Month: March 2025

GENTLE GIANT

‘Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience’ 2CD, 2CD+BluRay, Triple Vinyl To Be Released on 2nd May 2025

The brand new reimagined, remastered and remixed version of Gentle Giant`s classic 1977 live album ‘Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience’ is set to be released.

‘Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience’, will be released across several formats including double CD, triple vinyl, Blu-Ray and digital download. The album has been remastered and painstakingly remixed from the original source tapes by Dan Bornemark with the Blu Ray containing a stereo 96/24 bit mix, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes. You can purchase the album here: 

https://gentlegiantuk.lnk.to/PTF

Containing new sleeve notes by Alan Kinsman together with a plethora of photographs along with a track list that reflects the original running order of the setlist played on the tour including three previously unreleased songs and the between song banter from Derek Shulman, this represents the most accurate account of Gentle Giant live at the very peak of their powers.

Check out trailer for the album here:

Derek Shulman: “Effectively what you’re hearing on this album is the whole show with all the bells and whistles included with me speaking to the audience and to the band just like it was on the night.”

‘Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience’

1.     Intro [1:24]

2.     Just the Same / Proclamation [10:40]

3.     On Reflection [7:31]

4.     Interview [7:06]

5.     The Runaway / Experience [9:54]

6.     Sweet Georgia Brown (Breakdown in Brussels) [1:54]

7.     So Sincere [10:42]

8.     Excerpts from Octopus [15:58]

9.     Band Introduction [1:23]

10.  Funny Ways [8:58]

11.  Timing / Violin Solo [11:40]

12.  Free Hand [8:20]

13.  Peel The Paint / I Lost My Head [8:01]

Derek Shulman: “This is a warts and all recording. It’s important to have a live album, which is live. There were no overdubs afterwards in the studio. So what you saw and heard is what you have on the album.”

ABOUT GENTLE GIANT

Gentle Giant was a British progressive rock band formed in 1970 in London by three brothers Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman along with Gary Green, Kerry Minnear and drummer Martin Smith who was latterly replaced by John “Pugwash” Weathers in 1972. 

The group was renowned for its complex and eclectic musical style, blending elements of rock, jazz, classical, folk and medieval music.  The band played a diverse array of instruments between them and their intricate arrangements and exquisite vocal harmonies gave them their own unique, instantly identifiable sound.

Gentle Giant released a series of highly regarded albums including ‘Acquiring the Taste’ (1971), ‘In a Glass House’ (1973), and ‘The Power and the Glory’ (1974) across which they pushed their musical boundaries to the limit. Their live album ‘Playing The Fool’ (1977) remains a testament to their stunning live shows.

In 1980 Gentle Giant called it a day and have refused numerous calls to reform since then, perhaps this is why their reputation remains intact to this day.  Widescale chart success may have eluded them but their fiercely loyal fanbase followed them right through their career and beyond. Their legacy has remained undiminished within the Progressive Rock world being major influences on Porcupine Tree`s Steven Wilson, Neal Morse of Spock`s Beard, Michael Sadler of Saga and Opeth`s Mikael Akerfeldt, who cites ‘Acquiring The Taste’ as one of his favourite albums.

Derek Shulman: “We were a rock and roll band that played interesting music and we wanted to have fun for ourselves and have the audience go out with a smile on their faces.”

Nad Sylvan announces raw & personal new album ‘Monumentata’; launches first single That’s Not Me

Nad Sylvan, known as vocalist with legendary guitarist Steve Hackett, announces his vulnerable & personal new solo album ‘Monumentata’ for release on 20th June 2025 via InsideOutMusic. Sylvan’s music draws heavily from the golden age of progressive rock while blending in folk, classical, and modern rock influences, resulting in a sound that feels both classic and contemporary. This collection of 8 tracks continues bridging those styles while sprinkling in a few more, from the jazzy-pop feel of “Flowerland” to the 60’s R&B influenced “Monte Carlo Priceless,” to the aggressive rock flavour of “That’s Not Me.”   

It is the latter track that is launched today, and you can watch the video for “That’s Not Me” here: 

Nad comments of the track: “It’s a very heavy, aggressive song with a strong funk influence—kind of like James Brown meets Deep Purple. It’s got a groovy feel, and I absolutely love it because it represents the heavier side of my music. The song explores the challenges of adapting to another culture while traveling the world.”

Much of the album comes from Sylvan’s life experiences. “This album is much more vulnerable. I’d say about 75% of the lyrics are directly about my life—it’s me laying everything out there, wearing my heart on my sleeve.”

The title track signifies an important moment in the singer’s life when he lost his father, leaving him without both parents. Sylvan explains, “I lost my parents, and knowing that they’re gone—and that one day, I’m probably next in line—that felt “monumental” to me. That’s where the word ‘Monumentata’ came from. “Tata” means “Father” in Hungarian, and my dad was half Hungarian. So, I combined those two words to create something new. It’s about losing someone and the disappointment.”

While Sylvan handles vocals, keyboards and most of the guitar parts, the album features a number of notable guest appearances, including guitarists Randy McStine, David Kollar, and Neil Whitford. The drummers on the record include Marco Minnemann, Mirko DeMaio, and Felix Lerhmann. On bass, the singer is helped out by fellow Hackett band member Jonas Reingold, Nick Beggs, and Tony Levin. 

‘Monumentata’ will be available as a Ltd CD Digipak (incl. bonus track), Gatefold transparent green LP & as Digital Album. Artwork was handled by Hajo Müller (Steven Wilson).

Pre-order now here:

https://nadsylvanmusic.lnk.to/Monumentata-Album

The full tracklisting is as follows:

1.     Secret Lover

2.     That’s Not Me

3.     Monte Carlo Priceless

4.     Flowerland

5.     Wildfire

6.     Make Somebody Proud

7.     I’m Stepping Out

8.     Monumentata

9.     Unkillable (Bonus Track)

Artist image by Diana Seifert.

Review – Gustaf Ljunggren & Emil De Waal – Mikroklima

Following the success of their 2023 release ‘Stockholm København’, two of Denmark’s most celebrated musicians in multi-instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren and drummer Emil de Waal present their fourth collaborative album.

Expanding on their growing reputation for crafting songs and sounds with masterful senses of subtlety, narrative and capacity to form meaningful connections with their collaborators and audiences alike, ‘Mikroklima’ was released on February 7th on April Records.

One element that truly sets this album apart, is the bold move of inviting a group of 12 year old school children from a music class into the studio to record alongside Gustaf and Emil. Drawing from years of experience leading music workshops with young musicians, on ‘Mikroklima’ Ljunggren and de Waal wanted to capture the sound of musicians from different generations and experiences coming together to contribute their ideas to their compositions.

I was a big fan of ‘Stockholm København’ so, now my music mojo is finally returning, I had to listen to this new release and ‘Mikroklima’ didn’t let me down. These two incredible musicians have created something organic that truly flows from track to track. Ljunggren’s elegant acoustic and electric guitar playing blends with de Waal’s sophisticated grooves creating something almost organic in nature. These two have an almost symbiotic relationship and are utterly complimentary to each other. The lush swathes of synthesisers and Rhodes piano add a spiritual feel to the proceedings and the whole album has an ethereal atmosphere.

These tracks are not just written, they are subtly crafted and created to have soul and to connect with the listener in a meaningful fashion. Listening to these amazing musicians at the height of their creative power is something quite wondrous to behold and an utter privilege. Through the mesmerising title track Mikroklima and the more strident Bolde all the way to the final two musical gems, Waaltz and Meeen, Ljunggren and de Waal take you on a mesmerising and hynoptic musical journey that sometimes challenges you but is always nothing less than captivating, enthralling and spellbinding.

It’s hard to pick one track out as a favourite as the album should really be consumed in one sitting for the full, glorious listening experience but Brud is consummate style and panache personified and as cool a jazz track as they come.

Restrained and yet bursting with spirituality and, most of all, life, ‘Mikroklima’ is more than just a collection of songs, it is a living entity that exists to bring joy to all who listen to it.

Released 7th February, 2025.

Order from bandcamp here:

https://gustafljunggrenemildewaal.bandcamp.com/album/mikroklima

Review – Nicholas de Renty – Retour Au Bercail – by John Wenlock-Smith

Progressive music certainly has the ability to throw you some strange or odd musical curves, take this album from French solo musician Nicholas de Renty entitled ‘Retour Au Bercail’ which translates as meaning ‘Return to The Fold’ .

Nicholas performs the majority of the instruments apart from on the track Traquenard where he is joined by Anthony Malaussena who adds guitar and bass to the track, Nicholas playing drums, piano and the vocals, which are all sung in French. A lot of the other instruments are delivered via the computer, the brass and woodwind elements for example that enliven proceedings. This release is best heard in one setting, i feel, as you can then appreciate the intricacies that are built into the music especially in the title track Retour Au Bercail which has excellent brass and woodwind sections.

The album is basically the story of Nicholas’ return to the faith he grew up in but deserted in his youth. He now feels the need to address the spiritual emptiness he has been experiencing and sees a return as being in his best interests. This is bold for such a step to be considered and then taken and ultimately to be chronicled in the music he has made.

I had a translation of the lyrics so I could follow his journey, there is an understated beauty to this musician in his openness to embracing faith once again, which is to be applauded. This album will probably be passed over by many which is a shame as it is really rather good and interesting musically. I would say the singing is a little different and unusual but it is not unpleasant being strongly choral in style. I understand this might be off putting for many but I would urge you to persevere with it as it does become rather calming with a distinct spiritual tone and flavour to it.

I especially liked the opening track Luerre éternel (eternal war) which has a drum solo at both the opening section and at the 5.55 mark where Nicholas vocalises over the beat before a rippling piano and subdued brass are heard. Nicholas then really pounds the skins a for few minutes, oddly enough the dynamics of this work exceptionally well, giving the track a  really strong dynamism and emphasis. The lyrics are actually more prose, being almost poetic in nature and tone, the choir like chanting is a good fit for the track which is about how we are all in a spiritual war with the forces of evil (Satan and his demonic hordes).

As I say it is an intriguing and deep concept. One with it’s spiritual overtones and concept could, I accept, be problematic for some listeners and the album is maybe not an easy listen per se. However, many a great album is equally as challenging yet critically applauded like ‘Red’ by King Crimson, which is an equally dark and intense piece of work.

I have to say that the more I listen to this album the more I have come to appreciate it’s difference, which I feel is rare in a genre where little has changed since the founding fathers’ original masterpieces were released. This album at least dares to be different in many ways and that alone is worthy of recognition. As such, I would recommend that folks with an open mind would have a listen at least as there is some great music on display here,

Definitely one for the more adventurous listener to at least have a go with, although I would say it would be more appealing if the booklet had the words translated into English so then non-French speakers couldn’t least be more understanding of the contents of the words.

This has not been an easy review as it has required the input of Anne-Claire from Bad Dog Promotions to help with the translation, which then allowed insight into the themes behind the tracks, for which I must recognise her invaluable assistance. aAs it is but I urge perseverance with this most interesting release which I actually really enjoyed, hopefully others will too.

Released 27th August, 2024.

Order from bandcamp here:

https://nicolasderenty.bandcamp.com/album/retour-au-bercail

Cosmograf announce release of tenth album, The Orphan Epoch, On 23rd May, 2025

Gravity Dream Music is thrilled to announce the release of the tenth Cosmograf al- bum – The Orphan Epoch on 23rd May 2025.

The Orphan Epoch is a set of songs that speak of a refusal to conform, align, or coa- lesce. It’s an expression of discontent, a statement of our times, but maybe also an instruction to refuse to accept binary choice and choose a path to walk alone. This is a new era of disconnection, disillusion and disinformation. Your perception will de- fine your reality…

“It was an easy album to make, in writing terms. I can’t even tell you where the songs came from, but they just arrived and seemed to want to tell a story them- selves.”, says Cosmograf’s Robin Armstrong. “Instead of setting out to write anoth- er concept album I wanted these songs to exist in their own space and time. This was the result…” I think it’s my most diverse work to date”.

We are also pleased to release the lead track and video for ‘Kings and Lords’ on YouTube now.

“The video was created from an old Italian Western film ‘‘Se incontri Sartana Prega Per La Tua Morte’ which is now in the public domain. My son, Sam is a media studies student and huge fan of film and we found it mirrored the song’s themes of greed, power and nefarious intent, so he re-edited it to fit the music.”


The Orphan Epoch will be available in Vinyl, CD Digipak and Digital formats and is pre-ordering now from the Gravity Dream Music website at:

https://www.gravitydream.co.uk/shop

Tracklist:

1. Division Warning [Track / 2. We Are The Young / 3. Seraphim Reels 4. Kings And Lords / 5. You Didn’t See The Thief / 6.Empty Box
7. The Road Of Endless Miles

Featured Musicians:

Robin Armstrong: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Kyle Fenton: Drums, Backing Vocals
Peter Jones: Saxophone (Seraphim Reels)

The Flower Kings announce new full-length album LOVE, and new single “How Can You Leave Us Now!?” 

LOVE will be released on May 2nd, 2025, via InsideOutMusic

Album Pre-Order Open Now!

The Flower Kings are set to release their 17th studio album on May 2nd, 2025, titled LOVE. With “How can you leave us now!?”, the quintet unveils the first track from their upcoming record that is available for pre-order now.

The band will debut the material from LOVE live in Stockholm, May 29th followed by a European tour together with Neal Morse & The Resonance.

When The Flower Kings played their first show on Aug 20th, 1994, they likely had no idea they would go on to make music history worldwide. With 17 studio albums, numerous live albums, and performances at festivals and countless tours across the globe, their legacy is unmatched in the rebirth of progressive rock. They remain titans of melodic prog, brimming with creativity and vitality, placing them firmly in that royal reign that their name suggested 30 years ago.

Their first song “How Can You Leave Us Now!?” can be listened to here:

https://theflowerkings.lnk.to/HowCanYouLeaveUsNow

Watch the video below:

The album features the three original members—Roine Stolt, Hasse Fröberg, and Michael Stolt—alongside relative newcomers Mirko DeMaio and Lalle Larsson. Together, they have crafted an album that embodies the essence of progressive rock from the late sixties and early seventies. This era was marked by a departure from the norm of seeking hit singles, embracing creativity with bell-bottoms, Mellotrons, Moogs, phasing, flanging, and epic compositions. The Flower Kings have always had a knack for writing songs that blend pop sensibilities with experimental and jam band influences.
 
This new album showcases the Swedish royals with newfound confidence, delivering progressive rock second to none. It promises to take listeners on a journey to the hidden corners of their musical world. Fans can expect to hear more of the experimental side and wild guitar and synth solos reminiscent of the band’s early albums. The album, with a runtime of 75 minutes, features 12 tracks ranging from 3 to 12 minutes, designed to be listened to as a whole.

LOVE Tracklist:
 
1.We Claim The Moon
2.The Elder
3.How Can You Leave Us Now!?
4.World Spinning
5.Burning Both Edges
6.The Rubble
7.Kaiser Razor
8.The Phoenix
9.The Promise
10.Love Is
11.Walls Of Shame
12.Considerations
 
Pre-order LOVE now at: 

https://theflowerkings.lnk.to/LOVE-Bio

The album will be available in the following versions:

Ltd. CD Digipak
Ltd. CD Digipak (US version)
Standard CD Jewelcase (Japanese Version)
Ltd. Gatefold Black 2LP
Ltd. Gatefold Neon Orange 2LP– Limited to only 500 copies worldwide
Ltd. Gatefold Transp. Light Blue 2LP– Strictly limited to only 300 copies worldwide
The Flower Kings will bring their new album LOVE to the live stages in Europe during May/June. The tour is accompanied by Neal Morse & Resonance.

The Flower Kings line-up:
Mirko DeMaio: Drums & Percussion
Lalle Larson: Grand Piano, Rhodes Piano, Hammond B3 & Synthesizers
Hasse Fröberg: Vocals, Guitar
Michael Stolt: Bass, Moog Bass, Vocals
Roine Stolt: Vocals, Electric & Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Ukulele

With:
Hasse Bruniusson: Percussion
Jannica Lund: Vocals
Aliaksandr Yasinski: Accordion

Review – Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – The Uncertainty Principle – by Roger Trenwith

“Learn to live with uncertainty, learn to cope with reality…” – so begins the last stanza of the last track on this, the eighth album by Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. That’s a line that applies more than ever in these unsettling times we live in, as much as it applies to front man Malcolm Galloway’s health struggles, which involve a hereditary condition affecting connective tissue, and a degenerative macular illness. Refusing to be brought low by this, there’s a three track EP, Between The Worlds (see the Bandcamp page) that came out a month ago. It contains a blistering version of the live favourite i’mtiredandeverythinghurts from last year’s Prog For Peart festival, and its techno-punk raging at bodily frailty seems to sum up Malcolm’s frustrations perfectly.

Keeping up the duo’s love of science (of the real and fictional varieties!), the recurrent themes of The Uncertainty Principle ostensibly derive from Heisenberg’s 1927 theorem of that name, although obviously there is also a strong personal element running through it all. The Bandcamp page for the album includes a potted history of quantum theory, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from these two highly personable musicians, who have nurtured each other’s nerdy obsessions since school days.

At times, you can easily hear a lyric such as “Everything changed. Everything we thought we knew changed” and cast your thoughts to the lunatic across the pond, gleefully destroying everything our lives in the West have been built on since the end of WW2. Topical stuff, indeed. This album provides a healthy dose of musical escapism to aid the passage of the stark reality of the lyrics, always a good combination in any form of popular (ahem…) music.

Musically, the band offer up their signature combination of melody and righteous rock’n’roll anger. The blistering guitar and charging rhythms of The Ultraviolet Catastrophe being an example of all brakes off, instrumental Sturm und Drang. Following that is the wistful Copenhagen, an early album appetiser from last year, with Malcom’s voice slowly rising to full-on yearning, his instantly recognisable vocal style being one thing that makes this band stand out. Ah, yes! It is a band, and the other half of it is the irrepressible Mark Gatland whose infectious enthusiasm offsets Malcom’s angst perfectly. His bass is dextrous or thundering, or both, and is a vital part of the equation.

Can a duo be a band, you may wonder? In the words of Robert Fripp, HOGIA (unlike their music, the name is a tad unwieldy, you have to admit!) are the epitome of a “small, mobile, intelligent unit”, with the rest of the music and the drums being programmed and delivered via technical wizardry that is way beyond my ability to even begin to explain. And it works live too, so much so you forget that you can only see a guitar and a bass guitar being played in front of you. The whole is definitely “a band”.

This musical witches’ brew is in full effect on Inside The Atom, a synth-led molecular examination that whizzes around its nucleus with a gleeful freedom before being joined halfway in by some superb sky-saw guitar from Malcolm, who can play a bit, o yes!

There’s examples of the band’s ear for a good pop song too. The Think Tank has Malcolm and Mark playing fast’n’syncopated with the sort of song that Matt Bellamy used to write when he was on his game. One Word That Means The World (Arkhipov) provides a history lesson, if like me you had to Google “Arkhipov”! All I will say is, it is possible none of us would be here if Vasily Arkhipov had said “Yes”, rather than “No”. “We don’t know who we are, until we are forced to decide”, as Malcolm vocalises. Decisions, decisions…

The title, and last track, is almost bluesy to begin with before becoming anthemic. These chaps meld a number of styles into a recognisable whole, and it’s just a shame that no-one seems to have heard of them outside of our small pond. Yes, they’re “prog”, but also so much more than that and deserve to be far bigger than they are…but would that destroy the magic? Uncertainty, uncertainty…

Released 4th March, 2025.

TRACKLIST

  1. Certainty                                                                     
  2. Everything Changed                                                     
  3. The Ultraviolet Catastrophe                                          
  4. Copenhagen                                                                
  5. Cause And Effect (But Not Necessarily In That Order)     
  6. The Uncertainty Principle                                             
  7. Inside The Atom                                                           
  8. The Think Tank                                                            
  9. One Word That Means The World (Arkhipov)                
  10. Between Two Worlds                                                   
  11. Living With Uncertainty                                                

Total time:                                                                                62:07

MUSICIANS

Malcolm Galloway – lyrics, lead guitar, synths, mastering

Mark Gatland – bass guitar, vocal engineer, additional guitars and synths, co-producer

With:

Kathryn Thomas (flute 6, backing vocals 11, co-producer 10)

Ethan Galloway (vocals 11)

LINKS

Bandcamp: https://hatsoffgentlemen.bandcamp.com/album/the-uncertainty-principle

Website: https://hatsoffgentlemen.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsadequate