Posted in Cd Reviews

SPV/Playground

In 1990 ZENO was collapsing and bassist Ule W. Ritgen hooked up with vocalist Tommy Heart (ex. V2) aimed high together with guitarists Helge Engelke and Andy Malacek plus drummer C.C. Behrens. Signed by WEA they debuted with their self-titled prima opus in 1991. The resy may be said to be history, eleven albums and especially wealthy sales in Japan it seems. Today Andy Malacek is out of the band since the turn of the century, otherwise the lineup seems stable. The band hibernated around 2002, but returned in 2006, and seems to have a lot of mileage in them yet.

To capture a career of around 15 active years the band has chosen a massive 32 tracks for their best of. What the “… and More” stands for is up to the listener it seems...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Mike Paradine/Digital Only iTunes, Amazon etc

How often do you get a genuine product in your hand with close to a 100 % heart and soul? Ask yourself that question with Eurovision Song Contest prone bands, manager tricks and doctored live albums. Then have a listen to MIKE PARADINE GROUP! Mike who? Let´s not be bigoted. Mike is an all in all Bayonne New Jersey product who barely escaped cancer in his teens, hence the subject/title of the album. His cronies are mostly Michael Clayton Moore on vocals and Dave “Ghost” Manheim, who handles vocals, guitars, bass and keys. More guitars comes courtesy of “Kilroy”, sometimes Mike sings to, and, an eyebrow raiser, Richard Holmgren of WOLF!

From the humble beginnings of a barely ok opener in the shape of “Venom and Piss”, the group accelera...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Universal records are releasing three Sandy Denny solo albums (Rendezvous, Sandy & Like an old fashioned waltz) as part of their collection of Deluxe edition reissues. As we’ve come to expect from these Deluxe Editions, they’re packed full of extra material.

These new editions also coincide with a UK tour entitled “The Lady: A Homage to Sandy Denny” which will present an evening of classic songs by Sandy featuring Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman), Maddy Prior, Jerry Donahue, Dave Swarbrick, Green Gartside, PP Arnold and Thea Gilmore.

”Rendezvous” was released in May 1977, less than a year before Sandy Denny’s death in April 1978...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Universal records are releasing three Sandy Denny solo albums (Rendezvous, Sandy & Like an old fashioned waltz) as part of their collection of Deluxe edition reissues. As we’ve come to expect from these Deluxe Editions, they’re packed full of extra material.

These new editions also coincide with a UK tour entitled “The Lady: A Homage to Sandy Denny” which will present an evening of classic songs by Sandy featuring Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman), Maddy Prior, Jerry Donahue, Dave Swarbrick, Green Gartside, PP Arnold and Thea Gilmore.

”Sandy” was released in May 1972, less than a year before Sandy Denny’s death in April 1978.

Since her death, Sandy Denny’s reputation has grown, largely due to this album along with ”Rendezvous” and ”Like an old fashioned waltz” albums (which ar...

Posted in Cd Reviews

”I am I” is the new band fronted by former Dragonforce singer ZP Theart. With Dragonforce having just released their new album, it’s now time for I am I to do the same.

Event Horizon’ will be the first heavy metal album to be released on USB packaged in a CD style case with full artwork, and can be bought from the Official I AM I website at http://www.iamiofficial.com That is certainly an unusual gimmick, but in my view it could hurt sales unless it also includes a CD – by doing it as a USB memory stick they are forcing people to listen via their computer whereas many people still prefer CD’s (even if they import it onto the computer, the CD itself can be listened to in the car etc)...

Posted in Press Releases

Orchestral-pop songstress Erica Wexler has announced a free MP3 giveaway of a new track, Flesh, at her brand new official website www.ericawexler.co.uk

Erica has just completed her debut album Sunlit Night, executive produced by XTC’s Andy Partridge, and mixed by Andy Bradfield (Rufus Wainwright, Elbow, David Gray). The record is due out in September 2012, with the EP and lead single Wildflowers, coming out on June 25th.

Erica Wexler has lived a life that’s full and always done it her own way. She has poured her experiences into her debut album, Sunlit Night – released September 3rd on Folly Music.

Talking of the song Flesh, Wexler says;

“It’s a song that I hope will inspire procreation and a good time for all...

Posted in Press Releases

”Wondrous dance-punk” Pitchfork

“Pure pop… “Phone Home” is astounding” Pop Matters

Dinowalrus, fronted by visual artist and sometime guitarist of Titus Andronicus, Pete Feigenhaum, and backed by Max Tucker and Liam Andrew have released a new video for new single Beth Steel, out May 21st.

Directed by Argentinean Roberto Llauro the video uses the striking image of The Domino Sugar Factory as its centre piece – the same image gracing the cover of their anticipated debut UK release Best Behavior. Doused in electrifying hues and back dropped by swirls of galaxy it’s a trip offering welcome reminiscence to our own baggy scene, sparked by the likes of The Stones Roses, as well as to the band’s interests in krautrock, house music, post-punk and psychedelic rock.

The video can be ...

Posted in Press Releases

earMUSIC, the Hamburg based rock label which is part of Edel Group, is proud to announce the July 23rd UK release of “The Duke” – Joe Jackson’s tribute to American jazz icon Duke Ellington. The album will be released on CD, digital download and 12” vinyl. “Ellington didn’t consider his own arrangements to be sacred,” says Jackson. ”He constantly reworked them, sometimes quite radically. I think my approach is in the spirit of the man himself.”

True to Jackson’s word, The Duke is a decidedly unconventional salute to Ellington, demonstrating the timeless brilliance of his classic compositions while showcasing Jackson’s sublime skills as an arranger, instrumentalist and vocal interpreter...

Posted in Press Releases

Straight off the back of their first triumphant UK headline tour in April, Australian power rock trio TRACER return for their second UK headline tour, kicking off at the Wolverhampton Slade Rooms on Wednesday 26 September. View TRACER’s official UK tour announcement on YouTube here – http://tinyurl.com/bl9xa2y

To coincide with the September tour, Cool Green Recordings will release TRACER’S mid-priced mini album “LA?” in the UK on 27 August (the mini album was originally released in Australia in 2009).

TRACER – UK September Tour Dates:

Wednesday 26 September Wolverhampton Slade Rooms
Thursday 27 September Manchester Academy
Friday 28 September Newcastle Cluny
Saturday 29 September Glasgow ABC
Sunday 30 September Leeds Cockpit
Wednesday 3 October Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thursday 4 ...

Posted in Press Releases

ASIA, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (bass, lead vocals) will release a new studio album entitled “XXX” on Monday July 2nd. The new album dovetails the news of the band’s upcoming 30th Anniversary World Tour and the collectors’ edition of their eponymous debut album.

Planet Rock will launch an exclusive 48-hour ticket pre-sale for ASIA’s UK-leg of the 30th Anniversary tour at 9am on Wednesday April 25th. Fans can order their tickets from www.planetrock.com. From Friday April 27th, tickets will go on sale to the general public from the 24 Hour Ticket Hotline: 0844 478 0898, www.thegigcartel.com.

ASIA will play the following UK concerts in December 2012:

Tavistock The Wharf ...