Shine on

Box sets are difficult phenomena. Their cost is often prohibitive, and the weight of outtakes, alternate takes, chronological corrections, and myriad other completist elements make them sometimes less listenable than the original recordings…

Procol Harum were and still are one of my all time favorite rock groups and most all their records are essential, they have made at least 4 spectacular albums in Procol Harum, A Salty Dog, Home and this their second album Shine On Brightly which may just be their best. It's odd that I say that because when I first heard the record I didn't really care for it, but on repeated playings over the years it's become one of my favorite records.

The Italian guitarist and bandleader Nicola Conte has recorded his first album for the legendary, recently re-established MPS records. Conte has brought with him his cosmic-cosmopolitan ensemble of stars which includes trumpeter Theo Croker, saxophonists Logan Richardson and Magnus Lindgren, and singer Zara McFarlane. For the most part recorded in Bari, Italy and Johannesburg, South Africa, it is a sensitive work of art that crosses the border between soul and spiritual Afro-jazz.Nicola Conte has cast his vision of cosmic jazz into a seamless tonal design – without restricting his players' freedom, leaving them open to the influences of the diverse cultures.

Procol Harum - Shine On Brightly (1968) {2015 3CD Set, Remastered & Expanded Deluxe Edition}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 759 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 331 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 38 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1968, 2015 Esoteric Recordings / Onward Music / Cherry Red Records | ECLEC 32500
Rock / Art Rock / British Psychedelia / Prog-Rock

Esoteric Recordings are proud to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic 1968 album by PROCOL HARUM. Released in the UK in December 1968, "Shine on Brightly" followed on from the huge international success in 1967 of the band's debut single 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' and the follow up single 'Homburg' and built on the creative path begun on Procol Harum's self-titled debut album issued in January 1968. Gary Brooker (voice, piano), Robin Trower (lead guitar), David Knights (bass guitar), B.J. Wilson (drums) and Matthew Fisher (Hammond organ) took the music of the band to new heights with this, their second album. Dominated by the 17-minute epic suite 'In Held 'Twas in I', Procol Harum re-wrote the rule book of popular music with the material written and recorded for "Shine On Brightly".

Selected tracks from the 1992 Box Set - Shine On.

As an album, "Shine on Brightly" is somewhat of a concept piece. It seems to chronicle the fall and subsequent rise of an ordinary individual as he/she progresses through paranoia and insanity to self actualization and nirvanic bliss. This journey is summarized in the epic eighteen minute "In Held 'Twas In I." But, more on that masterpiece in a moment…

SHINE ON is a 2003 JANE album released by the PETER PANKA'S version of the band. Yes, there is no KLAUS HESS, the heart and soul of the glory days of JANE but somehow the line-up playing on this album cam make this band version legitimate as the 4 members were all at one time or another playing with the band in the 70s…