The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess

The Wall was Roger Waters' crowning accomplishment in Pink Floyd. It documented the rise and fall of a rock star (named Pink Floyd), based on Waters' own experiences and the tendencies he'd observed in people around him. By then, the bassist had firm control of the group's direction, working mostly alongside David Gilmour and bringing in producer Bob Ezrin as an outside collaborator. Drummer Nick Mason was barely involved, while keyboardist Rick Wright seemed to be completely out of the picture. Still, The Wall was a mighty, sprawling affair, featuring 26 songs with vocals: nearly as many as all previous Floyd albums combined. The story revolves around the fictional Pink Floyd's isolation behind a psychological wall…

Rick Wakeman's third solo album is among his best, as he employs his vast array of keyboards to their full extent, musically describing the characters pertaining to the days of King Arthur's reign. With orchestra and choir included, although a little less prevalent than on Journey, he musically addresses the importance and distinguishing characteristics of each figure through the use of multiple synthesizers and accompanying instruments. "Lady of the Lake" is given a mystical, enchanted feel, perpetrated by a more subtle use of piano and synthesizer, while the battle of "Sir Lancelot and the Black Knight" is made up of a barrage of feuding keyboard runs and staccato riffs, musically recounting the intensity of the duel.

The Chronicles of Father Robin is a Norwegian progressive rock band consisting of members from the bands Wobbler, Tusmørke, Jordsjø, and The Samuel Jackson Five. The music is inspired by the 70's Prog scene and was conceived over a period of 30 years. In 1995, in a Norwegian high school, they worked on the whole concept of the Father Robin trilogy. After some line-up changes and the addition of musicians, the band started to rearrange some old songs and work on new material which resulted in 18 songs of Symphonic Prog released as a boxset first and separately in September 2023.
Following Father Robin and his travels through the archaic world of Airoea, Book 2 takes our protagonist to the underwater city of Oriasaleah and over the Sea of Ayrouhr…

The great Grover Washington, Jr. Discovered, nurtured, and produced Pieces of a Dream while they were teenage phe noms still in high school. Since then they have toured the world, sold over two million albums, and scored both smooth jazz and R&B radio hits while garnering legions of dedicated fans! Fired Up! #is a funky, joyful musical celebration, filled with the melodic grooves that have made Pieces of a Dream fan favorites. The 10 brilliant originals that run the gamut from 'in the pocket' R&B to sensuous smooth jazz jams are proof that Pieces of a Dream are at the top of their game!! Founding member, keyboardist James Lloyd shines here with such highlights as the driving "In Too Deep" and the heartfelt ballad "Going Home." Additionally, co-founder percussionist Curtis Harmon's composition, the exciting "Living the Life", demonstrates why the "Pieces" sound is a uniquecrowd pleaser!

Chart-topping but challenging alt-metal band that incorporates programmed beats and subtle Eastern European influences.
Like many late-'90s metal bands, System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground thrash metal and metallic early-'90s alternative rockers like Jane's Addiction. Their dark, neo-gothic alternative metal earned a cult following in the wake of the popularity of such like-minded bands as Korn and the Deftones. Vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan formed System of a Down in Southern California in the mid-'90s. They quickly earned a strong following in Los Angeles, largely based on strong word of mouth…

It’s been seven strange years since The Veils’ last studio album Total Depravity, and Finn Andrews has a new double LP to show for it. …And Out Of The Void Came Love is the result of this tumultuous period of injury, isolation and new life…

The great Grover Washington, Jr. Discovered, nurtured and produced Pieces of a Dream while they were teenage phenoms still in high school. Since then they have toured the world, sold over two million albums, scored both smooth jazz and R&B radio hits while garnering legions of dedicated fans! On Another Note is a funky, joyful musical celebration, filled with melodic grooves that have made Pieces of a Dream fan favorites. The 10 brilliant originals that run the gamut from 'in the pocket' R&B to sensuous smooth jazz jams are proof that Pieces of a Dream are at the top of their game!! Lead producer and founding member James Lloyd, who has been a go-to hit maker and accompanist for Mary J. Blige, Najee and others, shines here with such highlights as the funky "Kickin' And Screamin'" and the romantic ballad "Smooth Dreams." Additionally, co-founder Curtis Harmon's composition, the hard grooving "Real To Me," demonstrates why the "Pieces" sound is a unique crowd pleaser!

British Conductor Steven Lloyd-Gonzalez makes his debut recording for First Hand Records with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the 6th & 9th Symphonies of Dmitri Shostakovich; two of the composer's more enigmatic and intimate works. The scale and breadth of the 6th Symphony's opening nocturnal Largo contrasted with the livelier and shorter 2nd and 3rd movements emphasises the work's unique form and place in the 20th century symphonic oeuvre.