Marco Ragni Releases The Sea of Vibes – The Last Live – Single

Italian Psychedelic, Progressive and Folk-rock Composer Songwriter Marco Ragni has just released a lush three-track single, The Sea of Vibes – The Last Live. The three tracks are taken from Marco’s upcoming acoustic live album due out later this year. 

The Single was Recorded live at Hops Rovigo in Italy on October 20th, 2017 Marco says “The Sea of Vibes – The Last Live is a concert for three guitars. Acoustic and electric. No drums”

Tracklisting
1. The Sea of Vibes (LIVE) 05:33
2. Faint Memory (LIVE) 02:43.
3. Mystical Light (LIVE) 03:38

The Performers
Marco Ragni: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Keyboards programming Giovanni Menarello: Acoustic and Electric Guitars 
Manuel Pasetti: Electric and Acoustic Guitars

Production Notes
Produced and Mastered by Marco Ragni at Sunflower Studios, Rovigo, Italy
Mixed by Luca Zanetti for Sound Imagine and remixed by Marco Ragni

Marco on the web 
Website:  www.marcoragni.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Markspiders/
YouTube:  www.youtube.com/user/markspiders/videos
Bandcamp: https://marcoragni.bandcamp.com/

Transport Aerian’s “Big Heart”

Belgian progressive rock project Transport Aerian returns with a new single, titled Big Heart, which will feature critically acclaimed guests from all across Europe and the US, including Chris Allan, Peter Matuchniak and Marco Ragni.

Big Heart explores the poetic reflection on concluded decade, love, progress, and simply the price of staying human. According to Hamlet, projects main composer and songwriter, such themes should not be exploited commercially, therefore, the song will be released as a charity effort and profits donated to Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Learn More

Besides releasing a new single, Transport Aerian has also assembled a new live band. The live line up features contemporary composer and pianist Umut Eldem, Gent’s young and gifted drummer Paul De Smet, and Transport Aerian’s long term partner, experimental guitar player Stefan Boeykens.

Follow the journey of this progressive rock extravaganza on the:
official Transport Aerian website 

MARCO RAGNI – OCEANS OF THOUGHT – MELODIC REVOLUTION RECORDS

Multi-instrumentalist Marco Ragni (who here provides vocals, guitars,
keyboards, piano, and bass) is back with his latest album. Peter Matuchniak
(Kinetic Element, Gekko Project, Mach One, etc) returns on lead guitar, as
does Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) on woodwind, Jeff Mack (Scarlet
Hollow) on five-string fretted and fretless bass plus Chapman Stick along with drummer Maurizio Antonini. They were all involved in Marco’s last album, ‘The Wandering Caravan’, and the core band line-up also now includes JoJo Razor (Gekko Project) on backing vocals. There are also a few guests who make important contributions on a few tracks, namely guitarists Bjørn Riis (Airbag) and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), plus the incredible Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) who on this release provides sitar on
“Voice In The Dark”.

Released deliberately on the Summer Solstice, this album ties in with Marco turning fifty this year which has led to serious contemplation, so the songs, cover and even the lyrics underwent changes during the process. But this isn’t a melancholic or depressing album, but rather one of incredible

variety and dynamics. Some songs are almost folk-based, take “The Wind Blows Anyway” as an example. Plucked acoustic guitar forms the basis of this, along with electric piano and some dated synths which weave a tapestry of sound which the bass and drums manage to find their way into,
but there are significant periods where Peter is sat waiting for his moment, as electric guitar is notable by its absence as the fretless bass resounds through whatever room is available. But then when Peter takes the opportunity it is deft, almost Gilmour-like with controlled sustain, which takes the song into new directions, leading into an ending I certainly didn’t expect. This is a very rich album, full of contrasts, dominated by the arrangements which are intricate, delicate, yet incredibly powerful. It is broad, controlled and epic prog, and there are times when one can hear the psychedelic influences which take his music back in time. It feels much more like a classic progressive album than one from the end of the second decade of the 21 st century, and it is one that is both instantly accessible and a grower. This is an album I have thoroughly enjoyed as it moves in so many directions from Floyd through Yes and even elements of Crimson but is very much Marco Ragni.
8/10 by Kev Rowland

Marco Ragni releases “Looking Through a Kaleidoscope”

We are thrilled to announce that Marco returns with his second solo album on the heals of his very well received album “Oceans of Thought” released just a few months ago (June 2019) 

“Looking Through a Kaleidoscope” was originally recorded in late 1996 / early 1997 and then remastered and re-arranged with some small overdubs in 2019 featuring 11 songs with one of them being a bonus track recorded in 2015. 

Check out the first single “Janis Through the Fields”

Marco says “Looking Through a Kaleidoscope” is a Psychedelic Pop Rock album with a few touches ethnic and funk, here and there!

1. Janis Through the Fields 
2. Planet Madness (video edit) 
3. Calcutta’s Thoughts 
4. The Magic Mixture
5. I Can Always Leave You Back
6. Garden of Mythrop 
7. She’s Daydreaming 
8. Orange and Purple 
9. Looking Through a Kaleidoscope
10. Kaleido
11. Milioni di Colori 

Marco Ragni : Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bozouky, bass, drum programming. 
Paolo Ambroso : Lead guitar on 4-7 
Jacopo Ghirardini : Drums on 2-4-7-10 
Giulio Rendini: Violin on 6 
Avid Mirash : Sitar on 3 
Dave Newhouse : Flute on 9 
Massimiliano Ferrari : Backing vocals on 1 
Cristina Ghirardello : Backing vocals on 1

Remastered and rearranged by Marco Ragni in August 2019 at Sunflower Studios – Italy

Pre-orders are available now, with special offer of 30% OFF!
EUROPE: bit.ly/2EKG3IF
USA: bit.ly/2LkNYiA

In related news Marco has started working with his new band Mind Overclock a side project for a 2020 release.

In the meantime you can download “Riders of the skies – part one.” 
Name your price Here > https://mindoverclock.bandcamp.com/

Marco on the web
Website: https://www.marcoragni.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Markspiders/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/markspiders/videos
Bandcamp: https://marcoragni.bandcamp.com

Label: Melodic Revolution Records (US) 
[email protected]
US Label Representation: 
Nick Katona
[email protected]

Melodic Revolution Online: 
Website: http://mrrmusic.com/ 
Bandcamp: https://myrevolution.bandcamp.com/artists 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodicRevolutionRecords/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelodicRevolutionRecordsMusic  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrrmusicgroup

Melodic Revolution Records Spotify Playlists:
https://open.spotify.com/user/melodicrevolutionrecords

Marco Ragni Speaks to Power of Prog about Life and Music

Good Day Marco and thank you for doing this interview with us here at Power of Prog.

Marco:
Hi, it’s a huge pleasure for me, I’m a big fan of Power of Prog!

POP:
Tell us a little about your self, your musical training and what enticed you to become a musician?

Marco:
I am a man full of passions, I am curious and I always like to learn new things. Music has always been inside me since I was a child. I started playing a keyboard at 6 or 7, a Christmas present from my parents. It was one of the most beautiful gifts ever received, much better than any toy! I am self-taught and it often happens that I compose songs without even knowing what I’m doing. My instinct and musical ear guide me, always. I could not live without music. It would be a very sad world.

Pop:
How long have you been a professional musician, and how many albums have you released as a solo artist?

Marco:
I have been a professional musician for about 25 years. But it’s about 43 years I play! I’ve released 6 albums, 6 Ep and a couple of collections and live albums.

Pop:
Let’s say I asked you to describe your musical style, how would you describe it if you were a sandwich maker?

Marco:
This is a funny question! Well, a sandwich with some soft ingredient, a couple crunchy and something spicy. Multigrain bread with pumpkin seeds, salad, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, a little chili, and Fried Eggplant, with avocado sauce. So, a Psychedelic/Prog sandwich!

Pop:
Tell us about your latest release “Oceans of Thought“?

Marco:
There is a complex story behind “Oceans of Thought“. Initially, I recorded many psychedelic songs in Barret / early Pink Floyd / Nick Drake style and the idea was to write a concept album entitled “The Merchant of Eternal Youth“. But then I had some personal problems that had a great influence on the new compositions and even the lyrics I wrote had a different taste, harder. So I changed the title, the project, and the cover. 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.

Pop:
Who are the musicians on the new album “Oceans of Thought” and what role do they play?

Marco:
Great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarist Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland from Wobbler. Then the great Peter Matuchniak on lead guitar and Jeff Mack and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood playing Sitar and Dulcimer.

Pop:
You often bring in many musicians for your releases, how do you choose an artist to be on a particular album or song?

Marco:
I always choose a musician based on the sound I want. And last but not least talent. It is a great fortune for me to have collaborated with such high-level musicians. Sometimes it happens that I let them do everything they feel they are playing. I let them be inspired by my stories and melodies.

POP:
What ten albums influenced you as a person and why?

Marco:
I could say 10 albums of Pink Floyd! They have matured in me the taste for melody and Psychedelia. But surely the Grateful Dead‘s Axomoxoa, Revolver, and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band of The Beatles are very important, If I Could Only Remember My Name by David Crosby, Are You Experienced by Hendrix and Goodbye and Hello by Tim Buckley and Porcupine Tree’s The Sky Moves Sideways. What remains are Pink Floyd albums and in particular Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. They have been part of my whole life, almost every day! Maybe it’s more than ten but actually, I should have talked about at least 50!

Pop:
What was the last album you listened to?

Marco:
Porcupine TreeStupid Dream Just now!

Pop:
Describe what success means to you, not as a musician, but as a person?

Marco:
Success for me means being happy to do what you do, have a woman who loves you and friends who appreciate you for who you are.

Pop:
How has the music landscape changed since you have become a professional musician?

Marco:
It has changed especially with regards to technology. How people listen to music. Has also changed the way of recording and producing an album. Now it’s easier than it used to be, but maybe a little poetry has been lost.

Pop:
Do you see value in streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube for example?

Marco:
They are a good way to make yourself known a little more. The downside is that fewer albums are sold.

Pop:
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and who would be your warm-up act?

Marco:
I would like to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London and have Porcupine Tree as a warm-up!

Pop:
What influences your songwriting?

Marco:
A lot of things. The weather for example. I prefer to compose when it is raining or cold. And then all the things that happen to me in life. From personal relationships to everyday problems.

Pop:
You are a multi-instrumentalist, what all instruments do you play and which one gives you the most joy?

Marco:
I play guitars, keyboards, bass, flute, mandolin, bouzouki, and lap steel. All the instruments give me joy. It gives me the joy to play. But my favorite is an acoustic guitar. Almost all my songs start from there.

Pop:
How would you describe your profession outside of music?

Marco:
I am a freelance singer for commercials, I do graphic work for various companies and I also work for a company that deals with environmental conservation.

Pop:
What advice would you give to the next generation of future musicians?

Marco:
Be passionate and curious.

Pop:
In closing I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us. Do you have anything that you would like people to know that we did not talk about?

Marco:
Thanks to you. I really think I said it all but if you’re interested I tell you that I love having breakfast with oat milk, honey, and almond cereals and listening to soul music!

More Information about Marco Ragi can be found on the net:
Official Website
Facebook 
Soundcloud
YouTube

Marco Ragni spoke to the Un-qualified-Kritic
for this in-depth interview series The Human Element