Bad Elephant Music is proud to announce that renowned and respected Oxfordshire-based progressive rock outfit Sanguine Hum is joining the BEM family, and will be releasing their long-awaited new album, ‘Now We Have Power’, this October.
The follow-up and sequel to 2015’s acclaimed double CD ‘Now We Have Light’ continues the story of Don through a surreal lyrical and musical landscape. ‘Now We Have Power’ also sees the return of original drummer Paul Mallyon to the fold as a special guest.
Joff Winks, Sanguine Hum’s guitarist and vocalist: “Making Now We Have Power has been a long, but enjoyable process and we’re really thrilled that Bad Elephant are on board with us to present the album to the world. There is an exciting vibe at BEM that is totally about putting interesting and unique music first and we’re really happy to be part of their enthusiastic team for this release.”
“It’s a real honour to be working with a band as respected as Sanguine Hum”, says BEM’s label manager, David Elliott. “Now We Have Power builds on its predecessor, a true progression in every way. It’s been great working with Matt Baber on his solo album, and now having The Hum as part of the family is just brilliant”.
‘Now We Have Power’ will be released on CD and high-quality digital download on 12th October, with pre-orders opening in late August.
London – The John Wetton Estate and Geoffrey Downes are pleased to announce the re-release of the iCon Trilogy of albums, now remastered with bonus tracks in six-panel digipacks.
The re-releases have been personally overseen by Geoff Downes and are intended to be a return to the marketplace of individual albums for fans who may wish to purchase a definitive edition.
Of his songwriting relationship and the formation of iCon, Geoff Downes says, “Throughout my entire career, there is no doubt in my mind, that some of my proudest achievements have been the songs that I wrote with the late John Wetton. Not only were we great friends, but also blood brothers in the song-writing department. His magic rubbed off on me immensely, and outside of the hugely successful Asia template, we decided to step out together with our Icon project. It was a ‘bromance’ made in heaven because here we had the chance to expand our innermost thoughts and variety of influences, without interference. It was effectively ‘us’. We also had the luxury of working with some of the finest musicians in the world who were willing participants in the project.”
For fans of the whole iCon legacy, a box set is being planned out featuring these albums and all the other recordings of the iCon duo, including previously unreleased material.
Geoff Downes continues,“The Wetton Downes Icon catalogue spans across some 4 studio albums, this trilogy plus a prequel album called Zero and various live releases, and incorporates some of our greatest collaborations I firmly believe, and I am happy to impart the news that this entire body of work is being re-released with all of the bonus tracks and some previously unheard renditions of our classic songs. It is in fact Icon in its entirety. If you appreciate the music of John & I, then I sincerely hope you will appreciate these re-issues. Please sit back and enjoy. I know John would be equally proud to see these projects back on the market. All of these recordings mark special periods in our personal and creative lives.
“’Icon 1′ was the foundation of the Asia reunion. ‘Rubicon’ is thronged with the mysticism, symbolism, and multilayers that illuminate John’s lyrical prowess, virtually unrivaled in any era of creativity. John married events occurring in both our personal lives with Classical events in Roman History, crossing the Rubicon, the die is cast and some intensely personal reflections. His vocal performance is astounding. I look forward to discussing this amazing period in our lives at greater length in the box set planned for Christmas 2019.
“’Icon 3′ was a further milestone for us, with Dave Kilminster reuniting with John, a Japanese tour and possibly the most fulfilling DVD I have ever been involved in, Urban Psalm, filmed in St Mary Le Bow Church. I could reflect for hours and hours, take up the entire booklet, but for now…May our music live on forever.”
The albums are OUT NOW on the duo’s own Epicon Records via Cherry Red.
AEON ZEN will release the “Enigma Producer’s Pack” on 22nd June 2018, which contains all the original stems and raw files of the Enigma recording sessions. You can create your own mixes of the songs, isolate instruments to learn parts, or simply check out how the album was put together!
Pre-orders will also immediately receive an early demo from 2011 of the song “Downfall” with Rich Hinks’ original guide vocals prior to the guest vocalists recording their parts, so be sure to order yours before 22nd June!
“Enigma Producer’s Pack” contains:
Stems of the entire Enigma album
Raw files of each individual track in the Enigma album session (over 130 individual tracks!
Rich Hinks’ mix notes for the album<
Includes guest appearance by Colin Edwin of iconic UK prog-rockers Porcupine Tree
Italy – Armonite, the instrumental rock collective led by composer Paolo Fosso and violinist Jacopo Bigi, have released their second album And the Stars Above on LA-based indie label Cleopatra Records.
Armonite’s instrumental music is perfectly in line with the spirit of the label, especially now that Cleopatra expanded in the movie industry.
With the film division Cleopatra Entertainment, the company has distributed, developed, and produced several films most of which have a strong horror and/or music component, including The Devil’s Domain (starring Michael Madsen), The Black Room (starring Lin Shaye), Halloween Pussy Trap Kill! Kill! (featuring the voice of Dave Mustaine from Megadeth), The 27 Club (featuring Todd Rundgren), England Is Mine (Steven Morrissey bio-pic), A Street Cat Named Bob.
“Working with Cleopatra has been great,” says Fosso, “They’re skilled and competent, I’m sure they will take Armonite to the next level. I’ve always been a great lover of movies and videogames, I was just moving forward to the composition of soundtrack music, so this collaboration comes right on cue.”
As with the previous album, And the Stars Above is an instrumental mix of electric violin, keyboards, bass, and drums with focus on the amazing and powerful electric violin, performed by Jacopo Bigi. Interpreting the music composed by keyboardist Paolo Fosso, Armonite also performs with bassists Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) and Alberto Fiorani, along with drummers Corrado Bertonazzi, Emiliano Cava, and Jasper Barendregt.
The sound of the album is more oriented to soundtrack music with textures that feel very immediate. “We consume tons of music every day, we can’t just stick to one genre”, says Fosso, “generally speaking, the album is rock, but with this idea of soundtrack music.”
Throughout the album, lingers a ghostly female voice, appearing and disappearing here and there before fully emerging in the band’s first song with lyrics, “Clouds Collide”. The track tells the story of a girl between time and memories.
And the Stars Above is a journey through 12 tracks, starting with “The March of the Stars” inspired by Dante’s Paradise and ending with “Ghosts”. The album also features two bonus tracks: a polyrhythmic piece for piano solo, “The Fire Dancer”, and the String Quartet “A Playful Day”.
“We’re confident this is going to be a great release, with a rather peculiar view,” says Fosso, “The Sun is New Each Day had a heavy compact sound… And the Stars Above is groovy, with different vibes across a bunch of genres. There’s something indie in this new sound that we’ve never explored before and it’s kind of sexy for us!”
And the Stars Above Tracklist
01. The March of the Stars
02. Next Ride
03. District Red
04. Plaza de España
05. Clouds collide
06. Blue Curaçao
07. By heart
08. Freaks
09. By the Waters of Babylon
10. The usual drink
11. What’s the Rush?
12. Ghosts
13. [Bonus Track] A Playful Day (for Strings Quartet)
14. [Bonus Track] The Fire dancer (for Piano solo)
Original music composed and arranged by Paolo Fosso
Performed by Armonite
Jacopo Bigi – acoustic and electric violin
Paolo Fosso – piano and keyboards
with
Colin Edwin (The March of the Stars, District Red, Freaks, By the Waters of Babylon, What’s the Rush?, Ghosts); Alberto Fiorani (Next Ride, Blue Curaçao, By heart) – bass
Giacomo Lampugnani (Plaza de España, Freaks); Gianmarco Straniero (By the Waters of Babylon) – double bass
Corrado Bertonazzi (The March of the Stars, District Red, Blue Curaçao, Freaks, What’s the Rush?, Ghosts); Emiliano Cava (Next Ride, Plaza de España, By heart); Jasper Barendregt (By the Waters of Babylon) – drums
Maria Chiara Montagnari (The March of the Stars, Clouds collide, By the Waters of Babylon) – voice
Diletta Fosso (Ghosts) – child’s voice
Marcello Rosa (District Red); Gabriele Montanari (The March of the Stars, A Playful Day) – cello
Quartetto Indaco: Eleonora Matsuno, violin; Jamiang Santi, violin; Francesca Turcato, viola; Cosimo Carovani, cello (District Red) – string quartet
Jacopo Bigi also plays viola (District Red, Ghosts) and ukulele (By the Waters of Babylon). He whistles on “Freaks” and plays both violins and viola on “A Playful Day”.
British Classic Rock Icons URIAH HEEP are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their 25th studio album “Living the Dream” on September 14th via Frontiers Music Srl.
In conjunction with this release through Frontiers Music Srl, the band is offering some once in a lifetime experience packages as well as signed copies of the album and many other wonderful things.
Check it out at https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/uriah-heep-living-the-dream
Today, the first single and video for the song “Grazed By Heaven” has been released. It is available on all streaming services as well as an instant download with digital pre-orders. The lyrics for “Grazed By Heaven” were written by Jeff Scott Soto and the music was written by bassist Dave Rimmer.
“The song is clearly about sexual tension and desire, very much in the form of ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’, putting oneself at ease with the person who is taking control of the situation and trusting you will be in absolute bliss. Fantasy and lust is the calling card here, it’s quite black & white really. The song is very sexy so naturally called for a sexy lyric,” says Jeff Scott Soto of “Grazed By Heaven”.
Dave Rimmer adds: ‘Grazed’ was born out of my desire to write a blazing Heep rock track. I put together the music and arrangement but needed a very strong melody line/lyric to match the music and the riff….. I have been a fan of Jeff Scott Soto’s voice and writing for many years, so asked Jeff about a collaboration, he loved the song and came up with the perfect, & powerful lyric/melody..a very natural seamless collaboration between Jeff and I. A true ‘Living The Dream’ Moment for me.”
For this album the band teamed up with famed Canadian engineer Jay Ruston.
“Working with Jay was amazing! He totally understood what we were going for on this album and he delivered big time. We wanted a Heep album that the band and the fans would be proud of, and with Jay at the helm, we have delivered that,” says Mick Box.
When asked what people can expect from the new album Mick Box says “There are rock songs, rock ballads, and a couple of prog songs encompassing everything Heep.”
Vocalist Bernie Shaw adds that fans should also be ready for, “A full blown ‘rockin’ Uriah Heep record. All the traits that made Heep famous in the past are here on this new album. Passion, power, harmony and substance. Heep trade marks from the first riff.”
The band is beyond excited with the material written for the new album, which will include some epic additions to the band’s huge catalog of rock staples and looks forward to sharing it with their fans around the world.
The band has announced a full World Tour which will last through the first quarter of 2019. “The mighty Heep are proudly able to tour in over 61 countries and we look forward to a packed touring schedule in 2018 and 2019. Touring is in our blood and what we have a passion to do, and so 2018 is no exception,” concludes Box.
1. Grazed By Heaven
2. Living The Dream
3. Take Away My Soul
4. Knocking At My Door
5. Rocks In The Road
6. Waters Flowin’
7. It’s All Been Said
8. Goodbye To Innocence
9. Falling Under Your Spell
10. Dreams Of Yesteryear
11. Take Away My Soul (alternate version) BONUS TRACK – CD/DVD Deluxe Ed.
Bonus DVD Track Listing:
Grazed By Heaven Music Video
Take Away My Soul Music Video
Making The Dream Documentary
Uriah Heep Lineup:
Mick Box – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards/Vocals
Bernie Shaw – Lead Vocals
Dave Rimmer – Bass Guitar/Vocals
Russell Gilbrook – Drums & Percussion
(HOLLYWOOD, CA) – Longtime L.A. alternative-rock group NEVERWONDER make their triumphant return with a new album and Record Release Party both dropping Saturday, June 16 at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 575 S. Fairfax Ave.. Showtime: 9:30pm. Tickets: $10. Info: (323) 935-1577 or visit https://www.facebook.com/mollymalones.losangeles/.
NEVERWONDER came into existence from their home base of Los Angeles with a unique sound fusing rock, pop, and funky grooves. Their music is driven by strong musicianship and is rooted in life’s experiences. The band has performed at venues including the House of Blues (Los Angeles and Orange County) The Roxy, Key Club, Viper Room, Whisky A Go Go, Galaxy Theater and The The Coach House, and has been featured on the KLOS 95.5 show highlighting top unsigned L.A. bands, “Local Licks.” NEVERWONDER has been a dynamic act in the Rock and Roll Marathon series all over the West Coast and Las Vegas.
The pulse and backbone of NEVERWONDER are Andres Ramos and Vincent Ramos. These talented brothers are the heartbeat of the band. The Ramos Brothers have also recorded and performed extensively throughout the Los Angeles area. Andres and Vincent being fans of strong grooves, heavy rock beats and alternative music, accompanied by their combination of creativity and entrepreneurship established the band NEVERWONDER.
The new front woman of NEVERWONDER is classically-trained vocalist, Fabienne Grisel. Hailing from Geneva, Switzerland, Fabienne’s vocal style effortlessly ranges from beautiful soprano tones to an edgy growl. Fabienne has been a solo pop/blues/jazz recording artist for many years, and now has joined forces with NEVERWONDER to deliver a fresh blend of rock, pop and funky grooves. As a singer/songwriter, her presence draws you in. The passion and emotions she conveys through her songs, lyrics and performances leaves the audience wanting more. This new partnership with these talented musicians has allowed her vocal abilities to soar to new heights.
NEVERWONDER’s new guitarist is Jay Wise. Jay is an accomplished California native who has many years of experience playing nationally and internationally. Jay has been involved in the rock and roll circle for many years, working with successful bands such as Kansas. Jays’ rich musical influences can be traced back to Steve Vai, Joe Pass and AC/DC, to name a few. As fate would have it, it would only be a matter of time until these SoCal natives Jay, Andres and Vincent, ended up crossing paths that lead them to forming this new version of NEVERWONDER.
With the addition of Fabienne Grisel and Jay Wise, the band’s creative synergy is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. Their obvious chemistry has already created some powerful songs accompanied by unforgettable performances. NEVERWONDER is excited for the path that lies ahead starting with their new EP which is out now and their next album that is on the horizon. NEVERWONDER continues to produce lasting music that their die-hard music fans will love and for the new music lovers they gain along the way.
