Author Archives: glassonyonpr

2012/09/20

Jazz-Fusion All-Star Trio Scott Henderson Jeff Berlin Dennis Chambers To Release New CD ‘HBC’

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Jazz-Fusion All-Star Trio Scott Henderson Jeff Berlin Dennis Chambers To Release New CD ‘HBC’

Sept. 17, 2012 – Asheville, NC – Much to the excitement of musicians and jazz aficiandos worldwide, the highly anticipated CD release by jazz-fusion legends Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin and Dennis Chambers, will be released on Tone Center Records (a division of Shrapnel Records) on October 16, 2012. Considered one of the most phenomenal trios in the history of jazz-fusion, HBC’s debut CD delivers a full dose of virtuosic performances guaranteed to thrill and inspire all who listen.

“The trio is all about interplay,” explains guitarist Scott Henderson. “Jeff and I have always had a very high level of communication when we play together, and putting Dennis in the mix notches it up even higher. He’s an extremely musical drummer, but at the same time has the ability to bring the energy up to scary levels.” Bassist Jeff Berlin adds, “We pretty much have the same vision of how three strong players should sound together. We function well on many levels; we’re friends and love to hang. We’re also individually dedicated to high standards of playing.”

The music on the CD reflects the influences and spirit of HBC. Tracks include covers by Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham and originals penned by Henderson and Berlin individually. Says Jeff. “We all agreed to the repertoire but Scott picked most of the songs.” Scott explains, “I thought it would be cool if a guitar trio covered songs by keyboard players like Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock, though we did some Wayne Shorter tunes as well.”

Before recording their debut album, HBC hit the road first, refining their repertoire in front of thousands of elated fans. “We try to find new ways to play at every gig,” Jeff explains. “When we are gigging our motor is always set to high.” Scott adds, “Because the three of us have so much experience playing different styles of music, we’re able to go from graceful straight-ahead jazz to heavy metal and just about everywhere in between, so it’s an extremely versatile band, which makes it a lot of fun.”

Scott Henderson is considered one of the premier jazz-fusion guitarists performing on the planet today. Although Henderson claims to be more of a blues-rock player, with influences like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Ritchie Blackmore, it was the influence of jazz that led him to the style of playing and composing he is now famous for. Henderson has recorded and toured with such notable artists as Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, Jean-Luc Ponty, and a four year stint with Weather Report legend Joe Zawinul. He formed the band Tribal Tech in 1984 with bassist Gary Willis, and recorded ten critically acclaimed albums. In 1991 Scott Henderson was named by Guitar World as the #1 Jazz Guitarist, and in January 1992 he was named #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar Player’s Annual Reader’s Poll. Henderson has also released three well-received solo albums as well as two releases with Vital Tech Tones, a trio collaboration with bassist Victor Wooten and ex-Journey/Vital Information leader Steve Smith on drums. As is often the case with a musician of Scott’s caliber, the demand is great that he share his knowledge with the current generation of guitarists. He is on the faculty at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, and has written columns for Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar School magazines.

Jeff Berlin is a legend of the electric bass, considered by many to be the finest electric bass player in the world. A true master of the bass, Jeff Berlin has played with the likes of Bill Bruford, Alan Holdsworth, AWBH and George Benson. Jeff Berlin’s resume reads like the who’s who of the higher echelon of music artists. Jeff Berlin was even asked to join Van Halen, an invitation that he actually turned down. Not only is Jeff Berlin a innovator in the jazz field, but rock players are constantly siting him as their major influence. Carlos Santana called Jeff the “best bassist in the world”, while Rush’s Geddy Lee used the phrase “best bassist on the planet!” Jeff Berlin’s innovative bass playing has influenced a generation of bass players world-wide. He was voted #1 Jazz Bassist by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine. Jeff also pioneered a technique called ‘two handed tapping’, when he performed this style on the track “Motherlode” from his 1985 debut solo album called ‘Champion’. The founder of The Players School of Music in Clearwater, Florida, Jeff has also been at the forefront of music education for almost 30 years. His columns in Guitar Player and Bass Player magazines were the most read columns due to their controversial content of music education. Jeff single-handedly has re-vamped music education by dismissing popular methods of learning such as using electronic tuners, metronomes, handgrips, tablature, or any study method that does not include musical content.

Dennis Chambers is a miracle in modern music; a formidable, ferocious and ultra-funky presence behind the drum kit in such celebrated ensembles as Parliament-Funkadelic, Steely Dan, Santana and the Brecker Brothers, as well as incendiary fusion outfits led by guitarists John Scofield, Steve Khan, Mike Stern and John McLaughlin. A remarkably versatile drummer who has shown limitless abilities to swing on a small kit in traditional jazz settings or flaunt his stylistic chops in rock-fusion super sessions, Dennis Chambers is one of the most recorded and sought after drummers in the world of Jazz-Fusion. In 2007, just before Led Zeppelin was scheduled to perform at the O2 Arena in London, John Bonham’s son Jason was asked in an interview, if he was to give up the drum seat for the reunited Zeppelin, who would he recommend to fill the coveted drum throne. He replied, “I would probably want a jazz drummer with a strong swing feel. Dennis Chambers…I think he would ‘get it’, whereas other rock drummers wouldn’t.”

And now, these three icons of jazz-fusion have come together to form a supergroup that has recorded a ground breaking debut CD! “I’m happy with it,” Scott says of the new CD, “and for me that’s saying a lot because I’m very self critical. Being a big fan of the musicians we covered, I worked really hard to make the songs sound as huge and textural as they are on the original recordings, which meant doing a lot of layering.” Jeff concludes, “I coundn’t be more pleased with the results.”

‘HBC – Henderson, Berlin, Chambers’ will be available on Amazon, iTunes, Shrapnel Records and local record stores on October 16, 2012.

To purchase ‘HBC – Henderson, Berlin, Chambers’: http://www.amazon.com/HBC-Berlin-Chambers-Henderson/dp/B00936A2SM/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1347392766&sr=1-1&keywords=hbc

For more information:
Scott Henderson: http://www.scotthenderson.net
Jeff Berlin: http://www.playerschool.com
Dennis Chambers: http://www.dennischambers.com
Shrapnel Records: http://www.shrapnelrecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in HBC, Press Release

2012/09/17

From The Magical Days With Ray Charles, To The Unfolding Of Gentle Music For Healing – Enchanting Collaborations By David Hoffman And Paul Adams

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

From The Magical Days With Ray Charles, To The Unfolding Of Gentle Music For Healing –
Enchanting Collaborations By David Hoffman And Paul Adams

Sept. 10, 2012 – Asheville, NC – David Hoffman spent 13 years touring the world as Ray Charles trumpet soloist and arranger. From his dizzying experiences performing for the most prestigious a audiences in the world, he has toned the music down a bit for those looking for a place of peace. Paul Adams has made a career building instruments for some very well known musicians, he’s composed 7 critically acclaimed albums, he’s a writer and poet, and plays a vast array of exotic instruments. Paul and David’s newest venture are two albums for those in need of healing. Paul’s album SLEEP was recorded for gentle spirited man dealing with Parkinson,s Disease, and sleepless nights. SLEEP will be discounted for qualified Hospice Care and others in the Helping Profession. “I created slow dreamy songs using Native American Flutes and the sounds of Nature. I then sent them to my friend with Parkinson’s who offered feedback on each tune. He and his wife really had a good feel for what was right.”

David Hoffman’s new album THE TREE was composed for his wife Julia and her battle with Cancer. “Music has so much to offer,” says Adams. The mind is very powerful, and with music can be an influential force on the path toward health”. More and more the medical professionals are embracing the magic involved in music. Oliver Sacks, the Neurologist and Author of the movie AWAKANINGS staring Robert De Niro, and Robin Williams, authored a book entitled MUSICOPHELIA, in which he describes the miraculous power of music on Neuropathways in the brain (The Alzheimer patient not recognizing loved ones, yet their ability to play the first song ever learned on the piano. The stutterer’s difficulty communicating, yet singing lyrics with no mistake. The patient with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using the calming effects of music to learn calm, clarity, and safety. The examples are endless.

Throughout their career, their albums have gathered international acclaim in many different areas such as World Fusion, New Age, Ambient, Jazz, and Native American. Both Adams and Hoffman’s music can be heard world wide on Satellite Networks like Sirius, as well as Terrestrial and Internet Radio. Hoffman’s album CALMNESS OF SPIRIT was voted album of the year by the INDEPENDENT MUSIC ASSOCIATION last year.

Some music professionals were dubious about Adams title SLEEP. They felt Radio might be afraid to use it. However other albums of his in a similar vein such as HEAVENS, and FLUTE MEDITATIONS FOR DREAMING CLOUDS, have been getting heavy rotation on Satellite networks throughout the world. “SLEEP is something I hope will be helpful for people in need. However, we didn’t want the albums to be purely clinical. We both tried to keep the them artistically interesting as well. We’ve heard a few albums in this genre that didn’t scratch our artistic itch. It was important to create a marriage of artistic depth and safe Serenity and healing.”

Along with these two new albums, Adams and Hoffman have created a website called A PLACE OF PEACE (www.pauladams.org/aplaceofpeace) where people can go to listen to beautiful healing and enrapturing music, video’s, and read various articles and poems specifically written for those seeking accompaniment down the path of health.

Besides his experience in music and the arts, Adams has worked in the Mental Health Field 30 years and teaches professionals how to use music in the therapeutic practice. “I’ve always wished there was a place to go where one can just sit down and be soothed, reassured, rested, and content. The use of nature in Video and Music is a very organic way to align ones self with the earth, and receive a sense of “Connection” that is needed to feel alive, safe, and rested. Both SLEEP and THE TREE are available worldwide through his web site as well as Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, eMusic etc

Discography for Paul Adams
VARIOUS WAVES
WONDER DANCING ON GLOBAL BOP
A VIEW FROM THE PLAIN
THE PROPERTY OF WATER
IN THE LAND WHERE I COME FROM
THIS CHRISTMAS
FLUTE MEDITATIONS FOR DREAMING CLOUDS
HEAVENS
SLEEP *
Discography for David Hoffman
FROM ENERGY TO STILLNESS
THE DAVID HOFFMAN SEXTET LIVE
CHRISTMAS IN YOUR HEART
THE TREE
GROOVIN
PRAIRIE SKIES
CALMNESS OF SPIRIT
THE TREE *
Adams and Hoffman (THE NEURONS) Dance

WWW.PAULADAMS.ORG

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in David Hoffman, Press Release

2012/09/16

Something Else! Review – Steve Hillage Band – Live at Gong Family Unconvention, Amsterdam

By glassonyonpr

by Nick DeRiso

Even as Steve Hillage paid tribute to the psychedelic rock band Gong in 2006 at the Melkweg in Amsterdam, he also took a lengthy look back at his own underrated solo work from the 1970s.

Live at Gong Family Unconvention, Amsterdam, due in both CD and DVD formats on September 10, 2012, from Gonzo MultiMedia, focuses on the latter — as the Steve Hillage Band, which hadn’t appeared on together in some 25 years, performed tracks from 1975′s Fish Rising, 1976′s L, 1977′s Motivation Radio, and 1983′s For To Next.

What those solo albums did, this live set makes clear, is point the way for Hillage’s transition from volcanically inventive guitar player to a quirk-filled innovator behind the boards. Before he would go on to work as a producer (Simple Minds, the Charlatans, Murray Head and Robyn Hitchcock) and then architect of ambient techno (System 7), Hillage would issue a series of recordings that focused more on imaginative band interplay and textured arrangements.

The guitar work is often a long time coming, though when it finally arrives, there are these pupil-dilating outbursts of kaleidoscopic sounds — each of them their own undeniably persuasive argument for a long-awaited return to Hillage band projects.

Hillage, a member of Gong from 1973-75 before going solo, is joined here by longtime writing partner, keyboard player and vocalist Miquette Giraudy; former Gong sideman Mike Howlett (also bassist on Fish Rising); and Chris Taylor, who began playing drums with Gong in the 1990s.

Their set begins, as it perhaps must, with trippy dash through Motivation Radio’s “Hello Dawn” — with its signature bliss-rock line “Goodbye to old! Hello to the new … dimension!,” and a concluding guitar solo that sounds like re-entering too steeply from deep space — before Hillage and Co. catch a muscular power-pop groove on George Harrison’s “All Too Much,” originally covered on the Todd Rundgren-produced L.

Next, comes a trio of tracks from Fish Rising, perhaps Hillage’s deepest journey into cosmic trancery — beginning with “Aftaglid,” then “Solar Musick Suite,” a title that screams 1970s prog-rock, if ever there was one; and finally “The Salmon Song.” The main set concludes with For to Next’s “These Uncharted Lands,” which before this 2006 show had never been played live.

The expanded audio CD also includes four bonus tracks, three of which come from a 1979 show also featuring Giraudy: “Palm Trees,” “Unzipping the Zype,” and “Healing Feeling.” The final track is a separate take on “Solar Musick Suite,” this time from 1974, and also featuring Howlett on bass. The DVD has an interesting interview with Hillage and Giraudy, as well.

Source

Leave a comment | posted in Review, Steve Hillage

2012/09/14

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Release ‘Live Atmosphere’ CD/DVD

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Release ‘Live Atmosphere’ CD/DVD

“CURVED AIR, with a real band attitude and a zest for life; this is a band you want to see live for the sheer artistry of how to deliver the musical goods.” – Lee Dorian, Classic Rock

Sept. 6, 2012 – London, UK – Reformed in 2008 after a sabbatical of 18 years, Curved Air’s concert and festival appearances in the UK, Japan, Italy, Malta, Germany, Portugal, Holland and Belgium continue to thrill a steadily increasing mass of new and old fans. Their experimental blends of classical themes, electronic sounds and pop/rock energy and beautiful, timeless songs are performed with fire and passion and tremendous musicianship.

Now, much to the excitement of their fans worldwide, Curved Air have released a new CD/DVD titled ‘Live Atmosphere’ – ‘Songs of revolution, insanity, loss, desire and ghosts: a unique compilation of powerful Curved Air songs played by a vital contemporary Curved Air’.

‘Live Atmosphere’ includes potent new versions of many of the band’s classic early 1970’s repertoire, including the hits “It Happened Today” and “Backstreet Luv” as well as fan favorites such as “Propositions”, “Phantasmagoria” and “Stretch”. Produced by Marvin Ayres it showcases both new and original members of the band and comes with a bonus DVD with a tour featurette and an atmospheric visual collage.

The band, still fronted by Sonja Kristina, selected the tracks after multi-track recording the entire first leg of its Live Atmosphere World Tour. Sonja Kristina elaborates by saying, “We recorded this album to capture the invention and interplay of these virtuoso musicians. Robert Norton is exceptional – as is Paul Sax, a master violinist, one of the first entrants to the Yehudi Menuhin school – a passionate and brave performer very well qualified to step into Darryl’s light. All the band are brilliant players and inspiring people. Chris Harris is literally our root on bass and Kit Morgan the fire on guitar. Great chemistry and communication…”
Tracks: Atmospheric Overture (intro), Marie Antoinette, Propositions, Easy, Hide and Seek, Screw, Phantasmagoria, Melinda, Everdance, Back Street Luv, Stretch, It Happened Today, Atmospheric Overture (outro).

‘Live Atmosphere’ is available from http://www.CurvedAir.com and other online stores. A new studio album will follow by the end of 2013.

About Curved Air

Considered (according to AllMusic) “one of the most dramatically accomplished of all the bands lumped into Britain’s late-’60s prog explosion”, Curved Air is a pioneering progressive rock group of musicians from mixed artistic backgrounds.

They are famed for their unforgettable live performances and ‘Art Rock’ music – the quasi classical imprints of Terry Riley hooked onto beautiful and demonic violin combined with electronic adventurous synths and interwoven with brilliant guitar wizardry mesmerisingly embroidered by the subliminal and exotic presence of a unique girl lead singer Sonja Kristina. All these elements elevated them from the underground Roundhouse scene to top the album charts in the early ’70s.

Along with High Tide and East of Eden, Curved Air was one of the first rock bands after It’s A Beautiful Day and The United States of America to feature an electric violin, inspiringly and dramatically explored by the excellent Darryl Way and now by the dynamic Paul Sax. Original keyboard player/guitarist Francis Monkman was the trailblazer for future ‘electronica’ and ambient extemporization. Robert Norton has inherited this sonic template and himself a spinner of ethereal soundscapes extends the boundaries towards further horizons while Florian Pilkington Miksa on drums then and now, with Chris Harris’ bass guitar artistry, provides the expressive rhythmic pulse that is the Curved Air signature.

Curved Air released eight studio albums and though progressive innovators they were hailed as Pop Stars when their single, the sultry “Back Street Luv” was a Top 5 hit in 1971. The ‘Live Atmosphere’ line-up of Sonja Kristina, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, Kit Morgan, Chris Harris, Robert Norton and Paul Sax have been touring together since 2009.

Sonja Kristina

Before Curved Air, actress and singer Sonja Kristina performed in the British Folk Clubs during her teens. In 1968 she starred as “Chrissy” in the radical Tribal-Rock Musical ‘Hair’ when it opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. As Curved Air’s lead singer and lyricist she topped the British female vocalist polls – the first UK girl singer to front a Rock band. She won the hearts of a generation of young men and boys and the music cognoscenti.

The constant flame leading Curved Air through the decades, Sonja Kristina’s hypnotic attraction endures today, “vibrant and edgy as ever, Sonja, the original prog diva gives a charismatic and highly visual performance. Looking like a glamorous gipsy queen with her flowing red hair and dressed in sparkly black, that signature voice is still smoky and seductive as she spins around the stage around the excellent musicians who are Curved Air”. (Music Street Journal)

Curved Air is: Vocalist Sonja Kristina, Drummer Florian Pilkington Miksa, Guitarist Kit Morgan, Violinist Paul Sax, Bass Chris Harris and Keyboard Player Robert Norton.

Recent Live Reviews

“All of the players impress. Although only drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa is from the original line-up, Sonja has found some stunning new instrumentalists who immerse the audience in a set of swirling, whirling solos that emphasize moods and nuances and floating waves of sound that act as a counterpoint to Sonja’s dramatic sense of theatricality”. (Classic Rock Society Magazine)

“Sonja Kristina prowls the front of the stage… expertly playing off the energy of all the performers with her. Guitarist Kit Morgan… moves through figures, shapes and techniques with deceptive ease… violinist Paul Sax pulling sounds from his instrument like a mad scientist … there’s no denying they remain formidable live!” (Prog Magazine)

“While women in UK progressive rock were relatively few and far between… it’s Sonja that wore the crown. Well the undisputed queen of British Prog is on tour again and what a joy it is to see her and Curved Air back in action… Violinist Paul Sax… sweats for his art right from the off and with virtuoso wizardry sears through the set like a man possessed… the whole group of assembled musicians are perfectly qualified to recreate the band’s uniqueness authentically… Catch them while you can”. (Classic Rock)

Curved Air’s new release ‘Live Atmosphere’ produced by Marvin Ayres is available from http://www.CurvedAir.com and other online stores.

http://www.QEDG.co.uk (management)
http://www.curvedair.com
http://www.curvedair.com/CAproduct5.htm
http://www.facebook.com/curvedair
http://www.marvinayres.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in Curved Air, Press Release

2012/09/05

Skylight Interview with Steve Hillage

By glassonyonpr

STEVE HILLAGE – The psychedelic pioneer

Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 04 September 2012 20:52

1. By being a part of that movement, what do you remember from the famous Canterbury music scene?

It was an exciting and very creative time. We had the shared feeling of being part of a special and original English musical movement that also expressed our sense of humour and eccentricities.

2. Did you finish your studies at the University of Kent in Canterbury?

No I just did part 1 of my course. I left after 15 months.

3. In early 1971 you formed Khan. What were reasons that the band did not last so long?

I was young and under a lot of pressure – and I felt I needed to play with other people before continuing as a solo artist. So I put Khan on hold while working on a second album and started playing with Kevin Ayers. My solo album Fish Rising that came out in 1975 was partly based around material I was developing for the second Khan album.

4. How did you join Gong?

My first contact with Gong was when Pip Pyle, who was initially playing drums with Khan, was invited to join them after doing some drum recording on Daevid Allen’s sola album Banana Moon. I became increasingly fascinated with the band and had a very nice meeting with Daevid in October 1972 in London. In December 1972 while doing a tour of France with Kevin I hooked up with Gong and we had a great jam session, so essentially I moved over from Kevin’s band to Gong by a magical osmosis.

5. What do you remember from your collaboration with them?

The 70s was a wild and intense roller coaster ride for me, from Khan, Kevin Ayers, to Gong and finally the Steve Hillage Band. I wrote and recorded many albums and played hundreds of live shows. I have many great memories, but a lot of it is a bit of a blur. Gong was a wonderful formative experience. It was a community of strong creative people and as such was quite combustible and unstable. But a lot of fun nonetheless.

6. Why you are not collaborating with Daevid Allen at the moment?

The creative cycle for Gong that started with the Uncon events in 2004-6 has now run its course. Daevid is a restless soul and he now wishes to pursue a creative route that I cannot follow. I wish him well, but I will not be playing with Gong in 2012.

7. How was your collaboration with Mike Oldfield for the Tubular Bells?

I effectively replaced Mike Oldfield in Kevin Ayers’ band, as he had left to make his solo album that became Tubular Bells. When we were making the Flying Teapot album with Gong we were sharing Virgin’s Manor Studios with him and so got to meet him. Later on in 1973 he invited me to play in the Tubular Bells live promotion, which was a lot of fun. No-one really expected Tubular Bells to be such a success – it just kinda snowballed after the first shows. Mike was quite shy about doing live shows at that time, and I replaced him for some orchestral Tubular Bells concerts in 1974.

8. Your solo career features an extensive use of keyboards. Was it a challenge for a rock guitarist back in the 70s?

I grew up as a musician at school with the keyboard player Dave Stewart (Egg, Hatfield and the North, National Health). We were in the same class and we made our first band together. So right from the beginning I was working with the combination of electric guitar and keyboards. As the 70s progressed and particular in Gong I got more and more involved in making my guitar work with synthesizers. This has become my speciality, and another factor that has led me to electronic dance music.

9. Your album Green in 1978 was produced by Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason. How easy or hard was to work with Nick Mason?

My first working with Nick was on the Gong album Shamal which he produced in 1975. This was at the time Miquette and I were leaving Gong but we still featured on a few tracks. We found him very relaxed and easy to work with, and of course full of knowledge of production techniques of the Pink Floyd. When a few years later I heard he was interested in working with me on one of my solo albums I leapt at the opportunity. I think Green came out very well.

10. During the 80s you worked as a producer for artists such as Charlatans, Simple Minds, Real Life and many more. How do you compare your work between playing as a musician and being a producer?

It’s a different kind of activity – and one I was always interested to do since the start of my career. Having been an artist myself and having been produced by some illustrious producers (who were also great teachers of record producing) it gives me a somewhat special perspective and empathy with the artist I am producing. Another advantage is that because I have made and continue to make lots of music myself I have my own creative outlet so I have no psychological need to impose my personal sound on the artist – it leaves me more free to focus on developing their own true musical personality – I want to bring out their sound, not mine…

11. What were your main duties as a producer?

As a record producer my main aim is to assist and guide the artist to make the best possible record for his career at the time, and also to provide a creative link between the artist’s aspirations and those of the record company. I’m quite hands-on in my approach and do a lot of the programming and quite a lot of the mixing myself, as well as supervising the sessions and generally managing the project. One of my producer heroes is George Martin of Beatles fame.

12. What do you remember from your collaboration with Simple Minds?

I remember quite a lot actually, in particular because I recently got back together with Jim and Charlie and did a couple of new tracks with them. In their current 5×5 tour format they are playing quite a few of the tracks I made with them in 1981.

13. Your album Rainbow Dome Musick has been a trademark for the later explosion of the electronic music scene. How did you react when realized that your music was playing in ambient / chill out rooms?

The original “Rainbow Dome” for which the music was designed was in fact a chillout room at a large exhibition in London in 1979. One of the first ever chillout rooms actually. The Rainbow Dome Musick was played on a continual loop on a surround sound system. When it started to be played at the dance event chillout rooms later in the 80s it felt like a completely natural progression. This was one of the factors that led to us working with The Orb.

14. How did you decide to form System 7?

Our interest in electronic/dance music began in the 70s. We followed the development of Kraftwerk from their beginnings as an acoustic band through to being totally electronic. I have a strong memory of being in a disco club in 1978 when the DJ started playing Kraftwerk and all the people were dancing – I had a massive “I have seen the future” moment. Also in the 70s we developed a strong love for funk, and were big fans of Tonto’s Expanding Headband, which led to our working with Malcolm Cecil on the Motivation Radio album. I often think of “Ether Ships” on the Green album as the first System 7 track. We followed the whole development of the UK dance scene in the 80s and found our new musical home. Meeting Alex Paterson (The Orb) and hearing him DJing with Rainbow Dome Music was the final catalyst.

15. Do you think that the psychedelic techno of System 7 continues the tradition of the psychedelic rock that you used to play as a solo artist?

It’s important to understand that in the 1980s in the UK the psychedelic rock scene was pretty moribund, and a number of people who were involved in wider psychedelic culture gravitated towards the developing electronic dance music scene. We were part of this. This same thing occurred in the psychedelic community in Goa, eventually evolving to the style of dance music we call psy-trance. We in System 7 however, having evolved through the UK “rave” scene have a wider definition of psychedelic dance music. We are not a typical psy-trance band, although we often play at psy-trance festivals.

16. What is your involvement with mind and alpha waves music? I know that you have researched this scientific area of mind waves.

Miquette and I did an advanced bio-feedback course in 1976, which gave us quite a bit of knowledge about the various brain rhythm frequency bands and their associated activity. Of course as musicians we were interested in how these rhythm bands related to musical rhythms. The alpha rhythm band is between 7 and 12 cycled persecond. Alpha rhythms are associated with creative imagination and the dream state. 7-12hz corresponds to the 16 note hi-hat or sequencer pattern prevalent in most dance music. We think this is factor as to why the quite agreesive sounds of some dance music induce a trance-like state in the dancers.

17. Please let us know about your upcoming DVD release Live in Amsterdam 2006.

When we decided to make the Gong Family Unconvention event in Amsterdam we wanted this to be a major event encapsulating the history of Gong and the various solo projects of the principal Gong members. So I though it was good that I made a Steve Hillage Band set of material from my 70s solo albums. This was beautifully filmed and recorded and we are releasing this on our label on DVD and on CD. The CD has some special bonus tracks from the 70s and the DVD has extra interview and rehearsal footage.

18. What is your future plan regarding System 7 and Steve Hillage band?

We spend the last few months of 2012 in Asia and we are taking musical instruments for writing. We hope to write 3 new albums – System 7 – Mirror System (our chillout project) and a rock orientated album for the Steve Hillage Band. I already have a couple of new Steve Hillage Band song ideas that are good! Before we go we are releasing a System 7 EP called Passion and playing a special show in London on Oct 4th. We are also doing an interesting hybrid rock/electronic album with Japanese band Rovo called Phoenix Rising, recording that in Japan in September.

Information: http://www.a-wave.com/system7/

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Leave a comment | posted in Interview, Steve Hillage

2012/09/02

Jon Anderson To Tour South America In September 2012

By glassonyonpr


Photo by Dave Johnson

For Immediate Release

Jon Anderson To Tour South America In September 2012

Asheville, NC – Legendary vocalist Jon Anderson, YES’s singer/songwriter for 35 years along with his successful work with Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento, will be touring South America again this September, October, after his acclaimed previous tour had his many fans wanting more!

Jon Anderson South American tour dates:

09/11/2012 – Auditorio Nacional Adela Reta – Montevideo, Uruguay
09/14/2012 – Teatro Positivo – Curitiba, Brazil
09/17/2012 – Teatro Luis Mendonca – Recife, Brazil
09/19/2012 – Teatro Castro Alves – Salvador, Brazil
09/21/2012 – Centro Cultural Joao Nogueira – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
09/22/2012 – Skyline Alphaville – Santana do Parnaiba, Brazil
09/26/2012 – Palacio das Artes – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
09/28/2012 – Teatro ND Ateneo – Buenos Aires, Argentina
09/30/2012 – Teatro Auditorium – Mar del Plata, Argentina
10/03/2012 – Teatro San Martin – Tucuman, Argentina
10/05/2012 – Teatro Luz y Fuerza – Cordoba, Argentina
10/07/2012 – Teatro Plaza – Mendoza, Argentina
10/10/2012 – Teatro El Circulo – Rosario, Argentina

Also soon to be announced, a special concert in Chile late November with the Youth Orchestra of Santiago, Orquestra Sinfonica Nacional Juvenil (OSEM). For more information visit http://www.jonanderson.com/tour.html

In honor of the World Cup to be held in Brazil in 2014, Jon has written a tribute the the event titled “Brasilian Music Sound”, with music from his good friend Christophe Lebled. Here’s a video of Jon’s new song created by Victor Cristean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijih_zqMRks

In other news, Jon played a special one-off concert on August 8th at the Sadler’s Wells Theater in London, which was by all accounts a smashing success! This was the first time Jon had performed in the UK since his tour with Rick Wakeman in 2010. “The concert in London was with the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra with the help of my good friend composer Peter Machajdik plus a semi acoustic group I performed with a couple of years ago in Bratislava,” says Jon. In honor of the UK 2012 Olympics, Jon recorded a vocal version of the Vangelis song “Chariots of Fire” titled “Race To The End”, with lyrics penned by Jon. The song can be purchased at: http://www.amazon.com/Race-to-the-End/dp/B008PNX14Q/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345046374&sr=301-1 Also, Jon is featured on four tracks on the new CD by Dennis Haklar called ‘Lizard’s Tales’

Jon recently completed a successful summer tour in support of his critically acclaimed new 21-minute digital download release ‘OPEN’. Here’s what the press have raved about Jon’s past few tours:

“Jon Anderson is as engaging and charming as ever!” – Howard Whitman, E-Gear Magazine, Philadelphia

“…with the still-sky-high voice wove together tunes from across his career” – Thomas Kintner, Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT

“Anderson’s voice is still remarkable!” – Victor Fiorillo, The Philly Post

“His gentle, joyful presence brings light into even a darkened room” – Eri-Chan Listens

“It was clear the audience was having a good time as they sang along with Anderson, cheered him on, danced at their tables, and gave him a standing ovation during the end of the show and the encore – the place was filled with excitement, happiness and lots of love!” Ashley Perez – Chicago Music Examiner

“The songs were clearly different….warm, and enough to remind listeners why they fell in love with YES in the first place” – John J. Moser, The Morning Call, MD

For more information: http://www.jonanderson.com, http://www.facebook.com/thejonanderson,

“Brasilian Music Sound” single can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Brasilian-Music-Sound/dp/B008S3CYO6/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345046162&sr=301-1

Jon Anderson ‘OPEN’ digital download available: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Single/dp/B005XT5Z8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1336499182&sr=1-1

Jon Anderson ‘Survival & Other Stories’ available through Gonzo MultiMedia:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk,

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158 glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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2012/08/29

IZZ Bassist/Songwriter/Vocalist, John Galgano, To Release Debut Solo Album on September 11, 2012

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

IZZ Bassist/Songwriter/Vocalist, John Galgano, To Release Debut Solo Album on September 11, 2012

August 29, 2012 – New York, NY – Doone Records is pleased to announce the release of Real Life is Meeting, the debut solo album by John Galgano.

John Galgano is a founding member of art-rock group, IZZ, and has been one of the band’s primary songwriters throughout its career. Real Life is Meeting presents eight tracks varying in styles and instrumentation, from the catchy, art-pop flavor of “Bigger on the Inside,” to the experimental, synth-based “The Only Thing,” to the 19-minute piece “1000,” all the while taking the listener in unexpected directions.

Real Life is Meeting showcases Galgano’s humor, his introspective and confessional lyrics, and his surprising song structures. In turns breathtakingly adventurous and heartrendingly beautiful, this music represents a musician and songwriter unencumbered by any preconceived ideas. The result is a fluid, naked, and daring collection of universal musings set to music – meditations on what it means to be human in the 21st century.

Galgano also recently played bass on Renaissance keyboardist Jason Hart’s new release, I and Thou’s Speak. Galgano has performed with IZZ at many art-rock festivals in the United States and Canada and has played bass for Hart while serving as the opening act during two Marillion Weekends (2007, 2011).

The line-up for Real Life is Meeting is:

John Galgano: Bass guitar, vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards
Laura Meade: Vocals
Paul Bremner: Electric guitar solos on “The Only Thing” and “Look Around”
Brian Coralian: Drums on “Lucky for Me” and “1000”
Greg DiMiceli: Drums on “This is How it Happens”
Shawn Bishop: Backing vocals, keyboards, percussion
John Raimondo: Drums on “Bigger on the Inside,” “The Only Thing” and “Look Around”
Chris Baldini: Lead vocals on “Look Around”
Greg Meade: Electric guitar solo on “Lucky for Me”

Mixed and Produced by Shawn Bishop
Mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer John Shyloski

For more information on Real Life is Meeting and for the most updated information about John Galgano and IZZ, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/johngalganomusic
twitter: @johngalmusic
http://www.izznet.com
http://www.facebook.com/izzmusic
twitter: @izzmusic
http://www.facebook.com/laurameademusic

Real Life is Meeting will be available for purchase at Amazon, iTunes and all online music retailers.
DOONE RECORDS, INC : info@doonerecords.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Leave a comment | posted in John Galgano, Press Release

2012/08/28

Santana Trumpeter Bill Ortiz Celebrates Consciousness with Hip-Hop LP “Highest Wish” Featuring Casual, The Grouch and Zumbi

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Santana Trumpeter Bill Ortiz Celebrates Consciousness with Hip-Hop LP “Highest Wish” Featuring Casual, The Grouch and Zumbi

August 27, 2012 – San Francisco, CA – A longstanding member of the Santana band, Bill Ortiz is proud to present his new full-length release titled Highest Wish. A follow up to his “Winter in America” EP released earlier this year, this new album project features conscious emcees such as Casual, The Grouch, Zumbi (of Zion I) and K-Maxx, as well as fellow Santana member (and 11 time Grammy® Award Winner) Tony Lindsey, and iconic poet/vocalist Linda Tillery, featured with a spoken word performance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Nobel Peace Prize speech.

“Carlos has always used music to inspire and bring people together,” explains Ortiz. “I try to follow in that tradition. I’ve been really inspired by some of the Bay Area hip-hop artists like Casual, Zumbi and the Grouch who make music with enlightened lyrics,” Ortiz adds of how he chose his featured guests. “We often celebrate ignorance in our society, so I wanted to celebrate consciousness.” On his EP, which charted in the top 10 on CMJ’s hip hop charts for over a month, Ortiz covers Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson’s 1973 hit on the track “Winter in America” as an homage to the recently departed Heron. The concept video for this track has been featured on many mainstream hip-hop websites.

And while Ortiz is known over the past 12 years as the trumpeter with Santana, he’s been involved in the Hip-Hop and R&B movements for as long as he’s played music. He played trumpet on the classic hip-hop Souls of Mischief album “93 til Infinity” and has worked and recorded with Tony Toni Tone’, En Vogue, Sheila E, TLC, among others. Born in San Francisco, California, Ortiz began his mastery of the trumpet at age 10. While in school he was first chair trumpet in the San Francisco All-City Band, and by his mid-teens he was playing at local dances and clubs with a number of R&B and jazz groups, giving him an early and varied start to his professional career. His horizons were broadened even further during his college years with his first exposure to electronic and Latin music.

In the nineties Ortiz began working with R&B/Hip-Hop group Tony Toni Tone’ as a touring band member and featured soloist. He performed on five releases from the multi-platinum selling group, as well as toured the US, Canada and Europe. He accompanied Tony Toni Tone’ when they joined Janet Jackson on her “Alive” tour and made numerous TV appearances with them. This exposure led Ortiz to recording with Destiny’s Child, En Vogue, Souls of Mischief, Sheila E, TLC, Total, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, among others.

Following his stay with Tony Toni Tone’, Ortiz toured and recorded with the legendary Boz Scaggs, and began a long and fruitful association with highly acclaimed jazz vocalist Lavay Smith (with whom he still works), recording two CDs and touring the US and Europe yet again.

Presently Ortiz is recording and touring with Carlos Santana, work which includes his performances on the Grammy® Award winning singles Smooth and The Game of Love. In addition, he has been very active as a studio musician playing Hip-Hop, R&B and Jazz. In 2009, Bill Ortiz released his debut solo album “From Where I Stand,” which charted on Billboard and garnered huge success among critics and fans alike in the USA and around the world. Bill Ortiz is endorsed by Rebel Spirit Clothing.

Bill spends a good amount of his time and energy getting involved in music education, both as a clinician and private instructor. He enjoys mentoring younger musicians and spreading the experiences and diversity of his musical background, which he tries to bring to all of his own playing and recordings.

“My musical upbringing contains a wide variety of styles, including Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin, African, R&B/Soul, and Blues,” he states. “What I am trying to do with my musical voice is reflect all of those elements of who I am as a musician and a person. I’m not a purist; I try to bring all these elements of who I am musically into one voice.”

Ortiz will celebrate the release of his new album with 2 performances (8pm and 10pm) with his All-Star Band at Biscuits and Blues at 401 Mason Street in San Francisco, CA (415) 292-2583 http://www.biscuitsandblues.com on October 19th, 2012

A music video for the song “Winter In America” is available from the link below. This song, featuring Tony Lindsey from Santana on lead vocals and The Grouch from Living Legends is a tribute to the late great Gil Scott-Heron. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6R19VYdbHc

Highest Wish will be available September 4th, 2012.

For more information http://billortiz.com/music/

Press inquiries please contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR at 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com or Nicole Balin at Ballin PR at 323-651-1580or nik@ballinpr.com

Leave a comment | posted in Bill Ortiz, Press Release

2012/08/25

Something Else Reviews – Jeremy Spencer – Bend in the Road

By glassonyonpr

Jeremy Spencer – Bend in the Road (2012)
Posted by Nick DeRiso

Jeremy Spencer, the Fleetwood Mac alum, has found inspiration in working with new voices, old masters and his own muse, creating an album of intimate, handmade joys that moves confidently from blues to Americana to rootsy pop.

Bend in the Road, seeing worldwide release on August 28, 2012, recalls in many ways the Elmore James-focused contributions he made to Fleetwood Mac’s first pair of Peter Green-led recordings in the late 1960s — a vibe that carried over to Spencer’s 2006 comeback recording Precious Little, as well. Spencer plays slide throughout, and includes James tracks like “The Sun is Shining” and “Stranger Blues” — the last of which is given a tasty new Spanish tinge. (The opener, called “Homesick,” was actually written and recorded in the early 1950s by James’ cousin, too.)

But there’s much more than that going on here.

Of course, Spencer was also known, in the late 1960s, for his canny way of echoing early rockers, and he gives a few notable nods (the groove on “Earthquake,” the unkempt vocals on “Stranger Blues” and “Homework”) to the legacies of lost mid-century geniuses like Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran, too.

Bend in the Road, originally issued as a limited-edition double vinyl album for Record Store Day, also revives a few ideas that had lain dormant from his time in Fleetwood Mac, the brief solo career that followed, and during what would turn a three-decade retirement from the music business for Spencer — who left to follow a religious path.

He’d started on “Whispering Fields” in the run up to Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1967 debut, but set it aside. After a number of failed attempts at fashioning lyrics for the tune over the years, it’s presented here as an amiable, country-rocking instrumental. The searching, ruminative “Desired Haven” is a reworking of an idea that dates back to 1972, while “Refugees” started out as the title track from 1979′s Flee. “Aphrodite,” which recalls the inspirational lyricism of George Harrison, is originally from the late 1970s, as well. Meanwhile, “Earthquake” was written in 1981, after Spencer experienced a temblor in Greece.

[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Jeremy Spencer’s former Fleetwood Mac bandmate Peter Green has also made a remarkable 2012 comeback with the thrillingly rambunctious ‘Blues Don’t Change.’]

At the same time, though, Bend in the Road doesn’t seem dated, never feels rote: That’s thanks in part of these flinty tandem moments with new collaborator Brett Lucas, who’s worked with Bettye LaVette in the past. His contributions are particularly notable on the series of Spencer instrumentals included here, as the second guitarist adds classically inspired flourishes, early rock punch, and a few saucy R&B asides. (The band is rounded out by drummer Todd Glass; bassist James Simonson; accordion player Duncan McMillan; a string section that included Molly Hughes, Mimi Morris and Stefan Koch; and background vocalist Rachel May, who offers an intriguing series of shadings — moving with sly ease from soaring heights to ghostly quietude.)

Credit Spencer, the roving gypsy heart of this project, as well. He finds inspiration everywhere — switching to keyboards on tracks like the majestically restrained “Merciful Sea” and James’ sizzling “Cry for My Baby,” while uncovering inspirational wellsprings that reside far beyond the iconic Delta cottonfields and shotgun shacks of traditional acoustic blues: There are devotional nods to his time away from music (“I Walked a Mile With Sorrow,” “Come to Me”), and a trio of tunes based upon poetry — “I Walked a Mile” (Robert Browning), “Secret Sorrow” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) and the title track (an obscure writer named Praveen).

In the end, this gives Bend in the River the feel of a career valedictory. It’s gloriously hard to pin down — something personified in standout tracks like “Homework,” which finds Spencer howling like old rock and stinging like Otis Rush, all over a loose groove that would have been right at home on an Eric Clapton solo recording from the early 1970s.

It’s that kind of record. The very good kind.

Source

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2012/08/24

UK Composer Makes ‘The Marvin Ayres String Orchestra’ Available For Musicians Worldwide

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

UK Composer Makes ‘The Marvin Ayres String Orchestra’ Available For Musicians Worldwide

August 22, 2012 – London, UK – Renowned UK composer Marvin Ayres is now offering his talents to music artists worldwide! Musicians everywhere can have their own bespoke string orchestra/quartet/trio/solos played, arranged, scored and produced in one studio, which can fit beautifully into songs and projects. Once provided with the material Marvin creates exciting and versatile string arrangements with real acoustic instruments – an innovative concept in this day of synthetic strings and orchestras!

“Real strings by a real human – just a click away!” – Tony Visconti

As well as his own orchestral compositions, Marvin Ayres has had strings used on many professional releases including: BBC, Channel 4, Disney, David Bowie, Basement Jaxx, B.E.F, Artful Dodger, Culture Club, TerraNivium, Heaven 17, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Adam Ant, Stewart Copeland, Boy George and Kate Jackson.

Straddling the worlds of commercial and classical music, as composer/producer Marvin Ayres has developed a distinctive and innovative style by subjecting his instruments to electronic treatments, thereby pioneering an approach described as “Ambient Orchestral Minimalism”. Operating somewhere between the spiritual serenity of Gorecki and Part and the electronic adventures of Brian Eno and Aphex Twin, his key features are layers of organic strings filtered through atmospheric distortions and effects, sounding at once both familiar and utterly new.

“…like some of (Brian) Eno’s best work, the atmospheres Ayres creates can comfortably blend into the sonic backdrop, they are also compelling pieces of music that can dominate and transport.” – All About Jazz

A founding member of The Government, Ayres also made solo contributions to bands and artists throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, notably, Culture Club, Simply Red and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. In 1999 he was signed to the avant-garde label Mille Plateaux as composer/producer and released two ambient albums, Neptune and Cellosphere, to critical acclaim. Excerpts of these works have been performed live in an array of forums such as: London’s ‘Festival of Electronica'(with Groove Armada’s Patrick Dawes), and the inter-media cutting edge event ‘Sprawl’. His reputation as producer and performer came to the attention of Jaki Liebezeit (formerly of Can), who invited him to re-mix tracks and tour withLiebezeit’s band Club Off Chaos in early 2001. Ayres was commissioned by Einsturzende Neubauten’s electronica music publishers Freibank, and his compositions have featured on five ‘For Films’ albums.

In addition to his work with musicians, Ayres also collaborates with visual artists on audio-visual installations, which have been exhibited in major galleries and art houses in Europe and the U.S. In 2000, the prestigious ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London commissioned him to compose and produce their first ever DVD exhibition. The two works resulting from this were Sensory and Cycle, incorporating spatial soundscapes and psycho acoustics and were composed specifically for 5.1 Surround Sound. Marvin Ayres’ collaborative film Scape is to this day a permanent fixture on exhibition at The Tate Modern.

His ongoing project with Sonja Kristina (from rock legends Curved Air) is called MASK and their 2006 hit single ‘Waking The Dream’ came from their debut dual-disc album Heavy Petal. Their second album, Technopia was released on Repertoire Records in 2010 . Ayres has recently collaborated with Martyn Ware (Heaven 17) on his B.E.F (British Electronic Foundation) project ‘Dark’, creating and performing atmospheric and emotive string orchestrations and arrangements of classic songs performed by major artists.

As well as productions for other artists, the W.O.W studio is a mastering facility and recently remastered the legendary John Peel Sessions for Curved Air ‘Airwaves – Live At The BBC’ album. This year also sees the official release for Marvin Ayres new 120 piece orchestral composition/recording ‘The Harmogram Suite’ as a stereo CD and 5.1 surround sound DVD.

For information on booking the Marvin Ayres String Orchestra for recordings please contact alex@wallofwaves.com

http://marvinayresstringorchestra.tumblr.com
http://wallofwavesstudio.tumblr.com
http://www.marvinayres.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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