Sonja's "Songs From the Acid Folk" album has been re-released in the UK by Market Square Records, with a new cover and new liner notes by yours truly. It had recently been reissued on Si-Wan Records in Korea. The album now includes three bonus tracks, "Back Street Luv," "Penumbra" and "Free To Be Me." See the Acid Folk page for the album cover. You can buy it from Market Square.
Sonja's new jazz album, "Cri de Coeur," is finished and will be released soon on Market Square Records. She also collaborated with a pair of Italian composers on a new album entitled "The Asmimov Assembly." Sonja appears on and wrote the lyrics for "Eyes Do More Than See" and "Nightfall." See the News page for both album covers.
Francis Monkman -- "21st Century Blues." Released in 1998, this recording is Francis' latest. A full review may be found on the reviews page. The CD is currently available on Voiceprint Records or at the Artist Shop.
Francis Monkman and Friends -- "Jam." An amazing CD of jam sessions recorded in 1991 by "the original Curved Air backline" and friends. The album features the best material selected from many hours of improvs performed by Francis Monkman, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, and Rob Martin from Curved Air, plus guitarists Mike Gore and Mike Cooper. This album has been released by Voiceprint Records, and features liner notes by me again. You can see the cover on the News page. The CD is currently available on Voiceprint Records or at the Artist Shop.
Francis Monkman's "A Harpsichord Sampler" is a stunning collection of Francis's favorite harpsichord pieces recorded by George Chkiantz in 1994. The album includes the most amazing keyboard workout we've ever heard -- Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata K517. This album has been released by Voiceprint Records. The cover is on the News page. The CD is currently available on Voiceprint Records or at the Artist Shop.
The wonderful "801 Live" album released by Phil Manzanera's band, featuring our very own Francis Monkman on keys, has been re-released with a pair of previously unissued bonus tracks from the same concert. Order it here from The Artist Shop.
Tony Reeves and Mike Jacques (Mick no longer, it seems) have been collaborating for many years with other British music luminaries, including Dick Heckstall-Smith among others, in a jazz/blues band called Big Chief. We've just heard their new CD release called "Steppin' Out" -- it's great fun and comes highly recommended. Big Chief also have another CD release called "It Don't Make Sense." Both can be purchased through their website.
Tony Reeves sent along a preview of Greenslade's upcoming live CD, recorded during their February 2001 UK tour. The new material from "Large Afternoon" holds up very well indeed in concert, and John Young does a fine vocal job on the old favorites like "Joie de Vivre" -- Dave Lawson would be very pleased. The full album has just been released -- details to follow.
Darryl's new project is called Verisma, and the new album called "Aria Futura" will be released in April, 2003 on Ark21 Records in the States. You'll be able to order it from their website upon it's release: Ark21 Records. The album cover is on the News page.
"The Elektra Ensemble" CD featuring Darryl Way and Francis Monkman has been reissued on Voiceprint Records. If you haven't heard this album you're missing out on a classical masterpiece. Our suggestion, buy it immediately. Order it here from The Artist Shop.
Darryl Way -- "The Master and Margarita." In November 1996 Darryl produced his opera "The Master and Margarita," based on the Mikhail Bulgakov novel, at The Palace theatre in London. The performances were recorded for later release as a CD. Watch this space for updates!
And according to Darryl's website, he should have a number of new recordings ready for release this year. These will include his new "Sirens Rock" classical work, and a recording from his newly-formed classical rock band.
Michael Wedgwood sent along a copy of his new CD entitled "Secret Document." Quite lovely, as expected. It's a direct descendant of his first CD, "Places Like These," but utilizing the services of excellent session musicians and less reliance on programmed drums. Hopefully we'll see a definite release date early next year.
The album takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster -- exquisitely romantic to utterly heart-rending, and even a touch of bittersweet comedy. This is the work of a truly gifted singer-songwriter. And damned a fine bassist, too. Watch this space for updates.
Several new Curved Air reissues are in the shops in the US. Collector's Choice Music has released "Airconditioning," the "Second Album" and "Phantasmagoria" in the States. The latter two feature new liner notes by Richard Wynne. To stop the rumor -- a couple of CD mail-order retailers in the UK have been running adverts stating that the Collectors Choice reissues are remastered and include bonus tracks. Well, they aren't and they don't.
Also, "Lovechild" has been reissued by Snapper Records in the UK, with a newly discovered color photo of the "Air Cut" band on the back cover. Scan to come. The album is available at Tower Records and other large music retailers.
Curved Air's "Alive, 1990" CD has been released by Mystic Records in England. This extraordinary recording was made at London's Town and Country Club 2, the first of two reunion concerts staged by the original band members in the autumn of 1990. A previously unreleased track, "Twenty Years On" opens the album. The booklet includes liner notes by our own Richard Wynne and a photo by Chris Tarrant. You can order it directly from the Mystic website or at the Artist Shop.
The Warner Brothers "Best of the Original Curved Air" has been put on hold. The liner notes are finished and several tracks have been cleaned up and prepared, but apparently some personnel changes at the record company have caused the (now indefinite) delay. You may remember the author of the liner notes, Mark Paytress, as the writer responsible for the very nice Curved Air piece in "Record Collector" magazine a few years ago. If and when it is released, the "Best Of" compilation will include the non-LP singles "What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up" and "Sarah's Concern." Both singles have been digitally cleaned-up, using my own personal 7-inchers, and sound fabulous. You can listen to them on the MP3 page. The working track list still is: