Il Mio Amico Nanuk Midnight Sun (2014)

Midnight Sun were a Progressive Rock group from Denmark, whose style is influenced by such acts as Traffic, Burnin' Red Ivanhoe, and later on, Blood Sweat And Tears. They first started out as Rainbow Band, but soon had to change their name, after it was found that a Canadian group had already taken it. They released four studio albums during their career, the first two or three probably being the more famous. Their albums are also of serious value to collectors and were all designed by the famous Roger Dean.

Danish 70's (1971-1974 ) progrock band, a second incarnation of Rainbow Band as it is essentially the same band that had to change their name in July 1971 as a Canadian band had already registered the name and the band was about to release ind the US and UK. As Rainbow Band, a "Supergroup" of danish rock and jazz artists, they releases their selftitled debut album in 1970. The album was re-recorded with new vocalist Allan Mortensen in 1971 and re-released again in the second version under the new band name, Midnight Sun. As Midnight Sun the band released two albums and two singles. Bent Hesselmann went on as a solo artist, releasing the now rare album "Bøsse". Peer Frost left the band to join Savage Rose. Allan Mortensen also persued a solo career.

Following the recording of several complete Baroque operas: Faramondo, Farnace, Artaserse, Alessandro, all received with unrestrained critical enthusiasm eg Gramophone Editor's Choice, BBC Music Magazine CD of the Month, Handel Recording Prize, Max Emanuel Cencic once again brings together a fine group of singers and orchestra for the rarely recorded Handel opera, 'Tamerlano'. The title role is taken by the exceptional counter-tenor, Xavier Sabata.

Italian composer and musician Marco Ragni has been a presence in the Italian music scene for a quarter of a century or thereabouts, and following a couple of decades in various band constellations he decided to venture out as a solo artist a few years back, launching his first solo album back in 2010. "Mother from the Sun" is his fourth studio recording, released towards the end of 2014. To give you an idea, think of the Pink Floyd albums A Saucerful of Secrets, More, Ummagumma, Atom Heart Mother (side two), Meddle, and Obscured By Clouds as major inspirations. Add to this the late sixties California hippy scene and the fact that Marco is Italian, and you have three strong foundations for a unique blend of psychedelic music with folk and funk and classic prog.