“A Gallery of the Imagination” is the latest concept album by the legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman and features the English Rock Ensemble. Drawing inspiration from his first piano teacher, Wakeman wrote this album as a collection of pictures, with each track as a musical painting. Listeners will find a fusion of different styles, with clear prog-rock influences, solo piano pieces, and unconventional vocal tracks. His classical roots and influences from the Romantic period can also be heard across the album. High resolution audio enthusiasts will be most interested in the Stereo LPCM 48kHz / 24-bit mix, plus the up-mixed version by Simon Heyworth into 5.1 surround which can be found on the… Continue Reading

Nearly a decade after the release of the acclaimed surround mix of Warrior on the Edge of Time, a limited edition 8 CD / 2 Blu ray boxed set from Hawkwind that showcases the band's tenure with Charisma Records in the late 1970s is released in March 2023. On this deluxe box set titled “Days of the Underground: The Studio & Live Recordings 1977-1979” fans will find the music that breaks new ground, producing a series of classic albums that adapted to the changing musical times with invention and flair. Specifically, the boxed set features three albums: “Quark, Strangeness and Charm,” “Hawklords: 25 Years On,” and “P.X.R. 5” each with immersive 5.1 surround sound and Stereo remixes by Steven… Continue Reading

Esoteric Records has reissued an expanded 3 CD + 1 Blu-ray boxed set edition of Barclay James Harvest's classic album “Once Again.” This edition features a new remaster of the original stereo mix, as well as all new 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W. Tayler. The box set also includes a rare BBC John Peel concert appearance from 1971, out-takes, and the 1972 SQ Quadrophonic mix. Plus, collectors can dive into a lavishly illustrated booklet with an essay by Keith and Monika Domone that adds to the overall experience. Originally released in February 1971, this album has been widely regarded as one of the band's early masterpieces, featuring the Barclay James Harvest symphony… Continue Reading

Initially when the Frank Zappa deluxe box titled “Waka/Wazoo” was announced, I was not fully convinced that it would make it into fans hands. Thankfully it has arrived and has surpassed expectations in multiple ways that are revealed in this review. The modestly priced box contains 4 CD’s and 1 Blu-ray, the later includes high-resolution versions of both “Waka/Jawaka” and “The Grand Wazoo” which obviously make up the combined name of this deluxe edition. Fans are treated to these two albums remixed in their entirety in both Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Dolby True HD, both utilizing a sampling resolution of 48kHz / 24-bit, while the remastered version of the original stereo master tapes are presented… Continue Reading