Il Cerchio d’Oro – Pangea e Le Tre Lune (2023) Pangea e Le Tre Lune (Pangea and the Three Moons) is a first-rate concept album by the Italian progressive rock band Il Cerchio d’Oro. Specifically, the topic is the ancient supercontinent Pangea. This recording radiates 1970s magic. It evokes the great classic rock progresivo italiano bands of the era. This is no mere coincidence. Il Cerchio d’Oro was originally founded in the mid-1970s, although they never released a full album during that decade. However, they returned in 2005 and this is their fifth album. Pangea e Le Tre Lune includes seven t ..read more

The future of progressive rock in the UK is being shaped by bands like The Blackheart Orchestra, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, The John Hackett Band, Cairo, Ruby Dawn, Ghost of the Machine, Shadows of Mercury and now, add one more to this list…The Age of Distraction. To me A Game of Whispers, sounds like a return to the bold and innovative era of the 1980s; which saw the rise of bands like IQ, Marillion, and Pendragon, and that later spawned bands like No-Man. Yes, there is some wonderful music being made in the UK’s “Green and Pleasant Land”, again! Age of Distraction, is, in fact, a “sup ..read more

Nektar – Journey To The Other Side – Live At The Dunellen Theatre June 10, 2023 (Deko Music, 2024) Nektar, renowned pioneers of progressive rock, is set to release Journey To The Other Side – Live At The Dunellen Theatre June 10, 2023 paying homage to the late drummer and founding member Ron Howden. This live album serves up a tantalizing mix of progressive rock intertwined with classic rock elements. Stealing the spotlight are the sprawling classic suites, including “A Tab in the Ocean,” “Recycled 2,” “Remember the Future Part 1,” and “Remember the Future Part 2.” Here, aficionados will delig ..read more

The debut single, “The Pocket Bandit,” by the funk and progressive rock fusion trio Pocket Bandits was released on April 5. Originating from Ithaca, the trio includes Joe Massa, Samuel B. Lupowitz, and Simon Bjarning, who bring a wealth of musical experience to their collaboration. Having played together for a decade, Joe and Samuel lead the group in exploring a fusion of funk, progressive rock, and jam-blues genres. Musicians: Simon Bjarning on drums; Samuel B. Lupowitz on Hammond organ, bass synth/pedals, Seaboard; Joe Massa on electric guitars, baritone guitar. The post Funk-Fusion Trio T ..read more

Joe Alterman – Big Mo & Little Joe (Joe Alterman Music, 2023) Joe Alterman, an Atlanta-based jazz pianist, honors his mentor and friend, the legendary pianist and composer Les McCann, on his superb new trio album Big Mo & Little Joe. The album features bassist Kevin Smith and drummer Justin Chesarek and includes songs from various phases of McCann’s career. The close bond between the two musicians is evident throughout the album, as they maintained a strong friendship despite their significant age difference and geographical distance. Alterman highlights McCann’s diverse compositions ..read more

Italian melodic metal rockers, Elettra Storm released their debut album, Powerlords, on February 16, 2024, on Scarlet Records. The band is made up of, Crystal Emiliani, from Re-X, on lead vocals; Francis D. Mary, on guitars and vocals; Matteo Antoni, on guitars; Davide Sportiello, on keyboards and bass; and Matteo Norbedo, on drums. They were discovered and founded by SinHeresy co-founder Davide Sportiello, in 2023. Thery do sound a lot like Stratovarius, Rhapsody Of Fire, Unleash The Archers, and Dragonforce. This is a hard rock/metal band that unleashes power, fast-paced metal, that at time ..read more

VEiiLA’s sophomore album, Sentimental Craving for Beauty, was released on September 8, 2023; through the world renowned, Projekt Records label, out of Portland, Oregon, US. I enjoyed it so much, that I had to request their earlier album, The Nation of One; released on January 15, 2020, for review. I just wanted to hear a comparison, and listen to their musical development. It ended up being a wonderful experience, that I want to share with you. VEiiLA, was founded not in their current home of Vanadzor, Armenia; but in the country of Russia, around 2015. The musical duo, of Vif Nüte, (the lead ..read more

Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth – Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth (2023) Billie Bottle is a highly talented vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, masterful arranger, and composer who performs playful and idiosyncratic music. She masterfully intertwines engaging Canterbury-leaning progressive rock, skillful contemporary jazz, lovely English folk elements, quirky twists, charming humor, and alluring instrumentation. On Billie Bottle’s Temple of Shibboleth, she is joined by a cast of skilled and diverse musicians from various music disciplines. Musicians: Billie Bottle on vocals, piano, syn ..read more

The Prog Collective – Dark Encounters (Purple Pyramid, 2024) The latest release from The Prog Collective, titled Dark Encounters, marks a notable evolution in the band’s sound. This album maintains the collaborative spirit of the group, featuring contributions by renowned progressive rock musicians like Steve Morse, David Cross, Patrick Moraz, Kasim Sulton, and Steve Hillage, alongside top artists from the broader rock and metal genres. Dark Encounters signifies a deliberate departure towards a more introspective and melancholic musical direction, characterized by evocative ambience and ghostl ..read more

Last Ark Out – Lift (2024) The latest album from Vancouver/Montréal-based fusion group Last Ark Out is Lift. This project epitomizes remote creative collaboration, featuring six guest artists from across North America. It skillfully combines contemporary jazz, rock, and funk influences, demonstrating Last Ark Out’s distinctive approach to modern instrumental music. Following their 2017 album Wake and local performances in Vancouver, Last Ark Out embarked on composing new music during the Banff Centre for the Arts’ Winter Music Residency in January 2020. Despite interruptions due to the COVID ..read more