Taken from the album “The Likes of Us’ out March 1st, 2024
The award-winning progressive rock band BIG BIG TRAIN release their 15th studio album via InsideOut Music on March 1, 2024, marking the first full release with new frontman Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM). The anxiously-awaited unveiling of ‘The Likes Of Us’ follows BIG BIG TRAIN’s massively successful recent European tour, which saw them perform 17 concerts across nine countries, concluding with two triumphant appearances at London’s Cadogan Hall. The album is a stunning piece of work that retains all the elements that make the band so special, including absorbing and memorable arrangements and first-rate musicianship.
Line-Up: Clare Lindley Nick D’Virgilio Alberto Bravin Rikard Sjöblom Gregory Spawton Dave Foster Oskar Holldorff
Prog legends Happy The Man have returned with the release of a new single, “Only Love,” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2024. The song is from the band’s highly anticipated forthcoming album of the same name.
Stanley Whitaker, Ron Riddle, Michael Beck, and Rick Kennell have reunited and recorded a phenomenal new song promising to please fans of the band and prog fans worldwide.
New single available January 15, 2024!
Says Stanley Whitaker, “The basic concept was to not only express my frustration and sadness in the world while shedding light and awareness. In late August 2020, while in a deep meditative state, I wondered what John Lennon would say about the state of affairs in America. I craved his voice and message and prayed for inspiration. In a blast of energy, I wrote over ten pages of lyrics and spent the next two weeks editing and laying down musical ideas. Recently, our former bandmate, Frank Wyatt, passed away on January 10, 2023, and the following morning, I awoke to, ‘Now it’s time to put HTM back together.’ Gobsmacked! I called Rick, Ron, and Michael, and everyone was on board to reunite as Happy the Man. All of the music was developed remotely from our studios across the country.”
Says Ron Riddle, “My work as a film and TV composer/orchestrator and my work as a drummer has always been at odds and very separate from each other. I would say that over 95 percent of the music I’ve written had no drums at all! Stanley and Rick approached me to get the band back together, and Stanley asked me to do the orchestration and drumming. I was smitten, thrilled, and, honestly, a bit nervous. ‘Could both exist in the same song?’ I wondered. It’s like Dr. Jeckel meeting Mr. Hyde!”
Michael Beck says, “Putting Happy The Man back together and creating new music is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I could not be happier and prouder to work with these incredible musicians and friends again.”
Says Rick Kennell, “How can you not enjoy working with musicians of this caliber? What fun!” Born out of the intensely creative and artistic art rock and fusion movements of the 70s, Happy The Man is regarded as one of the most legendary progressive rock bands of all time. Although Happy The Man only released two official albums before breaking up, their impact continues to endear the group to a cult following that has been growing ever since. With the passing of many years, Happy The Man’s music has demonstrated a timeless quality that suggests that it was ahead of its time and beyond this world.
Original members Stanley Whitaker (guitar) and Rick Kennell (bass guitar) first met in Germany. They soon returned to the US, enlisting Frank Wyatt (keyboards, saxes, flute), Kit Watkins (keyboards), and Mike Beck (drums and percussion). They created two of the most deeply admired prog-rock albums of all time on Arista Records: “Happy The Man” (1977) and “Crafty Hands” (1978), with Ron Riddle taking over drumming from Mike Beck.
“This world is on fire, my friends and we desperately need to share our love and light to heal this planet earth!” To purchase: https://ffm.to/happytheman-onlyloveOnly Love (Original Version or OV)Only Love (Radio Edit or RE) For more information: http://www.happytheman.com
Track Listing:SIDE A1. Two Weeks in Spain 3:042. I’m Turning Around 3:583. Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It 2:164. Who Do You Think You Are? 3:375. Mountain Time 3:21SIDE B1. As Old As You’re Young 4:212. Memories Of Old Days 7:223. Winning 4:154. For Nobody 4:095. Winning (Outtake) 3:31 (Bonus Track) To pre-order: https://linktree.com/gentlegiantband
Previously unreleased bonus track “Winning (outtake)” In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album “The Missing Piece.” It was a time of change. Punk, disco and rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established progressive rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky pop (“Two weeks in Spain”), a grandiose power ballad (“I’m turning around’), syncopated funk (“Who do you think you are?”) and even the punky aggression of “Betcha thought we couldn’t do it.” Meanwhile the call and response soul shouting of “Mountain Time” hearkened back to the “big sound” of their Simon Dupree R & B revue days.
Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate progressive stylings to date. The breezily baroque “As old as you’re young” led into the yearningly elegiac “Memories of Old Days” with a particularly heartfelt vocal from Derek Shulman. The percussive tour de force of “Winning” then set up the blazing finale of “For Nobody,” another mind blowing complex collection of driving intertwining riffs that the band would nonchalantly thunder through with apparent ease.
It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. “The Missing Piece” certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA.
Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In addition, the digipak CD/Blu-ray version also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track. All remixes except the Atmos contain a bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of “Winning.”
Gentle Giant’s “The Missing Piece” Steven Wilson remix will be released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray, 180g vinyl and Limited Edition Transparent Green Vinyl variant on February 16, 2024.
Personnel: Derek Shulman – Lead Vocals Kerry Minnear – Keyboards, Vocals Ray Shulman – Bass Guitar, 12 string Guitar Gary Green – Electric and Acoustic Guitars John “Pugwash” Weathers – Drums and Percussion
A new force of progressive metal has emerged – Whom Gods Destroy, a formidable new group formed by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, and vocalist Dino Jelusick. Along with the potent rhythm section of bassist Yas Nomura and drummer Bruno Valverde, Whom Gods Destroy have recently signed a worldwide deal with InsideOutMusic.
Sherinian and Bumblefoot have built upon the creative link they developed as two of the key elements of supergroup Sons of Apollo and now set their sights on a new path with Whom Gods Destroy, who are getting ready to present the musical odyssey that is their debut opus, ‘Insanium’, to be released in March 2024.
Bumblefoot explains how Whom Gods Destroy got started: “Derek & I began writing new music in 2020. Soon after, Dino joined, followed by Yas and Bruno. We’d share ideas, and each record parts, building and rebuilding songs, and by June ’23 the album was finished. The songs all went through a lot of changes, developing…you can definitely hear what each person brings to the music – when it adds up, it’s a mix of melody and intense heavy prog.”
Working with powerhouse vocalist Dino Jelusick, as well as Yas Nomura and Bruno Valverde, they knew they were building something special, says Bumblefoot. “These guys are all just mind-blowing…! I’ve known Dino for a few years, we did a collab song a few years ago…his voice is just magic. He’s one of the greatest singers out there. Bruno & Yas are downright frightening, there’s no limit to what they can do, WTF…! And all great guys to hang with.”
Sherinian agrees, “All three of these musicians are super talented with great energy. I think Dino is the real deal. Ron and I knew that we could do something great with him.”
Jelusick expresses his excitement as well, “What I love about this band is that it doesn’t have any limits. It came together back in 2020 when we started talking about it. Yas and I started working separately not knowing we were both asked to do this. Bruno was the last piece of this puzzle and I’m glad the recommendation came from me. Love this line-up. Derek and Ron are wizards.”
While a first single by Whom Gods Destroy will be launched alongside its promotional performance video clip in January, you can already check out various teaser clips and introductory snippets on the band’s social media outlets. So, make sure to follow the band online and stay tuned for a lot more activity as well as further updates on Whom Gods Destroy and “Insanium” coming soon…
WHOM GODS DESTROY line-up: (From left to right on photo Greg Vorobiov) Bruno Valverde – Drums Yas Nomura – Bass Dino Jelusick – Vocals Derek Sherinian – Keyboards Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal – Guitars
We are happy to announce that on December 13th Captain of the Lost Waves will release his sixth official music video from his exceptionally well-received album Hidden Gems Chapter 3 – Mysterium Tremendum, the new video is an alternative acoustic space synth version of the single ‘Noise and Amusements’ which has been remixed and remastered for this release.
In related news, a New Album Crowded Funding Project has been launched to help pay for the completion of the stunning new album “Beautiful Ugly”.
The captain makes his return nearly 18 months after a life-changing road traffic accident where both he and his family were caught up in a police car chase resulting in being hit by the stolen vehicle.
During the challenges of such a stark rehabilitation, music was miraculously still being created, albeit in a very slow, labored, and somewhat sedate ‘late-night fashion’. Strong painkillers/opioids became ‘married’ to those rare and fleeting moments of energetic impulses that screamed out to be expressed – hence a reflective, healing, contemplative album emerged.
The 9-track album Beautiful Ugly will be released on the bespoke American label Melodic Revolution Records in Sept 2024. It was made with just 3 players, The Captain on Voice/Bouzouki/Guitar, Damian Clark on Keys/Synths, and Wendy Ross on Violin.
Being a writer who follows such persistent whispers, prods, and an almost otherworldly invitation with deep reverence to the process, The Captain felt compelled to bring this album into existence despite the circumstances that prevailed.
A crowdfunding campaign has inevitably begun considering all that has preceded it. All monies pay for production, recording, design, engineering, and mastering. promotion costs etc. If you would like to help in any way or be involved, please go to https://www.ko-fi.com/captainofthelostwaves/shop
You can be an essential part of the crowdfunding journey and any donation, however big or small, is welcome. The single £3, price of a coffee is often as vital to the overall picture as those larger gifts.
About Captain Of The Lost Waves The Captain is a troubadour, storyteller, and free-thinking renegade. His musical offerings are inspired by the great songwriters and philosophers of yesteryear. This is visceral music for the mind and body, full of dreamy verses, life-affirming choruses, and sheer audacity. Where melodic invention meets alternative folk, progressive, world, and ambient sounds. He is not just the figurehead of his musical vessel, he’s ringmaster, bard, master of ceremonies, and sage. There’s far more to him and his absurdly engaging world than any of your ten–a–penny musical stars. Seen through showers of glitter, kaleidoscopic lens flares, and the rainbows of a million puddles. The Captain tells sonic stories to connect with everyone past, present, and future.
Captain Of The Lost Waves Discography Not Your Average Love Song – Single (2023) Digital & Streaming Hidden Gems Chapter 3 (2022) CD, Digital & Streaming Hidden Gems Chapter 2 (2019) CD, Digital & Streaming Synthesis (2028) LP, CD, Digital & Streaming Hidden Gems Chapter 1 (2017) CD, Digital & Streaming
Solo Releases as Shaun T. Hunter Still Talking Scribble (2010) CD, Digital & Streaming Thinnest Hopes Magnified (2009) CD, Digital & Streaming The Great Departure (2007) CD, Digital & Streaming Flying Not Falling (2004) CD, Digital & Streaming
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