Bobby Byrd - On The Move (1994)

Bobby Byrd  - On The Move

  Bobby Byrd was one of the most famous "under the radar" musicians ever!!  

 First of all you likely might not know but Bobby was an essential part of the backing group of James Brown.    Byrd was responsible for a lot of James Brown's fame having funded and written most of his big hits!   Byrd also wrote for "Tower of power" and other funk and soul artists....But the one thing he never did was release too many solo albums.

.....and wait till you hear his voice!!!

   "On The Move" was only his second solo release and this thing is a monster of funk and soul.  In fact this is one of my most played funk albums still to this date!   I could not recommend a better funk album ever!  This album is full of crazy wild funk and adventureous soul that will keep your toes tapping and your air bass guitar alive!!!

   Stylistically this is a mix of James Brown meets Sly and The Family Stone meets Tower Of Power....

  Byrd's voice is awesome and totally powerful.....funk master at work !

Get on up..............

Genesis - Trespass (1970)

Genesis - Trespass

   I remember at one point in my life having to go back and get all the early Genesis albums after hearing "Selling England By The Pound" in all its greatness!   Trespass was an immediate love for me and the song " Stagnation" was and still is amongst my favourite Genesis moments.

     Trespass was really the start of their progressive rock leanings and the opening of Gabriel emoting "looking for someone" clearly sets the stage that this album and genre are marking the beginning of a change.

  With the liberal use of the mellotron, flute, organ, guitar, bass and theatrical lyrics and vocals...this album would begin to help define an entire new genre of music......the progressive rock era!  Song that would tell a story......song that were connected......songs that dared to take the listener to places never visited before.

   Trespass has some simply amazing musical moments and is a very underrated Genesis album far too often over looked and mis-diagnosed.  Of course the band matured and would go on to record more creative and popular albums, but that should not hide the truth that this album stands up well on its own still to this day.

  The SACD master was done by Nick Davis and it is a defite upgrade to my previous recordings.  I have heard things and felt things now that I never experienced before.  The mix is nice and clean with excellent sound seperation and contrast.    For example on the song "Stagnation
" I never really ever heard the clear seperation of the two acoustic guitars that play in synch!

  Fans of Genesis will need to hunt this version down.

John McLaughlin - Extrapolation (1969)

John McLaughlin - Extrapolation

"Extrapolation" was the groundbreaking debut album for fusion guitar wizard John Mclaughlin.  The album is pure fusion with hints of progressive rock and jazz genres.  This album of course predates his excellent contributions in collaboration with the mightly Miles Davis and his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
  John is accompanied by the wild sax work of John Surman, bass of Brian Odges and the drumming of Tony Oxley.

A times i get a very King Crimson feel off this album...hints of The First Crimson album and RED !  You can definitely hear why Miles would be turned on by Mclaughlin as this album is really very unique and full of deep feeling.

  I love the deep grooves and ever changing places that Mclaughlin takes us to.  The instruments are allowed to take what ever space they need and although i love Mclaughlin's playing it is not one of those guitar noodling solo albums that you would tire of.   Dont get me wrong there is a lot of great guitar work on this album it is just that this is not in your face nor the dominant aspect.

A great album for those who like a bit of fusion in their lives!

MASAHIKO TOGASHI - Guild For Human Music (1976)

Masahiko Togashi - Guild For Human Music (1976)

   If you are looking for an album that will transcend you into another dimension then you have come to the right place.  This is the progressive-exploratory side of jazz and trips right over fusion.....smack dab!

  This album is not for the faint-of-heart!     It is a study in both sound and textures with some crazy percussion throughout.

"Guild For Human Muisc" is composed of 6 "expressions"  which is a very good choice of words to depict there songs.  Togashi blends his vast array of percussion with various woodwinds, keyboards, flutes and bass effects creating a very lunaristic - transcedental'ish album that verges on extraterrestrial!.......in other words this is far out stuff....

  The end result is an album that really works considering how "lunaristic" it is.......

  The sound quality is also outstanding and is pure audiophile territory!

The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)

The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)

   On Beggars Banquet the Stones put the psychedelia and the 60's rock and roll thing into the passenger seat and delivered a stunning album with deep blues roots.    This is one of my favourite Stones albums of all time and I think it is really just one of those albums that I will never tire listening to.

  Really does not need a lot words here as so much has been said already and documented on this album.

   What I can say though is that the sound on the ABKCO Hybrid SACD is very good.    This would be right up there with all the other ABKCO SACD's with excellent clarity , sound dynamics and mastering (Bob Ludwig) . 

It is the subtle things about this SACD that I notice ....things like clear multi-layered sound and instrument definition.    On "Prodigal Son" for example the acoustic guitar sounds like it is being played right beside you. 

A great album.....and a great SACD to boot.......

Johannes Ockeghem and Bent Sørensen - Requiem (2012)

Johannes Ockeghem and Bent  Sørensen - Requiem 

   Johannes Ockeghem composed this beautiful choral requiem 500 years ago which has been lovingly compiled, augmented by Danish composer Bent Sørensen and performed in completition by conductor Paul Hillier and Ars Nova Copenhagen.
  Sørensen was basically tasked (or commissioned) to complete the 500 year old requiem because of his previous in depth knowledge of Ockeghem.  Danish composer Bent Sørensen augmented this mass adding in some movements from the Requiem which he had already composed.  This was something I was a little unsure of when i bought this SACD but I can tell you that this proved to be unneeded.

  The end result is a beautiful choral mass that I am very fond of which strives to reach the heavens and will clearly take you to a place you have never been before.     This mass is very deep and emotional with some superb moments that will stay with me forever.   Granted you have to be in a mood for this type of choral music, but if you are then this disc is a wonderful way to spend and hour.

The Ars Nova Copenhagen choral orchestra are stunning.........wow....this album will make your heart soar ..........

I was really caught off guard with just how beautiful this album is...........

Frank Sinatra - Where Are You ? (1957)

Frank Sinatra - Where Are You ?   SACD

  What an amazing album..........what an amazing voice !  

   In all it's MONO-BEAUTY, Sinatra's "Where Are You?" is an album that verges on perfection!   An album that is filled with that incredible creative Sinatra - lonely romanticism that only he can pull off. 
  I should probably tell you that I grew up in a house that played Sinatra all the time and hearing his voice again this clear harkens me back to my childhood and a place that was part Frank!

  This was the FIRST album that Sinatra recorded with Gordon Jenkins and his orchestra and gave the world a little first glimpse into what was still to come!

  The music is rich in texture and full of deep regret and longing....your heart will break listening to this album......

  And now as for the sound.................well........daddy needs baby!!!!!!

Yup the sound of this MOFI SACD is gorgeous.......truely a beautiful disc!   From the opening soft orchestral vibes of "Where Are You?"  to the heart ripping "baby wont you please come home" Sinatra never sounded so clear and rich.  Rob LoVerde at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs has pulled off a little sonic magic on this SACD release!   Sinatra's voice is less differentiated than the great Nat King Cole AP SACD's and his voice in contrast is closer to the orchestra.  I think LoVerde did a great job in keeping Sinatra's voice mixed well with Jenkins and his orchestra.  This is the way Sinatra would have wanted it and it does sound so well assembled.

Francis Dunnery - Tall Blonde Helicopter (1995)

Francis Dunnery - Tall Blonde Helicopter

  Tall Blonde Helicopter was the third album released by UK's Francis Dunnery who left his progressive rock roots behind (it bites) to pursue his solo career musical interests.   For me it was in his post "It Bites"-era that I became really interested in what he was doing and have snagged a number of his solo albms with this one rising to the top!

  Dunnery is a wonder songwriter and every song on this album is excellent with tons of great guitar work.

  Songs like "in my dreams", "too much Saturn" and "48 hours" how did this album not rise to the top and get a whole lot more interest i'll never know !   This album is just fantastic with Francis playing most of the instruments and even sharing a duet with Jill Sobule on "rain or shine".

  Francis is a fantastic guitarist, singer and songwriter.......just the total package........

IQ - Tales From The Lush Attic (1983)

IQ - Tales From The Lush Attic (2013 remix)

    Years ago when I discovered that progressive rock wasnt dead I bought IQ's "Tales From The Lush Attic" and remember listening to this so much that my wife-to-be would sing the synth intro to the title track all the time !    

      This was another one of those albums that i just could not put down and has become one of my favourite prog albums of the 80's!   My only criticism was the lack lustre sound from the original mix, but thanks to Mike Holmes (guitarist in IQ) we now have the definitive version of this album.  Without overwriting or removing the original charactistics , this album has finally received a necessary sonic facelift and it now feels so fresh and new!   

  This mix finally allows us to hear much wider and deeper aspects than ever possible before. Lead singer Peter Nicolls sounds 

   There are tons of extras as well which are all intriguing to those who adore IQ.  The one extra that is just superb is the inclusion on a new 2012 version of a song deleted off the album and is here as a bonus track titled "Wintertell".   IQ fans will know and likely have this song already as it appeared on 1999's The Lost Attic CD but this is a new version as well and a real hidden gem amongst the lot.

Mike Marshall - Gator Strut (2004)

Mike Marshall - Gator Strut SACD

    Mike Marshall is an musical innovator and one that you can not simply categorize in any one genre.    This range of styles and approaches is clearly evident on "Gator strut" which has folk, bluegrass, twang bar, rock, jazz, classical, rock and honky tonk genres teeming all around. 

   Marshall has assembled a fine group of top notch musicians to play along with his mandolin including violinist Darol Anger, bassists Todd Phillips and Rob Wasserman, guitarist Tony Rice,  Jerry Douglas on the dobro, Béla Fleck on banjo,  David Balikrishan on violin and pianist Barbara Higbie.   Marshall plays mostly mandolin on the album and no question he is deservedly a showoff!

 The end result is the sound of a chamber twang string ensemble and features some fantastic instrumentation.  The album is sonically original as few albums feature mandolin, violin, banjo and guitar.   No question these instruments and musicians are all amazing and the sound of each instrument is so well played.  At times this album reminds me of Jean Luc Ponty both in approach and in form.

  The SACD was skillfully mastered by Shawn Britton at Mobile Fidelity and he did truely an amazing job.   The clarity here is stunning and no question this is a signature disc and one that you can play to show off your stereo.   But as good as the sound is, I really like the album and all the music.  Marshall does a great version of Lennon and McCartney's "Because" and a fantatsic mandolin interpretation of Bach's Partita in E Major.

  I highly recommend this disc to all loves of music.......regardless of your likes.

Moon Safari - Lover's End (2010)

Moon Safari - Lover's End 
   "Lover's End" is the third album released by Sweden's symphonically harmonic progsters who call themselves the "Moon Safari".  2008's double CD "Blomljud" was one of those albums that I just could not put down and was one of my favoutire albums of that year and I still play often!

  In 2010 the followed up with this album  "Lover's End" which maintains their excursion into the soft melodic side of prog rock with standout melodies and harmonies throughout.  Like it predecessor this album kicks!   To steal a saying from my kids "it's sick" ........i guess that means its awesome!   
Musically this album is slightly less overtly progressive than "Blomljud" yet it is just as brilliant ...just slightly more pop oriented !
   My wife and I love the song  "The  World's Greatest Dreamers" and I cant believe this song didnt make the charts....oh god dont get me started!
   The other songs is the far too short "Southern Belle" which is a powerful harmonic song that will make you think about things !

Moon Safari - Lover's End Part III Skellefteå Serenade (2013)

Moon Safari - Lover's End Pt. III: Skellefteå Serenade

   Sometimes you just aren't done with something and you have to go back and complete it......well that is exactly what happened to Sweden's Moon Safari.   After completing their third album "Lover's End" with its thematic part I and part II, there was still another epic part that was to come.....a story yet to be told.  

    Two years later Moon Safari have released this amazing single 24 minute ode to the Lover's End suite...fittingly titled Part III.  

     This epic single continues all the characteristics found on Lover's End album with heart wrenching-soul tugging melodies featuring fantastic piano-symphonia with that Moon Safari huge vocal harmony. 

   Moon Safari seem to have found  a very deep connection to my soul thru their music and I think they are one of the best progressive rock bands around today for sure! 

   No question this band just keep getting better and better .....if thats possible !     The single was mixed and mastered by Jonas Reingold form the Swedish progressive rock band The Flowerkings!  

  Maybe one day I will get why they put Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love" on the cover of this EP !    I will admit they got me there!!!!

Snowy White - Melting (1998)

Snowy White - Melting (same as Little Wing)

 I first met Snowy White on Richard Wright's (Pink Floyd keyboardist) first solo album "Wet Dreams".  I remember thinking just how good a guitaristnwe was on that album and actually thought it was David Gilmour.

  Well fast forward many years later to his album "melting" where he has hooked up again with the blues rock duo known as The White Flames.   The end result is a great album of prog blues rock with the distictive vocals and guitar work of this master musician.

Musically this albums has hints of The Dire Straits, bits of Camel and even a tad of RUSH and Mr. Big to boot!   

My favourite song off the album is the Southern deep blues inspired song "ill be moving over" which ends up somewhere in the Pink Floyd rhealm.    And speakng of Floyd, on the last track "sorrow" mr. David Gilmour makes a guest appearance lending his guitar wizardry.

"Melting" is an excellent and intelligent blues rock album with some fantastic guitar and songs!

 

John Coltrane - Lush Life (1957) SACD

John Coltrane - Lush Life  SACD

   The Prestige - era Coltrane albums are some of my favourite jazz ever!    A number of year ago I snagged the Prestige CD box sets (Interplay and Fearless Leader) which assembled tons of his albums and guest appearances on Prestige  and that is where I heard Lush Life for the first time.

  This album is really focussed on the art of the ballad and Coltrane plays with so much feeling and emotion.  You can actually feel the passion this guy had thru his playing.  I always said Coltrane plays as much as he talks to you when he gets going.  Donald Byrd fans will be pleased to see his contribution as well on this album!
 
  The sound on this Prestige SACD is just excellent with Coltrane sounding rich....full and wide!   One listen to the title song Lush Life and you will just love the sound !   Coltrane's sax is just so vivid and clear!    This disc was skillfully mastered by Joe Tarantino at Fantasy Studios who did a great job in preserving and enriching this treasure.

Xela - For Frosty Mornings And Summer Nights (2003)

Xela - For Frosty Mornings And Summer Nights

   It it werent for Kraftwerk I doubt I would have honestly ever developed a love of good electronica. I heard the song "afriad of monsters" on a CD sampler that i picked up somewhere along the way and I had to find the album right away.  
  Xela is the genius of John Twells who recorded this little electronic album that just breathes life and soul which may seem wild considering it is just a wee unassuming album full of simple beeps and clicks......but there is just something magnetic album this album and I find myself going back to it year after year.   

  There are times when i thought there was something wrong with my stereo when i heard the static discharge and electromagnetic thing going on.......but it was all as per plan!

  The whole album ebbs and flows with a gentle electronic nostalgic vibe that is hard to really describe, but it really is a cool little album.   Xela uses electrostatic-like percussion which really contrasts the gentle electronic landscape that Dwells inside Twells!

    Static discharge never sounded so good

Another album you just gotta hear!