The Artist June 2020

When Magnum released 2018's Lost on the Road to Eternity, keyboardist Rick Benton replaced Mark Stanway, who'd quit (for the third time) in the middle of a tour. The album's razor-edged, riff-laden hard rock sound contrasted with the plodding bombast and balladry of 2016's Sacred Blood "Divine" Lies that, frankly, sounded tired. Longtime drummer Harry James left in 2017 and was replaced by Lee Morris. The resulting tour was wonderfully documented on 2018's surprising On the Road to Eternity live outing. Finally, in June of 2019, Al Barrow, the band's bassist since 2001, retired from music. American Dennis Ward claimed the spot just before Magnum entered the studio to record The Serpent Rings. Founding members guitarist Tony Clarkin and singer Bob Catley are the only remnants from the 20th century. As evidenced on their 21st studio album, the personnel changes stoked the fire in the bellies of these two mainstays.

The Red Planet is a studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released on June 2020 and featuring an alternative line-up of his backing band, The English Rock Ensemble. The Red Planet is Wakeman's first progressive rock album with his English Rock Ensemble since Out There (2003), another rock album of his with connections to space, the others being No Earthly Connection (1976) and 2000 A.D. Into the Future (1993). Wakeman said the album is different to his previous ones with a band, not only that its is instrumental but the diverse styles of music on it.

From 'Lady Day' to the 'Queen of Soul', this compilation brings together many of the greatest female voices that have ever graced popular music. This comprehensive 4CD compilation features one hundred original recordings from many of the greatest female voices that have ever graced popular music.From Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Julie Andrews, this compilation brings together all of the very best vocalists.

The Choir Invisible, presents a highly anticipated debut album on Intakt Records. With Charlotte Greve, Vinnie Sperrazza and Chris Tordini, this trio, oscillating between improvisation and composition, brings together three significant voices from Brooklyn's creative music scene. "The Choir Invisible not only does everyone have equal rights, they also have equal responsibilities, as accompanists and soloists. All three are both melody and sound. The trio began playing without discussing anything at first. Over time all three then brought compositions along, which allowed them to strike varying paths and led to some highly distinctive tracks. No endless, boundless improvisations; instead a symbiosis of spontaneous currents and the urge for structure. The Choir Invisible might nicely describe the potential of a band which, with three instruments, manages to envisage enormous diversity, and much that is not spoken or played can be imagined or heard in our inner ear. In the far dimensions of the trio shines the polyphony of a choir. Euphoric yet rooted in daily life," writes Bert Noglik in the liner notes.

Distraught at the cancellation of your favourite summer festival? Kill the pain with exclusive live tracks from Weller, Nick Cave, U2, R.E.M., The Black Keys, New Order, Foo Fighters, Michael Kiwanuka, Lucinda Williams and more.