The Gereg by The Hu

The Gereg (Mongolian: Гэрэгэ) is the debut album by The Hu, a Mongolian folk rock and heavy metal band released on September 13, 2019 on the Eleven Seven Records label.  This four piece band comprises of Ts. Galbadrakh aka “Gala” – ayanga morin khuur (horse head fiddle) and, throat singing, G. Nyamjantsan aka “Jaya” – tumur khuur (jews harp) , Tsuur (end blown flute) and, throat singing, B. Enkhsaikhan aka “Enkush” – gal morin khuur (horse head fiddle) and throat singing, N. Temuulen aka “Temka” – baigali tovshuur (string lute), programming, and mixing.  A Deluxe Edition of the album was released on July 10, 2020, featuring guest vocals by Jacoby Shaddix, From Ashes to New, and Lzzy Hale, as well as acoustic versions of three tracks.   The first release from this album was Yuve Yuve Yu (featuring Danny Case of From Ashes to New) followed by Wolf Totem (featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach), Shoog Shoog, The Great Chinggis Khaan, and Song of Women (featuring Lzzy Hale of Halestorm).  I was absolutely blown away by the performance on this album, as well as excellent songwriting and superb recording and production.  This is definitely and album that you will want to add to your music library which is available on Vinyl, CD and digital download from Amazon, Discogs, Spotify, Apple Music and many other music retailers.  You can learn more about this band by going to their official website where you can also find where they are playing near you https://www.thehuofficial.com/

To The Far Away by Dave Bainbridge

To The Far Away is the latest solo album by lead guitarist and chief musical wizard, Dave Bainbridge released December 6, 2021  on the Open Sky Records label.  In addition to Dave Bainbridge playing many instruments on this album, he is joined by Sally Minnear on vocals, Iain Hornal on vocals, Troy Donockley on high & low whistles, uilleann pipes, and Cumbrian voices., Frank van Essen on drums, solo violin, ensemble violins and violas, Jon Poole on fretted and fretless basses, Jonas Pap on cello, Nigel Cameron on whistles, Julie Cameron-Hall on violin and Martin Nolan on whistles.  This thirteen track album that is a nice mixture of easy sounding music to relax to and some heavier rock to get you going with such tracks as Girl And The Magical Sky, Ghost Light, To Gain The Ocean, As Night Falls, the title track To The Far Away and so much more.  I was quite moved by the performance on this album, as well as his brilliant songwriting talent and a stellar recording.  This is an album that I will enjoy listening in the car when I am out and about.  I highly recommend this progressive rock album to your library which is available on CD and digital download from Amazon, FYE, Spotify and many other music retailers.  To learn more about this artist and his music, go to his official website http://www.davebainbridgemusic.com

Microcosm by Alex Carpani

Alex Carpani, an Italian-French composer, keyboardist, singer, producer, musicologist and artistic director releases his latest project Microcosm on April 29, 2022 via the Independent Artist Records label.  In addition to Alex Carpani on lead & backing vocals, keyboards, synth bass, mellotron, and drum loops, he is joined by Bruno Farinelli on drums, Andrea Torresani on bass,  Davide Rinaldi and  Emiliano Fantuzzi on guitars,  David Cross (ex-King Crimson) on violin, David Jackson on saxophone and flute, Theo Travis on saxophone and Jon Davison (Yes) on lead & backing vocals .  This album’s twelve songs (eleven original songs written by Alex, plus King Crimson’s “Starless” which is arranged by Alex) is impressive from start to finish with such amazing tracks as The Mountain of Salt, Footprints In The Hearts, Prime Numbers, What Once Was, the title track Microcosm and much more.  In addition to a brilliant performance, this album features a superb recording and production.  This release will be available on April 29^th on CD and digital download from Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and many other music retailers.

Spring Of Turmoil by Ian Voltage

Spring of Turmoil is the debut EP by Ian Voltage,  a rock band formed in Helsinki, Finland released on March 2,2022 via the Inverse Records label.  This band draws influences from legends such as Guns N’ Roses, Alice In Chains and others comprises of Derek Kinnunen on vocals, Julius Rautio and Keinonen on guitar, Mikko Jaakola on drums and Miikka Merikallio on bass guitar.  This five track album with powerful vocals, heavy guitar riffs, thumping bass lines and driving drum beats features the songs Turmoil, G.F.W., Nova, Hummingbird Heart and Quicksand.  I was quite moved by the performance on this album, amazing songwriting talents and a superb recording.  At this time this album is only available as a digital download from Amazon, and many other music retailers.

Live by Akku Quintet

Live takes you on a 75-minute long musical journey and leads you into the cosmos of Swiss-based AKKU Quintet led by drummer and composer Manuel Pasquinelli (also known for his work with Sonar & David Torn). Completing this amazing sound is Michael Gilsenan on saxophone, Markus Escher on guitar
Maja Nydegger on grand piano and keyboards and Andi Schnellmann on bass released on February 18, 2022.  This five song EP features the tracks Waves, Polar, Deep Sleep I and II and Schneemann recorded live at various locations between 2016 and 2020.  I was impressed with the performance on this album, as well as amazing songwriting talent and a superb recording.  If you get a chance, check out this album which is available on CD and digital download from Bandcamp, Amazon, and many other music retailers.  To learn more about this band, their music and more, go to their official website https://www.akkuquintet.com/

They Called It Rhythm & Blues by The Duke Robillard Band

They Called It Rhythm & Blues is the upcoming album set for release by The Duke Robillard Band via the Stony Plain Records label.  This amazing blues band features Duke Robillard on guitars, Chris Cote on vocals, Bruce Bears on piano and organ, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James on saxophone.  This eighteen track album features such amazing guest musicians as John Hammond, Kim Wilson, Michelle Wilson, Sue Foley, Sugar Ray Norcia, Mike Flanigan, Mark Early, Doug Woolverton and Matt McCabe with such songs as Here I’m Is, Tell Me Why, Rambler Blues, No Place to Go, Someday After A While, The Things I Forgot to Do, Wee Wee Hours and so many more.  In addition to a thrilling performance this amazing album features brilliant musicianship, and a superb recording.  This is a blues album you will definitely want to add to your library which is available on vinyl (my favorite format). CD and digital download from Stony Plains Records, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music and many other music retailers.

Space Opera by Various Artists

MalLabel Music presents the Space Opera Compilation featuring some of the best names in west coast underground bass music released March 4, 2022.  This six track EP brings together six new tracks from an impressive collection of MalLabel artists which features the tracks Evil Aria by Illexxandra, Centurion by Cam Lasky, Andromeda by Goldish, Space Coast Boogie by Bukkha, The Dragon by El Diablo featuring Nim-1, and Make a Wish by Beat Kitty featuring Annie Dolly.  Even though it is not my cup of tea, this album does feature a great performance, creative songwritng talents and a impressive job of recording and is available, everywhere music is streamed and sold on CD and digtal download.

Particles Of The Infinite by Alex Anthony Faide

Particles Of The Infinite is the March 18, 2022 release by Seattle, Washington based artist Alex Anthony Faide on electric guitar and bass.with  guest drummers Matt Chamberlain Pat Mastelotto, and  Alessandro Inolti. Particles of the Infinite” a display of guitar pyrotechnics in nine parts inspired by and developed from concepts found in songs such as King Crimson’s “Fracture” and “Lark’s Tongues in Aspic,” Faide takes the work beyond the stratosphere into the mirror dimension to find something completely his own.  I was quite impressed with the sound on this album which reminds me so much of the work of King Crimson and many other progressive rock bands with a amazing performance, brilliant songwriting skills and a superb recording.  I highly recommend this album for your progressive rock library which is available on CD and digital download from Bandcamp and many other music retailers.

Chain Of Thorns by Liliac

Chain of Thorns is the January 25, 2019 debut album by Liliac, a five-piece band that is made up of the Cristea siblings; three brothers and two sisters ranging from ages 11 to 19 consisting of 19-year-old lead guitarist Samuel, 18-year-old drummer Abigail, 17-year-old frontwoman Melody on bass guitar and vocals, 12-year-old Ethan on rhythm guitar, and youngest brother Justin, 11, on keyboards.  Liliac was a band act from Season 15 of America’s Got Talent, performing Big Brother and the Holding Company’s “Piece Of My Heart.” They received a standing ovation from the audience and Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell all voted “Yes”, sending the band to the next round but they withdrew before the Judge Cuts.  This six track album in which they describe their music as Vamp Metal showcases powerful vocals, heavy guitar riffs, thunderous drum beats, thumping bass lines and polished keyboard work on the tracks Not Afraid, the title track Chain Of Thorns, Dancing In The Dark, Mars, Mythical Creature and Hit The Lights.  I enjoyed this album from start to finish with an amazing performance, creative songwriting skills, and superb recording.  I am looking forward to hearing there other albums, which I will be doing in the coming weeks.  This superb album is available on CD and digital download from Amazon, Discogs and many other music retailers and on vinyl from their official website https://www.liliacband.com/ where you can learn more about this great band, their music and tour schedule.