Ranestrane

Fans of progressive rock music already have it hard enough as it is. The casual music listener already thinks we’re pretty snobby, a little elitist, kind of neurotic, and well, pretty strange. (Pun intended.) But when a progressive rock enthusiast tells a friend they are listening to the third and final album in a trilogy based on Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke‘s film 2001: A Space Odyssey…

The Italian band RANESTRANE was formed back in 1998, although it would take them more than a decade before they started releasing any material. "A Space Odyssey Part One: Monolith" is their third studio album, and was released through the Italian label MaRaCash Records. Ranestrane is a band that has specialized in the creation of concept albums based on movies, and in this case it is "2001: A Space Odyssey" that is the source of inspiration…

Ranestrane is a Rome 'based Italian group that does NOT fit into the classic RPI mode, as they opt for a more conventional methodology, staying away from the classic RPI ingredients of injecting such influential details as operatic vocals, pastoral acoustic tinges, wild changes of pace and mostly, the tried and true influence of canzone, Italian folk/popular music that gives it such character. Though they are listed here as RPI, the focus is more on Floydian soundscapes, elongated mood samples on which the soloists (Massimo Pomo the guitarist and the talented keysman Riccardo Romano)…

RanestRane is an Italian prog band from Rome that was formed in 1996. The aim of the musicians involved in this project was to compose and perform a rock-opera, so they chose a famous Werner Herzog's film, "Nosferatu The Vampyre", and commented it with music and original lyrics. They started their live activity in 2000 and conceived their shows as a "cineconcerto", with the images of the Herzog's film flowing in the background. In 2007 they released their rock-opera on a self-produced studio album, a double CD called "Nosferatu il Vampiro", and they have continued with works based on "The Shining" and "2001: A Space Odyssey". Among their musical influences you can find bands like Goblin, PFM, BMS, Genesis, and Marillion, to name a few. Incidentally, the band makes up a large part of the reorganized Il Rovescio della Medaglia.

The Pink Floyd masterpiece reinterpreted by Italian band Ranestane.
Ranestrane have, with the minor exceptions produced an almost reverently authentic reproduction. It's in their own idiom of course, but recognisably taken directly from the original.
The vocals and instrumentation are superb. As always, with Ranestrane, production is crystal clear.

Nine Skies are a French progressive rock band inspired by many influences: rock, pop, progressive, classical, jazz… The first album “Return Home” was released on the 30th November 2017 via Anesthetize Productions. The second album, called “Sweetheart Grips” is a double album released on the 1st of November 2019, with guests such as Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett, Frost …), Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon …), Dave Foster (Steve Rothery Band, Dave Foster Band …), Riccardo Romano (Ranestrane, Steve Rothery Band …) and others. This title refers to the practice dating back to the Second World War, when soldiers were known to take precious family photos (and Pinup Girl photos) and put them under clear grips on their 1911 pistols, called ’Sweetheart Grips’.

The Rome Pro(G)ject are back! Three and 1/2 years after the huge success of their eponymus debut album, “The Rome Pro(G)ject”, namely Steve Hackett on guitars (Genesis/Gtr/Solo), David Jackson on winds (VDGG), Billy Sherwood on bass (Yes/Circa/Solo) and Vincenzo Ricca (keyboards), teamed up with a bunch of fantastic musicians, is going to release their second album, “II - Of Fate and Glory”. 67 minutes of instrumental progressive rock in 10 tracks plus a bonus one.