AL DI MEOLA

                                                                AL DI MEOLA

Jazz Rock/Fusion

USA

Intense, that's the best word to describe the character of the music that took hold at the outset of the 70's. Powered by stacks of amplifiers, propelled by rock backbeats, fueled with unbridled passion, and full of the spirit of jazz improvisation, this so-called fusion music coalesced into a full blown movement with the arrival of John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, Larry Coryell's Eleventh House, and Chick Corea's Return to Forever. We can feel the intensity in Di Meola's playing in his debut with Return o Forever, 1974's «Where Have I Known You Before», or their 1975 follow-up, the Grammy-winning «No Mystery». That power-house formula of dizzying speed, demanding unison lines, and rock intensity continues on the group's 1976 Columbia debut, «Romantic Warrior» and carries over to Di Meola's debut as a leader, «Land of the Midnight Sun», released the same year on Columbia. His signature sound, the ringing sustain of a Les Paul played through a Marshall stack is an integral part of al those projects. Guitar Player magazine named Di Meola «best new talent» for 1975 on the strength of his playing on «No Mystery». It awarded him «Best Jazz guitarist» for 1977 and also named his «Elegant Gypsy» «Best Guitar Lp» for that year. Al went on to dominate the Best Jazz Guitarist» category, winning five consecutive years through 1981, while also earning «Best Guitar Lp» awards in 1978 for «Casino» and in 1980 for «Splendido Hotel». With those impressive credits, Al was instantly inducted into Guitar Player's Gallery of the Greats, becoming the youngest player in the magazine's history ever accorded that honor.

At the outset of the 80's, Di Meola put his Les Paul on the shelf and turned to the acoustic guitar, touring and recorded with a superstar trio including McLaughlin and Spain's flamenco master, Paco de Lucia. He returned to his old electrified ways briefly with 1982's «Electric Rendez-vous» and its follow-up, «Tour De Force Live». In 1983, the same year he recorded the bravado studio album «Passion, Grace & Fire» with the acoustic trio, De Meola had a brief reunion tour with his old RTF mates, Corea, drummer Lenny White, and bassist Stanley Clarke. Though the tour proved that the intensity was still very much alive, no record was released of this powerhouse fusion unit, together again for the first time since the 1976 breakup.

ALBUMS:

1976 - LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Musicians

- Al DiMeola / electric guitar
- Alphonse Mouzon / drums
- Jaco Pastorius / bass guitar
- Mingo Lewis / percussion
- Barry Miles / electric piano and Mini Moog

Tracks Listing

1. The Wizard (6:46)
2. Land of the Midnight Sun (9:10)
3. Sarabande from Violin Sonata in B Minor (1:20)
4. Love Theme from "Pictures of the Sea" (2:25)
5. Suite - Golden Dawn: Morning Fire/Calmer of (9:49)
6. Short Tales of the Black Forest (5:41)

Total Time: 35:11




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1978 - CASINO


Musicians

- Al DiMeola / guitars
- Anthony Jackson / bass
- Steve Gadd / drums
- Eddie Colon / percussion, timbales, Roto Toms
- Barry Miles / organ, synthesizer, piano
- Mingo Lewis / percussion, bongos, conga, keyboards

Tracks Listing

1. Egyptian Danza (5:57)
2. Chasin' the Voodoo (5:05)
3. Dark Eye Tango (5:25)
4. Señor Mouse (7:21)
5. Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars: Viva la... (5:12)
6. Casino (9:29)

Total Time: 38:29



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1980 - SPLENDIDO HOTEL

Musicians

- Al Di Meola / electric and acoustic guitars, mandocello, celeste (3), vocals and drums (8)
- David Campbell / violin (10)
- Peter Cannarozzi / Oberheim (2 & 3)
- Eddie Colon / percussion (1, 2, 3 & 5)
- Columbus Boy's Choir / vocals (10)
- Chick Corea / piano solo (2), piano (2 & 4)
- Steve Gadd / drums (3 & 9)
- Robbie Gonzalez / drums (1, 2, 5 & 6)
- Jan Hammer / Moog synth solo (5)
- Anthony Jackson / bass (2, 3, 5 & 9)
- Dennis Karmzyn / cello (10)
- Raymond Kelly / cello (10)
- Tim Landers / bass (1, 5 & 6)
- Mingo Lewis / syndrum percussion (3), syndrumbomb (5)
- Les Paul / guitar (9) (left channel)
- Phillippe Saisse / keyboards and marimba (1, 2, 3, 5 & 6), keyboards Moogbass and backing vocals (8)
- Carol Shive / viola (10)

Tracks Listing:

1. Alien Chase On Arabian Desert (8:59)
2. Silent Story In Her Eyes (7:35)
3. Roller Jubilee (4:44)
4. Two To Tango (4:13)
5. Al Di`s Dream Theme (6:50)
6. Dinner Music Of The Gods (8:33)
7. Splendido Sundance (4:51)
8. I Can Tell (4:01)
9. Spanish Eyes (5:11)
10. Isfahan (11:35)
11. Bianca`s Midnight Lullaby (1:54)

Total Time: 68:26



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1982 - ELECTRIC RENDEZVOUS



Musicians

- Al DiMeola / electric guitar
- Paco de Lucía / acoustic guitar
- Anthony Jackson / guitar
- Steve Gadd / drums
- Jan Hammer / keyboards
- Mingo Lewis / percussion, keyboards
- Philippe Saisse / keyboards

Tracks Listing

1. God-Bird-Change (3:51)
2. Electric Rendezvous (7:47)
3. Passion, Grace and Fire (5:34)
4. Cruisin' (4:16)
5. Black Cat Shuffle (3:00)
6. Ritmo de la Noche (4:17)
7. Somalia (1:40)
8. Jewel Inside a Dream (4:02)

Total Time: 34:27



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1983 - SCENARIO


Musicians

- Al DiMeola / synthesizer, guitars, flute, drums, saxophone, Tom-Tom, multi instruments, mandocello, Roland synthesizer
- Bill Bruford / drums, electric drums
- Phil Collins / drums
- Jan Hammer / organ, synthesizer, bass, piano, drums, keyboards, Fairlight, Linn drum, Moog bass, Fairlight CMI, Roland synthesizer

Tracks Listing

1. Mata Hari (6:07)
2. African Night (4:52)
3. Island Dreamer (4:07)
4. Scenario (4:00)
5. Sequencer (4:08)
6. Cachaca (5:36)
7. Hypnotic Conviction (3:52)
8. Calliope (4:20)
9. Scoundrel (3:46)

Total Time: 40:48




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1987 - TIRAMI SU


Musicians

- Al DiMeola / guitar
- Roberto Pinheiro / percussion
- DaSilva Pinto / percussion
- José Renato / vocals
- Mino Cinclu / percussion
- Carlos Pinto Dasilva / percussion
- Elizeu Felix / percussion
- Kei Akagi / keyboards
- Danny Gottlieb / drums
- Tom Brechtlein / drums
- Mino Cinelu / percussion
- Anthony Jackson / guitar (bass)
- Chip Jackson / bass
- Phil Markowitz / keyboards
- Harvie Swartz / bass

Tracks Listing:

1. Beijing Demons (6:25)
2. Arabella (7:14)
3. Smile from a Stranger (5:43)
4. Rhapsody of Fire (5:05)
5. Song to the Pharoah Kings (8:50)
6. Andonea (3:09)
7. Maraba (5:24)
8. Song With a View (6:26)
9. Tirami Su, Pt. 1 (1:18)
10. July [*] (5:21)
11. Soaring Through a Dream [*] (12:24)

Total Time: 48:45


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1988 - KISS MY AXE

Musicians

- Al DiMeola / guitar (acoustic), cymbals, andclapping, tabla, guitar (electric), guitar
- Richie Morales / drums
- Gumbi Ortiz / conga
- Tony Scherr / bass, bass (acoustic), bass (electric)
- Arto Tuncboyaciyan / percussion, bata, voices, bongos
- Gumbi Oritz / conga, bata, handclapping
- Rachel Z / synthesizer
- Anthony Jackson / bass (electric), clarinet (contrabass)
- Omar Hakim / drums
- Barry Miles / synthesizer, synclavier, handclapping, piano

Tracks Listing

1. South Bound Traveler (5:22)
2. The Embrace (5:49)
3. Kiss My Axe (5:04)
4. Morocco (7:41)
5. Gigi's Playtime Rhyme (Interlude #1) (2:36)
6. One Night Last June (8:19)
7. Phantom (7:53)
8. Erotic Interlude (Interlude #2) (2:32)
9. Global Safari (5:42)
10. Interlude #3 (1:59)
11. Purple Orchids (6:45)
12. The Prophet (Interlude #4) (1:18)
13. Oriana (September 24, 1988) (5:19)

Total Time: 65:01



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1990 - WORLD SINFONIA


Musicians

Al Di Meola - guitars, percussion
Chris Carrington - guitars
Arto Tuncboyaciyan - percussion, vocals
Gumbi Oritz - percussion, conga
Dino Saluzzi - bandoneon

Tracks Listing

1."Perpetual Emotion " (Al Di Meola) (3:30)
2."Orient Blue" (Di Meola) (2:57)
3."Tango Suite Part 1" (Astor Piazzolla) ( 8:49)
4."Tango Suite Part 3" (Piazzolla) (8:50)
5."Falling Grace" (Steve Swallow) (4:21)
6."Last Tango for Astor" (Di Meola) (6:20)
7."No Mystery" (Chick Corea) (12:37)
8."Lustrine" (Dino Saluzzi) (9:12)
9."Little Cathedral" (Di Meola, Augustin Barrios) (1:45)
10."La Cathedral" (Barrios) (4:37)

Total Time: 62:58



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1993 - HEART OF THE IMMIGRANTS




Musicians

- Al DiMeola / synthesizer, charango, synclavier, multi instruments, voices, guitar
- Hernan Romero / vocals, voices
- David Speltz / cello
- Nancy Stein / cello
- Arto Tuncboyaciyan / percussion, voices,
- Conde Hermano / guitar, charango
- Chris Carrington / guitar, contreras
- Gloria Lum / cello
- Timothy Barr / bass
- Jodi Burnett / cello
- Arni Egilsson / bass
- Barry Gold / cello
- Ron Leonard / cello
- Dino Saluzzi / bandoneon

Tracks Listing

1. Night Club 1960 (5:46)
2. Vistaero (4:36)
3. Carousel Requiem (6:18)
4. Tango II (5:35)
5. Under a Dark Moon (5:12)
6. Bordel 1900 (4:33)
7. Indigo (7:05)
8. Heru Mertar/Don't Go So Far Away (4:39)
9. Parranda (4:26)
10. Somebody My Prince Will Come (5:12)
11. Café 1930 (6:16)
12. They Love Me from Fifteen Feet Away (1:24)
13. Milonga del Angel (3:46)

Total Time: 64:48



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1994 - ORANGE AND BLUE




Musicians

- Al DiMeola / synthesizer, guitars, percussion, piano, shakuhachi, composer, cymbals, drums, koto, producer, finger snaps, cover design, crowd noise, kotolin
- Simon Shaheen / violin
- Peter Erskine / drums
- Marc Johnson / bass
- George Dalaras / vocals
- Andres Boiarsky / saxophone
- Conrad Herwig / trombone
- Steve Gadd & Manu Katche / drums
- Noa / vocals
- Gumbi Ortiz / percussion, bongos, conga
- Pino Palladino / bass, Fretless bass
- Mario Parmisano / organ, synthesizer, bass, piano, strings, keyboards, associate producer
- Mike Pinera / trumpet
- Hernan Romero / synthesizer, guitar, piano, vocals, multi instruments, bells

Tracks Listing

1. Paradisio (7:18)
2. Chilean Pipe Peace (4:51)
3. Ta'alina Chant (1:55)
4. Orange and Blue (7:31)
5. This Way Before (4:38)
6. Summer Country Song (5:29)
7. If We Meet Again, Pt. 1 (1:29)
8. If We Meet Again, Pt. 2 (5:03)
9. Cyprus `74 (3:50)
10. Theme of the Mother Ship (5:24)
11. Precious Little You (4:24)
12. Casmir (4:07)
13. On My Own (3:21)

Total Time: 59:25



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                                          TANTALUS

Prog Related 
United Kingdom





This band is undoubtedly one of the hallmarks of today's British Symphonic Progressive. The band's roots are very diverse. From classic prog such as YES, GENESIS & FLOYD to acts like HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, WEATHER REPORT and even elements of world music & modern psychedelic dance music. I think that music is now so global that it is a great thing that we can explore and combine many influences.

The third TANTALUS album, "Lumen Et Caligo - I", is the first part of a two CD project (part II coming in 2003). According to the CD press kit, the title of this album reflects the fact that the band's compositions have expanded in their depth and variety to cover flowing, commercial, and lighter sounding material through to the most adventurous, powerful, and sometimes dark sounds that the band have ever produced.

ALBUMS:

1996 - SHORT STORIES

Musicians

- Max Hunt / keyboards, drums & percussion programming, backing vocals
- Rupert Willder / guitars, lead vocals
- Steve Meston / bass, backing vocals

Tracks Listing:

1. 23 Enigma (5:07)
2. Shot Down In Flames (5:38)
3. Light From Dark (6:22)
4. Moondance (4:56)
5. Plans (4:06)
6. City Of Dreaming Spires (4:54)
7. Wherever You Turn (4:54)
8. Toccata & Fugue in D Minor (7:45)
9. Can't Say No (4:00)

Total Time: 47:42


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STRANGEFISH

                                                   STRANGEFISH

Neo-Prog

United Kingdom

STRANGEFISH has been together since 1989 in various forms, mainly a live act with a steadily growing following. When Julian (bass) joined in 2000, the band gained the catalyst to steer towards a more professional approach. Between touring experience gained and the number of songs written through the years, STRANGEFISH had a rich source to draw on for the four songs-long demo that became "Reeled In". STRANGEFISH continued to develop with the support of England's Classic Rock Society.

2003 saw the debut album "Full Scale". STRANGEFISH loves making music and this dedication shows. "Full Scale" doesn't always follow the classical verse/chorus scheme, and concepts & lyrics figure equally. Long instrumental parts and vocal sections alternate regularly. Steve's voice works here like an additional instrument for which he was awarded with Best Male Vocalist in 2003 by the Classic Rock Society. The music itself is driven by keyboards, brilliant guitar & bass lines, and solid if not excellent drumming. Instead of self-indulgent solos, the listener encounters well-arranged, balanced tunes, pleasing to the ear, yet not boring. People who like GENESIS might find Strangefish appealling.

This album comes highly recommended; it's fun to listen to as even the serious songs emanate a positive vibe, reflecting the lads' attitude to take the music but not themselves too seriously.

Uschi Mitchell-Schrage, UK

ALBUMS:

2006 - FORTUNE TELLING

Musicians

- Steve Taylor / vocals
- Paul O'Neil / keyboards
- Julian Gregory / bass, violins, mandolin, viola
- Bob / guitars
- Dave Whittaker / drums & percussion

Tracks Listing

1. Happy as I am (8:48)
2. It could be me (7:02)
3. Random (5:04)
4. 360° (1:18)
5. Keep the exits clear (6:32)
6. Have you seen the light? (5:51)
7. Lightswitch (0:37)
8. Ignorance of bliss (8:28)
9. Reflection
1) Reflection (3:02)
2) This is Me - Part I (4:00)
10. This is Me - Part II (6:35)
11. Lighthouse Jig (Bonus - Instrumental) (7:38)

Total Time: 64:55



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SLAVIOR

                                                                SLAVIOR


Progressive/Alternative Metal

USA

SLAVIOR...After departing from FATES WARNING, Mark Zonder, along with the talents of Wayne Findlay (M.S.G./Vinnie Moore) Gregg Analla (Seventh Sign/Tribe of Gypsies), and Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai/ Ring of Fire), have formed a brilliant modern heavy rock act. “I am very proud of my work for the past 14 years with Fates Warning…” Mark said in a recent interview, and continues: “However, this is something very different, the new SLAVIOR album will speak for itself and have its own identity...”

Indeed, the album reveals a powerful band of strong musicianship with tasteful melodic songs. The self titled debut album "SLAVIOR" , had Joe Marlett (Bruce Dickinson, Korn, Steve Vai, Foo Fighters, Probot, Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Brian May and others) taking care of the engineering and the final mix.

The highly acclaimed debut SLAVIOR CD has just been released worldwide on InsideOut Music. It has already hit stores in Europe and North America.

ALBUMS:

2007 - SLAVIOR

Members:

MARK ZONDER- Drums/ Percussion
WAYNE FINDLAY - Guitars/ Keyboards
GREGG ANALLA - Vocals
PHILIP BYNOE - Bass

Tracklist:

1. Origin 3:54
2. Shatter 4:40
3. Swept Away 5:07
4. Altar4:48
5. Another Planet 4:57
6. Deeper 4:22
7. Dove 5:02
8. Slavior 5:37
9. Give It Up 4:46
10. Red Road 8:49



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SOLAR ARCHITECT

                                                       SOLAR ARCHITECT

Heavy Prog
Canada

SOLAR ARCHITECT is a young progressive rock band from Ottawa, Canada, formed in January 2004. From the beginning the band was a trio, like masters Rush from where they take some of their influences (among others as YES or LED ZEPPELIN). Members include Rob NIMAN on bass; Frank MADORE on Drums; and Don FOURNIER's guitar, with special guest on keyboards and CD art, Kelly DODD. Their first release 'Ocean Depths' was in 2006, and was followed by the stunning 'Wrath of Nature'.

From slower-paced moments to more up tempo passages, SOLAR ARCHITECT is definitely a winner in this genre, the production and arrangements first rate and the cover art for 'Wrath of Nature' is superb and complex thanks to Kelly DODD's skills. The spirit of modern progressive music - taking an already established musical idea and creating something that is unique - is precisely what Solar Architect have done.

by b_olariu (Bogdan Olariu)

ALBUMS:

2010 - WRATH OF NATURE

Musicians:

- Don Fournier / guitars
- Rob Niman / bass
- Frank Madore / drums

Tracks Listing

1. The Land of Angry Mushrooms (4:57)
2. Glaciers (7:45)
3. Claustrophobia (5:43)
4. Ripple Effect (5:53)
5. Blackfly (4:54)
6. Ozone (3:59)
7. The Tempest (19:30)

Total Time: 52:41


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TRAFFIC SOUND

                                                      TRAFFIC SOUND

Psychedelic/Space Rock

Peru

As I mentioned on another biography, in 1968 started a very turbulent decade in Perú, the democratic Government was interrupted by a Military Ultra Nationalist Dictator, who clearly stated that Rock was a dangerous Yankee influence against our ancestral inheritance and for that reason considered a poison.

Most radio stations were in hands of friends of the Government that captured all the media and Rock stations were harassed, I don't pretend to give a lecture on Peruvian contemporary history, but I believe it's important to describe all what this guys had to live while creating great music.

One year before the Revolution (Pompous name for a simple uprising of the militarism), in 1967, the brothers José and Freddy Rizo Patrón (Lead and rhythm guitar) left their former band "LOS HANG TENS" along with the vocalist and ex-classmate Manuel Sanguinetti with whom they decided to create a professional Rock band.

Their first dream was to become the most influential Peruvian Rock band and if possible make a contract in USA to gain international fame, but they alone weren't enough for that task.

Manuel who had some relations with another Psychedelic band (LOS MADS), recruits the very talented Jan Pierre Magnet (Saxophone and winds), and Willy Thorne (Bass, Keyboards). Thorne by his side calls two friends Willy Barclay (Lead Guitar) and Luis Nevares on drums.

I honestly don't know what happened with José Rizo Patrón because there's no mention of him leaving the band but he's not credited in any album.

TRAFFIC SOUND was officially born, the legend says that the name was chosen not in reference to a TRAFFIC influence as many people believe, but because they had a Traffic Light in the attic of the Rizo Patron's house where they used to practice (A souvenir from a savage night in Lima).

After a year of continue rehearsals and private shows they tried luck at The Tiffany (Peruvian psychedelic emporium equivalent to The Cavern) with great success, after three singles in 1968 Mag Records gives them the chance to release their first album "A Bailar Go Go" (not properly an LP but a 21 minutes EP) made with covers from HENDRIX, CREAM and others, but with a special Latin touch and sung in perfect English by Manuel Sanguinetti (Most, if not all the members had very solid English studies since kids, so the accent was not problem) All this made the EP worth to be bought and has become a collector's item..

Despite the terrible name (Let's Dance Go Go, being Go Go the cheesiest form of POP back in the 60's on the Peruvian scenario), the EP was well received by the critics, and by the people more interested in the innovative Psychedelia rather than in softer POP.

Their second album and the one that catapulted them to a legendary status was "Virgin" (1969) especially for the absolute icon of Peruvian Psychedelia "Meshcalina", all the material is original even when still heavily influenced by bands as THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, THE DOORS, LED ZEPPELIN and others, but again, but is also important to state that they are not clones because managed to work this influence with an absolutely peculiar and acoustic approach, probably the most searched collector's item of this era (I have one without cover).

In 1970 they recorded another LP named "Traffic Sound" aka. III aka. "Tibet's Suzettes", IMO their most mature album where they blend the Psychedelic spirit with an Andean folk sound, and give the necessary step to be closer than ecver to Progressive Rock.

The next year is very important for TRAFFIC SOUND, because an Airline (Believe it was Braniff) organizes the first South American Tour of a Peruvian band, being well received in exigent markets as Argentina and Brazil, who were already used to have good Rock bands.

At the return of the tour they change to a bigger label called Sono Radio where they release four singles in two 45 Rpm discs, at this point Willy Thorne left the band and is replaced by Zulu in the electric bass, with whom they release their last LP "Lux", incredibly during a massive strike of Sono Radio workers the master tapes disappear until 1996.

This album is different to the previous, the Andean influence is more evident and some political concerns are expressed by TRAFFIC SOUND, which of course almost nobody could listen until the 90's.

It was the beginning of the end, but still the greatest extravaganza was missing, in 1971 they gave their most memorable concert in the Segura Theater with Jaime Delgado Aparicio and the Contemporary Orchestra, the climax of this event (sadly never filmed or recorded) was the 30 + minutes version of Mr. Skin, something that will remain for ever in the memory of those who were lucky enough to be there.

From that point, the band members decided to follow their lives (Most people couldn't live of music in Perú on those years) except Jean Pierre Magnet who became a worldwide famous sax player.

But there was still a chance for some of us to see them, in the year 1993 they gathered for a concert in a local at the beach which I was lucky enough to see, not their best performance according to an older guy sitting at my side and smoking joints as if he was 15 again, but still great for those of us who never had the chance to see TRAFFIC SOUND on their glorious days.

Iván Melgar Morey, Perú

ALBUMS:

1971 - LUX

Musicians

- Manuel Sanguinetti / vocals, percussion, chorus
- Willy Barclay / lead guitar, chorus
- Freddy Rizo Patrón / rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, chorus
- Zulu / bass, keyboard, chorus
- Luis Nevares / drums, perccussion
- Jean Pierre Magnet / flute, Tenor saxophone, quena

Tracks Listing

1. Lux (3:00)
2. El Gusano (Alice in wormland) (4:02)
3. White Deal (1:45)
4. Poco (1:00)
5. Big Deal (1:11)
6. Inca Snow (5:26)
7. Marabunta (10:12)
8. Survival (2:27)
9. A Beautiful Day (2:40)
10. The Revolution (4:26)


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THE LOAD

                                                                   THE LOAD

Symphonic Prog

United States

This powerful Columbus, Ohio trio was formed in 1973 by bassist/guitarist Dave Hessler (OSIRIS, THE DANGER BROTHERS) and brothers Sterling (keyboards) and Tommy (drums) Smith. In time, Hessler built himself a double-neck guitar with a bass on the bottom and six strings on top, while Sterling acquired a Minimoog synth, allowing him to switch from bass to synth. Doing mostly American prog with classical influences, they gigged locally for a couple of years and became part owners of Owl Studios and Owl Records, allowing them to record their first LP at their own pace in 1976, "Praise the Load". Their second effort, "Load Have Mercy", recorded a year later, was quickly shelved and wasn't to be released until it appeared on CD in 1996. They then relocated to Los Angeles, spent the next two years working as session musicians (mostly with The BEACH BOYS) and by 1979, they called it quits and returned to their native Ohio.

"Praise the Load" offers a mix of conventional rock numbers with classical influences, featuring nicely crafted keyboard parts and complex themes in the tradition of KING CRIMSON, YES, ELP and REFUGEE. After 18 months of carefully remixing multi-track tapes of new material, the superior "Load Have Mercy" came out, a much more personal album showing less of their influences. Also classically inspired, it contains lots of dynamic interplay between the trio; Tommy Smith, in particular, is a percussive powerhouse while Hessler treats the listener to some aggressive, earbending solos.

Their second album in particular is a true sonic workout for any sound system and is highly recommended, especially if you're into classic ELP, REFUGEE, THE NICE or TRACE.

Lise (HIBOU), CANADA

ALBUMS:

1976 - PRAISE THE LOAD

Musicians:
- Sterling Smith / keyboards
- Dave Hessler / guitar, bass
- Tommy Smith / drums, percussion

Tracks Listing

1. Fandango
2. Flyaway
3. Brandenburg #3
4. Dave's 'A' Song
5. The Betrayal
6. The William Tell Overture
7. Sit Down (bonus track)
8. She Calls My Name


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SANTANA

                                                             SANTANA

Jazz Rock/Fusion

USA

Best known the world over for the group that bears his name, Carlos Santana has been reinventing and reshaping the landscape of the known universe's musical culture for close to four decades. A visionary artist with no regards for genre boundaries, Carlos' fluid sound long ago laid claim to the concept of "world music" before the term ever surfaced on pop culture radar. Having evolved and expanded for over four decades, the "Carlos" sound could well be on its way to becoming interplanetary music.

Born in Autlan de Navarro, Mexico-where there's now a street and public square in his name--to the son of a virtuoso Mariachi violinist, Carlos followed in his father's musical footsteps, taking up the violin at the age of five. It was when his family moved to Tijuana several years later, however, that Santana began his lifelong relationship with the instrument that would make him a musical icon--the guitar.
In 1961, Carlos made the border crossing moving from his native Mexico to San Francisco. A few years later, he formed the Santana Blues Band there, and the cool, soulful riffs and rhythms of his Latin-blues based sound found an audience eager for his innovative musical ideas. Carlos and company emerged as giants of the era-defining Bay Area music scene of the late '60s, and their fame grew far beyond its parameters while their artistry remained true to its free-flying spirit.

Massive success quickly followed. By the end of the decade, Carlos had played to packed houses on a cross-country tour, performed on the venerable Ed Sullivan Show, and made an indelible global mark with Santana's legendary, crowd-detonating performance at the original Woodstock festival in 1969.

He has not slowed down since: On a roll from his Woodstock performance his debut album shot up the chart bringing in a high-power fusion of rock and Latin beats. The next two albums duplicate the formula every time increasing his profile and winning over fans. With Caravanserai, the group changed directions developing a stunning jazz-rock and the album remains one of the textbook case of fusion music. This prompted Carlos Santana to start a solo career with collaborations with Buddy Miles, John Mc Laughlin (the superb Love, Devotion, Surrender) and Alice Coltrane (the no-less superb Illuminations), while his group was still releasing strong albums like Welcome, Borboletta. By the Mid-70's Santana was cruising effortlessly with a string of albums that were easily identified by the public: Moonflower, Amigos each provided huge hits while developing sophisticated fusion music. By the end of the decade however, and the numerous personnel changes, the group started losing a bit of focus.
Commercial success came back with singer Alex Ligterwood (ex-Brian Auger's Oblivion Express) being hired for the Marathon album. The 80's provided Santana many successful moments, but by the end of the decades his fortunes were again decreasing. Through certain collaborations, he remained in the spotlight and became a hero when appearing on John Lee Hooker's The Healer album. Carlos and his group cruised the 90's without much worries and his latest albums have been selling millions worldwide. But by this time, his music is much less interesting to progheads.

ALBUMS:

1992-08-28.Concord  (LIVE)

Tracklist:

01 - Bill Graham-Peace On Earth (6:48)

02 - Somewhere In Heaven (10:50)

03 - Why Can't We Live Together (6:07)

04 - Life Is For Living (4:37)

05 - Savor-Karl Perazzo-Raul Rekow (15:45)

06 - Wings Of Grace (3:45)

07 - Black Magic Woman-Gypsy Queen (9:55)

08 - Oye Como Va (5:09)

09 - Jam wt Phish and Marcia Miget (11:49)

10 - Aqua Marine (9:40)

11 - Angels All Around Us-Spirits Dancing In The Flesh (7:28)

12 - Make Somebody Happy Meddley (15:07)

13 - Toussaint L'Overture (6:44)

14 - Soul Sacrifice-A Love Supreme-Aranjuez (28:10)

15 - Europa (6:14)

16 - Jingo-Band Introduction (12:36)

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MAGUS (THE WINTER TREE)

                                                  MAGUS (THE WINTER TREE)

Neo-Prog

United States

MAGUS is something of an alchemist, fusing atmospheric soundscapes with progressive rock. Essentially a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist Andrew Robinson, the band's '90s output included drummer Steve Perkins and keyboardist Rue Yamauchi on the releases "Magus," "Traveller" and "Highway 375" (the latter featured songs based on Frank Herbert's Dune series, which had earlier inspired KLAUS SCHULZE). Following 2001's "The Green Earth" (which was augmented by flute and violin), Robinson emerged with a new set of collaborators on the concept album "The Garden." Often likened to PORCUPINE TREE, the music of MAGUS has cast its spell on listeners who like a little space in their progressive rock.

ALBUMS:

2011 - THE WINTER TREE (AS WINTER TREE)

Musicians:

- Andrew Laitres / multi-instrumentalist
- Mark Bond / vocals, guitar
- Deb Bond / keyboards

Tracks Listing


1. Voices from a Lost Age
2. Babylon
3. Guardian Angel
4. Fading Shadows
5. In May
6. Now That You've Flown
7. A Twilight in Middle March
8. The Other
9. The Three Hills
10. Stranger
11. The Adventures of Prince Caspian
Part I - Under a Narnian Sea
Part II - To The End of the World
Part III - Voyage of the Dawn Treader



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HEXATONICA

                                                        HEXATONICA

Progressive Metal

Argentina

HEXATONICA is a progressive-metal band formed in La Plata, Argentina, in 2002.

HEXATÓNICA is one of the most relevant prog metal bands hailing from Argentina. The band sounds very modern, indeed, clearly bearing influences from DREAM THEATER, LTE and SYMPHONY X in its nucleus. Yet, there is also a rich integration with the most genuine tradition of progressive rock (ELP, YES, KING CRIMSON), plus some additional touches of neo prog (a-la ARENA). Of all five original members, three had years of musical studies, so the use of complex ideas in compositions and arrangements was a very manageable task for the band since its early stages. Their first original pieces - among them, 'Loco 1' and 'Pintor Dadah' - were a surprise even for the HEXATÓNICA guys themselves: confidence promptly motivated the writing of new material. During these seminal times, the band had a lead singer on board, but after he left, the remaining former members decided to move on as an instrumental combo.

In 2004, HEXATÓNICA was summoned to perform at the Centro Cultural Carlos Gardel, at an event organized by the city council of Buenos Aires. That same year and the following one, it operated as the support band for Ritchie KOTZEN. Meanwhile, line-up changes occurred for the bassist's role until the arrival of Sergio TOPHAM in 2004. November 2005 saw the debut release of HEXATÓNICA, the live album "En Vivo". The official presentation concert took place at the Golden Hall of La Plata's Council on December, a very rare occasion for a gig that preferentially arranges chamber music concerts. August 2006 was the time for the release of "Formas", the proper studio debut album, the recording of which took the entire first half of that year. By then, the band had also recorded a version of 'Hell's Kitchen' for a DREAM THEATER tribute double CD compiled by a host of Argentinean rock bands. In February 2007, guitarist Julián DI PIETRO and keyboardist Jorge OBEAGA left HEXATÓNICA: their respective replacements were Abel VALENTE and Diego YANIVELLO. Before the end of the year, Leónidas PORTO also quit, being replaced by Tomás TREBEC.

HEXATÓNICA albums are especially recommended to lovers of prog-metal, as well as those symphonic prog lovers who don't mind to lend their ears to the prog-metal trend once in a while.

(Thanks to Cesar Inca for the artist's information.)

ALBUMS:

2006 - FORMAS

Musicians

- Leónidas Porto / guitars
- Julián di Pietro / guitars
- Sergio Topham / bass
- Jorge Obeaga / keyboards
- Juan Gasco / drums

Tracks Listing:

1. Pintor Dadah (10:30)
2. Loco 1 (7:35)
3. Klinophrén (5:17)
4. Tregua (4:38)
5. Período (8:19)
6. Sos de Gualeguay (4:24)
7. Doble Fractura Expuesta Con Picardía (7:46)
8. Yeseano (12:36)
9. Cartones (8:33)
10. Arutrebo (3:42)



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(flac)