Melodic Revolution Records is proud to announce that Ten Jinn’s 6th studio album ARDIS the new release is now available worldwide for pre-order with an official release date of May 26, 2023.
About The Album Ten Jinn’s new record, Ardis (a concept album in song-cycle form) is loosely inspired by Jack London’s Novel, the Iron Heel, first published in 1908, and tells the story of an Oligarchy, which takes over America during the first decades of the 20th century. This chaotic period of the past is viewed through the lens of a 27th-century scholar (Anthony Meredith) working out of the “wonder city” of Ardis in the year 419 B.O.M. (Brotherhood of Man), still standing four centuries after the fall of the totalitarian state and leading to the eventual rise of an enlightened society.
The songs are organized in a “cinematic” manner, moving between the two aforementioned time periods, and shifting between the two points of view in an effort to provide a musically contrasting arc of the storyline. It is the juxtaposition of these two diametrically opposed societal structures that is important and, as such, specific mention of the main characters in the book was intentionally left out of the record.
Singles released include. Adumbrations: beginning of the end, Slaves of the Machine, and Nightmare
Track-list
1. Elegy 1 (01:29) 2. Brotherhood of Man (04:02) 3. Slaves of the Machine (05:47) 4. Say Aye/Bishop’s Vision (06:50) 5. Elegy II (05:49) 6. Adumbrations: beginning of the end (03:52) 7. The Red Virgin (07:54) 8. Nightmare (04:18) 9. Ardis/Elegy III (07:32)
Total run time: 47:25
The Band
John Strauss – Lead and backing vocals, piano, and keyboards Mark Wickliffe – Drums, percussion, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals. Mike Matier – Electric and acoustic guitars. Matt Brown – Keyboards and backing vocals. Matt Overholser – Bass. Kenneth Francis – Electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, and bass.
Special guest: Stan Whitaker – Guitar solo “Say Aye.”
*lyrics for “Bishop’s Vision” borrowed in-part from the poem Easter Day (1881) by Oscar Wilde
Production Produced by Mark Wickliffe, John Strauss and Ken Francis Arrangements by Ten Jinn Recorded at: The Torture Chamber (Panorama City, CA), Stone House Studio (Honey Brook, PA), Babaji’s Cave (Van Nuys, CA) and Radd Studio (Van Nuys, CA), Bear Lake Studio (Big Bear, CA) Mixed by Kenneth Francis at Babaji’s Cave (Van Nuys, CA) Mastered by Ken Skoglund at Sound Control Studio (Sweden)
Album layout: Nick at A zene háza Management: Steve Troegler
Changing Seasons is the first official promo video by Southern CA, progressive rock band AmuZeum from their critically acclaimed debut new beginnings. AmuZeum has an impressive pedigree that goes back more than a decade. The five members have crossed paths many times through the years in LA studios and playing in different bands such as Mars Hollow, Ten Jinn, Gabble Ratchet, and Heliopolis, all of which had various degrees of success.
Changing Seasons is basically about living a life to its fullest. To take chances even though sometimes it might feel a bit overwhelming. There is a meaning to it all and if you believe in yourself, you will find your drive, passion and purpose. Remember, we’re only here for a very short time.
Album // “New Beginnings” Released // April 17, 2020 Music & Lyrics by AmuZeum Produced by AmuZeum Mixed By Billy Sherwood Mastered By Mike Bozzi @ Bernie Grundman Mastering Group Shot Photography by Joseph M. Garcia Video Clips: pexels.com/
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Band Media and Booking Contact: Michael Matier m.matier@yahoo.com Label Contact: Melodic Revolution Records Nick Katona nick@melodicrevolution.com
AmuZeum is a Southern CA progressive rock band with an impressive pedigree that goes back more than a decade. The five members have crossed paths many times through the years in LA studios and playing in different bands such as Mars Hollow, Ten Jinn, Gabble Ratchet, and Heliopolis, all of which had various degrees of success.
In 2017 Jerry, Matt, Michael, and Scott turned the page on the Heliopolis chapter and took a short hiatus until early 2018 at which point, they began a new project with the addition of Ten Jinn’s Mark Wickliffe. Mark is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter with his own solo career. Rehearsals started and as the creativity flowed, they knew that they had much to offer. The result of their first effort is aptly titled “New Beginnings” and will see a release in the early part of 2020.
“New Beginnings” is Produced by AmuZeum and mixed by the legendary Billy Sherwood who is best known for his work with Yes and Circa among others. The album was mastered by GrammywinnerMike Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The foundation of the music is based in progressive rock; however, each member brings a unique style, a vast array of influences and skillful songwriting chops.
Sonic landscapes, interwoven melodies, soaring harmonies, dynamic rhythms, and insightful moving lyrics all combine to create a tapestry to engage the listener and compel them to embark on a journey ……..destination unknown!!
In a statement from the band: “We are beyond excited to be part of the MRR family. MRR’s love, passion, belief and commitment to their artists and the music they create transcends the typical record company. It’s a perfect fit for us and we really look forward to what the future will bring. We can’t wait to do our part for the Melodic Revolution.”
AmuZeum is: Michael Matier – Guitars Matt Brown – Keyboards & Vocals Mark Wickliffe – Bass & Vocals Jerry Beller – Drums & Vocals Scott Jones – Voice
Two years ago to today on January 10, 2016, David Bowie aka David Robert Jones died from liver cancer just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of the album Blackstar, in his New York City apartment. According to information on the internet he had been diagnosed18 months prior but the news of his illness was not yet made public.
The loss of David Bowie struck a nerve around the world many still cannot believe he is gone, his music was not just the voice of a generation, but it was also the soundtrack to our lives since the 60’s.
John Strauss was one such person that was profoundly affected by his death, according to Strauss. During the time we were working on the most recent Ten Jinn release, Sisyphus, came the very sad news about the passing of David Bowie. At the time (though we were very busy with working on the album and dealing with the upcoming release in 2017)
I suggested to the other Ten Jinn members that as soon as Sisyphus was completed, we should record a David Bowie tribute record before preparing for live shows or recording the next Ten Jinn Record, Worlds (the Four Worlds of the Hopi).
While I was very excited about the prospect of playing live again and getting on to Worlds (I even completed the first draft of the score) I felt very strongly about taking this detour in order to pay my respects to an artist, who was probably the single most important influence in my development as a musician in general and vocalist in particular.
Choosing the songs for the record was not an easy thing (as there are so many great Bowie tunes) but one thing we decided on right away was to avoid any of the major hits from the 1980s or things we thought a lot of other people might do.
Since I was the one doing the lead vocals on the record, the band mostly supported me in the suggestions I made. At one point I thought it would be really cool to do a version of Blackstar, but since it was from Bowie’s last album, it seemed perhaps a bit disrespectful to do so soon after his death. In the end, we decided on material mostly from the 1970s with a couple of tunes from the late 1990s thrown in. All of the songs on this record have deep meaning for me and, in no particular order, include:
1) Aladdin Sane 2) Future Legend 3) Diamond Dogs 4) Life on Mars 5) Fame 6) I’m Afraid of Americans 7) Dead Man Walking 8) Rock and Roll Suicide
The album Ziggy Blackstar (A Tribute to David Bowie) was released October 5th2018 at ProgStock a very new prog festival in Rahway, New Jersey. The album featured 2 singles to date, Life on Mars and I’m Afraid of Americans the album has since received much high praise from the critic, rad and even the fans of David Bowie.
The first Video for Ziggy Blackstar (A Tribute to David Bowie) will be “I’m Afraid of Americans” track 6 on the album
Ziggy Blackstar Album Credits:
The Band: Ten Jinn John Paul Strauss – lead and backing vocals/keyboards. Mark Wickliffe – drums/bass/electric guitar/backing vocals. Ken Skoglund – electric and acoustic guitars. Mike Matier – electric guitar.
Guest Musicians:
Matt Brown – piano solo (Aladdin Sane). Joe Geiger – fretless bass (Dead Man Walking). Helena Skoglund – backing vocals (Life on Mars/Fame/Future Legend). J.T. Holmström – saxophone (Diamond Dogs).
Album Production Credits
Arranged by: Ten Jinn. Produced by: John Paul Strauss, Mark Wickliffe, and Ken Skoglund. Mix engineers: Ken Skoglund (Sound Control Sweden). John Prpich (Radd Studios, Los Angeles). Mastering engineer: Ken Skoglund (Sound Control Sweden). Cover Art by Nick Katona, Revolution Studios, Orlando, Florida Vocal editing by Steve Deutsch.
What the critics are saying
Ten Jinn have done a splendid job of doing an album entirely of Bowie cover songs. They struck the right balance between tribute and originality. Kev Rowland Power of Prog and Prog Archives
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