Architectural Record 2007

One of Stereolab's many spin-offs and side projects, Monade (pronounced mon-ard) originally featured Laetitia Sadier and Pram's Rosie Cuckston. The duo began collaborating in the mid-'90s, and Sadier recorded the first Monade tracks in 1996 at Pram's studio, with Cuckston playing and also helping to engineer the session. Some of these tracks were released by Duophonic as the Sunrise Telling and Witch Hazel/Ode to a Keyring singles. Sadier continued to record at Stereolab's own studio without Cuckston, and one of these tracks, "Cache Cache," ended up as a B-side on Stereolab's Calimero single. In between her Stereolab duties, Sadier completed enough material for Monade's debut album, Socialisme Ou Barbarie: The Bedroom Recordings, which was released by Duophonic in Europe and by Drag City in the U.S. in spring 2003.

With Kempe at the helm we can be assured of elevated and noble performances. The BBC Legends issue captures him in two concerts given four months apart. The February 1976 concert was given at the Royal Festival Hall and gives us not unexpected fare – Berg – and decidedly unusual repertoire for Kempe in the form of Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra. This positively crackles with rhythmic energy and dynamism, the strings responding with admirable precision and unanimity of attack. The result is a performance of real standing and a precious surviving example of Kempe’s small repertoire of British works.

Mainly an instrumental band, they show imaginative use of keyboards and guitars with a hint of new age in places. Their influences are Camel, IQ, Saga, Focus and The Flower Kings.
Karfagen (means Karthago) - a symbol of glory and wisdom and also it is a never-ending journey into the world of the forgotten past and un-predictable future. The name Karfagen was first heard in 1997 when Antony Kalugin formed the band at school. While he was studying at the architectural university (1998) he began to record the first Karfagen album. And then they were two. Antony Kalugin and his close friend Sergei Kovalev (accordion and harmonica)…

«Messages from Afar» is a special concept album, that`s divided into 2 chapters – 1st by Karfagen and 2nd by Sunchild (part 2 to follow in 2018). It`s our hommage to the Art Rock as we know it from the heart of the 20th century. It`s a solid concept, statement in a modern Prog scene. Fans of Camel, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Happy the Man, Yes and other classic bands will be really at home with this two release! Once again the fabulous artwork is painted by Igor Sokolskiy, that fantastically compliments the fairy mood of the music, where Antony`s lush keyboards texture and solos meet the outstanding virtuosity of Max Velychko`s guitars.