Back catalogue: Progressive Rock

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: This analogue-driven masterpiece sets a high bar for exciting music in 2025. The ten-track album, crafted by the Gothenburg duo (featuring members of Fontan and Ultra Satan), blends intricate soundscapes with emotional resonance, offering a listening experience that is both reflective, thought-provoking yet at times, challenging. Vind explores the intersection of rhythm and emotion, creating an atmosphere that feels timeless and innovative. The first single, 'Montilla', embodies the album's ethos. With its downtempo pace and broken beat structure, the track feels like a sonic odyssey. Psychedelic elements and exceptional guitar work add layers of complexity, while leftfield textures make it stand out. The result is a piece that's unique, grounded but also otherworldly. 'Medvind Part 1' is a great example at the ability of the band to create an outstanding blend of various styles of music such as Latin, ambient and folk music along with many others. Vind is a rewarding journey for all who cherish inventive music.

Review: Kartell's debut album Everything Is Here melds French electronic accessibility with r&b and disco grooves while also drawing on prog rock's esoteric elements and introspective psychedelia. Nostalgic yet forward-looking, it expands on his EPs with dream pop aesthetics and the futuristic allure of the 60s and 70s. Space rock's nebulous textures and ethereal sounds permeate throughout as tracks are anchored by minor-key grooves. The dense, cinematic production weaves a vivid tapestry, integrating live bass, drums, and guitars amid hazy effects and synths to leave you lost in sound.

Review: Originally released in 2009 and celebrating its 15th anniversary with this half-speed remaster on lush red marbled vinyl, Night Is The New Day serves as a genre-bending meander through progressive Scandinavian metallic sonics whilst pulling on elements of gloomy doom rock and synth-laden coldwave. Often spoken in the same breath and with equal credence paid to the likes of Opeth, Ulver and Porcupine Tree, the album is a work of sublime, depressive beauty with ever-shifting pieces like the bombastic-turned-mercurial 'Forsaker' offset by the post-folk vulnerability of 'Idle Blood', leading many to consider the eighth full-length in the Katatonia catalogue to be the finest summation of their expansive vision. The work would also notably be the last to feature the Norrman brothers handling rhythm guitar and bass duties.

Review: Embark on a mesmerizing journey with Steve Kilbey and Martin Kennedy's latest epic, 'Premonition K,' the third and culminating chapter of their highly acclaimed trilogy. Building on the success of Jupiter 13 (2021) and The Strange Life of Persephone Nimbus (2022), this album unveils a sumptuous and organic sonic landscape, delving into dark and enigmatic realms between life and death. Steve Kilbey, renowned as the frontman of The Church, infuses each track with emotional resonance and mystery. Martin Kennedy, drawing from his extensive experience with All India Radio, adds layers of sonic complexity, creating an immersive experience. Together, they invite listeners to break out the ouija board, turn off the lights, and immerse themselves in the mysteries of Premonition K. With influences ranging from Roger Waters to early Black Sabbath, this album promises a darkly beautiful soundscape that captivates from start to finish.

Review: London might be seen as one of the hottest places for new, urban jazz sounds, but this album Second Light from Kepler Is Free shows that Greece also has its own vibrant scene. Their debut album was a quickly sold out success and now the jazz rock ensemble is back with more expansive work that traverses the 60s, 70s, soul jazz, hip hop and experimental in all new ways. The band was founded in 2018 and though all members are relatively young, they show their maturity here with more widescreen and entrancing sounds that come in collaboration with LEX, one of Greece's best-known rappers.

Review: King Crimson of the 1970s sounded very different from the band that made this Discipline album with a newly formed line-up of Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew and Tony Levin seven years after the band first broke up. It is now 40 years young so gets the requisite reissue treatment and has also been remastered for the occasion. It comes on a mighty hefty 200g vinyl so can be played extra loud, just as it should. The record mixes up electronica, funk, pure pop, modern avant-garde and much more and was a chart success in many different countries around the world.

Review: Sheltering Skies, the live album from King Crimson, offers a compelling snapshot of the band's dynamic 1980s line up. Recorded during a vibrant performance in Frejus, France, in August 1982, the album captures the band at the height of their powers. With material from their recent albums Discipline and Beat, King Crimson performs a blend of intricate compositions and improvisational abilities. The excitement and energy of the audience are palpable throughout the recording, reflecting the band's ability to stun crowds with their unique blend of progressive rock and experimental jazz. Classics like 'Red' and 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part Two' are performed with renewed vigour, enhanced by the freshness of the lineup and the enthusiasm of the musicians. This release marks the first time this live recording has been available on vinyl, pressed on 200-gram discs for optimal sound quality. For fans of King Crimson and enthusiasts of progressive rock, Sheltering Skies" promises to be an important release for fans of the band.

Review: King Crimson's 1973 album Larks' Tongues In Aspic hears its 50th anniversary reissue version, and will be celebrated with two comprehensive sets, a 2 CD/2 Blu-ray set and a double LP on 200 gram vinyl one. With a heavier emphasis on live improvisation, doomy buildups, percussive acoutremenets and a buzzing but pristine rock grandeur, Larks' Tongues in Aspic was nonetheless recorded over a short period from mid-January to the beginning of February 1973 and released in March, doing justice to the band's rep for quick turnarounds and veneration as performing masters.

Review: Music Is Our Friend serves as the final release from progressive rock giants King Crimson; a live album recorded during their 2021 US farewell tour. Originally planned for 2020 but delayed an entire year due to the pandemic, several shows were to be moved due to extreme weather, though the band didn't end up cancelling a single date. Labelled as an official bootleg, the primary bulk of material comes from the final Washington stop, apart from the last four cuts which were taken from the pre-tour "Friends & Family" show in Albany. Spread out over a beastly 200 gram 3xLP collection, clocking in at a mammoth two and a quarter hours, and spanning their decades-long, monolithic discography, this bootie is a must have for fans, who, for no other fathomable reason, may never get to experience purchasing a new release adorned with the moniker of the great king ever again. At least we still have Robert Fripp's YouTube covers with wife Toyah Willcox to entertain us into oblivion.

Review: USA, King Crimson's second live album, originally released in 1975, gets a well-deserved deluxe reissue. This album captures the band's final performances from their 1974 "USA" tour, showcasing one of their strongest line-ups: Robert Fripp, Eddie Jobson, David Cross, John Wetton, and Bill Bruford. The reissue features the original six tracks plus three additional songs from the 2002 30th Anniversary Edition. Recorded primarily at the Casino in Asbury Park on June 28, 1974, with one track from the Palace Theatre in Providence, this album exemplifies King Crimson's live prowess. Highlights include the thunderous 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Part II),' the atmospheric 'Exiles,' and the intense 'Fracture.' The inclusion of 'Starless,' from their Red album, is particularly noteworthy, as it's one of their finest compositions. '21st Century Schizoid Man,' a staple from their debut album, and the improvisational 'Asbury Park' add to the album's diversity. The deluxe edition's sound quality is exceptional, with added violin and keyboard parts by Jobson enhancing the experience. This reissue surpasses Earthbound, their previous live album, in every aspect - musicianship, setlist, and production. USA stands as a quintessential live album, capturing King Crimson at their creative peak.

Review: King Crimson's iconic 1974 album Red returns with a stunning 50th Anniversary reissue on a 200g import double LP set, showcasing a fresh audio experience. The first LP features new 2024 stereo mixes by Steven Wilson, renowned for his meticulous work in remastering classic albums. The second LP delivers David Singleton's 2024 Elemental Mixes, offering a distinctive sonic perspective with enhanced instrument separation and previously unreleased elements. Recorded during a period of intense touring and creative evolution, Red stands as a pinnacle of Crimson's 70s output. The band, then a formidable trio, crafted this masterpiece at London's Olympic Studios, incorporating contributions from former members and friends. The album's powerful fusion of progressive rock elements has cemented its status as a seminal influence across decades, and with Jason Mitchell's mastering at Loud Mastering ensuring optimal sound quality, this reissue is an exciting release for collectors and aficionados, promising a richly detailed listening experience of one of rock's enduring classics.

Review: Izumi Kobayashi's fourth ambient solo album, Ik I, was produced by German visionary Holger Hiller and is now getting a long-awaited reissue. Originally released in a rare Netherlands-only pressing after Kobayashi's move to the UK in 1989, this album captures her unique blend of ambient soundscapes with Hiller's innovative production techniques. It's a real hidden gem of atmospheric music and intriguing Eastern Melody, dainty string patterns and exotic percussive sounds that celebrate Kobayashi's groundbreaking work and are sure to connect with a whole new generation of fans.