Showing posts with label Reissued Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reissued Music. Show all posts

6/05/2017

French Music Legends Magma Release Remastered "Wurdah Ïtah" Featuring Unreleased Material!


Featuring 25 minutes of previously unreleased material!

Paris, France - French music legends Magma have released a new remastered version of their critically acclaimed 1974 album “Wurdah Ïtah” on CD! The release includes for the first time, “Wurdah Ïtah Prima Materia,” the Original Demo used for the soundtrack to the film “Tristan & Iseult.”

“Winter 1971. Between two series of concerts, we are pacing in circles like caged animals. Georgio Gomelsky senses the tension in the air and decides to book the little Chappell studio for us for a few days in order to release our pent-up energy. On 3 January 1972, Klaus Blasquiz, Jean-Pierre Lembert, René 'Stundëhr' Garber and I enter the studio. Despite the many imperfections of this recording, it remains an essential document to understand the origin of 'Wurdah Ïtah' and to feel our frenzy at the time.” - Christian Vander 1974 

“Wurdah Ïtah” was recorded in April 1974, just one month before the sessions which produced “Kohntarkosz.” It forms the second movement of “Theusz Hamtaahk,” an epic work in three movements of which “Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh,” recorded a year earlier by Magma, forms the final part. Performed by the core players in Magma at that time - Christian Vander (piano, drums, vocals), Jannick Top (bass), Klaus Blasquiz (vocals, percussion) and Stella Vander (vocals) - “Wurdah Ïtah” is music stripped down to its bare essence. Although a total contrast to the splendour and orchestral power of “M.D.K.,” it nevertheless has just as great rhythmic power and surprising vocal lyricism, unquestionably marked by the claws of Magma!

Recorded and mixed April 4th, 5th& 8th 1974 at Studio de Milan (Paris)  by Jean-Pierre Bameulle

New booklet – Lyrics included!

To purchase: http://www.seventhrecords.com/en/magma-19/wurdah-itah-remastered-25-mn-unpreviously-1263.html

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

French Music Legends Magma Release Remastered "Wurdah Ïtah" Featuring Unreleased Material!


Featuring 25 minutes of previously unreleased material!

Paris, France - French music legends Magma have released a new remastered version of their critically acclaimed 1974 album “Wurdah Ïtah” on CD! The release includes for the first time, “Wurdah Ïtah Prima Materia,” the Original Demo used for the soundtrack to the film “Tristan & Iseult.”

“Winter 1971. Between two series of concerts, we are pacing in circles like caged animals. Georgio Gomelsky senses the tension in the air and decides to book the little Chappell studio for us for a few days in order to release our pent-up energy. On 3 January 1972, Klaus Blasquiz, Jean-Pierre Lembert, René 'Stundëhr' Garber and I enter the studio. Despite the many imperfections of this recording, it remains an essential document to understand the origin of 'Wurdah Ïtah' and to feel our frenzy at the time.” - Christian Vander 1974 

“Wurdah Ïtah” was recorded in April 1974, just one month before the sessions which produced “Kohntarkosz.” It forms the second movement of “Theusz Hamtaahk,” an epic work in three movements of which “Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh,” recorded a year earlier by Magma, forms the final part. Performed by the core players in Magma at that time - Christian Vander (piano, drums, vocals), Jannick Top (bass), Klaus Blasquiz (vocals, percussion) and Stella Vander (vocals) - “Wurdah Ïtah” is music stripped down to its bare essence. Although a total contrast to the splendour and orchestral power of “M.D.K.,” it nevertheless has just as great rhythmic power and surprising vocal lyricism, unquestionably marked by the claws of Magma!

Recorded and mixed April 4th, 5th& 8th 1974 at Studio de Milan (Paris)  by Jean-Pierre Bameulle

New booklet – Lyrics included!

To purchase: http://www.seventhrecords.com/en/magma-19/wurdah-itah-remastered-25-mn-unpreviously-1263.html

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

2/28/2017

Grand Funk's all the girls in the world Beware!!! Released On Limited Edition Hybrid SACD


A rock/pop/R&B mainstream hit album... includes the HITS “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “Bad Time”

Camarillo, CA - Grand Funk Railroad fans rejoice! Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity has released Grand Funk's hit album all the girls in the world Beware!!! on Limited Edition Hybrid SACD. all the girls in the world Beware!!! is Grand Funk Railroad's ninth studio album. The 1974 album was the group's second album released that year.

First there was the heavy metal power trio, then the powerful hard rock quartet and then after years of loud, in-your-face rock albums and tours, Mark Farner, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher and Craig Frost went into the studio and made an album that has a lot more R&B and a lot less rock than ever before and way ahead of its time.

" 'all the Girls' was a bit of an experiment for Grand Funk. Disco had raised it's ugly head in 1974 and if you wanted radio airplay you needed to go in that direction. Grand Funk, not being a 'Disco Act', decided to do R&B which was really what GFR was all about. R&B pumped up on steroids. Enlisting veteran producer Jimmy Ienner, I think Grand Funk came up with the best rendition of the soul classic 'Some Kinda Wonderful' in history. Still played today in heavy rotation and probably every wedding reception in the world. Once again Audio Fidelity has done a great job on this SACD Hybrid. ENJOY!" - Don Brewer

The album's combination of high-gloss production and the band's energy resulted in some impressive hits: “Some Kind of Wonderful” is an exuberant, organ-drenched soul song that highlights the group's strong harmonies while “Bad Time” mixes a delicate, string-laden melody with a pulsing beat from the rhythm section to create a one-of-a-kind power ballad. all the girls in the world Beware!!! has many inventive moments. The seven-minute “Good & Evil” is fascinating for Brewer's strange, processed lead vocal. “Look At Granny Run Run” is sheer R&B fun and “Memories” is a serious stab at out-and-out balladry.

all the girls in the world Beware!!! was recorded at the Swamp, a studio owned by Mark Farner and located on his farm in Parshallville, MI. The recording sessions were engineered by Shelly Yakus with assistance from Kevin Ayers and Rod O'Brien. The album's producer was Jimmy Ienner, who had also worked with artists such as Three Dog Night, The Raspberries and the Bay City Rollers. All but two of the songs on the album were written by members of the band. Grand Funk Railroad continued to move further into the pop/rock mainstream with this hit album. In support of the release, the band embarked on an immensely successful worldwide tour in early 1975.

The album's artwork included taking the faces of the band members and manipulating them onto the bodies of famous body builders Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbo. The body builder photos are used on the front and back of the booklet. The center spread art is a Neal Adams illustration of the body builders surrounded by a crowd of young female fans.

TRACKS
1  Responsibility        
2  Runnin'      
3  Life
4  Look At Granny Run Run
5  Memories  
6  All The Girls In The World Beware          
7  Wild          
8  Good & Evil          
9  Bad Time  
10 Some Kind Of Wonderful

Produced by Jimmy Ienner
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio / SACD Authoring: Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering

Grand Funk Railroad's official website: http://grandfunkrailroad.com/
Mark Farner's official website: http://www.markfarner.com/

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

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

10/19/2016

Audio Fidelity To Release Two Jazz-Fusion Classics on Hybrid SACD By Weather Report and Return To Forever


Camarillo, CA - Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing Weather Report, “Tale Spinnin'” and Return to Forever, “Musicmagic” on Hybrid SACD. Both recordings are considered essentials from the jazz fusion era of the mid-'70s.

Recorded in early 1975, “Tale Spinnin'”, Weather Report's fifth studio album is filled with sunny textures of Latin and African flavors. The album stands with anything recorded during the period for the range of fresh, intriguing originals by the band's co-founders and principle composers, the keyboardist Joe Zawinul and the saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

Zawinul's pioneering interest in world music is in full evidence with the exotic percussion, wordless vocals, sandy sound effects and Middle Eastern and North African musical spices. His synthesizer sophistication is growing along with the available technology of the day. Wayne Shorter's work on soprano sax is more animated than on their previous albums and Alphonso Johnson puts his melodic bass more to the fore.

“Musicmagic” is Return to Forever's final studio album and one of the best jazz recordings released in the fusion genre. The album contains the final line-up of the band with only founders Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke returning from the earlier recordings. This 1977 release was the first Return to Forever album in five years to contain vocals, performed here by Gayle Moran and Stanley Clarke. This album also marked the return of original member Joe Farrell on saxophone and flute, along with several new members making up a killer five-piece horn section.

The sound is remarkably more orchestral than anything the group had previously done, a cross between fusion, jazz vocals, big band and grassroots accoustic jazz. Musicmagic celebrates the pure joy of music.

Both releases are mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and the SACD Authoring was done by Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering.

Weather Report “Tale Spinnin'”
Produced by Wayne Shorter, Josef Zawinul

TRACKS:
1-Man in the Green Shirt
2-Lusitanos
3-Between the Thighs
4-Badia
5-Freezing Fire
6-Five Short Stories

Return To Forever “Musicmagic”
Produced by Chick Corea - Co-produced by Stanley Clarke

TRACKS:
1-The Musician
2-Hello Again
3-Musicmagic
4-So Long Mickey Mouse
5-Do You Ever
6-The Endless Night

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

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

6/01/2016

Rage Against the Machine Debut Album To Be Released On Limited Edition Hybrid SACD


“The first album to successfully merge the sounds of rap and heavy metal”

Camarillo, CA – Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing the critically acclaimed debut album by Rage Against the Machine on limited edition Hybrid SACD. Rage Against the Machine's first album is a mix of punk, metal, hardcore and politically resonate rap. Every song is full of energy with smart lyrics and plenty of slam-dancing potential. In 1992, the band released its self-titled debut album, which became a commercial and critical success. The album went to #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and #45 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rolling Stone magazine named it as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2001, Q magazine named it as one of the 50 Heaviest Albums Of All Time.

This album is relentless, from the opening track “Bombtrack” all the way to the last blast of “Freedom,” every tune is a highly explosive ball of energy, none of which is clearly superior to any of the others. The lyrics, while full of blunt and pure anger, are very passionate and well-written in the sense that they actually stand for something.

This album like no other changed the landscape of '90s music. The “guilty parties”: Zack de la Rocha's vitriolic and angst-ridden words fueled by the heaviest rhythm section on the planet featuring drummer Brad Wilk and the exciting and dynamic bass of Timmy C and of course, RATM's signature sound, Tom Morello's belligerent, aggressive guitar riffs and turntable-esque noise that make this the best debut album of all-time.

The “Know Your Enemy” track features Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan on “additional vocals” and also features Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins on trashcan percussion. The liner notes claim, “No samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this recording.” This is, and always will be, considered Rage Against the Machine's most important work.

“Distinctly groundbreaking and original...a landmark in musical history.”

Track list:

1. BOMBTRACK
2. KILLING IN THE NAME
3. TAKE THE POWER BACK
4. SETTLE FOR NOTHING
5. BULLET IN THE HEAD
6. KNOW YOUR ENEMY
7. WAKE UP
8. FISTFUL OF STEEL
9. TOWNSHIP REBELLION
10. FREEDOM

Produced by: Garth Richardson, Rage Against the Machine
Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

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

4/22/2016

Celebrate The Debut Album Of Metal Giant THOR With A Special 3 Disc Reissue Plus & A Spectacular NY Concert Event!


Los Angeles, CA - Get ready for one of the biggest metal reissues of the YEAR - a super deluxe edition of the legendary, underground classic, the 1977 debut album Keep The Dogs Away from metal icon THOR! This landmark release has become revered among music aficionados of every generation as one of the most explosive debut albums of any era with such ultra catchy rock anthems as “Keep The Dogs Away,” “Sleeping Giant,” “Thunder” and more. The CD version comes in a deluxe 6-panel digipak CD with alternate cover art, liner notes from longtime fan Brian Kehew (co-author of Recording The Beatles), 22 rare and unreleased bonus cuts on a separate disc PLUS a vintage 1980 concert DVD. The vinyl version meticulously recreates the original pressing with a foldout poster and printed inner sleeve. Both formats will officially hit the streets on May 13, courtesy of Deadline Music.

To celebrate this landmark reissue, THOR, in association with famed radio personality and metalhead Eddie Trunk and Fabio Productions, has put together a spectacular 4-hour multi-media event at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on May 14th. The event includes a first time EVER full concert performance of the entire KTDA album, plus a theatrical screening of the I Am Thor documentary, a special THOR Museum display, as well as another concert performance of THOR’s most popular songs with tons of special guests! This is the ULTIMATE THOR experience - a metal extravaganza unlike any BETHOR! https://www.facebook.com/THOR-A-Rock-Odyssey-Live-in-New-York-1016591135046207/

Track List:
1. Keep The Dogs Away
2. Sleeping Giant
3. Catch A Tiger
4. I'm So Proud
5. Tell Me Lies
6. Military Matters
7. Superhero
8. Wasted
9. Rosie
10. Thunder

BONUS TRACKS (CD ONLY)
1. Asgardia
2. All Nite
3. Atomic Vibrations
4. Do The Muscle (1975 Version)
5. Away From You
6. Touch Me
7. You Tried My World (No Time)
8. Do The Musicle
9. We Got The Power (Brian Kehew Mix)
10. Hey Tonight (Brian Kehew Mix)
11. Everybody Needs A Hero
12. We Are Body Rock / Start The Show
13. You Have Too Much
14. Just For You
15. Give Me The Green Light
16. She Sings The Body Rocker
17. Tears In My Soup
18. Who's Better? (You Haven't Got A Chance)
19. Best Built Man Alive (Live)
20. Land Lover
21. Open Sky
22. Keep The Dogs Away (Demo)

Buy the CD: http://flyt.it/ThorKTDACDAmazon
Buy the Vinyl: http://flyt.it/ThorKTDALP
Download the digital version: http://flyt.it/ThorKTDADig

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

11/16/2015

Audio Fidelity To Release Alice Cooper's “Muscle of Love” On 4.0 Quad SACD


“Alice returns to a pure rock sound...one of his most revered albums ever.”

Alice Cooper fans rejoice! Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing the final Alice Cooper group album on 4.0 Quad SACD. Muscle of Love is the seventh studio album by Alice Cooper and it was the last album to feature the entire original band, and it was a true grand finale at that. Cooper stated in an interview at the time that the album marked a return to fundamentals. “It's not complicated in any sense...It's very basic rock & roll throughout.”

The two best-known tracks are undoubtedly the Top 20 anthem “Teenage Lament '74,” which features none other than Liza Minnelli, Ronnie Spector, Labelle and the Pointer Sisters on backing vocals, and the rollicking title track. But other tracks are just as good - the Led Zep-stomping opener, “Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo),” the gentle “Hard Hearted Alice” (a precursor to Cooper's future ballad-oriented direction), the raging “Working Up a Sweat,” and “Man with the Golden Gun.”

The 1973 return to the band's more hard rock roots was a successful creative choice and catapulted Muscle Of Love into Billboard's Top 10 Album Chart. That sound, complete with the prog-rock/heavy metal workouts, has proven over the years to be a significant piece of the Alice Cooper legacy.

“One of the best albums of the genre...a hard rock classic!”

INCLUDES: Miniature replica of the Institute of Nude Wrestling book cover

TRACKS:
1. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo)
2. Never Been Sold Before
3. Hard Hearted Alice
4. Crazy Little Child
5. Working Up a Sweat
6. Muscle of Love
7. Man with the Golden Gun
8. Teenage Lament '74
9. Woman Machine

Produced by Jack Richardson, Jack Douglas
Mastered: Stereo CD, SACD & 4.0 Analog to High Definition DSD Digital Transfer: Steve Hoffman & Stephen Marsh

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net
Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

9/09/2015

Progressive Rock Review: Magellan-Double Feature

Release Date:10th July 2015
Label:   Magna Carta

I initially thought that Magellan was another example of the “new” bands that The Ancient One had simply missed out on, but on doing a little digging, I found that they were formed 30 years ago in 1985. The album that had arrived, Double Feature, is indeed as the title states, being the packaging together of the first two releases by the band, Hour of Restoration (1991) and Impending Ascension (1993).

Magellan has released 7 studio albums since the debut, Hour of Restoration in 1991, up to Innocent God which was the last full album release in 2007. Since that point, the band has been fairly quiet with the release of some singles, including cover versions of Kansas (“Dust In The Wind”) and Chicago (“25 or 6 to 4”).

The members of the band at the time of the debut recording were the brothers Gardner, Trent and Wayne, playing keyboards and guitar respectively, with Trent also supplying lead vocals and Wayne supporting with backing vocals, as well as Hal Stringfellow Imbrie, on bass and backing vocals, and one I suspect might be an alias, Magellan on drums. There was a slight change of personnel on the recording of album No 2, Impending Ascension, with the Gardner brothers and Hal still present, but the drum stool had Magellan and Doane Perry sharing and also the presence of a female vocalist, Hope Harris, appearing on one track.

A nod to the style of Magellan would probably be to imagine a band with the “over the top” style of Yes, the gentler touch of Genesis, power a la any power trio and the slightly heavier side of bands such as Kansas. There is a distinct leaning towards keyboard led tracks with the guitar certainly not used much as a lead instrument. I should also point out, as an aside, that I do like the band, Yes, very much, but I do think they were a little “pompous” at times, such as on Tales From Topographic Oceans.

The Double Feature release has a total playing time of around 95 minutes, with disc 1 (Hour of Restoration), running for around 44 minutes and disc 2 (Impending Ascension), slightly longer at around 50 minutes.  The longest track on offer is the opening track on disc 1, “Magna Carta” with a playing time of 15:09 minutes and the shortest track, also on disc 1 and the final track, “Turning Point” lasts just under a minute and a half (1:26).

The opening track on this new release by Magellan, is “Magna Carta” (15:09), and mention should be made that the album is a concept album basically dealing with a chunk of English history, hence this opening title, which coincidentally also happens to be the original record label the band released on. This is the longest track across the 2 discs and after many listens, the band do seem much more at ease allowing the longer tracks to build and evolve. “Magna Carta” highlights the excellent keyboard work of Trent Gardner, and the intro to the track just builds and builds prior to a quirky time signature change, and this is where my doubts start to creep in. Across this track there are some sublime keyboard based passages, but there are some time signature changes which verge on the discordant as the whole track abruptly does an about turn. What also becomes much clearer is that Magellan, the alias of the drummer, is the name given to their drum machine, and there are examples of the metronomic drumming style, of which I am not a fan. This is a real mixture of an opening track, but there were enough positives to make me look forward to the rest of the album.

The next couple of tracks, “Winner” (2:10) and “Friends of America” (3:34) are at best pleasant, but not outstanding nor memorable. ”Union Jack” (9:23) is a different kettle of fish, as the length again allows the track to build and flow. There are neat bits of narration, excellent keyboard work and the voice is more than adequate, although I felt that some of the lyrical content didn’t scan very well and seemed to be too forced.

Tracks 5 through 8, “Another Burning” (5:12), “Just One Bridge” (2:18), “Breaking These Circles” (5:25) and “Turning Point” (1:26) are similar to the earlier shorter tracks by being a little interesting, but their lengths never allow the tracks to build on any potential shown.

Disc 2 commences with “Estadium Nacional” (11:38) and shows the bands’ maturity and confidence with a much harder hitting sound, but also a much better flowing musical thread. There seems to be much more depth to the music which carries the listener along, sharing the superb keyboards, that are a Magellan trademark, and the vocals seem to suit the music better. The time signature changes work well and this is an excellent opening track. 

A piano passage and a very different style for the band, opens “Waterfront Wierdos” (11:25), before the reassuring keyboards enter. Swinging from gentle piano sections to heavier keyboard motifs, this track is another very good slice of progressive music.

The shorter songs on disc 2 all seem to have more happening within them and generally seem to shed the “filler” description from the disc 1 examples. The final track, “Storms and Mutiny” (12:13) isn’t quite as successful as the other longer examples although the long keyboard/ symphonic ending was both terrific, and, unexpected.

Magellan have taken the best bits from the debut, Hour of Restoration and evolved the sound for the second album, Impending Ascension, and although nothing earth-shattering, there is enough on this release to get prog fans interested. Give Double Feature a few listens and see what you think.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Magna Carta, Estadium Nacional, Waterfront Weirdos

Tracks:

Disc 1
 

Magna Carta
Winner
Friends Of America
Union Jack
Another Burning
Just One Bridge
Breaking These Circles
Turning Point


Disc 2
 

Estadium Nacional
Waterfront Wierdos
Songsmith
Virtual Reality
No Time For Words
Storms And Mutiny
Under The Wire


Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
September 9, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk



Progressive Rock Review: Magellan-Double Feature

Release Date:10thJuly 2015
Label:   Magna Carta

I initially thought that Magellan was another example of the “new” bands that The Ancient One had simply missed out on, but on doing a little digging, I found that they were formed 30 years ago in 1985. The album that had arrived, Double Feature, is indeed as the title states, being the packaging together of the first two releases by the band, Hour of Restoration (1991) and Impending Ascension (1993).

Magellan has released 7 studio albums since the debut, Hour of Restoration in 1991, up to Innocent God which was the last full album release in 2007. Since that point, the band has been fairly quiet with the release of some singles, including cover versions of Kansas (“Dust In The Wind”) and Chicago (“25 or 6 to 4”).

The members of the band at the time of the debut recording were the brothers Gardner, Trent and Wayne, playing keyboards and guitar respectively, with Trent also supplying lead vocals and Wayne supporting with backing vocals, as well as Hal Stringfellow Imbrie, on bass and backing vocals, and one I suspect might be an alias, Magellan on drums. There was a slight change of personnel on the recording of album No 2, Impending Ascension, with the Gardner brothers and Hal still present, but the drum stool had Magellan and Doane Perry sharing and also the presence of a female vocalist, Hope Harris, appearing on one track.

A nod to the style of Magellan would probably be to imagine a band with the “over the top” style of Yes, the gentler touch of Genesis, power a la any power trio and the slightly heavier side of bands such as Kansas. There is a distinct leaning towards keyboard led tracks with the guitar certainly not used much as a lead instrument. I should also point out, as an aside, that I do like the band, Yes, very much, but I do think they were a little “pompous” at times, such as on Tales From Topographic Oceans.

The Double Featurerelease has a total playing time of around 95 minutes, with disc 1 (Hour of Restoration), running for around 44 minutes and disc 2 (Impending Ascension), slightly longer at around 50 minutes.  The longest track on offer is the opening track on disc 1, “Magna Carta” with a playing time of 15:09 minutes and the shortest track, also on disc 1 and the final track, “Turning Point” lasts just under a minute and a half (1:26).

The opening track on this new release by Magellan, is “Magna Carta” (15:09), and mention should be made that the album is a concept album basically dealing with a chunk of English history, hence this opening title, which coincidentally also happens to be the original record label the band released on. This is the longest track across the 2 discs and after many listens, the band do seem much more at ease allowing the longer tracks to build and evolve. “Magna Carta” highlights the excellent keyboard work of Trent Gardner, and the intro to the track just builds and builds prior to a quirky time signature change, and this is where my doubts start to creep in. Across this track there are some sublime keyboard based passages, but there are some time signature changes which verge on the discordant as the whole track abruptly does an about turn. What also becomes much clearer is that Magellan, the alias of the drummer, is the name given to their drum machine, and there are examples of the metronomic drumming style, of which I am not a fan. This is a real mixture of an opening track, but there were enough positives to make me look forward to the rest of the album.

The next couple of tracks, “Winner” (2:10) and “Friends of America” (3:34) are at best pleasant, but not outstanding nor memorable. ”Union Jack” (9:23) is a different kettle of fish, as the length again allows the track to build and flow. There are neat bits of narration, excellent keyboard work and the voice is more than adequate, although I felt that some of the lyrical content didn’t scan very well and seemed to be too forced.

Tracks 5 through 8, “Another Burning” (5:12), “Just One Bridge” (2:18), “Breaking These Circles” (5:25) and “Turning Point” (1:26) are similar to the earlier shorter tracks by being a little interesting, but their lengths never allow the tracks to build on any potential shown.

Disc 2 commences with “Estadium Nacional” (11:38) and shows the bands’ maturity and confidence with a much harder hitting sound, but also a much better flowing musical thread. There seems to be much more depth to the music which carries the listener along, sharing the superb keyboards, that are a Magellan trademark, and the vocals seem to suit the music better. The time signature changes work well and this is an excellent opening track. 

A piano passage and a very different style for the band, opens “Waterfront Wierdos” (11:25), before the reassuring keyboards enter. Swinging from gentle piano sections to heavier keyboard motifs, this track is another very good slice of progressive music.

The shorter songs on disc 2 all seem to have more happening within them and generally seem to shed the “filler” description from the disc 1 examples. The final track, “Storms and Mutiny” (12:13) isn’t quite as successful as the other longer examples although the long keyboard/ symphonic ending was both terrific, and, unexpected.

Magellan have taken the best bits from the debut, Hour of Restoration and evolved the sound for the second album, Impending Ascension, and although nothing earth-shattering, there is enough on this release to get prog fans interested. Give Double Feature a few listens and see what you think.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Magna Carta, Estadium Nacional, Waterfront Weirdos

Tracks:

Disc 1
 

Magna Carta
Winner
Friends Of America
Union Jack
Another Burning
Just One Bridge
Breaking These Circles
Turning Point


Disc 2
 

Estadium Nacional
Waterfront Wierdos
Songsmith
Virtual Reality
No Time For Words
Storms And Mutiny
Under The Wire


Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
September 9, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk