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CD/DVD Releases: Musea's March Through May Releases Roundup

Posted on Saturday, May 17 @ 21:39:02 UTC by nightowl

Over the last three months, Musea Records has been busily releasing or distributing a ton of titles. Of particular interest to progressive rock minded folk are:

The Enid - 40 Years - "2014 celebrates 40 years since The Enid were formed, pioneering a successful fusion between Rock and Classical. This limited edition 40th Anniversary Box Set provides fans with an opportunity to learn everything there is to know about the early years of The Enid, told in a conversational style between founding father Robert John Godfrey and his fellow band members Dave Storey, Jason Ducker and Joe Payne.

"The first two studio albums by The Enid are also included with this release, complete with rare bonus tracks of original demo recordings and live performances.

The collection will be promoted on the road throughout 2014, while the band tours multiple unique anniversary shows across the UK and Europe. Festival performances for 2014 include the largest UK Prog Rock festival HRH Prog, as well as Resonance Rock Festival in London and Crescendo Festival in France. The Enid is working closely with PR Company Skyfire Interactive to re-launch the 2012 studio album Invicta. This not only coincides with the bands 40th Anniversary plans, but also the release of In The Region Of The Summer Stars, Aerie Faerie Nonsense and Invicta on Vinyl.

The Enid will also be releasing a music video for Invicta track 'Witch Hunt' in the spring. Since orchestrating for great bands such as Barclay James Harvest, conducting orchestras at the Royal Albert Hall, and assisting the production of Pink Floyd albums at Abbey Road Studios, Godfrey built The Enid to become a vehicle for his own compositions. The inserted booklet and DVD come together to explain this historical journey, including text from original members of The Enid about their experiences at that time. Godfrey's Number 1 Amazon Classical Single download 'The Mirror of Love' (previously titled 'The Lovers' from In The Region Of The Summer Stars) has maintained a place amongst the top 70 classical pieces in Classic FM's Hall of Fame since 2012."

Plus, from the Gentle Art of Music label there is Frequency Drift's latest release Over, which was released by GAM in February. Frequency Drift were founded by keyboardist Andreas Hack and Over is their fifth studio album.

From the band's website: "As regards content, especially, the fifth album of the southern Germans has an almost unprecedented depth to offer. The band deals with the area of tension between idyll and decay and in that forward set course fusions the urban and cold sounds of the Personal Effects Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 records from the early days of Frequency Drift with the warm and more organic sounds of the recent recordsGhosts and Laid To Rest. Held together by an ever larger harmonic and rhythmic variety, a fascinating masterpiece comes together that is perfected by the cover pictures of Alina Rudya. The work of the Ukrainian shows the photographer's hometown of Pripyat that has been abandoned since the Chernobyl disaster and where nature continues to make its way – despite all existence-threatening conditions. Corresponding to those aesthetics Frequency Drift, through their soundscapes, create a surreal atmosphere of loss, decay, abandonment but also liberation. The fact that the generous use of effects often leads to space-ish sounds only adds further to that impression."

Also from GAM (RPWL's label/distribution company) is RPWL's latest offering, Wanted. More information about Wanted can be found here. Wanted is their 11th release.

In addition to Jadis's most recent release, See Right Through You -- which came out in 2012 -- Photoplay and Fanatic are also available from Musea, the latter in both a standard (so I am presuming) and the digipack special edition with a bonus track ("The Flame Is Burning Out") and has an extended booklet.



Arena's Contagion (2003) is spreading again, courtesy of Verglas Music and this time as Contagion Max. According to the Verglas website, this new strain is a two disc version "with the EP-tracks inserted in the correct places in the concept, in a special digipack with full artwork and 28 page booklet, including all the lyrics."



Verglas has also released Mick Pointer Band's Marillion's "Script" Revisited to infect you with earworms. (It was not too long ago that Script... celebrated its 30th Anniversary, which Fugazi is now enjoying [and both coincidentally have returned to my CD player -ed.]. Pointer was the behind the kit for the Script album, you see. And left to later form Arena with Clive Nolan (Pendragon and many others).



Also seeing reissue in remastered formats are two Yes titles (released by DCM). Much as he did for King Crimson (who are also in the roundup), Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson worked on new editions of: The Yes Album, on CD with bonus tracks ("Clap" studio version and "A Venture" extended), but also a DVD-A which has been mixed for 5.1 Surround Sound, contains an alternate album comprising singles edits, live tracks, and an extended mix, expanded artwork with new sleeve notes written by Sid Smith and archive materials (including rare photos). Both are in high resolution stereo. Available also as a Blu-Ray, which features 5.1 PCM Surround Sound and High Resolution Stereo Mixes (24bit/96khz) and in DTS-HD MA 5.1 (24bit/96khz). Blu-Ray exclusives include full album instrumental mixes, a full album needle-drop of an original UK A1/B1 vinyl pressing, additional singles edits & live tracks.

Close To The Edge - also in CD and DVD-A, remastered with 5.1 Surround Sound, includes "America" in original and new stereo mixes, 5.1 and in high-resolution; features an early mix/assembly of "Close To The Edge," DVD-A features audio extras including single edits & studio run-throughs; the release has new sleeve notes (Sid Smith), rare photos and archive material. As with TYA on Blu-Ray, CTTE has features not found on the CD or DVD-A versions including instrumental versions of the new mixes.

DCM is also releasing Robert Fripp & Brian Eno - No Pussyfooting and Evening Star; and related, out from King Crimson - The Collector's Club Series - Live At The Pier, New York, August 2, 1982, The Collector's Club Series - Live In Philadelphia, PA August 26, 1996, The Collector's Club Series - Live In Milan, June 20, 2003, and Red.

The Healing Road - Birdbrain's Travels - "The Healing Road is the instrumental project led by German keyboardist HansPeter Hess (The Bearded's Project), whose name was inspired by the book by Neil Peart (Rush), Ghost Rider - Travels On The Healing Road. To help him, this musician has invited numerous guests; for example, on guitars, keyboards and drums. His music is a mix of catchy and dreamy sequences, with dynamic rhythms. Inspired by a national park in the Canary Islands, his second album Timanfaya (Musea, 2008) displays nine suggestive and melodious tracks, truly varied both in terms of atmospheres and rhythms, which are performed in an energetic style. His skillful and lively keyboards playing and composing style remind of Genesis and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, with some more aggressive and wild moments a la Dream Theater, and also a touch of electro.

"The booklet includes reproductions of paintings by Herbert Wanderer that underline the original mix of meditation and energy conveyed by this beautiful and refreshing music. The third album Tales From The Dam (2009) presents a new concept, selling the original CD with a bonus LP, which includes the complete new album on vinyl, an object that every nostalgic of the Seventies should appreciate. Backdrop (Musea, 2011) again consists in two long pieces of music. To create something different from the previous albums, HansPeter Hess set some guidelines: less piano sounds, less synthesizers, Moog or Hammond sounds... The album should have an acoustic, rural, pastoral atmosphere and contain as many acoustic instruments as he can get and play. Guitar player Thommy Frank features here, as well as Roland Enders, the latter performing the closing track, being a folk-song written and sung by him.

"Faithful to the concept of an album split in two long instrumental suites, Birdbrain's Travels (2014) is a new achievement signed HansPeter HESS. To be discovered!"

Lazuli - Tant Que L'Herbe Est Grasse -- This is the latest from Lazuli, who will be performing at Prog'Sud over the May 29-31 weekend. About the band and earlier releases Musea writes, "Somewhere between Progressive rock, song, world-music and electro, the atypical, dreamy and researched music of Lazuli takes us far from the beaten tracks with a quite unusual band. This French group uses actually in bulk Chapman Stick, Warr Guitar, marimbas, vibraphone, percussions, guitars, voice... An instrumentation not unlike Peter Gabriel's in his early years, when his guitar player was named Robert Fripp. And that's not by chance! The Leode is also played here, invented and constructed in only one copy by Claude Leonetti, being the surprising mix of a guitar, a synthesizer, a melodic saw and a Martenot wave. This instrument controls a sampling machine and a multi-effect system through a MIDI module. The instrument must be played with only one hand: the musician unfortunately lost an arm in a motorbike accident when he was young. Lazuli conceives songs like pictures, mixing colours, depicting the world or repainting it. Words question the wounds of today. The ethereal, outlandish voice swarms with puns describing man in every forming and deforming... Lazuli will enchant and bewitch you. En Avant Doute... might create the big surprise of the end 2006. This is a beautiful collection of sophisticated songs, succeeding in combining the suggestive power of words and the sophistication of the instrumentation. Ange lovers will appreciate the cover of a classic, 'Capitaine Coeur De Miel.' The CD has a bonus DVD, compiling over 20 minutes live, a documentary lasting 40 minutes, a small Leode story (with an unmistakable English translation!), the video clip of 'Le Repas De L'Ogre' and a slideshow, plus other material. While releasing this second opus, the Musea label presents the reissue of the first effort Amnésie, that had made a strong impression when first released in 2003. Highlighting a particular song wouldn't be easy, since the level is kept high throughout the album. 'Mal De Chien; is extraordinary though, starting as an intimate ballad, and evolving into an unlikely fanfare. A must have!"

Little Tragedies - At Nights - With this new album now out, Musea provides this overview of the band (roughly translated, and edited a bit by moi): "Russia's Little Tragedies is the brainchild of composer and musician Gennady Ilyin, experimenting with new forms of musical expression. More specifically, one might compare his art to a hybrid of Seventies Progressive rock, jazz-rock fusion and contemporary classical music. All using analog keyboards recalling the seventies Published in the year 2005 by the Musea label, Return is the third and certainly best work of Little Tragedies. Like its predecessors, the album is inspired by Nicolai Gumilev's poems , and sung in the language of Tolstoy. The eleven compositions evolve in a style of that of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, displaying an impressive musical virtuosity and originality well soaked. Here is a fantastic concept album of neo-classic rock, full of power, diversity and intensity, bursting with instrumental sequences that are feverish and enthusiastic. A Must Know!

"It only took a few weeks after the ambitious conceptual double album New Faust (2006) was released for another new album to be released, The Sixth Sense. This shows an remarkable growth, with a more eclectic inspiration. Thus think again of ELP, but also from classical composers to Pink Floyd, Genesis or Focus, all with the unmistakable sound of Russian formations. Music is a shiny mix of rock, classical music and jazz, with even a trace of heavy-metal guitar parts. Sequences from keyboards are especially fond of the Seventies sound. If the song is in Russian, the music is mostly instrumental, played brilliantly and produced with care. A great album!

"[While d]ecidedly launched a furious pace, that does not diminish its quality, Little Tragedies offers us their fourth album in just three years! Chinese Songs - Part One (2007) offers seven compositions due to the good care of the brilliant Gennady Ilyin, illustrated by Chinese poems of the Middle Ages (translated into Russian). Same thing with regard to the six pieces of Chinese Songs - Part Two (2007).

"Composed in 1995 and in 1997, The Paris Symphony had never known the honors of official publication: it is now done! Gennady Ilyin is certainly one of the best of modern Progressive rock keyboardists, written after a visit to la Ville Lumière for a trio drums, bass and keyboards formula. Analog keyboards, like the compositions, take us with a very distinctive seventies spirit, with atmospheres sometimes bringing us to mind of the major composers such as Rachmaninov and Prokofiev. What to say, except 'stunning'?

"Now established as a reference unavoidable, Little Tragedies has not slowed their pace of output. After expanding the spectrum of their range of music, the Russian team returned to their first love with Obsessed (Musea , 2011). This new album takes the path where symphonic sounds are predominant, which it was slightly away from after New Faust five years ago. And this, for the greatest pleasure of the audience! Do not miss..."

Philippe Luttun - The Taste Of Wormwood - About this release, Musea write (roughly translated, as this one also 'twas only in French): "The world of progressive has been crossed by a comet named Philip Luttun, risk here and make a big splash in a very near future. This prodigious French multi -instrumentalist offers indeed a fabulous concept album inspired by the cinematic Chernobyl nuclear disaster [of] 26 April 1986, from its causes to its most terrifying (sensitive souls refrain) consequences. What therefore resembles the music of this extraordinary genius, the only master on board after God (he does the vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass and drums excellently planned)? Backed on a handful of tracks by the beautiful Pris K. (vocals), Philippe boxed eight compositions wonderfully linked, from 'Prelude To A Disaster' and eerie music box to 'Heroes End,' which recited words in Russian are lulled by a piano and an acoustic guitar that spin the thrill. As a first approximation, one can detect influences as diverse as Pink Floyd (for the tremendous work on sounds and atmospheres, the sampled saxophone and six-string gilmourienne to perfection), the Pulsar 'Halloween' for the most symphonic and phases desperate (the grandiose epic 'The Ghost Of Pripyat'), the best Clearlight Symphony for crystalline flights of classical piano in weightlessness ('The Pilgrimage Macabre'), Liquid Tension Experiment for the most virtuosic sequences and returns inside ('On The Road Of Hell'). There is even a few electro reminiscences (the introduction of 'Reaktor 4') and Slavic folklore (the first steps of 'The Day After'). But beyond this inventory a la Prévert, what is immediately striking is an incredible cinematic sense, tremendous energy and enthusiasm at all times. It takes the pieces in cages honey as a series of uppercuts before catching his breath and try to understand what is happening. Is that The Taste Of Wormwood tumbles on the plate like a hurricane enjoyable. The contrast between quiet and explosive parts (often within the same song) gives this masterpiece in an incredible power terrain. Fabulous discovery in all!"

Machiavel - Colours - Latest release from the band; in the press release, Musea provided this overview: "Machiavel is certainly the most internationally famous Belgian Progressive rock band of the Seventies. Quite catchy, its music is clearly inspired by the great British masters, with Genesis as one of the main influences. This quintet beautifully performed really pleasant tracks sung in a perfect English. The instrumental interventions not only always made sense, but were also always essential. In the early Eighties, this emblematic line-up led by drummer Marc Ysaye decided to use a more consensual, not to say commercial, musical language. This new orientation however led to the split up of the band. Virtual Sun (1999) is then an excellent surprise! Re-formed with most of their original members, Machiavel could just have used their wealthy inheritance to fulfill the fans' nostalgia of the good all days. However, even though they keep their innate melodical qualities and their sense of excellence, this quintet still takes the risk to make a stylistic turn inspired by the best Led Zeppelin. Those eleven previously unreleased compositions can then be seen as a unique blend between the characteristics that made this band's success, and Robert Plant's tortured lyricism. This translates into compositions with both romantic and tense atmospheres based on slow tempos, that abruptly evolve in high tension. All of this is included in a powerful and high-quality production, worth of this album's ambition. A successful comeback!

"After a a forty-dates tour attracting an audience of more than 60,000 people, Machiavel released a live album as a testimony. Live In Brussels is made of tracks of the gig recorded on March 2005 at 'L'Ancienne Belgique.' Acoustic has been recorded in 2008 during the unplugged tour. The recording perfectly recreates the warm-hearted and intimate ambience of the acoustic concerts. The sound is a mix of acoustic guitars, piano, Indian organ, percussions and vocals. The titles come from the band's original repertoire. They were all rearranged, some in a very different manner, giving surprising results: 'Washing Their Hands' can be heard in a jazzy arrangement, 'Ronny Runs' in [and] oriental mood, 'Over The Hill' in a new acoustical reggae version, and 'Rope Dancer' led by the grand piano. If you want to discover Machiavel, start by Mechanical Moonbeams, the most sophisticated and Genesis-like opus, and go on with Jester, the eponymous album, etc."

Masal - Viens Des Quatre Vents - "Masal is the band performing the compositions by French musician Jean-Paul Prat. This music exists since the Seventies, and the Zeuhl lovers will certainly remember the album Masal, a true classic recorded in 1982 under the name of Jean-Paul Prat. The instrumental line-up then included five to fourteen musicians. They performed with the likes of Gong, Magma, and Soft Machine. Galgal (2009) is the sequel to the Masal discography. It's built around the same elements that made its glorious ancestor a success. As for every type of music, one could find traces of various influences, but they are deeply assumed here, giving a personal architecture, colorful and punchy. Once again, here's a near-perfect performance by the six musicians. The Master of Ceremonies left the drummer's seat to a certain Jean Prat (the son is as good as the father!), in favour of piano and music conduction. Here on Viens Des Quatre Vents are six long pieces, highlighted by a 14 minute-suite, paying tribute to Masal's reputation. A classic of the future?"

Three titles from Mandalaband see reissue - Resurrection, A.D. - Sangreal and B.C. - Ancestors. Mostly Autumn's 2005 release Storms Over Still Water as well, with their latest, Dressed In Voices soon to see release. And Thieves' Kitchen's One For Sorrow, Two For Joy, which was released last year, is now available from Musea.

Other Progressive Rock releases, these on the Azafran Media imprint are: Luz De Riada - Cuentos & Fabulas (I can tell you this band is scheduled for ProgDay later this year) and Flor De Loto - Nuevos Masias

On the Jazz side you'll find available: Pierre Boussaguet Mother Land Quartet - Pierre Boussaguet Mother Land Quartet, Cathala / Durand / Vaillant - Live Au SUnset, CTrio - Alternances, Julien Desprez - Acapulco, Benjamin Duboc / Didier Lasseree / Henri Roger - Parole Plongeée, Erdmann, Soumano, Le Bras, Fink, Betsch - Patchwork Dreamer, Erdmann, Le Bras, Tchamitchian - De L'Estaque Aux Goudes, Didier Lockwood - La Vie Improvisée (DVD), Pee Bee - All Of Us 13, Olivier Py - Birds Of Paradise, PNQ - Baton-Rouge, and Zetlab - La Lutte

On the Rock side, from the Planetwork label: The Presidents Of The United States of America - The Presidents Of The United States Of America (Ten Year Super Bonus Special Anniversary Edition and Kudos To You!, Ian Moore - Aerie (EP), Poobah - U.S. Rock, and Volume IV - Long In The Tooth

A plethora of Folk Rock releases from Talking Elephant: Tickled Pink - Terpsichore Polyhymnia, The Albion Christmas Band - Winter Songs and Traditional, Winter Folk - Winter Folk, The Albion Dance Band - Rockin' Barn Dance and I Got New Shoes - Revisited, The Albion Band - Natural And Wild, Beggar's Hill - Beggar's Hill, Trevor Lucas - Live At The Troubadour, Dave Swarbrick & Simon Nicol - In The Club, William Kimber - Absolutely Classic: The Music Of..., Marc Ellington - Restoration and A Question Of Roads, Kimber's Men - Kimber's Men, The Shadows - Change Of Address, Edgar Winter - Anthology, Keith Christmas - Live At The Pump, Various - Christmas In Albion, Peter Bellamy - Oak, Ash And Thorn Cyril Tawney - In Port, Amazing Blondel - Restoration and Dead Live In Transylvania, Judy Dunlop - The Essential, Chicken Shack - Forty Blue Fingers Freshly Packed And Ready To Serve, Jon Anderson - Toltec and Deseo, Pentangle - In The Round, Shawn Phillips - Rumplestiltskin's Resolve and Furthermore, Ashley Hutchings - By Gloucester Docks I Sat And Wept, Simon Nicol - Before Your Time... and Consonant Please Carol, Stone The Crows - Featuring Maggie Bell, Sally Oldfield - Natasha, The Sutherland Brothers Band - When The Night Comes Down, Pete Seeger - Rainbow Race, and Argent - In Deep

Musiques Nouvelles (New Musics): Philippe De Mouctouris - Michel Bastet - Le Gout Du Lézard, Pearls Of Swines - Pearls Of Swines, Fred Frith / Michel Doneda - Live San Francisco 2009

And lastly, World Music from Acoustic Records: Peter Autschbach - You And Me, Nicole Muller - Reves Et Danses

[Source: Musea Records [though not all the narrative bits]

Posted in Album Release News

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