Category: Reviews

A pastoral, oftentimes exotic, and very formative solo by composer/vocalist Melanie Gerber, under the name Lela Frite. Guests include Benjamin Costantini (guitar), Thierry Reichmuth (guitar), Thomas Fogel (keyboards), Encelade (bass, guitar) Sophie Jabot (vocals on track 3) and Valentin Metz (from the French avant jazz band Camembert on drums). It will interest fans of Camembert that Melanie sings on track 4 of their newest recording ‘Negative Toes’.

Latest Clearlight project by the supreme Cyrille Verdeaux is outstanding and not to be missed. Bringing back original band mates from debut “Clearlight Symphony” (1974) With Gong’s Didier Malherbe, Steve Hillage and Tim Blake. Also appearing are Paul Sears (drummer for The Muffins), Linda Cushma, Chris Kovax, Craig Fry, Vincent Thomas-Penny and Remy Tran.

This is wonderful in every way. A trio with Mark Wingfield – guitars, Yaron Stavi – bass, and Asaf Sirkis on drums, makes its way into the world of elite musical recordings. For those that have ever dreamed of a hybrid album with the sounds of Terje Rypdal, Eberhard Weber, and Allan Holdsworth (yes those great years of ECM goods and then the pinpoint fingers of Mr. Fusion himself), your dream has come true.

Brilliant Belgian eccentric pop band releases new recording called “Globalienation”. Their early works include “Tosa” (2001) eccentric pop in Nits vein produced by Michal Van Achter (a multi talented musician in his own right), full of dramatic to humorous looks along with very inventive music all around. It’s very delightful and endearing, with a talent for imagery. Philipe Bailley on guitar and vocals (he also reminds me of the brilliant Dutch band Gruppo Sportivo).

Third release by this fine composer (debut was “Great Wall of Sound” 2006 and sophomore was “Movements” 2008) and his most realized to date. All instrumental (except a poem read in ‘Galen’, track 10 and this will pass you by quickly if you are paying attention) recording rich with many styles but cinematic in scope and atmosphere. You’ll find big Middle Eastern influences along with jazz fusion, classical, progressive rock, ambient, and more. You can imagine a blend of Mike Oldfield, Jean Luc Ponty, and Darryl Way (early solo).

Remarkable disc by ever-loving, everlasting and ever so fantastic classical progressive rock band that has often stunned listeners since the godhead days of 1976 (In the Region of Summer Stars) and 1976 (Aerie Faerie Nonsense). The present line-up of The Enid is Joe Payne (vocals, EWI). Robert John Godfrey – the foundation, rock, and visionary of the band throughout its time (keyboard and orchestration). Max Read (guitar, vocals and choirs, EWI, programming), Jason Ducker (guitar), Dominic Tofield (drums), and Dave Storey (drums on “Mayday Galliard”).

One half of Duex Accords Piront (she has also played with Knopf Quartet and La Rosa Enflorese), Anne is not a newbie when it comes to solos or inventive music. It seems to just come natural to this empirical diatonique accordion composer, player, performer, and arranger from Belgium. The cover art shows her pacing through the streets of some familiar neighborhood looking to the skies as she plays her accordion. It’s a tiny slice of the journey she outlines in the nice digipak inner notes as to the concept of her brilliant new recording, “Musette Is Not Dead”.

Be prepared to be blown away with this spectacular two disc live release by the absolutely one of a kind Mary Fahl (formerly of October Project). With full back up band, you are gifted with a generous selection of her solo works, as well as powerful classics from October Project. You’ll never forget this gem of a release.