Category Archives: Press Release

2017/09/21

Guitar Legend Steve Hunter To Release New Album “Before The Lights Go Out”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Guitar Legend Steve Hunter To Release New Album “Before The Lights Go Out”

The Deacon Of Rock Bites Back!

“Before The Lights Go Out” is long time Alice Cooper/Lou Reed Guitarist Steve Hunter’s latest solo album. The cover art and title make a statement about his failing eyesight, but don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a quiet wave goodbye. As soon as you put on the first track, you will know that this is more like a Blues Rock Declaration of Independence! There are sexy grooves, luscious guitar tones and melodies galore.

As with all Hunter’s releases, there is some diversity and sound imagery, not least of which is Tienes Mi Corazón where alongside his nylon string improvisation comes the sound of his own heart. And listen out for Joe Satriani adding his fire to the heat of “Mojo Man.”

Also joining Steve on a couple of tracks are two great Bass players: Erik Scott can be heard on “Mojo Man,” Erik is also an Alice Cooper alumni. On “Under The Bodhi Tree” is Andy Stoller. Steve and Andy toured together with Tracy Chapman during the “Telling Stories” album period, most recently Andy has been touring with Ann Wilson of Heart.

Says Steve, “This album was a real joy for me on many levels. A big part of the inspiration and motivation that kept me going; was from all the people out there who had faith in me and encouraged me through the entire process with their donations and comments. It was really a wonderful experience having you all be a part of it. It’s my deepest hope and desire that you all enjoy the music on this album as much as I enjoyed making it. Thank you and God bless!”

Watch the album sampler video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBYCZ_sPVVA

Steve Hunter is his own man; he has been around the block with a forty-five year career.

From his 1973 solos on Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies” album, his legendary acoustic work on Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill,” his “Intro” to Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” and his searing opening solos on Aerosmith’s version of “Train Kept A Rolling” Most recently he can be heard on Alice Cooper’s 2017 album “Paranormal” making this his ninth Cooper album appearance. The Deacon is not done yet but his life is evolving! He has challenges playing live now but his honed skill, tone, power and soul, is dished up on this hot plate of guitar driven instrumental tastiness.

Tracks:
1. On The Edge Of Uncertainty
2. Mojo Man
3. Summer’s Eve
4. Cinderblock
5. Softtail Deuce
6. Tienes Mi Corazón (You Have My Heart)
7. Ice Storm
8. Under The Bodhi Tree
9. The Other Side Of The Coin
10. Happy Trails (vocal Karen Hunter)

Release date September 25, 2017

To pre-order Steve Hunter’s “Before The Lights Go Out”: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-the-lights-go-out/id1283875407

For more information:
http://www.stevehunter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/steve.hunter.54

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

Leave a comment | posted in Press Release, Steve Hunter

2017/09/20

Invincible Space Rock God, NIK TURNER, co-founder of HAWKWIND, Returns With A Brand New Album & North American Tour!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Invincible Space Rock God, NIK TURNER, co-founder of HAWKWIND, Returns With A Brand New Album & North American Tour!

Los Angeles, CA – The Return Of The Thunder Rider! Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner teleports back to Earth with a brand new album, Life In Space, to be released on September 29 via Purple Pyramid Records. The album features some of Nik’s most mature songs in years including the emotional opener “End Of The World” featuring a special guest performance by former Hawkwind/Pink Fairies member Paul Rudolph. Another Hawkwind alumnus, violinist Simon House, jumps on board for the space trippy “Why Are You?.” Turner also revisits one of the Hawkwind classics that he co-wrote, “Master Of The Universe,” giving the tune a modern twist. Life In Space will be available on both CD and colored vinyl (your choice of blue or white).

Once again, Turner will be hitting the road in support of the album on a coast-to-coast North American tour alongside neo-prog rockers Hedersleben.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/NikTurnermusic/ for complete tour info:

10/15 – Sacramento, CA – Blue Lamp
10/16 – Portland, OR – Tonic Lounge
10/17 – Seattle, WA – High Line
10/19 – Calgary – Palamino
10/20 – Edmonton – Brixx
10/21 – Winnipeg, MB – The Windsor Hotel
10/22 – Milwaukee – Shank Hall
10/23 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
10/24 – Pittsburg, PA – Smiling Moose
10/25 – Toronto – Velvet Underground
10/26 – Montreal – La Vitrola
10/27 – Rochester, NY – Bug Jar
10/28 – Brooklyn – NY – Cape House
10/29 – Charlottesville, VA – Champion Brewing Company
10/30 – Knoxville, TN – Open Chord
10/31 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
11/01 – New Orleans, LA – Santos
11/02 – Houston, TX – Walter’s Downtown
11/03 – Austin, TX – The Lost Well
11/04 – Dallas, TX – Granada

Frequently called “The Spirit Of Hawkwind,” Turner was a major creative force during that group’s most critically acclaimed and successful period, 1969-1976. His outlandish costumes, improvised sax and flute playing, and general wild man persona became iconic representations of the band, and we would go on to pen some of their most popular songs including “Brainstorm” and “Master of the Universe.” After leaving Hawkwind, Turner used his newfound freedom to travel to Egypt, where he soaked up the history and culture, and also made a recording of his flute music in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Cheops. In 1985, Turner relocated to the western side of Wales, where he set up a new age community in a fairly rural, isolated area. He has continued to release new music including 2013’s Space Gypsy, 2015’s Space Fusion Odyssey, and this year’s Life In Space.

Track List:
1. End Of The World
2. Why Are You?
3. Back To Earth
4. Secrets Of The Galaxy
5. Universal Mind
6. Approaching The Unknown
7. As You Were
8. Master Of The Universe

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turner-life-in-space-cd/
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/nik-turner-life-in-space-limited-edition-colored-lp/
Buy the digital version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/life-in-space/id1280767092

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

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS,
A division of CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS
Facebook @PurplePyramidRecords
https://www.facebook.com/PurplePyramidRecords/
Instagram @Purple.pyramid
https://www.instagram.com/purple.pyramid/
Twitter @PurplePyramid1
https://twitter.com/PurplePyramid1
Youtube @ Purple Pyramid
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiCec6bS6mX3c7dpitfYRQ
Purple Pyramid Store @
https://cleorecs.com/store/product-category/record-label/purple-pyramid/

Leave a comment | posted in Hawkwind, Nik Turner, Press Release

2017/09/18

UK Prog Ensemble CAIRO Releases Debut Album “Say” – Available Now!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

UK Prog Ensemble CAIRO Releases Debut Album “Say” – Available Now!

“Intriguing arrangements with amazing layers, strong vocals and blazing guitar work. I recommend this to all…” – Steve Hackett

London – Touchstone founder Rob Cottingham’s latest new band project CAIRO combines keyboard wizardry and electronica with modern rock values, dynamic guitar work and soaring vocals. This creates an enthralling sound that will capture the hearts and minds of modern music fans, as well as traditional and classic progressive rock aficionados. CAIRO has released their highly anticipated debut album “Say” available now on Heavy Right Foot Records via Cherry Red, and is available from all popular retailers around the world.

“I very much enjoyed listening to songs from the album ‘Say’ by Rob Cottingham and his new band, CAIRO. Intriguing arrangements with amazing layers, strong vocals and blazing guitar work. I recommend this to all…” – Steve Hackett

Watch the promotional video: https://youtu.be/Drm7NW0x1Kk

After only a few months from launch, CAIRO was featured in the Prog Magazine Readers Poll Top Ten “Tips for 2017.” In March 2017 CAIRO won the prestigious “Best Newcomer” award at the Classic Rock Society’s Best Of The Year 2016 ceremony, demonstrating that their sound reaches out to all across the broad rock spectrum.

“A stellar debut…jam-packed with epic moments, memorable hooks and heart-warming melodies!” – John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Frost*, It Bites, Arena, Kino)

CAIRO features:
Rob Cottingham on keys & vocals
Lisa Driscoll on vocals
James Hards on guitars
Paul Stocker on bass
Graham Brown on drums

Track List:
CAIRO
SHADOW’S RETURN PROLOGUE
SHADOW’S RETURN
WIPED OUT
SAY
NOTHING TO PROVE
NOTHING TO PROVE REPRISE
KATRINA
SEARCHING
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS PART 1
BACK FROM THE WILDERNESS
DANCING THE GOSSAMER THREAD
KATRINA (BREATHE MIX)

To purchase CAIRO’s “Say”:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Cairo
iTunes: http://geni.us/CairoDigital

In other news:
CAIRO is thrilled to announce that they will be playing the PROGDREAMS VII Festival at the Boerderij in Holland in the first weekend of March next year.

On behalf of the band, Rob stated: “At a personal level, I have wanted to play this venue for many years, having heard such great things about it – but never managed to get over there, so I am really looking forward to this. For the band, our Dutch market is the second biggest market for our CD sales in Europe after the UK. We have also had some stunning reviews in IOPages and Progwereld, so our music seems to be going down well over there, and we have been keen to find just such an opportunity. It will, therefore, be an absolute pleasure for Lisa, James, Paul, Graham and I to get over to Holland, make new friends and blow the roof off. We are all tremendously excited as this will also be the band’s first ever foreign jaunt – what a fantastic way to get our international gigs started.”

Listen to samples from the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EvcNZLgvR0 ;
Watch the album’s title track video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgELlG_VTVg

For more information: http://cairorocks.com/

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

Leave a comment | posted in CAIRO, Press Release

2017/09/16

Prog-Fusion Legends BangTower Releases New Digital EP “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Prog-Fusion Legends BangTower Releases New Digital EP “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?”

Featuring Neil Citron, Robby “Pag” Pagliari and Frankie Banali

Los Angeles – Declassified Records is proud to announce the release of a special 7 track digital EP from progressive fusion legends BangTower entitled “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?”. Available on September 12, 2017 at all major Digital music retailers including iTunes, CD-Baby, BandCamp, Google Play and Amazon. Tracks from the EP will also be available on most major streaming services in early September.

The surprise 7 track eponymous album follows closely on the heels of the internationally acclaimed December 2016 album “With N With Out”. In early 2017 Neil began writing and demoing new material for a potential future release. With the subsequent departure of Percy and Walter to focus on other music endeavors, it became apparent that others involved with the last BangTower record would be needed again. Since they’d worked so well together on “With N With Out”, Neil invited Robby “Pag” Pagliari back the project to record these songs and co-write some new ones.

When a window of opportunity opened in Frankie Banali’s schedule it seemed only natural to ask him to appear as a guest again, since the tracks he recorded on the previous record were so outstanding. Not only was he graciously willing to contribute his excellent drumming skills, he also brought along some of the best of his vintage sets to the mix, adding even greater depth and personality to each track.

The album was recorded entirely in top Los Angeles studios, utilizing the best in vintage and boutique instruments and recording equipment. It was mixed and mastered by Neil Citron specifically for digital distribution.

BangTower “Hey, Where’d Everybody Go?” track list
1. She Don’t Care – (Citron)
2. Lazy Afternoon – (Citron)
3. Frankie’s Silver Hammer – (Citron)
4. Bring You Back – (Citron, Pagliari)
5. Groove Alone – (Citron, Pagliari)
6. Right Hand Drive – (Citron, Pagliari)
7. Ali’s Midnight Wish – (Citron)

Neil Citron – Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals,
Robert “Pag” Pagliari – Fretless Bass Guitar, Vocals
Frankie Banali – Acoustic Drums

Produced, Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Neil Citron.
Released 2017 Declassified Records / Executive Producer Jon Pomplin
© 2017 Declassified Music BMI / S.B.I. Music BMI

For more information on BangTower visit:
Official Website – http://www.BangTower.com
Face Book – http://www.facebook.com/Bangtower
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/BangTower
YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/bangtower
Declassified Records – http://www.declassifiedrecords.com ;

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

Leave a comment | posted in BangTower, Press Release

2017/09/08

King Crimson’s “THRAK – The Complete Scores” Full Band Transcriptions Book Now Available!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

King Crimson’s “THRAK – The Complete Scores” Full Band Transcriptions Book Now Available!

King Crimson’s “THRAK – The Complete Scores” is now available! For the first time ever, full band transcriptions of this classic from the King Crimson double-trio era. Six musicians: two guitar players, two bassists and two drummers.

All parts transcribed and most of the essential bits tabbed for the various instruments and tunings: Adrian Belew’s guitar in standard tuning, Robert Fripp’s guitar in new standard tuning, Tony Levin’s fretted and fretless basses, Trey Gunn’s Chapman Stick and Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto’s acoustic and electronic drum transcriptions.

Transcriptions by Gabriel Riccio
Editing and tabs by Trey Gunn

Produced on high-quality paper in 9″x12″ format, spiral bound for lay-flat-open reading.

Official release date: September 24, 2017

Track listing:
VROOOM
Coda: Marine 475
Dinosaur
Walking on Air
B’Boom
THRAK
Inner Garden I & II
People
One Time
Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
VROOOM VROOOM
VROOOM VROOOM: Coda
and a bonus track from the “VROOOM EP”: Cage

To purchase: King Crimson “THRAK – The Complete Scores”: http://tinyurl.com/THRAKSCORES

From Trey Gunn:

A book of King Crimson transcriptions is a built-in contradiction – Crimson rarely steps in the same puddle twice.

This is a band known for stretching beyond even its own limits, meaning most of the arrangements are given freedom to grow and change as the spirit moves. My own experience in the group was that about every one to two weeks some part of the compositions had significantly morphed into something else. For example, in the VROOOM coda, the Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream “Spider Fingers Freakout” and THRAK every night saw the musicians heading into unexplored territory. As a result, any book of transcriptions can only reflect a slice in time of what this particular Crimson was doing on this particular day during this particular performance.

The approach Gabriel Riccio and I have taken with these THRAK recordings was to adhere strictly to what is on this record. While we’ve referred to the 2015 re-mixes and various live versions of the pieces, we have generally stayed with notating what is in the 1995 original mixes and performances.

These particular recordings, made at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the UK, were live performances. In my memory, we played each piece as a group once or twice through, picked a take and then quickly added overdubs accordingly. In most cases the overdubbing was very minimal. The record was largely completed in two weeks time, including all of the vocals.

Gabriel Riccio on some of the challenges of this score book:

THRAK has been one of the most challenging records to transcribe thanks to the dense 6-player arrangements. This often made it difficult to tell who is producing each sound. The title track is perhaps the most exciting piece to see on paper, as many of the band’s greatest tricks are on display – hocketed polymeters, symmetrical scales, and fiery improvisation.

The hardest part was figuring out how to write down the electronic drum parts. Bill Bruford provided some valuable input on that front, breaking down his sounds into four main categories which I used as labels throughout. The drums in the ‘Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream’ freakout are a great example of the complexity of this music – Bruford plays sextuplets phrased in 5s against Mastelotto’s 4/4 groove.


For more information:
http://www.treygunn.com
http://www.7dmedia.com

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

Leave a comment | posted in King Crimson, Press Release

2017/09/04

Deluxe Box Set Celebrating Donny Osmond’s February 2017 Performance at the Birmingham NEC – Now Available For Pre-order!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Deluxe Box Set Celebrating Donny Osmond’s February 2017 Performance at the Birmingham NEC – Now Available For Pre-order!

Pre-order “One Night Only” out on the 22nd September 2017 available in a limited edition signed & numbered US box set

London – A deluxe box set celebrating legendary Donny Osmond’s February 2017 performance at the Birmingham NEC is now available for pre-order! Donny Osmond has sold millions of records throughout his career, making the new “One Night Only” deluxe box set an instant collector’s item as there will be only 1000 units pressed! Also, the numbered box sets are individually signed by Donny! “One Night Only” is Donny Osmond’s first independent release.

The set includes:

– Limited Edition Triple DVD (Region 0, NTSC – this will play worldwide) – Double CD – Signed and Numbered certificate
– 24 page, full colour book featuring all previously unseen photos taken on the UK dates.
– Replica tour pass

Donald Clark “Donny” Osmond is an American singer, actor, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid-1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmonds. Osmond went solo in the early 1970s, covering such hits as “Go Away Little Girl” and “Puppy Love.”

In 2017 Donny Osmond toured the UK playing sold out shows in Arenas in Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Birmingham and two nights at the legendary Hammersmith Apollo, London. The tour was very special to Donny, he has has described it as, “This tour was definitely my favourite that I’ve ever done”. As such it was decided to film and record the final date of the tour at the NEC Birmingham – One Night Only. From the filming and recording we have produced some very special editions.

“I have been touring, literally all my life, so it’s quite a statement to say that this tour was definitely my favorite that I’ve ever done and I say that for many reasons.

“First is the fact that I took the opportunity not only to play the new songs I recorded for my 60th album, but I also went back into my repertoire of fifty-four years in show business and performed so many of my classics from so many different genres of music. The Purple Card segment of this show was kind of risky for me because I just didn’t know what the audience was going to ask of me, but it was fantastic!

“Another reason I loved this tour was that the band, the dancers, the crew and everyone involved in not only putting this tour together, but executing it in such a fun and professional way, made it a magnificent experience.

“However, by far the greatest reason was you, my loyal fans. You’ve been with me for so many years. Even through those years when it really wasn’t cool to follow and listen to Donny Osmond. You’ve stayed with me through thick and thin and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“It’s been a long and winding road as Paul McCartney once said, and I really don’t see the end of my road coming anytime soon. I hope you enjoy this final show of the 2017 UK tour. Here’s to the next one.”

To pre-order Donny Osmond’s “One Night Only” deluxe box set”:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/donny-osmond-one-night-only
https://donnyosmond.pmstores.co/?token=166a8de40c15f88fc282ddf77df91b78bf65a444

Donny Osmond’s official website: http://www.donny.com

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

3 Comments | posted in Donny Osmond, Press Release

2017/09/03

In Honor of the Buddy Rich Centennial Celebration Two Digital Albums, a Vinyl Album, and Two Digital Concert Films to be Released

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

In Honor of the Buddy Rich Centennial Celebration Two Digital Albums, a Vinyl Album, and Two Digital Concert Films to be Released

Studio City, CA – Lightyear Entertainment and Lobitos Creek Ranch, in association with Scabeba Entertainment and the Buddy Rich Estate, have announced the release of two new live albums featuring Buddy Rich and his Big Band, both recorded in 1985 on two nights at the King Street Studios in San Francisco. The digital albums are being released on September 15, 2017, as part of the Buddy Rich Centennial Celebration. Buddy was born on September 30, 1917.

The albums are the soundtracks from two concert films, The Channel One Suite and The Lost Tapes, which have been available from Lightyear on DVD since 2003 and 2005, respectively. The sound recordings from these concerts have never before been available as audio albums or as digital films for rental, sale, or streaming.

Gary Reber, subsequently the founder of Widescreen Review was the Producer of the concerts. One Pass Video was the Production company. Scott Ross of One Pass was the Director. A complete jazz club was built in the soundstage for the production to a live audience. The recordings were originally made in SQ Tate Matrix Quad Surround Sound.

The soundtracks have been re-mastered for digital release by Chad Hailey and Jeff Pinn at Broken Arrow Sound, Redwood City, CA.

The Channel One Suite has been retitled The Channel One Set, referring to the set list that Buddy and his Big Band performed the night it was recorded. The two films have been remastered for digital release by Sergio Hernandez at Bitmax Hollywood.

The two audio albums will be released on September 15, 2017 through Caroline Distribution, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, on the Lightyear/Lobitos Creek label. The digital films are scheduled for November.

A vinyl LP of The Lost Tapes will be released as well, tentatively scheduled for January.

The title The Lost Tapes refers to the fact that these recordings were lost for a decade, presumed damaged in a fire, and then digitally restored.

“These recordings are some of the best quality recordings ever made of the legendary drummer and his band,” said Arnie Holland, CEO of Lightyear. “And we are grateful to Executive Producer Steve Michelson and the inimitable Cathy Rich for 14 years of working together with us to make sure that Buddy’s legacy is complete and widely available.”

Cathy Rich, CEO of Scabeba Entertainment and Buddy’s daughter, is guest vocalist with the Buddy Rich Band featuring drummer Greg Potter. The 16-piece Big Band has been touring all year, and will perform at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood on October 2.

Buddy Rich, whom Gene Krupa defined as “the greatest drummer to ever draw breath,” was honored with a President’s Special Merit award GRAMMY along with three Grammy Nominations. He was inducted into the Downbeat Magazine, Modern Drummer and Playboy Halls of Fame. Buddy received the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award and awards for his philanthropic efforts. He was named “Greatest Drummer of All Time” by Modern Drummer magazine.

In honor of Buddy’s Centennial, a flag will be flown over the U.S. Capitol on Buddy’s birthday, September 30, when the commemoration of his Centennial will also be read into the official Congressional record where it will be a permanent part of the United States archive for all time.

Channel One Set Trailer: https://vimeo.com/230657685

The Lost Tapes Trailer: https://vimeo.com/230659281

Audio Mexicali Nose from The Lost Tapes: http://bit.ly/buddymexnose ;

New YouTube Channel created for the 100th Birthday Celebration: Buddy Rich 100th Anniversary Channel

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

Lightyear Entertainment, a distributor of independent films and music, was founded in 1987. http://www.lightyear.com

Leave a comment | posted in Buddy Rich, Press Release

2017/09/02

Dutch Rock Legends FOCUS Announce New Double Album Collection THE FOCUS FAMILY ALBUM feat. Extensive Unreleased and New Material! OUT NOW!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Dutch Rock Legends FOCUS Announce New Double Album Collection THE FOCUS FAMILY ALBUM feat. Extensive Unreleased and New Material! OUT NOW!

London – Focus is pleased to announce the release of its new 2 CD collection “The Focus Family Album” which has been prepared over the last 12 months. The 20 track set gives fans new insight into the band and includes 15 unreleased original songs, alternate versions from the Focus X sessions, solo tracks from each of the current members and tracks from the beginning of the Focus 11 sessions.

Many of the tracks have been recorded in a variety of countries in Europe and South America and are exclusively available on this collection. Thijs van Leer said, “Dear Friends & Fans! With pleasure we present to you our new double album ‘The Focus Family Album,’ it makes us so happy that you will listen to pieces recorded together as a band and solo songs too, in many different countries during our travels! We hope it will make you happy as well!!!”

The set includes all of the rarities from the “Focus X” era and is an ideal companion to that album and the forthcoming “Focus 11.” The set also introduces the band’s new bass player Udo Pannekeet, who takes over the position from long term bass player Bobby Jacobs, who said, “Dear beautiful fans, after 15 years playing the beautiful music of Focus with my heart and soul I decided to stop and focus on new life adventures (music and a lot of other things). Thank you and love! Hope we will meet again…”

“The Focus Family Album” features artwork by Roger Dean and is being released to coincide with the band’s South American and European tour dates. It’s the latest release on the band’s own ‘In and Out of Focus Records’ (via Cherry Red): https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artist/focus/

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Nature Is Our Friend – Thijs Van Leer
2. Song for Eva – Focus
3. Riverdance – Pierre Van Der Linden
4. Victoria – Focus
5. Two-Part Intervention – Menno Gootjes
6. Mosh Blues – Focus
7. Raga Reverence 1 – Swung
8. The Fifth Man – Focus
9. Song for Yaminah – Udo Pannekeet
10. Clair-Obscur – Focus

Disc: 2
1. Let Us Wander? – Thijs Van Leer
2. Birds Come Fly Over (Le Tango) – Focus
3. Spiritual Swung – Pierre Van Der Linden
4. Santa Teresa – Focus
5. Hazel – Menno Gootjes
6. Fine Without You – Focus
7. Raga Reverence 5 – Swung
8. Five Fourth – Focus
9. Anaya – Udo Pannekeet
10. Winnie – Focus

“The Focus Family Album” is OUT NOW on CD and Download:
Amazon CD: http://geni.us/IF008CD

Official website: http://www.focustheband.com

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

Leave a comment | posted in Focus, Press Release

2017/08/30

Audio Fidelity to Release The King of Space Age Pop Esquivel’s Other Worlds Others Sounds on 180g Vinyl LP

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Audio Fidelity to Release The King of Space Age Pop Esquivel’s Other Worlds Others Sounds on 180g Vinyl LP

“Esquivel’s use of stereo recording is legendary”

Camarillo, CA – Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity is releasing the “King of Space Age Pop” Esquivel’s Other Worlds Others Sounds album on 180g Vinyl LP. Esquivel was a Mexican band leader, pianist, and composer for television and films and widely considered the king of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop known today as lounge music. RCA contracted with Esquivel in late 1957 and brought him to record in Hollywood in early 1958. He was given five hours of studio time to record the album Other Worlds, Other Sounds.

His orchestration tended toward the very lush, employing novel instrumental combinations, such as Chinese bells, mariachi bands, whistling, and numerous percussion instruments, blended with orchestra, mixed chorus, and his own heavily-ornamented piano style. The chorus was often called upon to sing only nonsense syllables, most famously “zu-zu” and “pow!”

The cover of Other Worlds, Other Sounds says it all…like the woman in red dancing on a moonscape, this 1958 LP was all about fantasy. And Esquivel, wasn’t afraid to fantasize about his instrumentation nor the new audio sound known as “stereophonic” or “Hi Fi.” At the time Esquivel was using this new tech to its fullest by arranging the music in a unique manner as well as considering right channel-left channel. Voices ring back and forth between speakers, horns explode out of nowhere, and piano sounds cascade out of the stereo. This is what hi-fi was all about. It is seamless, quite enjoyable and rather magical.

SIDE ONE:
1. Granada
2. Begin the Beguine
3. Night and Day
4. Poinciana
5. Playfully
6. Adiós

SIDE TWO:
1. That Old Black Magic
2. Nature Boy
3. Magic Is the Moonlight (Te quiero dijeste)
4. Speak Low
5. Ballerina
6. It Had to Be You

Produced by Johnnie Camacho
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

For more information: http://www.audiofidelity.net

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

Leave a comment | posted in Esquivel, Press Release

2017/08/26

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford Releases Definitive Boxed Set, “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago”

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Drum Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Bruford Releases Definitive Boxed Set, “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago”

Pre-order the Limited Edition 8-disc Box Set, with unreleased, remixed or remastered material & a signed certificate

Drum legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford, best known for his work with YES, King Crimson, Genesis and his prolific solo career, is releasing the definitive boxed set “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago.” Scheduled for release on Winterfold Records on October 28th, pre-orders are now being taken for the Limited Edition 8-disc set, which features unreleased, remixed or remastered material & a signed certificate.

WATCH THE PREVIEWS:

Bill Bruford reflects on embarking on a solo career and forming Bruford: “I wanted to play drums in a certain way and if you want to hear them played in that way you’ve got to write the song. You’ve got to control the audio environment in which your drums are going to be heard and once you’re doing that you’re into a solo career. Looking back, the band despatched these tricky little compositions with a smile on its face; with brio, vigour and only a handful of wrong notes. The band was over-caffeinated – short on subtlety but long on the sort of majestic stately themes with antecedents in progressive rock that set it apart from contemporaneous American outfits. We were a rock group with a jazz sensibility, rather than a jazz group with rock leanings.”

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
A new 8-disc limited edition set of previously unreleased, remixed, or remastered material from the Bruford band of the late 1970s, presented in a 12” box complete with 16-page colour booklet and a signed, numbered certificate of authentication. Four gatefold sleeves contain two discs each:

Disc 1 DVD: Feels Good To Me: 5.1 surround sound mix and original 1978 mix remastered
Disc 2 CD: Feels Good To Me: 2017 Jakko Jakszyk remix from original master tapes
Disc 3 DVD: One of a Kind: 5.1 surround sound mix and original 1979 mix remastered plus additional audio
Disc 4 CD: One of a Kind: 2017 Jakko Jakszyk remix from original master tapes
Disc 5 CD: Gradually Going Tornado: remastered
Disc 6 CD: The Bruford Tapes: remastered with bonus track
Disc 7 CD: Live at the Venue: previously unreleased: recorded London 1980
Disc 8 CD: The 4th Album Rehearsal Sessions: previously unreleased: eighteen sketches of new material recorded 1980

ALSO INCLUDES:
16-page 12” booklet with a Sid Smith essay, new interviews with producer, engineer, band members, eyewitnesses and others, previously unseen archive visual material, and the complete band date sheet with contemporary critical reaction. Also two black and white 10” x 8” band photos, one A3 size colour poster accompanying “Live at the Venue”, and one signed, numbered certificate of authentication. The boxed set is produced by Bill Bruford.

Containing the collected works of Bruford on one extraordinary 6cd/2dvd-a box set, “Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” is a magnificent testament to one of the UK’s most inventive and important Progressive Fusion bands.

Featuring 2017 remastered versions of the albums “Feels Good To Me” (1978), “One Of A Kind” (1979), “The Bruford Tapes” (1979), and “Gradually Going Tornado” (1980), the set additionally includes the previously unreleased “Live At The Venue” (from 1980) and the highly sought after “4th Album Rehearsal Sessions” (also from 1980).

“Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” showcases the prodigious talents of Bill Bruford, Dave Stewart, the late Allan Holdsworth (who the album is dedicated to), Jeff Berlin and The ‘Unknown’ John Clark.

Says Dave Stewart, “The great thing about Bill is that he’s not just a drummer. He doesn’t just think about what he’s playing…he’s thinking about the whole picture; thinking about soundscapes; what the guitar is doing; the arrangement; the keyboard sounds and so on. He’s got this composer/arranger mentality which was there from the beginning and he evolved through the life of the band. He’s a deep-thinking musician and it was great working with him for that very reason.”

Jeff Berlin adds, “I learned a lot from Bill. Bill was the person who opened more doors for me not only with regards to reputation…he opened up doors to me about sound, presentation, interplay, the elements of a performance, the elements of group interaction. I think it was one of the happiest and musically productive periods I ever had in my career. I was working with fine human beings and with fine musicians.”

“Feels Good To Me” and “One Of A Kind” are available on both remastered CD and DVD-a, the latter featuring 2017 5.1 mixes by Jakko Jakszyk. Says King Crimson’s Jakszyk on remixing “Feels Good To Me” and “One Of A Kind” into surround sound, “I use the original mixes as a guide and Bill handed over the whole 5.1 remix to me. It becomes an immersive experience. I’m not talking about flying instruments around 360 degrees. While that’s possible it’s also ridiculous…it’s all about sculpting the sound into three dimensions. The new versions of these albums sound much bigger, fatter and warmer and whilst I’m keen to take credit for that the reality is that this is Dave Stewart, Jeff Berlin, Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth, and it’s not just about their playing abilities; it’s that they’ve got their sound together and what you need to do is replicate that and not mess about with it.”

To pre-order Bill Bruford’s “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago” Boxed Set:
Burning Shed: https://burningshed.com/bruford_feels-like-a-lifetime-ago_boxset
PledgeMusic: http://www.pledgemusic.com/bruford

Bill Bruford’s official website: http://www.billbruford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

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

9 Comments | posted in Bill Bruford, Press Release