Sirocco

With Lighthouse, saxophonist Tim Garland, pianist Gwilym Simcock and percussionist Asaf Sirkis make the move to completely egalitarian collective. It's also the first album to feature the trio without any additional guests. Garland's Lighthouse Trio first came together on the saxophonist's If the Sea Replied (Sirocco, 2005), an ambitious song cycle that—in addition to including mates from his impro-folk Lammas and Acoustic Triangle, which by that time also featured Simcock—was scored for members of the Northern Sinfonia Orchestra.

1863. America was born in the streets. In this movie, we see Amsterdam Vallon returning to the Five Points of America to seek vengeance against the psychotic gangland kingpin Bill the Butcher who murdered his father years ago. With an eager pickpocket by his side and a whole new army, Vallon fights his way to seek vengeance on the Butcher and restore peace in the area. However this is more said than done.

‘Under A Mediterranean Sky’ is the first new acoustic solo album from legendary guitarist Steve Hackett, since 2008’s ‘Tribute’ – a record that saw him tackling some of the beautiful classical pieces that his guitar idols had also put their hand to. This new album however takes inspiration from Steve’s extensive travels around the Mediterranean. “A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album,” notes Hackett, “a time to contemplate the places we’ve visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination.” ‘Under The Mediterranean Sky’ lacks nothing of the grandiosity of Steve Hackett’s recent solo electric records, however it does give room to the stunning breadth of approach that he has to playing his acoustic guitar, reminding us once again why Steve is such a revered and respected musician.