Georgia Rose Lucas, Sandy’s daughter with Trevor Lucas, is to be congratulated on putting together so many fans' memories of witnessing the extraordinary talent Sandy possessed. Dave Pegg should have the last word: 'Sandy Denny made so many people happy with her music, and I hope this book helps to keep alive the memory of..
Upiko – Upheaval (Rebless Records)
Upiko has created thirteen small masterpieces of varying moods, all united by her distinctive voice and her unerring ability to draw out beautiful melodies. Upiko is most likely a name that is unknown to you, as it was to me a few weeks back. It’s the stage name of a young female Japanese singer-songwriter whose..
Mirror Of My Soul – October Is Rising (Majestic Mountain Records)
There are records that feel constructed, and then there are records that feel uncovered as if they had always existed, waiting for the right moment to surface. October is Rising, the debut album from Mirror of My Soul, belongs firmly to the latter - it has a classy retro feel to it, yet completely fresh and intriguing...
Black Sites – For Eternity (Independent)
Black Sites is a very talented and original-sounding band from Chicago, blending really well traditional heavy metal with classic progressive metal, along with some heavier influences. They’ve released four full length albums so far with only guitarist and front man Mark Sugar remaining from the original line-up. The band was almost entirely revamped last year,..
Mortem – Mørketid (Peaceville Records)
Shame on me, I admit it, but the fact Norwegians Mortem are actually an all-star band, caught me by surprise. Some sources speculate Mortem was actually the rudimentary version of Arcturus, and it is indeed a fact that Arcturus’ keyboardist Steinar Johnsen plays on keyboards as well as on guitars in Mortem. The other band..
Peter Hammill – A Headlong Stretch: The Fie! Albums 1992-1996 (Esoteric / Cherry Red)
Roaring Forties is the real gem in the basket here, that is something which cannot be denied, but each album here has its moments of brilliance which makes it essential to own for the Hammill devotee. In the 1990s, Peter Hammill set up his own label imprint, the oddly named Fie! (named after the archaic..
Toby Knapp’s Evermoving – Power Metal Prophecy (Stormspell Records)
If you happen to be a fan of US power and heavy metal with strong guitar presence, then you should be familiar with the amazing albums Onward released in the beginning of the new millennium. The first one, Evermoving, gives the name of this new project by band mainman Toby Knapp, with the debut album..
Tiger Island – Let’s Go Out (Reckless Yes Records)
Tiger Island are a five-piece Leeds/Bradford based garage-punk band with a power-pop head and a rock 'n roll heart! They've recently signed to independent and ethical label Reckless Yes and this is their debut full-length offering, Let’s Go Out. Influenced by the rock 'n roll spirit of bands like Hot Snakes, the Murder City Devils and..
Lex Legion – Lex Legion (MNRK)
OK, is there anybody not fed up waiting for a new King Diamond already? 19 years are a long time, mind you, and the release is constantly delayed from one year to another. Yet, there is a very nice, unexpected surprise lurking in the shadows for the fans in the form of Lex Legion, which..
SOULSHINE – Soulshine (Soulshine Records)
The jazz fusion element continues, perhaps even more strongly, on Wild Roses, and this is not surprising given that the track is apparently a homage to Return To Forever keyboard genius Chick Corea... Suddenly, almost without noticing it, the album has shifted from Innervisions to The Inner Mounting Flame, and yet has kept its own..