Irish Prog Ensemble M-Opus Featuring Jonathan Casey of The David Cross Band To Release New Concept Album “At The Mercy Of Manannán”

M-Opus are a 4-piece prog rock band from Ireland, with an unusual twist. Fronted by TV/Film composer Jonathan Casey (David Cross Band), the group releases concept albums from specific years in music history, creating an imagined, stylistic discography. They have released a 1975 album, a 1978 album and next, they unveil their 1972 album, “At The Mercy Of Manannán.”

The album follows a crew of mariners, who set sail on a hazardous mission and encounter ancient Celtic gods on their journey. In Irish mythology, Manannán was a King Of The Otherworld and sea god. “At The Mercy Of Manannán” was written and recorded during lockdown and served as an imagined adventure for lyricist Casey; an escape inside. One song, “Na Brúidaí,” is entirely in the Irish language of Gaeilge.

Says Jonathan, “It was an unusual process for me. I was introduced to the guitarist PJ just before COVID, but it was an online introduction, so we didn’t actually get to meet in person for a very long time. While isolated in lockdown, we wrote most of the album, together but apart, emailing each other files. At one point, Mark caught COVID and he had to be isolated from his family. So, he took shelter in his studio and recorded the drums on the album right then and there!”

M-Opus are Mark Grist (drums), PJ O'Connell (guitars), Colin Sullivan (guitars) and Jonathan Casey (Vocals, Keys, Bass). James Dunne has just joined the band on bass, so the ensemble will get to perform live very soon.

In support of their new release, the band has completed a video for “Valley Of Elah.” They are currently rehearsing for M-Opus gigs and Jonathan is also rehearsing with David Cross to perform “Larks Tongues In Aspic” live this year. He is on guitar and vocal duties in the David Cross band.

Here’s what the press has said about M-Opus:

“M-Opus is at the top of their game here... a real tour-de-force

An avalanche of creativity... a pinnacle achievement, an album to be savoured.” - Rocking Charts

“‘Origins’ is quite breathtaking and the more I listen to it the more remarkable it becomes.” – Sea of Tranquility

“A stunning collection of songs.... Simply unforgettable.” - Progarchy

“Elegant and emotional...sublime in its execution” – Uber Rock

“Brilliantly constructed” - Rockmuzine

“Their last album was in my top ten of the year.... and the music is magnificent again.” - Proggen

“Wow. Just Wow... deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best.” - Dancing About Architecture

M-Opus “At The Mercy Of Manannán” Release date Monday 3rd April

To purchase:
https://burningshed.com/
https://m-opus.bandcamp.com/

For more information:
m-opus.com
https://m-opus.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/mopusbandonline
https://twitter.com/mopusonline

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

ANGEL Fans Get Ready for a new ANGEL Album ONCE UPON A TIME and 2023 Tour, Release New Single “It’s Alright!”

Los Angeles, CA - Legendary rock band ANGEL return with a brilliant, melodic and supremely powerful new studio album titled ONCE UPON A TIME, set for release April 21st on Cleopatra Records. The album features 11 brand new songs, plus three bonus tracks on the CD version, all written by Punky Meadows, Frank Dimino, and Danny Farrow. Meadows proclaims, “We are super excited by the release of the new album. We had a blast recording it, and the band is cookin’! It has everything ANGEL fans expect - epic songs, power pop, heavy rock n’ roll, and it's also deep with lots of surprises! Can’t wait for our fans to lay their ears on it!”

The band is also excited to announce their US Tour with dates kicking off on March 3rd at The Cutting Room in NYC. Many shows have been announced and more will be added. Vocalist Dimino says, “We can’t wait to get back on the road and rock with all the fans. And I am really excited for the new album release, can't wait for you all to hear it!” Tour dates are listed below so grab your tickets and meet and greet passes as some shows have already sold out!

You can stream the album’s first single, the energetic rocker “It’s Alright” on all digital platforms today.

Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/angel_itsalright

And be sure to pre-order the CD, vinyl and special limited edition cassette versions now! Longtime guitarist Farrow declares, “The new album kicks ass and I hope the fans love it. It is very diverse and has all the elements of the ANGEL sound and more. The band really worked hard to make it great and an album we can all be proud of!”

Order the CD/Vinyl/Cassette: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=angel+once+upon+a+time&post_type=product

Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/angel_onceuponatime

ANGEL is also working on a new documentary film with DEKO Entertainment with updates soon.

The ANGEL tour starts March 3rd and you can get your tickets and meet and greets at www.angelbandofficial.com

March 3rd - NYC - The Cutting Room
March 4th - Teaneck, NJ - Debonair Music Hall (Angel with STARZ)
March 10th - Sellersville PA, - Sellersville Theater
March 11th - Akron OH - The Empire ( Sold Out )
March 12 - Westland MI - The Token Lounge
March 14th - Milwaukee WI - Shank Hall
March 15th - Madison WI - High Noon Saloon
March 17th - Edwardsville IL - The Wildey Theatre
March 19th - ST. Charles IL - Arcada Theatre
April 28th - Hollywood CA - The Whisky -
April 29th - Las Vegas Nev - VAMP'D -
August 25th WITH SWEET - Louisville KY - Habana Blues Night Life
August 26th WITH SWEET - Columbus Oh - King of Clubs

Many more dates to be announced soon.

For booking contact -
Ashley Talent International, LLC
Office: 517-467-7777
Cell: 864-209-5428
Email: ATI.AndreaR@Gmail.com
Website - ashleytalentinternationalllc.com

TRACK LIST:
1. The Torch
2. Black Moon Rising
3. It's Alright
4. Once Upon A Time An Angel And A Devil Fell In Love (And It Did Not End Well)
5. Let It Rain
6. Psyclone
7. Blood Of My Blood, Bone Of My Bone
8. Turn The Record Over
9. Rock Star
10. Without You
11. Liar Liar

BONUS TRACKS [CD ONLY]
12. Daddy's Girl
13. C'mon
14. Let The Kid Out

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
Facebook @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.facebook.com/CleopatraRecords/
Instagram @cleopatrarecords
https://www.instagram.com/cleopatrarecords/
Twitter @cleopatrarecord
https://twitter.com/cleopatrarecord
Youtube @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopQ0616Fpfrq8Gt0N-0zOQ
Soundcloud @cleopatra-recs
https://soundcloud.com/cleopatra-recs
Dailymotion @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.dailymotion.com/CleopatraRecords
Vimeo @cleopatrarecords
https://vimeo.com/cleopatrarecords
Spotify @cleopatra_recs
https://open.spotify.com/user/cleopatra_recs
Linkedin @cleopatra-records
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleopatra-records

Be-Bop Deluxe “Sunburst Finish” New Vinyl Reissue Released April 28, 2023

• NEW VINYL EDITION OF THE STEPHEN W TAYLER REMIX OF THE CLASSIC 1976 ALBUM BY BE-BOP DELUXE, CUT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS.

• WITH RESTORED ORIGINAL ARTWORK OF THE 1976 LP RELEASE.

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), “Sunburst Finish” was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of Bill Nelson (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Charlie Tumahai (bass, vocals), Andy Clark (keyboards) and Simon Fox (drums). It was also the first Be Bop album to be co-produced by Nelson and John Leckie. An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, “Sunburst Finish” was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by Bill Nelson (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package.

Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched Be-Bop Deluxe as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976.

This new vinyl edition features the remix of the album by Stephen W Tayler and has been cut at Abbey Road Studios and restores the original LP artwork.

Track Listing:
Side One
1 Fair Exchange
2 Heavenly Homes
3 Ships in the Night
4 Crying to the Sky
5 Sleep That Burns

Side Two
1 Beauty Secrets
2 Life in the Air Age
3 Like an Old Blues
4 Crystal Gazing
5 Blazing Apostles

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-sunburst-finish-vinyl-edition/

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

Classic Rock Legends Blues Image Featuring Mike Pinera Rides Again with New “Next Voyage” and Tour!

Blues Image rides again with a new album “Next Voyage” forthcoming and tour. The album features original guitarist and vocalist Mike Pinera, and includes the greatest songs from his history with Blues Image and Iron Butterfly, revisited with orchestra and horn section.

Produced by Michael Franklin, who produced Jon Anderson “1000 Hands part One” and Robby Steinhardt “Not in Kansas Anymore.” In Franklin’s tradition of special guests, the album features Pat Travers, Jonathan Cain from Journey, Charlie DeChant, and others. Also, Michael and Tim Franklin have toured as members of Blues Image for 30 years.

Blues Image is an American Blues Rock band formed in Tampa, Florida in 1966 by singer-guitarist Mike Pinera. Blues Image became the house band at the club Thee Image, which featured bands like Cream, Grateful Dead, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The band moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atco Records, releasing their self-titled debut album in February 1969. Their second album, “Open” (April 1970), included the hit single “Ride Captain Ride.” Written by Pinera and Skip Konte, the song has been used in many films. Pinera left the band to join Iron Butterfly in the fall of 1969.

Watch the promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScX8brFuG68&lc=UgxMCaCcafmaf7v5a9Z4AaABAg

Current Blues Image line-up
Mike Pinera - Guitar and vocals
Tim Franklin - Bass and vocals
Eddie Metz Jr.,– Drums,
Michael Franklin - Keyboards & Vocal

Special Guests
Pat Travers - Guitar
Jonathan Cain of Journey - Wurlitzer
Charlie DeChant - Saxophone
Tommy Calton - Guitar
Steady Joseph – Percussion
Randie Paul soloist on Love is the Answer
Suzie Park soloist on Something to Say
Naomi Bradshaw soloist on Pay My Dues

Horns
Brian Snapp - Tenor and Bari Sax
Charlie DeChant - Tenor Sax Solo on “Ina Gadda Da Vida”
Charlie Bertini-Trumpet
Brian Scanlon-Trumpet

Woodwinds
Jerrv Kalbe - Oboe. Flute & Clarinet on “Ride Captain Ride”.
Charlie DeChant- Flute solo on “Ride Captain Ride”.

Strings
Chamber de Solar
Cello Section leader Paul Fleury
Violin Section leader Olga Kopakova

Choir
Randie Paul
Suzie Park
Naomi Bradshaw
Shopia Hudson
Heather Rice
Michelle Amato
Nana Franklin

Recorded and Mixed at Solar Studios Orlando, Florida
Matt Brown – Recorded, Mixed and Mastered
Horn Arrangements Brian Snapp and Michael Franklin
Orchestrations and Arrangements Michael Franklin
Produced by Michael Franklin
Orhontuul Banzragch - Illustrator
Tom Lupo | Space Coast Pictures – Graphics

Special Thanks- Kurzweil Music, Spectrasonics, IK Media,| Oriolo Guitars ,
TM & Copyright Franklin Music Group Solar Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved

Released on SolarMusic.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jason Blake - Subsequent Ruins

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

Jason Blake - Warr guitar
Marco Minnemann - Drums

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

Release date: March 17, 2023

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

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

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