Magma alumni Yochk’o Seffer and François “Faton” Cahen recorded under the name Zao, producing an album that is at once progressive, zeuhl, and heavily influenced by Miles-era jazz fusion. Deep and dark, it also features Didier Lockwood on violin, Gérard Prévost and Bill Gagnon on bass, Jean My Truong and Christian Saint Continue Reading
Progressive Rock
TFNRSH – Book of Circles
TFNRSH is a band from Tübingen, Germany, that plays stoner rock with touches of progressive rock.
Tatu & Tutkimusmatkailijat – Vasta Alkusoittoa
Tatu & Tutkimusmatkailijat is a Finnish prog-rock band that manages to keep the 70s sound while updating it with improved recording equipment. While it sounds more on the commercial end of the prog spectrum, the music is tight and well-performed. It’s good to see the prog spirit maintained.
Billy Tsounis – Pregnant Man Blues
My old friend, the near-legendary freak-psych guitarist Billy Tsounis, has a new album. From his Bandcamp site: “Pregnant Man Blues is the latest transmission from Billy Tsounis and The Amazing Androids, a band that lives where psychedelic rock, cosmic blues, and surreal sci-fi textures intersect. Entirely instrumental, the record plays Continue Reading
Brigitte Fontaine – Brigitte Fontaine Est Folle (Special Edition)
From our dear friends at Wewantsounds: “Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue French pop icon Brigitte Fontaine’s landmark 1968 album Brigitte Fontaine Est Folle, originally released on the cult label Saravah and arranged by Jean-Claude Vannier. approved by the artist, this reissue features the original album, newly remastered from the original Continue Reading
Tassi 水树 / Kesys – Sky Asset 天道酬勤
From Tassi’s Bandcamp site: “This album was born from a rare collaboration with Jeff Grimal (ex-The Great Old Ones, Prisme, etc.). For me, it is more than a meeting of artists—it is a dialogue between two dreamlike worlds, French and Chinese, a cosmic exchange where music carries mysticism, subtlety, and Continue Reading
Richard Leo Johnson – The Sleeping Porch
Thanks to the ever-wonderful Cuneiform Records for offering this album by the Georgia (USA)-based guitarist Richard Leo Johnson. You can hear flashes of John McLaughlin, Leo Kottke, Larry Coryell and Ralph Towner’s influence, but Richard has carved out his own niche. A great guitar disc.
Various Artists – Mellow Label Productions: Omaggio a Demetrio Stratos
Demetrio Stratos was an Egyptian-born Greek who lived in Italy and served as the frontman and vocalist of the legendary progressive rock band Area, as well as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music researcher. Mellow Label Productions, a venerable Italian record label, has produced a tribute to his work.
Layma Azur – La Fruta Perfecta, Vol. 1
Our beloved friends Layma Azur have released a magnificent concept album that balances progressive rock and metal beautifully. This is the first of three, so I am looking forward to the other two parts coming out. To Santiago and Amandine, you never cease to amaze me!
Cloud Canyons & Studio Kosmische – Under Neon Stars
After a rather tough week, I needed to hear something more cheerful. Thanks to Cloud Canyons for collaborating with the band Studio Kosmische on this two-track single, which is full of motorik grooves reminiscent of Neu! and Stereolab.