Maybe not a name familiar to everyone, Checking For Echo is a prog rock project revolving around multi-instrumentalist Jon Farley, previously with prog duo The Hollow Moon. Far from being a one-man 'vanity project', however, CFE utilises the talents of a whole range of guests, some well known and others new discoveries. The result is..
LYNYRD SKYNYRD – Nothing Comes Easy 1991-2012 (HNE / Cherry Red)
...it may come as a surprise to some just how vital the best of this material is. God & Guns is essential, but Last Of A Dying Breed and The Last Rebel aren't too far behind. It's interesting that so many people still seem to think that Lynyrd Skynyrd ceased to be after the tragic..
ARC OF LIFE – Arc Of Life (Frontiers)
Every new album which comes out has to be judged first and foremost on its own merits, it goes without saying. However, there are some releases whose significance make it impossible not to factor in to any assessment such things as how it is likely to appeal to the target audience, and how it fits..
WAYWARD SONS – new single, upcoming album, tour dates
Wayward Sons, the UK guitar act made up of Toby Jepson (Vocals/Guitar), Sam Wood (Guitar), Nic Wastell (Bass), Dave Kemp (Keys) and Phil Martini (Drums), released a new single, Big Day, on Good Friday. Taken from their forthcoming third studio album - set for release later in 2021 - Big Day follows the previous single..
UNITED STATE OF MIND featuring Robin Trower – new album, single
Three very different UK music legends: Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown, have come together to create the United State of Mind, and their self-titled album is out now on Manhaton Records on CD and Vinyl. Three distinctive, trademark sounds and styles have dovetailed and fused together to create an album that is compelling, soulful and essential. A brand new video has been..
GANDALF’S FIST – The (Re)Master And The Monkey (Nightkeeper Productions)
Now, a little context and historical placement before we launch into this strange and wonderful conceptual beast, being as it is neither entirely remaster nor new recording, but a rather unique hybrid of the two. Around a decade ago, when Gandalf's Fist were still essentially two men with a hobby and an oddball band name,..
VOODOO BLOO – new single from New Zealand-based dark alt-rock band
Voodoo Bloo, a powerful NZ based alt-rock act headed up by Sheffield UK born singer and songwriter Rory McDonald (now resident in Wellington NZ and previously of the band Lucifer Gunne) unveil a dark and energetic (part) live performance video to their latest single Her Name Was Human - out now via Plastic Groove Records. The track has some notable credentials..
JUMP announce remastered reissue of 1995 album ‘The Myth Of Independence’, due in May
The Myth Remastered - JUMP to re-release '90s turning point album... Veteran Bucks sextet JUMP are pleased to announce the release of a remastered edition of their 1995 album, The Myth Of Independence. Recorded at Marillion’s Racket Club Studios and produced by Mark Kelly, Myth... was a landmark achievement for the Wycombe wanderers during a..
THE EMERALD DAWN – To Touch The Sky (World’s End Records)
...this is exactly what it would say on the tin, if you could buy 'prog rock' in two-litre cans - and there is something rather wonderful about that - to these ears, in any case. For those who have yet to make their acquaintance, The Emerald Dawn are a prog band formed in Scotland, but..
RAM ON: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of Paul & Linda McCartney’s ‘RAM’, Out In May
For the 50th anniversary of Ram by Paul & Linda McCartney, over 100 musicians have come together to celebrate this much-loved seminal album. With Sir Paul McCartney’s blessing, they have re-recorded all of the Ram songs to create RAM ON: The 50th Anniversary Tribute to Paul & Linda McCartney’s ‘RAM’, released on 14th May 2021..