Roxanne Howe Murphy

Not many bands can say they are releasing their third album thirty-five years after their debut, but not many bands have the history that California rockers Roxanne have. Originally formed in the late 80’s, Roxanne garnered commercial success with their 1988 self-titled debut album which was well received with two songs charting on rock radio; “Cherry Bay” and “Sweet Maria”, as well as a cover of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” The band is back with their first album of new material in five years and second for Rat Pak Records. Stereo Typical features ten brand new songs from the quartet comprised of Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar), John Butler (Guitar), Joe Infante (Bass) and Dave Landry (Drums). The new album also features guest appearance from Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big, dUg Pinnick of King’s X and Jeff Scott Soto. Stereo Typical is scheduled for release worldwide on February 24th.

During an era when everyone wanted to be a bluesman, Howe brought jazz, country, flamenco, ragtime and psychedelia into the mix for prog - rockers Yes. Stephen James "Steve" Howe (born 8 April 1947 in Holloway, North London, England) is an English musician, songwriter and backing vocalist, best known as the guitarist of the progressive rock group Yes. He has also been a member of The Syndicats, Bodast, Tomorrow, Asia and GTR, as well as having released 19 solo albums as of 2010.

Steve Howe's second solo effort is his most essential recording. The Steve Howe Album contains many of Howe's strongest and most original compositions. Whereas some of his albums can be associated with the sound of the bands in which he's played, this release is unique…

Beginnings (1975). "Beginnings" is the debut solo studio album of Yes' guitarist Steve Howe. The album was one of the five solo efforts released in the same period of time by all Yes' members during a hiatus of time by the band, after the release of their studio album "Relayer", in 1974. "Beginnings" also features some Yes’ members, Alan White and Patrick Moraz, and the ex-Yes' member Bill Bruford. There are also members of the progressive rock band Gryphon, Graeme Taylor, Malcolm Bennett and Dave Oberlé on one of the songs, besides other guest musicians.
"Beginnings" sounded overall most like a folkier version of Yes' sound with less emphasis on the keyboards. The material on the album is decent and varied. However, the problems here are the vocals of Howe himself. His voice fitted well into the vocal harmonies in Yes, but it reveals itself as very thin and helpless when it stands alone…