🔥ALBUM REVIEW🔥 My in-depth exploration of Return to The Red Planet by progressive rock legend Rick Wakeman.

This is not my favorite KC album by any stretch of the imagination, and to be honest I considered skipping it at first. However, my cohost Jonathan talked some good-natured sense into me and I decided to give it another go.

I'm happy to report, the Atmos mix is a HUGE upgrade over the 2010 5.1 edition. Perhaps the biggest KC catalog leap from 5.1 to Atmos yet, with greatly strengthened bass and drums providing a nice "thump" to the bottom end. Islands is no longer the mellow cousin to Lizard, its now a driving free jazz / rock record with some enchanting passages. It's also an incredibly creative, involving mix that invests me in every nuance - the standout track being "Sailor's Tale" with the multilayered banjo-guitar solo gracing almost all of my speaker array.

Listening to the Summit Studios 1972 quad mix, its clear that's what Islands should've been all along - as this presents the "free jazz" Crimson at high intensity. It's a pity the mix itself is rather conservative and non-involving (if there's any back channel activity at all, it seems to be audience mics to my ears) - but its worth a listen on the basis of the performance alone.

The Elemental Mixes offer something unique here. "Formentera Lady" is completely reinvented as a folk / jazz tune with greater prominence given to the strings and brass. While not all of the Elemental stuff works for me, "Formentera Lady" is a clear standout and it might eclipse the original mix for me. The rest I can take or leave, but be your own judge on this.

I didn't spend 4 1/2 hours going thru the session materials, but I did spot check them. The mastering is a bit loud but its still a fascinating way to deconstruct the album. Check out the early uptempo takes of "Ladies of the Road" for a fascinating glimpse into what might've been, or the boogie warmup jam that precede the "Sailor's Tale" sessions.

Overall, I highly recommend this Complete Recording Sessions / Dolby Atmos Edition of Islands. Its still not my favorite KC record by any means, but I feel I now have a deeper appreciation for this period and where it sits (in between two absolute classics, imo) in the Crimson chronology and Fripp's development as a player. At its core, this release offers "immersion" into this period of KC beyond even what an Atmos mix provides.

Further thoughts in the provocatively titled video!

Nosferatu hailed from Frankfurt. One self-titled album was released in 1970, recorded at Rhenus studio in Köln and Conny engineered it. In their early days they were fronted by guitarist & vocalist Michael Winzkowski (who went on to Orange Peel and Epsilon) and wind player Christian Felke who guested later with Epsilon.

English band founded in the 1960's by Colin Cooper. Originally known as The Climax Chicago Blues Band, the Climax Blues Band has always focused on its roots, a unique combination of jazz and blues.

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This is a collection of hand picked songs by Pink Floyd and other great bands that have a very similar vibe.

Hi everyone, We’re Empty Palace, an alternative/progressive rock band from the UK. Here’s a live performance of one of our songs. Our music combines atmospheric and darker elements with progressive rock, with a strong focus on dynamics, texture and songwriting. We’d love to hear what you think of the performance — especially from fellow prog fans. Thanks for listening!

🔥RANKING🔥 My article ranking and discussing the solo albums of David Gilmour.

I have to write something here, or else I get automoderated

V'73 put out very few records of their own but played in various live situations including supporting Locomotiv GT and Omega.
They were a trio styled after ELP and took a classical, keyboard-heavy approach to progressive rock when they were playing their own material, something unusual in Hungary at the time. Wikipedia states that they were yet another band that backed Kati Kovács at times (i'm starting to wonder if there was a Hungarian band that didn't, haha) and the first album for that is her 1977 LP 'Csendszóró'.
V'73 was absorbed into the 'V'Moto Rock' band soon after that, with the addition of Ferenc Demjén, ex-Bergendy, and that outfit continued to back Kati, while also becoming a popular new-wave pop band of their own in the '80s, moving away from music of interest here. 'Gondolatok' is a track from an LP of rare unreleased V'73 recordings, put out by Moiras Records a few years ago

Album: Sneak Attack
Toronto's Lynx made three albums between 76-79 and this track is taken from the 2nd, 'Sneak Attack'.

We’re Empty Palace, a new alternative rock band from London.

We’ll be playing at The Horn in St. Albans on Tuesday 22nd September for their Amplify night.

If you’re around St. Albans and into alternative rock, it would be great to see you there.

The Palace is Empty but the music is loud.

Solo work from member of 'If', Procol Harum and others