Curchill Factor

Released in 1997, The X Factor: Out There… And Back is a two-CD UFO compilation issued by Snapper Music. Disc one of the high flyer collection features twelve tracks from the band's early sighting, with original guitarist Mick Bolton in the ranks, when the group leaned on spaced-out psychedic blues. Included from the pre-Chysalis Records era are "Boogie for George", a cover of Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody", and a live version of "Lovin' Cup"…

Born in late 2011, Human Factor is an exciting Russian group formed by talented and experienced musicians. Konstantin Shtirlitz and Alexander Meshcheryakov, respectively former drummer and bassist with mighty Infront, have joined forces with keyboardist and guitarists Sergei Volkov, principle composer and arranger for Kaftan Smeha, and guitarist Ivan Ivanov of Hagi Tragger. The band’s music is probably best described as modern instrumental rock with major space and progressive rock influences, strong melodic edge, and definite sense of adventure: tracks segue one into the other, atmospheres are established and broken, some rhythm patterns have progressive-like complexity, but the primary attention is given to strengthening a sense of enjoyable aural journey. This is an excellent, mature recordings which fans of good instrumental rock music.

Still relatively unknown nearing the end of the 1970s, this talented violinist turned to George Duke to produce, arrange and hopefully reach some ears. The result for the most part is enjoyable but unremarkable jazz-pop-soul. On tunes like "The Red Planet," though, he's right there with the glory days of Mahavishnu Orchestra and Billy Cobham. It suggests what might have been for White before Jean-Luc Ponty staked out the high ground on the jazz violin landscape.