Prog P34

The Spaghetti Epic 4 made by The Samurai Of Prog is the continuation of a series of settings or reinterpretations of some Spaghetti Westerns.
Fourth part of The Spaghetti Epic is now released by The Samurai Of Prog. And listening to albums made by them means listening to excellent progressive rock songs dedicated to the golden era of the genre. A tribute to the progressive rock bands of the Seventies. Retro prog in full glory! And of course with lots of Mellotrons, Hammond organs and Minimoogs! Together with the many sound fragments of gunshots, locomotives, and saloon piano parts you certainly get back in the time when the famous Spaghetti Westerns were made. Using instruments such as trumpet, banjo, flute and viola gives the album a Western atmosphere…

Presumably the Bad Plus wanted to make a very specific statement when they titled this album Prog. Although there is no confusing its music for what has typically passed for progressive jazz or progressive rock in decades past, Prog embodies the true meaning of the word: it takes music forward - not just theirs, but music itself. How they do that is relatively simple, despite the music's complexity: they go where they want to go, where others have yet even to consider going. That means throwing out conventional notions of what a jazz piano trio can and should do. That the Bad Plus is comprised of three exemplary musicians - pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King - is never in doubt. Their chops are on display at every turn - and there are many turns, unexpected and exhilarating ones that produce seismic shifts without losing focus…

Welcome to another selection of modern progressive music for you to enjoy, with the latest Prog cover CD. As usual, there is a mix of bands, some of whom we all know, some of whom we are acquainting ourselves with for the very first time. The Von Hertzen Brothers' ebullient "Long Lost Sailor" is from an album which sees them strongly reconnect with their prog base, Norwegians When Mary take us into a dark electronic universe and the UK's own I Am The Manic Whale feature in this issue's Limelight section. While the taster for Gleb Kolyadin's forthcoming solo album, featuring Marillion's Steve Hogarth on vocals, has us eagerly anticipating the full album. The remainder of tracks offer an enjoyable take of instrumental prog (Anders Buaas, Corciolli, Orpheus Nine) and with vocals (Machines Dream, The Mighty Handful, Lunar). Thoroughly enjoyable fare.

Welcome to the latest mix of new progressive sounds on this equally new Prog magazine cover disc. Brand new Amplifier and Cosmograf. Up and coming British prog from Koyo and Kylver, while the appearance of Tim Burness may evoke memories of the 80s for you. James Ivanyi and the brilliantly named Orsome Welles hoist the Aussie prog flag high, and Mumpbeak, Gaudi and Bubblemath offer something a little more left field.