I was very excited to embark on a recorded concert experience with UK, the esteemed progressive-rock pioneers from the late 1970s. I took a seat to witness the magic of their reunion concert recorded in Tokyo back in 2013. Musically I can say brace yourself for a truly historic event as founding members violinist and keyboardist Eddie Jobson plus vocalist and bassist John Wetton deliver the one and only live performance encompassing the entirety of UK's legendary studio albums "U.K." and "Danger Money." While the group’s original guitarist Alan Holdsworth is no longer with us, the concert experience showcases the remarkable talents of virtuoso guitarist Alex Machacek and Marco Minnemann on… Continue Reading

Contemporary jazz guitarist Ralph Towner, a founding member of Oregon, has blended classical motifs and folk styles with jazz harmony and rhythms over his illustrious career. His extensive discography includes notable albums such as "Diary" (1973), "Solstice" (1975), "Batik" (1978), and "Chiaroscuro" (2008), along with numerous albums with Oregon and other groups. Towner's musical journey began in Chehalis, Washington, where he grew up in a supportive environment that fostered his musical experimentation. He started playing piano at a very young age and later picked up the trumpet. Towner was deeply influenced by pianist Bill Evans, incorporating Evans' style into his own piano playing and… Continue Reading

Jethro Tull, the iconic band that once seemed destined to fade into obscurity amidst a barrage of live albums, reissues, and Ian Anderson's solo ventures, has experienced a welcome resurgence. After their 2022 release, "The Zealot Gene," which drew inspiration from biblical verses and propelled them back into the UK Top 10 album chart for the first time since the '70s classic "Thick as a Brick," the band has reinvented themselves as a relevant and contemporary force. Now, just over a year later, Jethro Tull returns with "RökFlöte," a departure from biblical themes in favor of the captivating world of Norse mythology - a wellspring of inspiration that has birthed an entire musical genre.… Continue Reading

Anchor and Burden's latest album, "Kosmonautik Pilgrimage," marks a new era for the group with drummer Asaf Sirkis joining the lineup. It's clear that his skills have been seamlessly integrated into the group's sound. The album is an immersive experience, filled with atmospheric soundscapes, thunderous percussion, and intertwining melodies. From start to finish, "Kosmonautik Pilgrimage" is an impressive and rewarding listen that gets better with repeat plays. Featuring the talents of touch guitarist Markus Reuter (of Stick Men), Asaf Sirkis (also now the new drummer for Soft Machine), touch guitarist Alexander Paul Dowerk, and Bernhard Wöstheinrich on keyboards and electronics, this album… Continue Reading

Electric Beethoven's latest album 'Hear No Evil' is a funky and experimental journey through six of Beethoven's most iconic tunes. Recorded live at Color Red Studios in Denver, Colorado, the album showcases the band's improvisational prowess as they embark on a series of vamps and ramps to create music that surprises even themselves. Fans of Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Snarky Puppy among others will groove on their reimagining of the music of Beethoven. Unlike their previous albums, which delved deeper into `Beethoven's vast repertoire, “Hear No Evil” focuses on well-known classics such as "Für Elise" and Piano Sonata No.8, also known as "Pathétique." But don't expect a faithful… Continue Reading