Vehicle 19 (2013)

miRthkon hails from Oakland, California, and plays what they describe as "an inimitable blend of quirky prog rock, avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical abstraction, thrash metal, and an uncanny pop accessibility that defies categorization". The band was founded by guitarist/vocalist Wally Scharold in the late 1990s; while existing in some incarnation of some sort for well over a decade, it was not until 2005 that the core lineup (Sharold, guitarist Rob Pumpelly, bassist Nat Hawkes, drummer Dickie Ogden, and multi-reedist Carolyn Walter) came together for a heavy gigging rotation throughout the Bay Area. An EP, The Illusion of Joy, was released in September 2006. They were shortly thereafter signed to AltrOck Productions (home of Italian avant-prog outfit Yugen), and soon began work on their first full-length album Vehicle, which was released in May 2009.

Wolfmother fans must have feared the worst these past few years. Some time after the release of second album, Cosmic Egg, – lead album in these pages in October 2009, and a Top 20 hit in the US – the Brisbane four-piece went ominously quiet. Had they split? Were they on hiatus? Eventually, in March 2011, word spread that they were back in the studio working on a follow-up. Then it all went quiet again…

Continuing on the hugely successful legacy that the 80 From range has bought, comes the newest release in the series - 80 From America! For the first time 80 From branches out to explore one of the most influential regions in the history of music, the United States Of America. 80 From America features 80 different tracks and artists that epitomize the American culture and have taken a piece of musical history with classic tracks from the likes of The Beach Boys, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, ZZ Top, Marvin Gaye, Willie Nelson, The Knack, Otis Redding, Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Blondie, Dean Martin, Journey and so much more! 80 From America - nothing but classic American hits!

Stick Men is an Eclectic Prog supergroup founded in 2007 by Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Michael Bernier. Since 2010, the lineup stabilized around Mastelotto, Levin, and Markus Reuter. The band was formed as a vehicle for progressive rock music performed almost exclusively with Chapman Sticks and drums. Needles to say, the fans of crimsonian prog will love it; there's also a lot of jazz and heavy chugging bursts, as well as avant moments and African soundscapes.

John Kitchen continues his much-lauded series of recordings from the instruments of the world-famous Roger Mirrey collection of keyboard instruments. Recorded in St Cecilia's Hall, Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall, this programme is specifically designed to highlight the unique qualities of the 1755 double-manual harpsichord by Luigi Baillon. Built in Cyteux, Burgundy, it has a very different sound from Parisian instruments of the time; cleaner and brighter in tone, it is the perfect vehicle for Kitchen's subtly nuanced playing, which brings the sophistication of the period to new life.

Continuing on the hugely successful legacy that the 80 From range has bought, comes the newest release in the series - 80 From America! For the first time 80 From branches out to explore one of the most influential regions in the history of music, the United States Of America.

Monomyth stands for "thrilling instrumental soundscapes", a rollercoaster ride in which the listener can lose themselves. It is the sound of five people searching for their musical boundaries and then moving beyond them. Monomyth transports you to another world, a place that feels both new and familiar. In the ranks, we find five people from different creative and musical backgrounds. Monomyth’s music is a complete experience, a collective statement by five like-minded identities. The Monomyth sound contains all the ingredients of rock & roll, but in a totally unique way. The band wants to draw their audience into a trance, caused by shifting patterns, repetitions and drones. The result is a stirring brew with links to Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and Tool, but with the innovative force of modern techno and ambient. It is rock you can dance to and lose yourself in…