling track “Inca” from the album “Inca”, 1993  [5’30”]
10. Thousand times I cried (Comoglio/Ruggeri) - restyling the track “Proverbi” from the album “Inca”, 1993  [2’11”]
11. Evelyn Japanese version (Comoglio Ruggeri) translation of the track “Evelyn” from the album “Mysoginia”, 2018   [4’21”]
12. So long everybody - the time has come and I must leave you - (Comoglio) - restyling the track “Penelope” for full orchestra from the album “Odysséas”, 2014   [4’46”]

Bonus track
Evelyn Japanese version (Comoglio Ruggeri) translation of the track “Evelyn” from the album “Mysoginia”, 2018 [4’21”]

Total time running 48’03”

SYNDONE Line up:

Nik Comoglio - composition, orchestration, hammond, juno dist. moog, mellotron, keyboards
Riccardo Ruggeri – composition, vocals, lyrics
Marta Caldara – vibraphone, marimba, keyboards
Gigi Rivetti – ac. piano, el. pianos, hammond, moog, accordion
Simone Rubinato – bass, fretless bass, el. baritone guitar Ciro Iavarone - drums, percussions

Guests

Tony de Gruttola – electric guitar & ac. guitar (on “DirtyThirty”)
Andrea Carbone – electric guitar (on “Mary Ann”)
Pino Russo – classic guitar (on “René”)
Gianluca Cagnani – pipe organ (on “Valdrada’s screen”)
Kaori Tsutsui – clarinet in Bb (on “Evelyn”)
Rebecca Onyeji - backing vocals
Charlie Poma - backing vocals

String Trio (on “I spit on my virtue”) – Valerio Iaccio (violin), Roberto D’Auria (violin), Michelangiolo Mafucci (cello)

Budapest Scoring Symphonic Orchestra conducted by M° Francesco Zago

Fabrizio Argiolas - sound engineer
Valentina Fornacca – artwork cover: “folli eroi e sognatori” (oil on canvas)
Eugenia Brini - layout and booklet project

To purchase: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=799&osCsid=n5r7g884nhrv8lm38p12vncf6p

For more information:
www.syndone.it
www.facebook.com/syndone

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