Saxophonist Gebhard Ullmann might be the German equivalent of Chicago's Ken Vandermark. Both players are influential composers and both maintain multiple creative ensembles in Europe and the United States. Like Vandermark, Ullmann's catalog is vast. Hat And Shoes is his 50th release as a leader or co- leader, and this band Basement Research have put out seven titles. Similar to the now defunct Vandermark 5, Basement Research's quintet features a smart balance between composed and improvised music. Ullman's choice of sidemen has included saxophonists Ellery Eskelin, Tony Malaby, and now Julian Argüelles, with trombonist Steve Swell, bassist Pascal Niggenkemper and drummer Gerald Cleaver.
The Tirith are one of the new UK-based Progressive / Classic Rock Bands. The band has a long history stretching back to the 70s, the present band reformed in 2010 and have been playing festivals and select gigs since 2011. The band is known for playing a wide variety of music within the Progressive genre and beyond. “Tales From The Tower” is a rare album of real songs performed, interpreted and recorded in the modern progressive idiom, and features the songs of Tim Cox and Richard Cory. Most of the songs on this album are from the time of the first incarnation of The Tirith, they are the classic Tirith songs of our youth.
Following the 2013 release of Betty’s S.F. Blends, Volume One and their third full-length album, 2014′s Phosphorescent Harvest, Chris Robinson Brotherhood are back with an exciting double-LP: Betty’s Blends, Volume Two: Best From the West. Taking cues from Volume One, the CRB once again joined forces with Betty Cantor-Jackson, legendary archivist for the Grateful Dead, and allowed her to curate the new live album.
FM released their ninth studio album Heroes and Villains via Frontiers Records on 20 April 2015 (UK / Europe) and 21 April 2015 (USA) and embark on a UK tour in May. Special guests for the tour are Romeo's Daughter and No Hot Ashes. The track "Shape I'm In" from the new album was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist from Saturday 4 April 2015.