“Oceans of Thought” features members of Airbag, Wobbler, Knifeworld, and Gekko Projekt, among others.
About the album
“Oceans of Thought” was originally called “The Merchant of Eternal Youth” but during the time of the recordings I had some personal problems and I was a little depressed. So the songs, the cover but above all the lyrics, have undergone a change because my music comes from what I have inside of my mind and soul.
So this album talks about the difficulties that life sometimes brings us, but also talks about how to try to overcome them. It’s a record that I care a lot about because it talks a lot about me. Because great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarists Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element), Jeff Mack (Scarlet Hollow) and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor(Gekko Projekt) and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) playing Sitar.
This year I turned 50, an important and very significant milestone for me. Half a century on Earth! What a wonderful journey up to here. First of all, I want to thank my beautiful and wonderful Wife because She made my life happier and more dynamic. Then all the supporters who allowed me to record this album and in particular Jon Hawkins for having produced it. I am proud and very happy to present it to you today. I hope it will reach your heart and your mind. Entertaining you, relaxing and making you think about life, its beauties and sometimes its inconsistencies.
The album was released today June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The most important day of my life.
Have a good trip folks! Marco Ragni
Track Listing 1 Flashlights 2 Dizziness 3 Hammil’s Thoughts 4 The Wind Blows Anyway 5 Regain Control 6 Oceans of Thought 7 Under a Big Red Sun 8 Voice in the Dark 9 Open My Arms
Music and lyrics by Marco Ragni Produced by Jon Hawkins Album Art by Marco Ragni
Featuring: Marco Ragni: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, bass Peter Matuchniak: Electric guitar Dave Newhouse: Woodwinds Jeff Mack: Five string fretted and fretless bass & Chapman Stick. Maurizio Antonini: Drums JoJo Razor: Backing vocals
Special Guests Bjørn Riis: Lead guitar on No. 9 Open My Arms Marius Halleland: Lead Guitar on No 2 Dizziness & No 5 Regain Control Charlie Cawood: Sitar On No 8 Voice in the Dark
Melodic Revolution Records and Marco Ragni are thrilled to announce that Oceans of Thought will officially be released in both CD & Digital formats and available worldwide June 21st, Pre-orders will go on sale on June 1st and will includ 5 digital-only bonus tracks with all pre-orders
About the album “Oceans of Thought” was originally called “The Merchant of Eternal Youth” but during the time of the recordings I had some personal problems and I was a little depressed. So the songs, the cover but above all the lyrics, have undergone a change because my music comes from what I have inside of my mind and soul.
So this album talks about the difficulties that life sometimes brings us, but also talks about how to try to overcome them. It’s a record that I care a lot about, because it talks a lot about me. Because great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarists Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element), Jeff Mack (Scarlet Hollow) and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor (Gekko Projekt) and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) playing Sitar.
This year I turned 50, an important and very significant milestone for me. Half a century on Earth! What a wonderful journey up to here. First of all I want to thank my beautiful and wonderful Wife because She made my life happier and more dynamic. Then all the supporters who allowed me to record this album and in particular Jon Hawkins for having produced it. I am proud and very happy to present it to you today. I hope it will reach your heart and your mind. Entertaining you, relaxing and making you think about life, its beauties and sometimes its inconsistencies.
The album will be released on June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The most important day of my life.
Have a good trip folks! Marco Ragni
Track Listing 1 Flashlights 2 Dizziness 3 Hammil’s Thoughts 4 The Wind Blows Anyway 5 Regain Control 6 Oceans of Thought 7 Under a Big Red Sun 8 Voice in the Dark 9 Open My Arms
Pre-Order Bonus Tracks 1 Abstract Dreams 2 Fifty Years on Earth 3 Nocturne #7 (piano sessions) 4 Hammil’s Thoughts (JoJo’s vocals) 5 Open My Arms ( demo strings arrangements)
Music and lyrics by Marco Ragni Produced by Jon Hawkins Album Art by Marco Ragni
Featuring: Marco Ragni: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, bass Peter Matuchniak: Electric guitar Dave Newhouse: Woodwinds Jeff Mack: Five string fretted and fretless bass & Chapman Stick. Maurizio Antonini: Drums JoJo Razor: Backing vocals
Special Guests Bjørn Riis: Lead guitar on No. 9 Open My Arms Marius Halleland: Lead Guitar on No 2 Dizziness & No 5 Regain Control Charlie Cawood: Sitar On No 8 Voice in the Dark
Prolific psychedelic rock musician Marco Ragni returns with his first single; featuring Bjørn Riis on Lead Guitar, the founder of the band Airbag. The forthcoming album “Oceans of Thought” will be released June 21st. Pre-orders will be available soon.
According to Marco, I wrote the song thinking about Colin Tench and when I recorded the piano parts and wrote the lyrics, I thought I’d ask Bjørn Riis if he wanted to play the lead guitar. I’ve been a fan of Airbags and his guitar playing for many years. He didn’t know my music but when I let him hear some songs, he told me “great stuff!” So I sent him the track and we started talking about it. Then he sent me the guitar parts and when I listened to the mixed song, I got a giant smile and then a tear … One of my dreams was coming true!”
With its May 3 release date a little under a month away, Karisma Records have released a second single from BJORN RIIS’ upcoming third full-length album “A Storm Is Coming”.
According to Riis, “Stormwatch” did not start out as it ended up:
“Stormwatch” originated as a completely different song but after countless rewrites, it turned into a 15 minute piece that in many ways sums up the theme of the new album, “A Storm is Coming”. The lyrics are a dialogue between two individuals, describing the violent tension and frustration in a relationship. As the song progresses, the storm unfolds. I’m very proud of how it turned out. There are a lot of musical references throughout that are sort of a homage to my influences and it was great fun working with both Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums) and Mimi Tamba (vocals). They both delivered outstanding performances.
With “A Storm Is Coming”, Riis, also known for his work as the co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist of Norwegian Prog Rockers AIRBAG, has managed to combine the art of rock, prog and atmospheric pop, to produce a prog rock album laden with atmosphere, and which is both heavier, but at the same time more tender, than his previous releases.
With its themes of human relationships and loss, “A Storm Is Coming” is written as a dialogue between two people. Formed of six epic songs and clocking in at 51 minutes, the album was recorded at the Subsonic Society in Oslo, mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL).
In addition to Bjørn Riis on vocals, guitars and a wide variety of instruments, the album features performances by Henrik Bergan Fossum (AIRBAG) on drums, Simen Valldal Johannessen (OAK) on keys, Ole Michael Bjørndal on guitar, Kristian Hultgren (WOBBLER) on bass, and Mimmi Tamba on guest vocals.
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, tracklisting on “A Storm is Coming” is as follows:
With artwork by Asle Tostrup, tracklisting on “A Storm is Coming” is as follows:
1 When Rain Falls 2. Icarus 3. You And Me 4. Stormwatch 5. This House 6. Epilogue
“A Storm is Coming” will be available in Digisleeve CD, Digital, and two different vinyl formats, which include a limited edition, one-time-only pressing on marble vinyl with an alternative portrait album cover, as well as a standard black vinyl version. All formats are now available to pre-order from the following:
BJORN RIIS’ next live appearance will be on the 17 May at the three-day Terra Incognita Festival in Quebec, Canada, where fellow Karisma Records label-mates AIRBAG and OAK are also scheduled to perform.
In September he is also set to appear at the 2 Days Prog + 1 Festival in Veruno, Italy.
A video by Kjetil Karlsen for the track “Where Are You Now” from Bjørn Riis’s album ‘Forever Comes to an End’ can be seen at https://youtu.be/cuGTuNKKgso
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