X Puzzle V.1.0.13

Townsend: "So what is The Puzzle?.. well, its not technically my new record, it's more a collaborative, multimedia art project that acts as a stopgap between Empath and the next record, Lightwork (due out in March of next year on Inside Out Records). The Puzzle includes two 'soundtracks' of sorts (the highly orchestrated 'Puzzle' and the very chill 'Snuggles') along with a film, graphic novel, novel, and a huge amount of multimedia. It includes many artists (upwards of 50) that participated via Zoom during the pandemic and the experience gave me a chance to purge and be completely creatively free. As such, it is a stream of conscious, and very abstract collection of music that includes a narrative (in the form of a film) and is meant to be a documentation of what the pandemic felt like to me.

There is a great deal of remarkable music included on this two-hour two-CD set. Among the 40 selections (all dating from the early years of swing) are sessions led by violinist Joe Venuti, bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini, Benny Goodman (in an all-star group with trombonist Jack Teagarden), Bud Freeman, trumpeter Bunny Berigan, Gene Krupa and piano solos by Joe Sullivan and Jess Stacy. The recording sessions are all complete and the music is quite rewarding and often very exciting.

Conveying the strong bonds that tie all the artists together, ‘Coalescence’ is a title that directly acknowledges all the different artists contributing and unifying their individual elements, all coming together to form a greater whole. To symbolise the significance of this project, the album has been created in light of various puzzle elements and themes. The Steyoyoke family is exactly like a puzzle, everyone has a place and purpose and something unique to offer. The ‘Coalescence’ album signifies affinity and a merging of their individual talents to bring you a refined collection of ethereal techno and melodic deep house interludes.

A cinematic instrumental journey for the mind featuring elements of classic progressive rock. With his seventh full-length release in six years, The Man From RavCon (a.k.a. Charlotte, NC USA based multi-instrumentalist Mike Brown) invites you along for another journey… this time, the search for a sonic solution. Following the 2013 album, Skyscraper, which was well reviewed by a wide range of websites, blogs, and publications, including the UK’s PROG Magazine, The Puzzle Master further expands The Man From RavCon’s seductively atmospheric brand of instrumental rock.

The Heliocentrics - 13 Degrees Of Reality (2013) {Now-Again NA5097}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 316 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 120 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Now-Again Records | NA 5097
Jazz / Nu Jazz / Jazz Funk / Experimental / Neo-Psychedelia

In the intervening six years between Out There, the Heliocentrics' debut, and 13 Degrees of Reality, the U.K.-based ensemble backed Ethiopian jazz legend Mulatu Astatke on his Steps Ahead and live Timeless offerings. They also released a collaborative album with world-jazz pioneer Lloyd Miller. Whereas their debut set offered funk and hip-hop grooves refracted through the lens of vanguard jazz, this date is an exercise in dark rhythmic pulses and breaks, with jazz, rock, a wide array of world musics, hip-hop, and funk all playing supporting roles; it's led by the rhythm section – drummer Malcolm Catto and bassist/vibist Jake Ferguson.

“The Puzzle” is the second studio album from DARK SARAH, a symphonic/cinematic metal band from Finland. DARK SARAH was formed in 2012 and released their first demo “Save Me” in 2013…