Axe Victim

Things had changed for Be Bop Deluxe by the time of the group's fourth album. The band that turned up in glam rock regalia on its 1974 debut, Axe Victim, was in suit and tie on the cover of Modern Music in 1976. Inside, the band's transformation into a sophisticated pop group seemed complete. Arrangements were still ornate, but the songs were dominated by their highly imagistic lyrics, and as often as not, Nelson was borrowing ideas from the Beatles. It didn't quite work, despite pleasant numbers such as "Orphans of Babylon" and "Kiss of Light," perhaps because a true pop sensibility requires a gift for simplicity that Nelson has never exhibited. The album charted high in England and made the Top 100 in the U.S., but it was Be Bop's peak, not its breakthrough.

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of Futurama the legendary 1975 album by Be Bop Deluxe.
Recorded in the first two months of 1975 at Rockfield studios (with some sessions also taking place at SARM studios in London), Futurama was the second album by Be Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of Bill Nelson (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Charlie Tumahai (bass, vocals) and Simon Fox (drums). Produced by Roy Thomas Baker (who at the time was also working with Queen), Futurama was an album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity and was a huge leap forward in creative terms for Bill Nelson…

This 16-track set from Be Bop Deluxe's short but productive four-year, six-album career captures a handful of highlights from each release, and adds both sides of a rare 1973 single, which see their first CD appearance. Oddly those two songs close the disc, which otherwise is in strict chronological order as it traces the band's evolution from its vaguely glam roots to a more progressive-minded entity that could also churn out snappy near-hits. The specter of David Bowie is never far from the spotlight, especially given that singer/songwriter/frontman Bill Nelson (who also pens witty and reflective liner notes) sounds a lot like Ziggy Stardust. The music also approximates various aspects in Bowie's career, although the synths and general production seem not to have fared quite as well…

This 18-track set from Be Bop Deluxe's short but productive four-year, six-album career captures a handful of highlights from each release, and adds both sides of a rare 1973 single, which see their first CD appearance…

Bill Nelson - The Practice Of Everyday Life: Celebrating 40 Years Of Recordings (2011) {8CD BoxSet Esoteric COCDBOX 1002}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 3.51 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.34 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 2.21 Gb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Esoteric / Cocteau Discs / Cherry Red | COCDBOX 1002
Rock / Avant-Garde / Electronic / Glam Rock / Ambient / Electro Jazz / Guitar

Lavish eight CD box set from the acclaimed guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter, released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Nelson's recording career. This is the most extensive and detailed anthology of Bill's astoundingly creative career to date. Over the past four decades Bill has consistently proved himself to be one of Britain's most original and creative musicians, exploring an astonishing diversity of musical styles, consistently pushing musical boundaries and earning the admiration of legions of fans throughout the world and enlightened critics alike. As a guitarist, Bill ranks as a great and uniquely gifted figure, but this eclectic selection of tracks also highlights his work as a singer/songwriter and instrumental composer. The set begins with his earliest recordings and includes previously unreleased material by Be Bop Deluxe, along with examples from Bill's extensive solo catalogue, exploring a wide range of styles. Esoteric.

Already the 14th release from French producer/songwriter Frederic Slama and possibly one of the strongest releases so far. As usual with first class singers like Bob Harris (Axe), Jesse Damon, Paul Sabu, Tommy Funderburk & Erika. French composer Frédéric Slama, playing guitar as well keyboards continuously gathers an illustrious bunch of singers foremost to make his vision of classic AOR/Melodic Rock reality.