Back catalogue: Progressive Rock

Review: Measured Mile is a new 7" label run by regular Ace consultant and confidante Bob Stanley. The plan is to release DJ-friendly 45s that are either very rare or previously unavailable on seven-inch. On this new one come two pieces from esteemed library musicians - the well known pairing of Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett, and Dave Richmond. 'Name Of The Game' is a slow instrumental blues piece with beats ready to be plundered for hip-hop beats that once soundtracked a 1970s aftershave ad, while Richmond's 'Confunktion' is a motivational builder-upper with drums and organs aplenty.

Review: BaBa ZuLa, Istanbul's most experimental band, continues to push the boundaries of Turkish psych-rock. Known for their hypnotic blend of Turkish percussion, electric saz, and electronic elements, they've gained a cult following across the globe. With influences from legends like Einsturzende Neubauten and Can, their latest album Istanbul Sokaklari is a sonic and political statement. Combining deep rhythms, glitchy electronics and dual male-female vocals, BaBa ZuLa's music transports listeners into a world where tradition meets modernity, offering a glimpse into both the future and the heart of Istanbul's streets.

Review: Live In Montreal documents a live performance by the towering rock titans Babe Ruth in April 1975, at which point the band consisted of a total of four out of its five original members. Formerly only available via internet archive sites or in inferior quality, this rather legendary concert brought with it a nigh demonic energy, with the English hard rockers laying down one of their best documented performances by way of gnarly vocal snarlage from lead singer Ellie Hope and prime shreddage from the likes of Bernie Marsden and Ray Knott. The band notably broke the USA and Canada; Live In Montreal is a testament to their popularity across the Atlantic, and hears a full-quality restoration of some heavy live renditions of such greats as 'Wells Fargo', 'Sad But Rich', 'Black Dog' and 'A Fistful Of Dollars'.

Review: Complex Emotions, the 16th album from The Bad Plus, confirms the band's endless creative energy and evolution. Featuring the talents of guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed, the album is a bold leap forward, beginning with Reid Anderson's 'Grid/Ocean'ia shape-shifting opener that morphs between turbulence and calm. The track clears the way for the exhilarating 'French Horns', where Monder's structured yet frenzied solo captures the band's fearless spirit. With standout contributions like Speed's vibrant 'Cupcakes One' and Anderson's blistering 'Deep Water Sharks', the album straddles the boundaries of jazz and rock, tapping into an electrifying synergy reminiscent of guitar icons like Jeff Beck. Quiet moments like 'Carrier', 'Casa Ben' and 'Tyrone's Flamingos' offer dreamy, introspective counterpoints, showing King's percussion and Speed's airy lyricism. The Bad Plus, with Monder and Speed joining founding members Anderson and King, continue to defy genre labels, blending rock, jazz and ambient textures. From blistering intensity to melodic subtlety, Complex Emotions encapsulates the band's drive to innovate and redefine.

Review: Marking their first LP to not be named after a colour, Savannah, Georgia based sludge-prog metal collective Baroness make their illustrious return on Stone; a darker and more introspective opus of heaving heft and unsettling atmospherics. Leave no doubt though, this is still the band fans have come to know and adore with their reliable brand of fuzzed out psychedelic guitar solos, crushing riffs and catchy hooks. Just one spin of lead single 'Last Word' should be more than enough to dispel any concerns whilst signalling a gloriously grim and captivating new era for the group.

Review: Syd Barrett's An Introduction To Syd Barrett is a compilation of his best bits spanning the period 1967-1970. It takes in music he wrote while a part of the legendary British prog rock outfit Pink Floyd as well as material from his solo career in the years after. Newlyeemastered and remixes also make up the original tracklist, which was overseen with the watchful eyes and sharp ears of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. The album didn't chart so well but still serves as a superb overview of the career of one of Britain's great singer-songwriters.

Review: Bristol trio Beak>, like their co-founder Geoff Barrow, have always had a tendency towards the obtuse, choosing to go where they please musically with an air of disenchanted veterans whose faith in the world is waning all the time. This dystopian streak was evident on their 2009 full-length debut, where they consciously avoided overdubs and studio trickery, and it has returned to the fore on their widely acclaimed fourth studio set - a collection of 'head music' that they insist should only be listened to in its entirety. If you do that - and you should - you'll be treated to a delightfully cosmic, psychedelic and otherworldly journey through organ-heavy dream pop ('Strawberry Line'), wide-eyed krautrock-influenced funkiness ('The Seal'), acid-fried soundtrack weirdness ('Windmill Hill'), gentler and more intergalactic excursions ('Bloody Miles') and much more besides.

Review: Bill Orcutt's Music for Four Guitars album emerges as his most mature and exhilarating LP to date and exudes undeniable Apollonian beauty. Praised by underground aficionados and featured on NPR, the Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet - comprising Wendy Eisenberg, Ava Mendoza, and Shane Parish - embodies technical prowess and improvisational brilliance. Recorded live at Le Guess Who? festival during their inaugural European tour, Four Guitars Live captures the quartet's seamless fusion of faithful renditions and expansive improvisations. From Mendoza's captivating lines to Parish's ethereal solos, the album transcends boundaries, showcasing soulful polytonal improv accessible to all. Orcutt's visionary compositions, enriched by collective virtuosity, redefine contemporary guitar music, captivating audiences with classic intervals and layered intricacies.

Review: Nature documentary series The Living Planet very much captured the imagination of Raoul Bjorkenheim back in 1986. It featured erupting volcanoes and plumes of molten lava and some of that drama and energy is captured in this fine jazz album which now gets a new extended reissue. Bjorkenheim studied at the Helsinki Conservatory for a year and the Berklee College of Music in Boston for three years and worked with composer and drummer Edward 'Eetu' Vesala. For this album, he played with reed virtuosos Jorma Tapio and Tapani Rinne, bassist Sampo Lassila and drummers Michel Lambert and Heikki 'Lefty' Lehto. It is a hot and raw record that contains an album's worth of previously unheard material.

Review: Black Country Communion's fifth studio album, V, marks the return of the powerhouse supergroup after seven years, showcasing the unparalleled talents of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian. Fusing the best of British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock, the album delivers a tour de force of earth-shattering rock music. 'Enlighten,' the latest single from the album, exemplifies the band's evolution both lyrically and musically. Penned by Hughes and Bonamassa, the song delves into themes of self-awareness and spiritual awakening, with Hughes' emotive vocals and Bonamassa's intricate guitar work driving the message home. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the track captures the essence of Black Country Communion's dynamic sound, showcasing their growth and mutual admiration as artists. As a band deeply rooted in rock and blues traditions, Black Country Communion has earned a formidable reputation for their songwriting and electrifying live performances. Enlighten serves as a tantalising preview of the album's full potential, promising a vibrant new chapter for the band and their fans worldwide.

Review: Frequently compared to Black Sabbath thanks to their love of satanic and occult imagery and heavy, proto-metal sound, Black Widow were a band that burned brightly, briefly. This excellent six-disc set tells the story of the Leicester outfit's career from start to finish. It begins with two discs dedicated to their origins: the band's sole LP as Pesky Gee, 1969's psychedelic rock and blues-rock influenced 'Exclamation Mark', and a CD showcasing the group's earliest Black Widow demos. The rest of the collection showcases the evolution of their sound between 1970 and 73 via lightly expanded versions of the albums Sacrifice (1970), Black Widow (1970), Black Widow III (1972) and Black Widow IV (1973). The definitive anthology of one of British rock's genuine cult bands.

Review: Denver, Colorado based progressive death metal auteurs Blood Incantation have become renowned for their overarching science fiction themes and cosmic reimagining of genre motifs, with 2019's sophomore triumph Hidden History Of The Human Race garnering immense acclaim and exposure. Unexpectedly, their 2022 follow up would rip a page right from the book of Tangerine Dream with Timewave Zero being made up entirely of ambient synth-laden pieces designed to serve as a soundtrack to passing through the stars. With this unpredictable penchant and clear lack of genre boundaries illuminated, anticipation was rife to see if the band would have the balls and brains to marry both opposing sonic guises and that's precisely what Absolute Elsewhere delivers. Named after the mid-70s prog collective (who once featured King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford), and even featuring Tangerine Dream's Thorsten Quaesching, the album is made up of two tracks, both broken into three segments each, that weave hallucinogenic death metal with synthwave prog, Krautrock, and euphoric alien ambience to conjure a uniquely transcendental listening experience. This ain't your granddaddy's prog rock, nor is it your daddy's death metal, but in a sense, it's kind of both.

Review: Following their triumphant 50th Anniversary celebration, Blue Oyster Cult is set to release 50th Anniversary Live - Second Night on CD and DVD. This highly anticipated performance features the band's second album, Tyranny and Mutation, performed in its entirety. Recorded during their historic three-night run at Sony Hall in NYC, the show in September 2022 captivated fans with a trilogy of sold-out performances, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made special appearances, adding nostalgia to the event. For nearly three hours each night, the band delivered a mesmerising set, performing their classic trilogy and treating fans to a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and hits. The atmosphere was electrifying, and the Frontiers label captured the magic, releasing each night as a special package. Blue Oyster Cult's legacy spans five decades, influencing acts like Metallica with their intelligent hard rock. With a timeless catalogue including '(Don't Fear) The Reaper,' the band remains a force in the rock scene, continuing to create vibrant work and tour relentlessly.

Review: Following the triumphant success of their 50th Anniversary celebration, BLUE OYSTER CULT is gearing up for the release of the eagerly anticipated "50th Anniversary Live - Second Night." This electrifying performance, which includes the band's second album "Tyranny and Mutation" performed back-to-back is is a spectacular follow-up to the band's historic three-night stint at Sony Hall in NYC.

In September 2022, BLUE OYSTER CULT enthralled fans with a unique trilogy of sold-out shows, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made a special appearance on all three nights, adding a nostalgic touch to the historic milestone.

For nearly three hours each night, the band delivered a spellbinding set, weaving through the entirety of their classic initial trilogy of albums and treating fans to a mix of fan favorites, deep cuts, and classic hits.

Review: Blue Oyster Cult's Spectres, reissued on vinyl, shows the band at a pivotal point in their career. Known for blending hard rock with dark, atmospheric elements, this 1977 album contains some of their most memorable tracks. The iconic opener 'Godzilla' sets the tone, with its powerful riffs and cinematic imagery. Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser's guitar work shines throughout, particularly on tracks like 'Golden Age of Leather' and 'R.U. Ready to Rock'? What sets Spectres apart is its haunting mood, especially evident in songs like 'I Love the Night' and the eerie closer, 'Nosferatu'. These tracks sees the band's talent for creating chilling atmospheres with both vocals and instrumentation. The balladry of 'I Love the Night' is particularly striking, a standout even in a discography filled with dark gems. Spectres remains an excellent record that perfectly blends Blue Oyster Cult's signature sound with a more accessible, yet still shadowy, rock approach.

Review: They may have been formed in 1967 in Long Island near New York, Blue Oyster Cult are synonymous with the 70s, scoring numerous hits and filling arenas with their neat fusion of Californian-style stoner rock and more pop/rock/metal influences. The title track of this 17 track best of is obviously their best known song, one that is almost universally known, from its weaving opening to its iconic cowbell-whacking. But there are plenty of hidden depths to the band's history revealed here. 'Shooting Shark', for instance, given a very 80s production job that goes heavy on the synths and Linn drums, is one of a number of collaborations with queen of New York punk Patti Smith. 'Godzilla', meanwhile, proves they can successfully inject an element of funkiness into their approach too, not a million miles from Frank Zappa's sublime 'I Am The Slime' in its feel. No better time to join the Cult.

Review: Blue Oyster Cult is set to release 50th Anniversary Live - Second Night in order to satisfy the overwhelming exciting for these concert events. This live album captures the band's iconic performance of their second album, 'Tyranny and Mutation,' from their historic three-night run at Sony Hall, NYC, in September 2022. Celebrating five decades of influential rock, the band's shows featured the entirety of their first three albums, with founding member Albert Bouchard making special appearances. For nearly three hours each night, Blue Oyster Cult delivered a mesmerising set filled with fan favorites, deep cuts, and classic hits. The band's lineup, featuring Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, Eric Bloom, Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino, brought both nostalgia and fresh energy to the stage. Renowned for hits like '(Don't Fear) The Reaper,' 'Godzilla," and 'Burnin' for You,' Blue Oyster Cult continues to please audiences. Following their acclaimed 2020 album, The Symbol Remains, the band proves they are still a dynamic force in rock. This triple 12" properly celebrates this performance across its three piece set.

Review: On Your Feet Or On Your Knees was the band's first compilation and helped them shoot to stardom. With the rise of successful greatest hits albums, the label at the time pressured the young band to bring out a collection of previously released music, with then 12 songs featured here the result of collecting three songs per prior album that the band felt were their strongest. This album features some of the most beloved live songs by the band like 'Buck's Boogie'. For those that are new to the band, this is a great introduction to the history of BOC prior to their landmark hit 'Don't Fear The Reaper' smash the following year and this reissue comes on silver & black marbled vinyl.

Review: Fandabidozi, the debut album from Bobbie Dazzle, led by singer Sian Greenway, is a joyful tribute to the glam rock of the 1970s. Drawing influence from icons like David Bowie, T. Rex, and The Sweet, the album manages to celebrate the past while still feeling fresh and vibrant. Opener 'Lightning Fantasy' kicks things off with a punch, featuring lyrics written by Greenway's father, offering a deeply personal touch. Tracks like 'Merry-Go-Round' and 'Revolution' channel the groovy, flamboyant spirit of glam rock, while 'Lady on Fire' delivers a heavier, guitar-driven edge reminiscent of 70s rock. The album is packed with energy, charisma, and a sense of fun, with 'Back to the City' and 'It's Electric' standing out as lively anthems. Greenway's powerful vocals and the band's tight instrumentation keep the momentum strong from start to finish. Fandabidozi is a bold and glittering ode to rock 'n' roll's most theatrical era, blending nostalgic charm with contemporary flair. It's an exciting introduction to Bobbie Dazzle's vibrant world.

Review: Albert Bouchard concludes his three-part Imaginos series - an epic set of concept albums and world-built prog-metal mythos constructed around the original poetry written by Bouchard's late Blue Oyster Cult bandmate, Sandy Pearlman - with Mutant Reformation. Billed as "the final chapter in a monumental saga", Bouchard channels Pearlman's feverish visions into sonic resonance once again, this time turning Pearlman's extraterrestrial imaginings in on themselves to reach an apocalpytic conclusion.

Review: Brown Spirits' current album on Soul Jazz Records delivers a raw, heavy and hypnotic blend of psychedelic rock and krautrock. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, the trio channels influences from Neu!, Miles Davis, Soft Machine, Gang of Four and Hendrix, creating a unique sound that combines progressive intensity with punk and post-punk energy. Their stripped-down lineup of bass, drums, guitar and keyboards is reminiscent of classic acts like Cream and Hendrix, but with a DIY, lo-fi edge. The album features powerful, fuzzed-out guitars, tough basslines and pounding drums, complemented by analog Moog synthesisers and a gritty, analog recording process. Brown Spirits' sound is simultaneously experimental and driving, drawing on their love of Krautrock while infusing it with a raw, punk attitude. Following the quick sellout of two limited-edition singles, this album is a testament to their ability to merge hard, progressive rock with hypnotic grooves and a distinct, unmistakable energy. It's an unforgettable sonic journey that stands out in the current psychedelic rock landscape.

Review: Theatrical rock icon Arthur Brown's Monster's Ball is a ghoulish masterpiece that arrives just in time for Halloween. Brown himself is joined on the album by a list of top-draw collaborators including The Stooges' James Williamson, Gong's Steve Hillage, Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner and R&B superstar Shuggie Otis. There is a mix of great cover versions here, as well as a new version of Brown's own 'Fire' tune plus plenty of newly-penned hits. It all adds up to a thrilling rock album high on drama and theatre.

Review: Jack Bruce's classic album Songs For A Tailor receives a new official gatefold LP vinyl release, offering fans a chance to experience this seminal work in its full glory. Remastered from the original master tapes and cut at Abbey Road Studios, the album showcases Bruce's distinctively diverse style, drawing on influences from jazz, folk, classical, and rock. Produced by Felix Pappalardi, the recording sessions at London's Morgan Studios brought together some of Britain's finest musicians, including Chris Spedding, Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith, among others. Notably, George Harrison also made an appearance during one session. Originally released as Jack Bruce's first solo project after the demise of Cream in 1968, Songs For A Tailor achieved chart success in both the UK and the USA. Now considered a masterpiece, this LP edition faithfully restores the original artwork, offering fans a chance to revisit and rediscover one of Jack Bruce's most seminal works.

Review: Sandro Brugnolini's Overground stands as a rare gem in library music and is also generally regarded as some of this artist's best work alongside his formidable Underground from 1970. Originally released on Sincro Edizioni Musicali, it served as the soundtrack to Enrico Moscatelli and Mario Rigoni's documentary Persuasione having been commissioned by Ente Provinciale Per Il Turismo Di Trento. Featuring top Italian musicians like Angelo Baroncini, Silvano Chimento, Giorgio Carnini, Enzo Restuccia, and Giovanni Tommaso, the album traverses from underground psychedelic prog rock with swirling organs and fuzzy guitars to sophisticated lounge grooves with avant-garde orchestrations. Now remastered from the original tapes, it is one to add to the racks tout suite.

Review: The Sensual World is the sixth studio album from British pop sensation Kate Bush, released in October 1989 to the ever-expected throng of acclaim. Condensing her literary inspirations into what is arguably her most romantic album, The Sensual World is notorious for its singles ‘This Woman’s Work’ and ‘Love And Anger’, which fuse James Joyce and William Blake intertexts with aspects of her own Irish heritage. But despite the Anglo-Irish pedigree, the album was also noted for its pentatonic melodies and “Oriental reverie”, amounting to a mid-career breakaway into a whole new world.