Dreimal of The Orient

Presenting Dukes of the Orient, International AOR with a Mid-Atlantic Prog Accent. What do you get when you match a Brit from London who loves American AOR with an American from California who grew up on British Prog? Dukes of the Orient is the masterful pairing of vocalist John Payne (ex-ASIA, GPS) with keyboardist Erik Norlander (Last in Line, Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists) who now present their eponymous debut album, ten years in the making. Payne’s powerful arena-seasoned vocals carry soaring melodies and lush harmonies over the sea of classic synthesizers and keyboards artfully painted with Norlander’s signature sonic palette.

Dukes of the Orient will finally release their eagerly anticipated second album, “Freak Show” on August 7, 2020. The band’s sophomore album follows their impressive self-titled debut, which successfully launched the new international AOR with a touch of Mid-Atlantic Prog band.

What do you get when you match a Brit from London who loves American AOR with an American from California who grew up on British Prog? Dukes of the Orient is the masterful pairing of vocalist John Payne (ex-Asia, GPS) with keyboardist Erik Norlander (Last in Line, Lana Lane) who now present their eponymous debut album, ten years in the making. The two are backed by a world-renown ensemble of top musicians including Jeff Kollman, Guthrie Govan, Moni Scaria and Bruce Bouillet on guitar and Jay Schellen on drums. Payne provides bass guitar and additional lead and rhythm guitar parts to complete the audiophile production. Dukes of the Orient has its origins in 2007 as "Asia Featuring John Payne," a band that continued on after Asia keyboardist, Geoff Downes, left to re-form the original 1982 lineup.

What do you get when you match a Brit from London who loves American AOR with an American from California who grew up on British Prog?

Breathtaking piano compositions by Angeline Bell that weave together nostalgic reflections of her Malaysian childhood with the rich tapestry of East Asian folk influences. Performed by her former student Katie Yao Morgan, this collection of evocative pieces transports listeners through bustling markets, tranquil landscapes and cherished personal memories. Featuring the exquisite sounds of the Chinese erhu by Xiao Wang, this album is a heartfelt fusion of East and West, blending tradition with contemporary expression.