2024 Work in Progress..ive

[nicola]

ELLESMERE






ABOUT

ELLESMERE

...ELLESMERE
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website


Ellesmere biography
Founded in Rome, Italy in 2014

The band is the project of Roberto VITELLI, bass and guitar player of TAPROBAN.
The album "Les Châteaux de la Loire" was made with special guest John Hackett on flute, Daniel Pomo (RANEST RANE)on drums and percussion, and Anthony Philipps as The Narrator. Vitelli on guitars and Pomo (drums) are joined by Massimo GRECO (guitars), Paolo CARNELLI (keyboards) and Alex MEVI (flute). The music is in the style of early GENESIS and ANTHONY PHILIPPS with the use of classic,acoustic guitar with strings and flute melodies. And not to mention the sound of vintage mellotron can be heard to provide the sound of the 70's.

Bio by rdtprog
















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies


























Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE
https://ellesmere-ams.bandcamp.com/track/stranger-skies





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

SONIQ THEATER







ABOUT

SONIQ THEATER

...SONIQ THEATER
From Official website




Soniq Theater is a one-man project, presenting a blend of progressive styles, mainly symphonic progressive rock with
elements of metal, ambient, electronic music, classical music and fusion.
The music is composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Alfred Mueller. As it is a one-man-project, the music is not planned to be played live.
Nevertheless Soniq Theater is heard already by many people in about 80 radios,
on the Soniq Theater website, in Youtube and many other music portals.
Soniq Theater is recommended to all open-minded progressive rock-fans and is appreciated
as well by “normal people” with some musical education.

Influences:
- prog-bands of the 70’s: Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson, UK, Camel, Happy The Man,
Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Supertramp
- progressive rock of the 80s: Saga, Marillion, IQ, Rush, It Bites
- german progressive rock: Anyone’s Daughter, Ines, Eloy, Eela Craig (Austrian)
- progmetal bands: Dream Theater, Enchant, Symphony X, Royal Hunt
- progbands of the 90s: Magellan, Cairo, Everon, Spock’s Beard, Porcupine Tree, Glass Hammer
- progbands of the new millenium: Unitopia, Brother Ape, Moth Vellum
- electronic music of Tangerine Dream, Christopher Franke, Michael Hoenig, Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre,
Rainbow Serpent, Davol
- fusion of Bruford, Colosseum II, Jean-Luc Ponty, Dixie Dregs, Pierre Moerlen's Gong,
Dave Grusin, Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny Group, The Rippingtons
- prog-related artists: Rick Wakeman, Kit Watkins, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons Project,
Karl Jenkins (of Soft Machine and Adiemus), Rupert Hine, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs),
- other artists: Yanni, David Arkenstone, Rondo Veneziano (Gian Piero Reverberi), Gandalf, Liz Story
- classical music: symphonies and baroque music

Studio-Equipment:
Alfred uses a midi-system, consisting of: Ensoniq TS10 as a masterkeyboard, Ensoniq EPS sampler, Yamaha SY85 Synthesizer,
Roland JV1080 soundmodule, Korg TR-Rack, E-MU Vintage Keys, E-MU B-3 Hammond Organ module
E-MU Orbit soundmodule, Alesis DM5 drummodule.
Effectprocessors: Digitec Studioquad Multieffectprocessor, Alesis Microverb III,
Ibanez SDR1000 Digital Reverb.
Tascam 788 8-track harddisc recorder
Mixing console: Behringer Eurorack MX2802
Sony DAT-Recorder

Biography of Alfred:
Born in 1962
Taking organ lessons since the age of 12
First synthesizer when he was 17
At the age of 18 he had his first band
Played in bands of different styles (see below history of bands and projects)
In 1992 he won the rock-contest HEADLINER in Germany with his band Rachel’s Birthday
In 1996 Rachel’s Birthday’s CD “an invitation to” was released
In 1998 he received the Award First Class from the Preston University for his compositions
1999 start of Soniq Theater


part of the band's history and Projects:
1999 – now: SONIQ THEATER
1995 TIMELESS ( funk, soul jazz band)
1991 – 1997 RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY (progressive rock band)
1992 Joerg Weigand (he accompanied the folk guitarist Joerg Weigand in his ensemble)
1990 – 1991 FISCHER X ( rock-cover-band)
1987 – 1989 EMERALD (artrock band, pre-Rachel’s Birthday)
1986 – 1998 RED ELF (projectname for all solo-productions during that time)
1984 – 1986 QUENYA (artrock band)
1984 BAUMSTUMPF (band with different styles)
1983 – 1985 UTOPIA (later ON FUNCTION) (artrock-band)
1981 – 1983 SUNSET (jazzfusion-band)
1980 – 1982 DECAY OF INNOCENCE (rock’n roll and artrock band)

Alfred’s 10 favourite albums:
KANSAS – Leftoverture
GENESIS - Selling England by the Pound
YES - Relayer
DREAM THEATER – Images and Words
ENCHANT – A Blueprint of the World
BRUFORD – One of a Kind
TANGERINE DREAM - Optical Race
MICHAEL HOENIG - Xcept One
INES – Hunting the Fox
UK – Danger Money
MAGELLAN - Impending Ascension














Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds






















Quasar-SONIQ THEATER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brjvl1wZkHc





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

HUGO TORO







ABOUT

HUGO TORO


At the moment I haven't been able to find a photo or any news about him, maybe I'll write to him and see if I can get something, at least I have a contact.
the only information is that he is a Spanish multi-instrumentalist,
he composed all the tracks on the album,
all the instruments are played by him
Production, mastering and art cover always all handled by Him
















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey
























The End-HUGO TORO
https://hugotoro.bandcamp.com/track/the-end





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

KARFAGEN









ABOUT

KARFAGEN

...KARFAGEN
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website


Karfagen biography
Founded in Ukraine in 1997

KARFAGEN (meaning Carthago) is a symbol of glory and wisdom, a never-ending journey into the world of the forgotten past and unpredictable future.

KARFAGEN is the brainchild of multi-talented musician and composer, Antony Kalugin. The name was first used in 1997, when Antony formed a band at school. While he was studying at the architectural university a year later, he began to record the first Karfagen compositions in one of the local studios, and a few tracks from this period can be found on the `Key to Perception' compilation from 2009.

In 2005 Antony Kalugin with his assembled musicians went into the studio to record `Continium', the first Karfagen album, which led the band to sign with Unicorn Digital (Canada) the following year. It was highly acclaimed by listeners, which inspired Antony to continue his work and release a second album `The Space Between Us' in early 2007. Later that year he signed with Caerllysi Music (UK).

In order to expand the boundaries of the musical landscape, Antony often collaborated with many different unique musicians. Therefore, in 2011 on the `Lost Symphony' album, Roberto Diaz (Cuba) from ANIMA MUNDI took part as an additional guitarist; in 2013 on `Aleatorica', Tomek Mucha provided electric violin and Sergey Klevenskiy added clarinet, whistles and flutes. In 2014 Mathieu Spaeter appeared as a main guitarist on `Magicians Theatre' as well as Pascal Gutman playing some stick-bass on the `Yuletide' track.

Karfagen is mainly an instrumental band that shows imaginative use of keyboards and guitars, classical and ethnic instruments. Their style can be described as symphonic art-rock with a hint of new-age, folk, jazz-rock and neo-prog in places. Their influences are CAMEL, FOCUS, HAPPY THE MAN, GREENSLADE, THE FLOWER KINGS, UK and KAYAK.

Also inspired by the composers Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Prokofiev, Edward Grig and Pyotr Chaikovskiy, Antony's compositions are always well-constructed and thoughtful. The sound is enhanced by such instruments as oboe, bassoon, accordion, violin, cello, flutes, saxophone and pipes.

In addition to imaginative music, every Karfagen album cover is picturesque and charismatic in the tradition of the classic progressive rock era.

Antony doesn't stand still. On one hand, the sound of Karfagen is unique and recognisable, but on the other hand, with each consecutive album Antony brings something new and special, and always fresh and innovative. You never know what to expect from the next chapter of Karfagen's symphonic rock poem. So, welcome to the show and to Antony's Magician Theatre!

Antony: `With every album and every track I try to bring the warmth and atmosphere of the Seventies. It doesn't mean that I'm blindly copying it, just that I'm in a constant flow of searching and experimenting. I'm not a fan of the frequent aggression of modern albums, the artificial complicity in much of it or technique and virtuosity over songcraft. For me, melody and the ability to write proper compositions are first. That is something that still makes us excited about the sounds of the `Golden Era' of Prog of the Seventies. I produce music that I would want to hear as listener, who seeks those natural emotions and charm in a boundless sea of sound...'

Biography updated by Michael Hodgson (Aussie-Byrd-Brother)




















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature




























Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lo3Z2eitRg





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

SCOTT HENDERSON










ABOUT

SCOTT HENDERSON

...SCOTT HENDERSON
From Official website



Born in 1954, Scott Henderson emerged in the 1980s with his legendary band Tribal Tech, and has since become one of the top guitarists/ composers in jazz fusion. Scott grew up in South Florida where he played blues-rock and funk, and was influenced by Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, and his favorite blues guitarist Albert King.
Even though Henderson began his career as a blues-rock player, it was the influence of jazz that led him to the style of playing and composing that he's now famous for. Besides being a world class player and premier composer, Scott's trademark is his beautiful tone and striking ability to blend jazz with blues, rock and funk, creating a soulful and unique voice on the guitar.

Scott studied arranging and composition at Florida Atlantic University, then moved to Los Angeles in 1980. He toured and recorded with Chick Corea's Elektric Band, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, and was pleased to get the opportunity to work for four years with one of his favorite musicians, Weather Report's Joe Zawinul. He recorded three albums with the Zawinul Syndicate, then left his career as a sideman to form Tribal Tech, one of the most popular fusion groups of the 80s and 90s, recording ten critically acclaimed albums. In 1992, he was named #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar Player's Annual Reader's Poll, and in 1991, #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar World magazine.

After Tribal Tech, Scott became a solo artist in a guitar trio format, and has been touring extensively since 1997 in over 70 countries. In 2019, he won both Best Guitarist and Best Jazz-Rock/Contemporary Group in Jazz Times Reader’s Poll. “People Mover”, featuring Romain Labaye on bass and Archibald Ligonniere on drums, was voted best fusion album of 2019 by Jazz Times magazine. His first solo album "Dog Party", a welcome retreat to his musical roots, won Best Blues Album of 1994 in Guitar Player Magazine. His next albums "Tore Down House" and "Well to the Bone" paired Henderson with legendary vocalist Thelma Houston. "Vibe Station", released in 2015, was listed by many music critics as one of the top 10 instrumental albums of the year.

Scott has also released two albums with "Vital Tech Tones", a trio collaboration with bassist Victor Wooten and former Journey drummer Steve Smith. In 2009 he began touring worldwide with the HBC Trio, featuring bassist Jeff Berlin and drummer Dennis Chambers, recording their album "HBC" in 2012.

Also very well known as a clinician, Scott is on the faculty at Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and has written columns for Guitar Player Magazine and many other guitar publications. His instructional books and videos for top publishers such as Hal Leonard Publishing, Alfred Music, and My Music Masterclass, are highly popular with guitarists studying jazz and fusion.



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!






























Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIR0_QqAD0





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

STEVE HACKETT










ABOUT

STEVE HACKETT

...STEVE HACKETT
From Progarchives.com



Steve Hackett biography
Stephen Richard Hackett - Born February 12th 1950 (Pimlico, London, UK)

GUITAR BASED MUSIC WITH VARIOUS STYLES
(Blues, Classical, Folk, Jazz, New Age and Progressive Rock)


Steve HACKETT needs no introduction. He is definitely one of the major guitarists of this century. Ex-GENESIS, he is now a major force in the domain of music composed for guitar, rock as well as classical. Steve is a complex musician, drawing influence from a wide variety of styles and melding them into super compositions. His music has evolved over the years, and while some of it was not up to the standards that he set with other albums. They are still excellent.

HACKETT joined GENESIS as guitarist in early 1971 and featured across ten albums of their history. He replaced Anthony PHILLIPS, and stayed with the band during their successful mid-70s progressive rock period. I remember once reading that, if GENESIS lost their "brains" when Peter GABRIEL left, then they surely lost their "heart" when Steve left. In a way, it is easy to see how HACKETT was "crowded out" of Genesis in 1977. From "Nursery Crime" in 1971 to the double-live "Seconds Out" in 1977, he created in his solo albums his own style, dominated by his guitars, sometimes very classical or at times furious. His tracks go from a symphonic Progressive style to a more energetic rock.

From the first album "Voyage Of The Acolyte" while he was still with GENESIS to his most recent ones, all are MUSTS. For the most part, all of the compositions on HACKETT's first five solo albums are well-thought-out and impeccably well crafted. I would highly recommend "Voyage of the Acolyte" (missing GENESIS album), "Please Don't Touch" (powerful), his TRADEMARK "Spectral Mornings" (pure magic), "Defector" (another amazing album by Steve), and "Cured" (pop-oriented). This, along with "Time Lapse", "The Unauthorised Biography", "Guitar Noir", "Darktown" and "To Watch The Storms", are the best for people curious about the HACKETT "feel". However I believe these are his bests - it could rightly be called "THE HISTORY OF MUSIC ACCORDING TO STEVE HACKETT." Get them ALL...and HAPPY LISTENING!!!


















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE



























Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYwwEfDv4yk





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

DRIFTING SUN











ABOUT

DRIFTING SUN

...DRIFTING SUN
From Progarchives.com


Drifting Sun biography
Founded in Chesham, UK circa 1994 - Hiatus between 1999-2013 - Reformed in 2014

DRIFTING SUN were formed sometime during early-90's (originally named Drama), after French natives Pat Sanders (keyboards) and Manu Sibona (bass) left their homecountry and landed in the UK. There they met American singer Rafe Pomeroy and four pieces were recorded in a London-based studio, then sent to Musea for evaluation. The French label decided to sign the band on their branch-label Brennus and in 1996 the self-titled debut of the band sees the light with Karl Groom participating on one track.

Drifting Sun decided to move on as an independent group, the line-up was expanded with the addition of Tobin Bryant and Bryant's friend, guitarist John Spearman, while Pomerey was replaced by another American vocalist, Chris Martini.By the end of the year 1998 the band had launched the sophomore effort "On the Rebound".

What followed was a very long break, but recently Sanders gave his band another chance, gathering a new line-up with singer Peter Falconer, drummer Will Jones and bassist/guitarist Dan Storey. The third work of DRIFTING SUN "Trip the Life Fantastic" was released in early 2015, a digital album, available via several online digital stores.

















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil


























Frailty-DRIFTING SUN
https://driftingsun.bandcamp.com/track/frailty



GOOD LISTENING