Author Archives: glassonyonpr

YES Legend Jon Anderson’s “Olias Of Sunhillow” 2 Disc Remastered & Expanded Edition Now Available For Pre-order

For Immediate Release

YES Legend Jon Anderson’s “Olias Of Sunhillow” 2 Disc Remastered & Expanded Edition Now Available For Pre-order

Released March 26, 2021

• A NEWLY REMASTERED & EXPANDED 2 DISC EDITION OF THE LEGENDARY 1976 SOLO ALBUM BY YES VOCALIST JON ANDERSON
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURES A DVD WITH A HIGH RESOLUTION 96 kHz / 24-BIT REMASTER OF THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX ALONG WITH A 5.1 SURROUND SOUND UP-MIX DERIVED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• WITH FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK AND AN ESSAY WITH AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JON ANDERSON
• INCLUDES ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET WITH NEW ESSAY

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new expanded and remastered 2 disc edition of the classic debut solo album by YES vocalist JON ANDERSON, “Olias of Sunhillow”. Released in July 1976, the album was a conceptual work recounting the story of an alien race on a journey to find a new world following volcanic destruction on their home planet. All music on the album was written and performed by Jon Anderson and the recording took place at Anderson’s Buckinghamshire home studio whilst Yes were on hiatus following the tour to promote the album “Relayer”. Initially recorded on an 8-track tape machine, the arrangements were then re-recorded on to a 24-track tape machine. The album saw Jon perform the music entirely alone, teaching himself to play keyboards and acknowledging the influence of such legendary musicians as Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz and Vangelis on his work.

“Olias of Sunhillow” was released by Atlantic Records in the summer of 1976 in an elaborate gatefold sleeve designed by David Fairbrother-Roe and was a top ten album in the UK. This Esoteric Recordings edition has been newly remastered from the original album master tapes and fully restores the stunning original artwork and also features a booklet with a new essay and exclusive interview with Jon Anderson.

Over the ensuing years the excellence of the album has led to many calls for the album to be remixed in a 5.1 Surround Sound format. Alas, despite extensive research, the multi-track masters of the album cannot be found. However, this expanded edition of “Olias of Sunhillow” features a DVD featuring a high resolution 96 kHz / 24-bit re-master of the stereo mix and also includes a high resolution 5.1 Surround Sound up-mix derived from the original stereo master tapes as an additional feature.

The more I realize that time flies when you’re having fun…boy oh boy, the fun I’m having listening to my early solo work….

OLIAS for me was like going to music school for Three Months solid without breathing…

Totally captivated by making a true SOLO album…every sound, vocal, instrumental and whatever came from the cosmos is there on the album…a dream made reality…

I never really listened to it all the way through after it was released, I must have listened to every sound a zillion times while mixing it….

So, a month ago I listened to the whole album again…and felt such joy and gratefulness to have gone through that experience, and here I am so many years later going through a similar musical journey…

Time flies by when you’re having fun….

cheers…love and ‘light’…Jon

Track Listing:

DISC ONE:
OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW
REMASTERED EDITION

1. OCEAN SONG
2. MEETING (GARDEN OF GEDA)
SOUND OUT THE GALLEON
3. DANCE OF RANYART
OLIAS (TO BUILD THE MOORGLADE)
4. QOQUAQ EN TRANSIC
NAON
TRANSIC TO
5. FLIGHT OF THE MOORGLADE
6. SOLID SPACE
7. MOON RA
CHORDS
SONG OF SEARCH
8. TO THE RUNNER

DISC TWO:
OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW
HIGH RESOLUTION 96 KHZ / 24-BIT
5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX & STEREO REMASTER

1. OCEAN SONG (5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
2. MEETING (GARDEN OF GEDA)
SOUND OUT THE GALLEON
(5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
3. DANCE OF RANYART
OLIAS (TO BUILD THE MOORGLADE)
(5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
4. QOQUAQ EN TRANSIC
NAON
TRANSIC TO
(5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
5. FLIGHT OF THE MOORGLADE
(5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
6. SOLID SPACE (5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
7. MOON RA
CHORDS
SONG OF SEARCH
(5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)
8. TO THE RUNNER (5.1 SURROUND SOUND UPMIX)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/jon-anderson-olias-of-sunhillow-2-disc-remastered-expanded-edition/?fbclid=IwAR2m-SSPeQ9VMv9aCq4dmFFkkxNB1qHfrQb9KcAoO0CiwD0fJ3Ht47PgB1A

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


Unquiet Music LTD Releases New Concept Album “In The Name Of… (A Prayer For Our Times)” Featuring Trey Gunn of King Crimson

For Immediate Release

Unquiet Music LTD Releases New Concept Album “In The Name Of… (A Prayer For Our Times)” Featuring Trey Gunn of King Crimson

Everything in this work sounds like it could have come from another planet.” – Trey Gunn

Unquiet Music LTD has released a new concept album titled “In The Name Of… (A Prayer For Our Times)” and features Trey Gunn of King Crimson, Markus Reuter of Stick Men and Frédéric L’Epée of Yang among others.

The overall spirit behind this album is rock ‘n’ roll – keeping a popular access to an uncompromised way of approaching things. However, it also has the ambition of providing something different for adventurous ears.

So the styles of music used are diverse, and influences can be traced from concrete music, minimalism, ambient, electronic, progressive rock, contemporary classical… A few names can be cited as inspirators: Olivier Messiaen, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, John Zorn…

Watch the video teaser:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlr8E0k70vk&t=1s
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1255145625/videos/10224431680360304/

Watch the video for “In The Name Of The Son (Atomisation)”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ul4Ambqpis

Download the free single (It is a FREE DOWNLOAD and it comes together with a previously unreleased track (a choir work): https://unquietmusicltd.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-name-of-the-son-single-free-download

Unquiet Music Ltd is both a concept and a company funded in 2019  by  JP Rossi. JP grew up in the late 70’s and 80’s, and founded different bands by the end of the 80’s, early 90’s, inspired by both British epic and dark rock and French ‘chanson’, bands such as Genesis, Simple Minds, Joy Division, and in France Alain Bashung, Alain Souchon etc… He had a notable act in the 90’s called “L’Air de Rien” with the drummer Karim Ziad, and guitarist Khliff Miziallaoua, from the then ‘rai’ scene (Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami) who contributed to the album as well. In the mid 90’s the band split and it was only 20 years later that JP returned to the music, with a wealth of musical education and worldwide experiences.

Unquiet Music Ltd is meant to be self-explanatory:
… Since we are living in unquiet times…

… Since we need to pass through commercial paths to reach each other and the world…

Says JP, “The idea is to create an uncompromising sound, basically something that would not be heard anywhere else – at least as such, since we all only recycle…The form is a musical mandala in 4 pieces, based on the traditional prayer “In the name of the father etc”… The music should really be considered as a single piece, a prayer, a vessel to be embarked in a travel through our modest but also ambitious condition.”

The music was elaborated as a tentative transcription of aural dreams. The process developed over a couple of years, and was only possible through the patient collection of the dreams remnants into a digital audio workstation. Some of the themes needed live performances, and musicians gradually integrated the project. An important step was passed when Markus Reuter joined for the production by the end of 2018.

There is a full length video to support the music. It is not a ‘contemplative’ work in any way, it rather aims at creating a story in parallel with the music. It should add a different and hopefully interesting dimension to the experience. There are also close to 2 hours of demo work, some quite advanced, some quite different, that Unquiet Music Ltd intends to release gradually, including bonuses for fans.

This is an Unquiet Music Ltd release

Recorded at various locations between 2017 and 2020.
The drums were recorded at Khliff’s place, Ollainville (10 September 2018)
The strings were recorded at NoJoke Studio, Paris by Dominique Sablier (19 September 2019)

Musicians:
Khliff Miziallaoua: Percussion (The father), Acoustic Guitars (The father), Electric Guitar (The son), Bass Voice  (Amen)
Frédéric L’Epée: Gibson Les Paul Custom & Parker Fly Guitars Guitars (The father’s quartet) Cédric Theys: Touch Guitars® AU8 (The father, The son)
Samira Brahmia: Voice (The son, The holy spirit, Amen)
Trey Gunn: Warr Guitars® (The father, The son, The holy spirit)
Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars® AU8 (The holy spirit)
Karim Ziad: Acoustic Drums (The son)
Gauthier Dymon: Voice (The son, Amen)
Elea Barta: Soprano Voice (Amen)
Raphaël Terreau: Tenor Voice (Amen)
Brice Modard: Bass Voice (Amen)
Alyssa Ait Hammou: Violin (The father)
Caroline Berry: Viola (The father)
Christophe Jeannin: Cello (The father)
Lukas Carillo: Double Bass (The father)

Groove design on “The son” by Karim Ziad
Lullaby improvisation on “The holy spirit” by Markus Reuter
Solo improvisation on “The holy spirit” by Trey Gunn
“The father”, “The holy spirit, “Amen” mixed by Markus Reuter
“The son” mixed by Benjamin Schäfer
Produced by Markus Reuter for Unquiet Music Ltd
Mastered by Lee Fletcher
Cover painting by Gérard Rossi
Graphic design by Bernhard Wöstheinrich
Text review by Dann Chinn

I’m glad that I live in a world where music and sound art like this are a reality. So much detail, a lifetime of creativity incorporated into an insane long-form opus. This is the musical place where ideas and idealism meet. You all should treat it with respect” – Markus Reuter

A crazy and extraterrestrial music! Check it out!” – Frédéric L’Epée

For folks who are into stretching their ears beyond where they have ever gone before, you really need to check out this recording from Unquiet Music Ltd. It is strikingly strange, imaginative and superbly executed. Electronica meets Messiaen meets…Gentle Giant? Magma? Stockhausen? Borge? Lynch? Cortazar? Everything in this work sounds like it could have come from another planet. This is an extra-terrestrial composition/work.” – Trey Gunn

To purchase:
Bandcamp: https://unquietmusicltd.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-name-of-a-prayer-for-our-times

For more information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnquietMusicLtd
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ayySw5v5jY1zL18mGolZw

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Chicago Prog Ensemble DISTRICT 97 To Release New Live Album “Screenplay” Including Unreleased Live Performance Featuring John Wetton!

For Immediate Release

Chicago Prog Ensemble DISTRICT 97 To Release New Live Album “Screenplay” Including Unreleased Live Performance Featuring John Wetton!

Chicago prog legends DISTRICT 97 will be releasing a new live album called “Screenplay” featuring well over 2 hours of music across 2 CDs on March 26, 2021! The album comprises all of DISTRICT 97’s critically-acclaimed “Screens” album performed live at Europe’s prog rock mecca, Boerderij Cultuurpodium, in October 2019. Additionally, the collection boasts a wide variety of additional live material spanning DISTRICT 97’s back catalog and covers ranging from John Lennon to Yes.

Also included is a rousing unreleased live performance of “21st Century Schizoid Man” featuring King Crimson/Asia/UK legend John Wetton, as well as collaborations with other artists such as Dave Kerzner and Fernando Perdomo. Plus, there are two secret “encore” performances.

As a special bonus, a brand new song recorded in quarantine called “Divided We Fall” is included on the new album!

The world has changed in ways we never could have foreseen since we released Screens in October 2019. Touring has been rendered impossible, and thus we have been unable to share this music live with many of our wonderful fans. Before covid-19 struck, we embarked on our UK & European Screening Tour. The centerpiece of each night was Screens performed live in its entirety. Fortunately, our show at Holland’s legendary Boerderij Cultuurpodium was beautifully recorded, and we are thrilled to present it now as part of ‘Screenplay.’ There’s much more to this collection though: live performances of other D97 favorites, tributes to our musical icons, a BRAND NEW SONG recorded in quarantine, and even a couple ‘encores’ (if you applaud long enough). Until we can be physically together again, please join us for ‘Screenplay’” – Jonathan Schang

Since I joined this band in 2008, one consistent bit of feedback I’ve received is that our live shows capture our essence as a band in ways that studio albums are not as able to, given the visual component of seeing us perform live mixed with the spontaneous musical ideas bouncing around on stage. We have been diligent about recording our live shows over the years and have been sitting on a mountain of live performances that we cannot wait to share with the rest of the word. Each song is an organism unto itself and in each performance we bring with us the culmination of the tour thus far and lessons learned about each song in the process. We throw in tiny moments to keep each other on our toes, try new interpretations based on our current emotional state and communicate on stage in ways that are seemingly mystical at times. Being a band for as long as we have creates a certain freedom to branch out on our respective ledges and see what happens when we put a twist on the familiar. I believe that our fans are in for a treat with ‘Screenplay,’ both for the live performances and the brand new song we recorded remotely as the pandemic rendered us isolated from one another.” – Leslie Hunt

TRACK LISTING
CD 1
1. Forest Fire
2. Sheep
3. Sea I Provide
4. Bread & Yarn
5. Trigger
6. After Orbit Mission
7. Shapeshifter
8. Blueprint
9. Ghost Girl
CD 2
1. Divided We Fall
2. Jealous Guy
3. Snow Country
4. Takeover
5. The Actual Color
6. A Lottery
7. Termites
8. Presto Vivace
9. Back in N.Y.C
10. Travels with Myself-And Someone Else
11. Fainting in Coils
12. Long Distance Runaround
13. Red
14. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Live w/John Wetton)
15. Out on the Tiles

DISTRICT 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. Since 2008, this quintet from Chicago has melded an adventurous, uncompromising instrumental prowess with the look, sound, and stage presence of vocalist Leslie Hunt. Through world tours and a stream of studio and live releases, the band has garnered a worldwide fanbase; collaborating with iconic singer/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia, UK) and drawing praise from Bill Bruford (drummer of Yes/King Crimson/Genesis), Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater/Transatlantic) and other rock luminaries along the way.

DISTRICT 97 rehearses doggedly to refine their compositions, ensemble-playing, and stage presentation; their standards for excellence have only grown more rigorous with the passage of time. Their latest album “Screens” (released October 2019) and its accompanying live shows set a high watermark of composition and musicianship.

The covid-19 pandemic has not stopped the band from innovating. Their Virtual Screening Tour and the stunning “Ghost Girl” animated short film have kept them at the top of the current prog rock heap. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=822-tra5DA4

To pre-order DISTRICT 97 “Screenplay”:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/district-97-screenplay-2cd-edition/#&gid=1&pid=1
http://www.district97.net/store/screenplay-2cd

Screens” – NEW STUDIO ALBUM: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/district-97-screens-cd/
“One More Red Night – Live In Chicago”, CD – District 97 & John Wetton: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/one-more-red-night-live-in-chicago/

For interviews or more information on District 97 please contact: info@district97.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Guitarist and Film Music Mastermind Lyle Workman To Release Stunning New Instrumental Album “Uncommon Measures” on Feb. 19, 2021 on Blue Canoe Records

For Immediate Release

Guitarist and Film Music Mastermind Lyle Workman To Release Stunning New Instrumental Album “Uncommon Measures” on Feb. 19, 2021 on Blue Canoe Records

Epic Progressive Rock/Jazz Fusion Collection Features 63-Piece Orchestra recorded Live At Abbey Road Studios

Known both as a first-call sideman/session musician and a top-shelf film composer with credits including “Superbad,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” prolific guitarist Lyle Workman will release “Uncommon Measures,” his first solo album in a more than a decade, on February 19, 2021, via Blue Canoe Records. Featuring a 63-piece orchestra recorded live at Abbey Road under the direction of orchestrator extraordinaire John Ashton Thomas (“Black Panther,” “Captain Marvel”), the collection plays like the score to some epic film from an alternate dimension, mixing elements of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and romantic classical music with gleeful abandon.

“This record ties together all the different threads of who I am,” explains Workman. “It was four years in the making due to my film and TV schedule, but it’s really the culmination of a lifetime in music.”

Bursting at the seams with soaring arrangements and virtuosic performances, “Uncommon Measures” showcases not only Workman’s unparalleled musicianship, but also his profound empathy and expansive emotional vocabulary. The songs here are living, breathing entities, constantly growing and evolving in ways both subtle and drastic, and the production is similarly unpredictable, veering from larger-than-life bombast to whispered intimacy and back, sometimes within the very same track. The result is a record as extraordinary as it is unexpected, a captivating, transportive song cycle that manages to scale the dizzying heights of joy and sadness, love and friendship, self-discovery and celebration, all without a single word.

“Lyle Workman is a completely accomplished and inspired guitarist, musician and composer,” says Steve Vai. “He has a wicked command of the instrument and is perhaps one of three players I know of that can wield exotic orchestral compositions with either a screaming or whispering guitar. ‘Uncommon Measures’ is the masterful evidence of this.”

A California native, Workman’s musical journey began in the mid-1980s, when he joined the Sacramento-based band Bourgeois Tagg. The group landed a deal with Island Records and gained international acclaim for their hit single “I Don’t Mind At All,” a Workman co-write that helped earn performances on the Tonight Show, Top Of The Pops, American Bandstand, and their European equivalents. The band proved to be a launching pad for Workman, who soon began picking up gigs in the studio and on the road with the likes of Sting, Beck, Frank Black, Jellyfish, Todd Rundgren, Norah Jones, Bryan Adams, and jazz icon Tony Williams, who included Workman’s “Machu Picchu” on his final album, “Wilderness,” with Stanley Clarke and Herbie Hancock. Workman’s skills as a sideman turned out to make him ideally suited for the world of film and television, as well, and work writing commercial jingles soon gave way to jobs composing for indie films, which opened the door to major studio releases and a connection with Judd Apatow, who began hiring Workman to score many of his projects. To date, Workman has composed music for films that have generated over a billion dollars at the box office worldwide.

PURCHASING LINK:
https://www.bluecanoerecords.com/uncommon_measures.html

SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.facebook.com/lyleworkman.musician
https://www.instagram.com/lyle.workman/
https://www.youtube.com/c/lyleworkmanofficial
https://twitter.com/lyle_workman

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


THE WALK-A-BOUT Release a Special New Cover of the INXS Single “AFTERGLOW” From Their 20/20 LP Recording Sessions

For Immediate Release

THE WALK-A-BOUT Release a Special New Cover of the INXS Single “AFTERGLOW” From Their 20/20 LP Recording Sessions

Long Island, New York – Following their acclaimed full-length album 20/20, which has been charting in the top 20 consistently since its release, Aussie-American rock quintet THE WALK-A-BOUT are proud to announce a new cover of the hit INXS single “AFTERGLOW.” Written by INXS founding member Andrew Farriss and world-renowned songwriter Desmond Child as a tribute to the late Michael Hutchins, this new arrangement of “AFTERGLOW” by THE WALK-A-BOUT was recorded during the sessions for 20/20. The single is a departure from the band’s usual approach, featuring a string trio with solely acoustic accompaniment. The beautiful production and organic feel make for an exciting new addition to THE WALK-A-BOUT catalog.

This special new single, paired with a live acoustic rendition of the band’s hit song “HERO” as the B-side, releases worldwide on all digital services February 5, 2021 with a limited edition 7” vinyl 45 version available for pre-order at www.walkaboutband.com.

Produced by Andrew Michael Bertrand and mastered by Roger Lian, 20/20 is an incredibly diverse record that explores many genres, expanding the scope of the band’s classic sound. There is something on the album for everyone. Whether it’s alternative rock, world music, funk, or the influence of prog rock, THE WALK-A-BOUT’s music is visceral, emotional, fun and socially conscious. The album’s first official music video featuring the single “Timeless” premiered online at Skylight Webzine.

20/20 has been receiving a great response from fans, media, and radio airplay across the country. With an unprecedented seven singles on the Roots Music Report radio charts at once, the album made it up to #3 on the RMR Alt-Rock chart and #16 on the Rock chart! Exclusive Magazine writes that 20/20 “features ten wondrous new tracks that lovingly embrace such different musical styles as funk, rock, world, Latin, folk, prog and even a dash of psychedelia, whilst maintaining a pop sensibility within each song structure,” and that it is “Destined to be a classic.” AntiMusic.com writes that, “there is a real kinship here with bands like the Dave Matthews Band, whose fans will really dig cuts like ‘Date Nut Porridge’ and ‘Tale of the Vibe Rider.’”

Band members Darren “Sully” Sullivan, Kevin Anderson, Drew Bertrand, and Dave Christian were joined by bass player Keenan Zach for the writing and recording of 20/20, and their collective vision has allowed THE WALK-A-BOUT to explore the outer reaches of music, soul and spirit. This dynamic new collection maintains the band’s depth and introspection, delivering a deep and entertaining album with pop appeal. 20/20 was recorded on 14 reels of two-inch tape, a recording method that is reflected in the dynamic sound of this extraordinary release, which is destined to be a classic. THE WALK-A-BOUT has toured along the East and West Coasts throughout 2018 and 2019, and more recently the band received overwhelming reaction to their online album release concert “The Walk-A-Bout Live in 20/20,” an unplugged acoustic concert that showcased live performances of their extensive catalog.

THE WALK-A-BOUT began writing the material for 20/20 in March of 2019, right at the time when the band began to achieve massive radio success with their album Things Are Looking Up, which consistently landed in Top 20 charts. The album reached #4 on Roots Music Report radio chart and ranked #24 on their Best of 2019 chart, while the singles from the album ranked simultaneously in the Top 5 of the alternative rock singles chart. The video for “That’s Just The Way It Goes” had an online premiere hosted by Skope Entertainment and continuous play on over 75 broadcast outlets throughout the summer and early fall of 2018. THE WALK-A-BOUT also released a limited edition 180-Gram Red Splatter Vinyl of Things Are Looking Up available exclusively through their website.

To purchase or stream the new single “AFTERGLOW” please visit: https://smarturl.it/TWABAfterglow

To purchase or stream the new live acoustic single “HERO” please visit: https://smarturl.it/HeroLive

To purchase or stream the new full-length album 20/20 on digital services please visit: www.walkaboutband.com/2020

For more information including tour dates or booking inquiries please visit: www.walkaboutband.com

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com


Al Stewart “Year Of The Cat” 3CD/1DVD 45th Anniversary Limited Edition Box Set Available For Pre-order

For Immediate Release

Al Stewart “Year Of The Cat” 3CD/1DVD 45th Anniversary Limited Edition Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released March 26, 2021.

• A DELUXE 4 DISC 45TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION BOX SET OF THE CLASSIC 1976 ALBUM BY AL STEWART
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES BY ALAN PARSONS
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 25 BONUS TRACKS: DRAWN FROM A NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND ALBUM MIX FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES BY ALAN PARSONS, A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDED IN SEATTLE IN 1976 AND AN OUT-TAKE FROM THE ALBUM SESSIONS
• INCLUDES AN ILLUSTRATED 68 PAGE BOOK WITH AN ESSAY FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AL STEWART AND ALSO INCLUDES 4 POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered four-disc deluxe 45th anniversary boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of YEAR OF THE CAT the legendary 1976 album by AL STEWART.

Recorded in the early months of 1976 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions and mixing taking place at Davlen Studios in Los Angeles), YEAR OF THE CAT was the seventh album by Stewart and was the second album on which he collaborated with the celebrated producer ALAN PARSONS.

The record was an album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity and was a triumph both in terms of Al Stewart’s song writing and the stunning and sophisticated production by Alan Parsons. Featuring such classic songs as ‘On the Border’, ‘Lord Grenville’, ‘Midas Shadow’, ‘If it Doesn’t Come Naturally, Leave It’, ‘One Stage Before’ and the classic title track. YEAR OF THE CAT was a major commercial and critical success on its release, reaching the US Billboard Top Five and was a European hit, eventually earning platinum disc status in the USA by March 1977. The single ‘Year of the Cat’ was also a Top Ten hit in the States and was a Top 40 hit single in the UK, establishing Al Stewart as a major artist.

This 45th Anniversary edition of this special album has been newly re-mastered for the very first time from the original first-generation master tapes by ALAN PARSONS and also features his stunning new 5.1 Surround sound mix from the original multi-track tapes. In addition, the set includes a complete, previously unreleased concert recorded at the Paramount Theater, Seattle in October 1976 on the YEAR OF THE CAT tour over two CDs and a new mix of the track ‘Belsize Blues’, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in September 1975.

This limited edition boxed set also features an illustrated 68-page book with a new essay featuring an interview with Al Stewart and a facsimile promotional poster and a set of four postcards and is a fitting tribute to a much treasured and legendary masterpiece by a consummate songwriter and performer.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
YEAR OF THE CAT
RE-MASTERED BY ALAN PARSONS

1. LORD GRENVILLE
2. ON THE BORDER
3. MIDAS SHADOW
4. SAND IN YOUR SHOES
5. IF IT DOESN’T COME NATURALLY, LEAVE IT
6. FLYING SORCERY
7. BROADWAY HOTEL
8. ONE STAGE BEFORE
9. YEAR OF THE CAT

BONUS TRACK
10. BELSIZE BLUES

(RECORDED AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS IN SEPTEMBER 1975)

DISC TWO:
LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER,
SEATTLE – OCTOBER 1976
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1. APPLE CIDER RE-CONSTITUTION (LIVE 1976)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
2. THE DARK AND THE ROLLING SEA (LIVE 1976)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
3. ONE STAGE BEFORE (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. SOHO (NEEDLESS TO SAY) (LIVE 1976)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
5. NOT THE ONE (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. ON THE BORDER (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. BROADWAY HOTEL (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
8. ROADS TO MOSCOW (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC THREE:
LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER,
SEATTLE – OCTOBER 1976
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

1. NOSTRADAMUS (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
2. SIRENS OF TITAN (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
3. THE POST WORLD WAR TWO BLUES (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. YEAR OF THE CAT (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
5. SAND IN YOUR SHOES (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. CAROL (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. IF IT DOESN’T COME NATURALLY, LEAVE IT (LIVE 1976) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC FOUR:
YEAR OF THE CAT THE NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX & ORIGINAL 96 KHZ / 24-BIT RE-MASTERED STEREO MIX BY ALAN PARSONS

1. LORD GRENVILLE (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
2. ON THE BORDER (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
3. MIDAS SHADOW (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
4. SAND IN YOUR SHOES (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
5. IF IT DOESN’T COME NATURALLY, LEAVE IT (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
6. FLYING SORCERY (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
7. BROADWAY HOTEL (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
8. ONE STAGE BEFORE (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)
9. YEAR OF THE CAT (5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/al-stewart-year-of-the-cat-3cd-1dvd-45th-anniversary-limited-edition-box-set/

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


Chicago Prog Ensemble Sonus Umbra Release New Album “A Sky Full of Ghosts”

For Immediate Release

Chicago Prog Ensemble Sonus Umbra Release New Album “A Sky Full of Ghosts”

Sonus Umbra came to life in 1991, formed by a group of physics and math students in Mexico City who drew from their shared love for all things dark, hard rocking and melodic. 30 years later, now based in Chicago and including some of the most accomplished veteran musicians of the Chicago rock music scene, the band continues casting shadows made of sound.

Sonus Umbra has played many progressive rock festivals in North America, including RoSfest, ProgDay, FestivAlterNativo, Progtoberfest and Terra Incognita, toured Mexico and Canada with Discipline, and shared stages along the way with the likes of Spock’s Beard, PFM, Stick Men, Haken, Thank You Scientist, Necromonkey, Deus Ex Machina, Tiles and Glass Hammer.

The band’s new studio album “A Sky Full of Ghosts” concludes the journey that began with “Beyond the Panopticon” and closes a chapter in the band’s own journey. The new album is a milestone of elaborate and ferocious progressive rock, and yet it is also their most melodic material to date.

Part 1 (“Beyond the Panopticon”) tells a story about the misconceived identity of a nameless protagonist who reminisces about lost love and near misses with death until he suddenly discovers that all of these memories are false. As he awakens to the reality around him, he realizes things are not as they seem, and that he is being watched…

Part 2 (“A Sky Full of Ghosts”) starts with the protagonist at war with his identity and environment. He learns that he is on board a vessel, deep in space and very far from home. The date is unknown. His mission is to assist the AI that runs the vessel and keeps him healthy and alive as they search for an exoplanet suitable for human habitation. In his broken mind, he personifies the AI that watches over him as a supernatural adversary: the Lorelei, with a bewitching song that will eventually lure him to his death.

Ultimately, the protagonist realizes that the Lorelei was always his ally, and the Earth of his memories is long gone, its flora and fauna decimated and no longer able to sustain life, destroyed by humanity’s hubris and senseless greed. As denial gives way to acceptance, the album is a plea for reason to prevail: it is suicidal and insane to wage war against your ship, which is the only thing keeping you alive in space. This is true whether the ship is an artificial vessel or the planet we call home.

We are all in this together, and we all are the same in the dark.

Sonus Umbra:

Roey Ben-Yoseph: Lead Vocals
Rich Poston: Electric Guitar, Keyboards
Steve Royce: Flute, Keyboards
David Keller: Cello, Orchestral Percussion
Tim McCaskey: Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Andy Tillotson: Drums, Keyboards, Guitars, Sound Design
Luis Nasser: Bass, Keyboards, Sound Design

You can order the eight-panel digipak compact disc directly from the band and stream the songs at gotsonus.bandcamp.com.

The album is also available at select distributors or directly at shadowsmadeofsound.com/store.

For more information:
shadowsmadeofsound.com
facebook.com/sonusumbra
twitter.com/sonusumbra

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Reggae Legends Chalwa Brings Their Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash to the Online Platform Stageit – February 6, 2021

For Immediate Release

Reggae Legends Chalwa Brings Their Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash to the Online Platform Stageit – February 6, 2021

Reggae power house, Chalwa, brings their Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash to the online platform Stageit! Take a Front Row Seat inside NewRootz Studio for a full set of Marley on February 6, 2021 at 8:30pm Eastern Time and be an interactive part of the studio masterpiece! Chalwa and J Ferris of NewRootz bring you weekly Reggae Sunday broadcasts on Stageit, with multi-camera views, full studio audio and psychedelic overlays. Their prime-time Bob Marley Birthday Celebration is not a show you want to miss!

Tickets are on sale now at stageit.com/chalwa

Jamaican Roots bud a hybrid strain of Appalachian Mountain Reggae in the Ancient Blue Mountains of Western North Carolina. CHALWA combines Earthly meditations and high grade vibrations for one-of-a-kind shows bred to heal the Nations. Their high energy always gets the diverse crowd dancing and groovin’ to the message. With 50 shows a year on Sunday afternoons at Highland Brewing Company alone, Chalwa continues to build an ever growing base of believers wherever they go. Welcome to the tribe!

After hitting the scene in 2006, Chalwa toured throughout the southeastern US and Jamaica. They have shared the stage with reggae greats such as: Steel Pulse, Midnite, Groundation, The Meditations, Bambu Station, SOJA, Pato Banton, and many more. Chalwa released their first CD in 2009 and were voted one of the top World Music, Reggae bands by the ASHEVILLE entertainment paper the MountainXress in 2010. Over the past 10 years Chalwa continued to cultivate and grow both their sound and current lineup. Their latest Album, “NewRootz” (2020), has gotten the attention of listeners across the globe as they continue to surf the resonant frequencies. Their most recent 2020 Single releases, “Questions” and “What’s it Gonna Be?” set the tone for the arsenal of online shows and releases cued up for 2021.

Never miss a beat at ChalwaRoots.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Writings By Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist Bill Rieflin in “Within Without” Now Available

For Immediate Release

Writings By Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist Bill Rieflin in “Within Without” Now Available

New Annual Publication “Within Without” Shares Intimate Writings From Bill Rieflin – Drummer & Multi-instrumentalist With Bands Such As R.E.M, King Crimson, and Ministry

This landmark issue of an independent annual print publication series that shares intimate perspectives into the hearts and minds of creatives unfolds over 90 pages of Bill Rieflin’s personal correspondence with the editor, Iona Singleton, as he shares his intimate thoughts during the last four years of his life, from 2016 until his passing on the 24th March 2020. His letters are beautiful, sarcastic, and disturbing. He imbues the mundane with the whimsical, searching for a deeper meaning amid his own illness and the death of his wife, Francesca.

I think sharing is a natural aspect of human experience. Sharing who we are is an expression of love.” – Bill Rieflin

Rieflin’s writings are accompanied by images from an array of leading photographers and graphic artists. Each of them expresses their unique creative perspective on the theme ‘a space for change’ as a starting point for the distinct narratives that unfold throughout.

photo by Tony Levin

To purchase: https://www.withinwithout.co.uk/shop/p/within-without-volume-i

For more information: www.withinwithout.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Beautiful People “If 60’s Were 90’s” Box Set Featuring Sampled Guitar Riffs, Lead Vocals & Word Raps From Guitar God Jimi Hendrix

For Immediate Release

Beautiful People “If 60’s Were 90’s” Box Set Featuring Sampled Guitar Riffs, Lead Vocals & Word Raps From Guitar God Jimi Hendrix

FIRST RELEASED IN 1993

The cleverly titled “If 60’s Were 90’s” by the band Beautiful People, is a truly unique and seminal record.

Beautiful People are a bunch of movers and shakers from London’s Acid House Scene, who have a highly developed fascination with the music of Jimi Hendrix, emphatically not a ‘Tribute’ band in the style of the Bootleg Beatles or the Australian Doors, Beautiful People have used sampling technology to virtually recruit Hendrix into the groups line up.” – David Sinclair, Billboard Magazine

Consisting of over fifty guitar riffs, vocal cut outs, out- take lead breaks, and word raps from guitar god Jimi Hendrix, “If 60’s Were 90’s” also features spoken steals from Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, 60’s blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield and a party called the “Milky Way Express” that included the one and only Frank Zappa. Like some Groovy Psychedelic time-machine cruising the Hendrixphere, Beautiful People pluck from over 30 different Hendrix recordings, writing nine new songs creating an… “Ambient Dance Dream Tribute” (Kris Needs, NME)… of … “Super Psychedelic Baggy Indie dance with Orb like overtones..” (Ian McCan, VOX) creating a sound that arguably helped kick off the rock dance crossover phenomenon of the early 90’s, bringing guitars back into dance music while still retaining the psychedelic rock majesty of one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th Century.

It all began when Singer/ Guitarist turned Acid House promoter Duncan Elder AKA Du Kane teamed up with Keyboardist/Studio Tech Whizz Luke Baldry, and created a one-off Hendrix sampled house track that found its way to Eric Clapton. Eric initially wanted to release the track but on managerial advice generously passed it on to Alan Douglas, (who ironically had been looking for an “environment” for the sampling of Hendrix at that time.) Douglas gave the gig to Kane and Baldry, the boys decided to name the band after Kane’s Acid House promotion company “Beautiful People” a name inspired by and attributed to author Ken Kesey and his team of 60’s Merry Pranksters. The album was completed in July 1992 with live drums recorded by Robin Goodridge (later of BUSH fame) and first released in 1993 on Castle Communications Essential label with remixes by Killing Joke bassist and Legendary producer YOUTH (Pink Floyd, Verve, U2.) The album was generally well received even if the idea of it did freak out some purists, but it proved to be a grower. The New York Post called it “An inspired bit of Grave Digging.” In 1994 Beautiful People toured Europe supporting HAWKWIND then on the personal request of Noel Gallagher toured the UK on the OASIS “Definitely Maybe” tour.

After securing an American deal with Continuum records Beautiful People racked up a number #1 and number #3 in the US dance chart with “If 60’s Was 90’s,” and “Rilly Groovy” (the former with accompanied video featuring Jimi’s son James Sunquist, aka Jimi Hendrix Jnr,) “Rilly Groovy” which was also placed in the opening credits for the movie “P.C.U” (a Grunge Era National Lampoon’s Uni flick starring Jeremy Piven and David Spade), as well as “If 60’s Was 90’s” being added to the movie soundtrack of “Prefontaine” starring Jared Leto… With a huge American Tour booked and the single about to be released to the mainstream chart, everything was looking good when out of the blue their American Label Continuum went bankrupt …everything halted and the album was frozen.

…And this Cult favorite was lost in a 90’s ethereal mist…

That is… until now…Out on Gonzo MultiMedia in box set form, and for the first time on (Purple) Vinyl is the whole remastered album, a triple CD selection of the best remixes by YOUTH, PM DAWN, Ben Mitchell, and Astralasia amongst others, a remastered CD of the album, also a DVD of all the bands Live TV performances, music videos, an interview with Alan Douglas, as well as a scrapbook coffee table book put together by Ian Brown and Fall. Producer Mike Bennett, with Du Kane telling the whole story with pictures and testimonials from members of the Darkness, Happy Mondays, The Fall, Sub Sub, Wishbone Ash, Sisters of Mercy, Oasis, Spiritulised, Steve Etherington, BUSH, Primal Scream, blues guitarist Will Johns, Fuzz Box, The Dust Junkys, and Hendrix photographer Karl Ferris commenting on how much influence “If 60’s Were 90’s” had on them personally, and on the music that followed, proving that Jimi Hendrix was still showing the way to another generation twenty five years after his tragic passing, and still inspiring future generations.

It’s an album to dream to… or just play spot the lick …and the closing ‘The Sea’…Eventually incredibly combines the beautiful intro of ‘Hey Baby’ with those stoned vocals of Electric Ladyland. It’s as if Jimi just got up and walked into the studio yesterday.” – Record Collector

“Listening to this album it is obvious it was made with the utmost respect…in fact somewhere or other Jimi is probably smiling” – Guitarist magazine

“Mixing previously unheard slabs of Hendrix into an Ethereal Post Rave haze will appeal to psychedelic warlords of all ages” – Melody Maker

“Sounds like the ghost of Jimbo is its executive producer”- SELECT MAGAZINE

“The fact that Jimi’s 60’s freakouts are still lightyears ahead of what passes for rock in the 90’s is not wasted on this group…An ambient dance dream tribute” – NME

“You get the sense Beautiful People do actually know and love Hendrix’s music …it’s a great record both cheeky and elegant” – TIME OUT

Loved if 60’s Were 90’s a hidden Gem…and a welcome relief from Brit Pop” – Billy Duffy (Guitarist – The Cult, Dead Men Walking)

“One of my favorite bands of the 90’s. It’s great to hear If 60’s Were 90’s is out again… Historic!” – Kenney Jones (Drummer – Small Faces, The Faces, The Who and Jones Gang)

“A right Royal Hendrix Groovathon!” – Toby Toman (Drummer – Primal Scream, Nico)

“Beautiful People were massive in Manchester…It was Perfect as purist Hendrix fans loved it and another generation in the indie scene lapped it up too… and not a duff track on it!” – Nicky Tunes (Dust Junkys and collaborator with the Fun Lovin Criminals)

“I played all the Live drums on this Jimi inspired dance /rock crossover record… I gave a copy to Gavin Rossdale and he was so impressed he called me early the next morning about doing an audition for BUSH!” – Robin Goodridge (Drummer – Beautiful People, Spear Of Destiny, BUSH, Ellis)

“When I first heard the ‘Beautiful People – If 60’s was 90’s’ album,

I was Blown Away with how they respectfully fused Jimi Hendrix’s music with their modern Electronic Beat and played along perfectly with him as if he was there in the group! And therefore, I absolutely know that he would have loved it and would have wanted to Jam with them…” – Karl Ferris (Photographer & Designer of “The Jimi Hendrix Experience” 1967-1968 US Album Covers:“Are You Experienced?” and “Electric Ladyland”)

“Wow when of my favorite remixes, I remember hearing it as the closing track on a beach on a 20k rig with 2000 freaks going crazy just after dawn, dolphins were flippin, naked beautiful people in the waterfall… Certainly one of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve ever had…” – Youth (Bassist for Killing Joke and Producer for Pink Floyd, The Verve, Paul Mcartney and many more.)

To purchase: https://www.musicglue.com/beautiful-people/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com