KMXT FreeForm Radio: August 2023

29 August 2023: England - "Garden Shed"; Aeons - "Into Eternity's Embrace"

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England were a progressive rock group active in the late 1970s, and briefly reformed in 2006. The band is notable for their album Garden Shed released on Arista Records, and for keyboardist Robert Webb playing a Mellotron sawn in half.^[1]

Studio Album, released in 1977

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Midnight Madness (6:58)
2. All Alone (Introducing) (1:53)
3. Three Piece Suite (12:58)
4. Paraffinalea (4:12)
5. Yellow (5:24)
6. Poisoned Youth (16:17)

Total Time 47:42

Line-up / Musicians

- Frank Holland / guitars, vocals, Mellotron & Leslie guitar (5)
- Robert Webb / Minimoog, Hammond, harpsichord, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes, piano, Hohner clavinet, 12-string guitar (5), vocals
- Martin Henderson / bass, acoustic guitar (5), vocals
- Jode Leigh / drums, vibes, percussion, bass (5), vocals

Releases information Artwork: Mike Cosford

Review by Proghead
PROG REVIEWER

ENGLAND came a little late in the UK prog scene, coming at a bad time as punk rock was on the rise. Their one and only album, "Garden Shed" (well, at least until the 1990s with "The Last of the Jubblies" which contained leftover material) was released in 1977 on Arista Records. Despite the major label it was released on (yes, the same label that gave us the dreaded BARRY MANILOW, AIR SUPPLY and BAY CITY ROLLERS, at least the label did us a favor by having the ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, CARAVAN, and HAPPY THE MAN on their roster), the original LP is hard to find. For those who don't live in the UK (me included): the cover to "Garden Shed" is a spoof of a label to a jar of Robertson's Golden Shred Marmalade! Robertson's products are apparently not available outside of the UK (I certainly never seen any Golden Shred, Silver Shred, or any other Robertson's products sold at any supermarket in my neck of the woods), so I would never have realized the Golden Shred parody to "Garden Shed" had I not found out online. The band consisted of bassist Martin Henderson, guitarist Franc Holland, keyboardist Robert Webb, and drummer Jode Leigh. Vocal duties handled by all.

This was the last recording to feature the Mark II Mellotron (this was 1977, after all, and the Mellotron most used was the small 400 model, which was introduced in 1970, but didn't get used extensively until about or after 1972). Their keyboardist Robert Webb was said to sawed his Mark II in half to make it more portable (other keyboards he used included Hammond organ, Hohner clavinet, piano, electric piano, and Minimoog).

Musically, their influences can be rather obvious: YES, GENESIS, GENTLE GIANT, SUPERTRAMP, FRUUPP, perhaps even a little QUEEN. Like on "Midnight Madness" you hear plenty of GENESIS-like passages, with Yes-like vocal harmonies. "All Alone" is a short piano-oriented ballad that often gets compared to QUEEN, but to me reminds me of a Rick Davies-penned SUPERTRAMP ballad sung by Roger HODGSON. "Three Piece Suite" (get it?) is, as you expect, a three movement suite. The first part most resembling YES, but there are some passages with high-pitched vocals that don't seem to fit in too well. "Paraffinalea" is one of the more light-hearted numbers with more of that YES and GENTLE GIANT influences. "Yellow" is an acoustic ballad dominated by Mellotron. Here the influences seem to be not so obvious. The album then ends with "Poisoned Youth", at 16 minutes. Had this album been released a few years earlier, or punk didn't take over, this would have gotten more attention. Still, a great album.

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

Aeons - Into Eternity's Embrace

Centuries from now, humanity's destiny lies rapt in technological dominion. The age-old dreams of the spirit, long extinguished in material nothingness, arise anew from the forges of science in strange, cold shapes, seeking the freedom of infinitesimal new dimensions and the dim webs of distant stars. As our empire decays, new spiritual orders pursue a final exodus from the flesh, fleeing in self-exile, far into the black gulfs of night, craving transfiguration and an irrevocable fusion with the One: the radiant universe of the pure.
Julien Demoulin and IA join forces to present a deep-space journey of vast drone ambient and cosmic synth, opening widescreen planes of sound that sing of both transcendence and nullification.

The premise of the album—a monastic order on the cusp of transcending human existence—resonates well with the austere yet calming tone of the drone compositions. "Into Eternity's Embrace" has a remarkable capacity for escorting listeners into the vastness of the galactic emptiness, which is meant to serve as a transcendental experience. A sensation of weightlessness and detachment from worldly worries is evoked by the painstakingly created audio layers, which are rich in ethereal tones and continuous background voices. The music is meaningful and cathartic to listen to because of its capacity to be both calming and reflective. It encourages a deeper connection with the expanse of existence and the limitless potential of the human soul by inviting listeners to explore their own spiritual yearnings. "Into Eternity's Embrace" is a sonic masterpiece that resonates with the austere beauty of the monastic journey, offering solace, enlightenment, and a transcendental escape into the boundless realm of pure light.

credits

released August 10, 2023
FreeForm Radio thanks Raffaele Pezzella for providing us with a copy of this release.
REVIEWS

Avant Music News
avantmusicnews.com/2023/08/12/amn-reviews-aeons-into-eternitys-embrace-2023-reverse-alignment

Luminous Dash
luminousdash.be/reviews/album-reviews/aeons-into-eternitys-embrace-reverse-alignment/

Ver Sacrum
www.versacrum.com/vs/2023/08/aeons-into-eternitys-embrace.html

IA: iadrone.bandcamp.com
julien demoulin: juliendemoulin.bandcamp.com

Published by Reverse Alignment
All music by Alex Copeland aka IA (vocals) and Julien Demoulin (electronics), 2021-2022.
Album concept by Alex Copeland.
Produced and mixed by Julien Demoulin.
Mastering by Raffaele Pezzella (a.k.a. Sonologyst).
© 2023. All rights reserved.

license

22 August 2023: Quatermass; Tu-Ner

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We urge you to support the musicians you hear on FreeForm Radio.

Quatermass is the only studio album by English progressive rock band Quatermass, released in May 1970 by Harvest Records. It was produced by the Swedish producer Anders "Henkan" Henriksson [sv].^[2]

Critical reception

Despite the album not performing well on the charts at the time of the release, it started to attract considerable attention in 1975, when guitarist Ritchie Blackmore covered the second track, "Black Sheep of the Family", for the debut album from Rainbow. As a consequence of the revived interest, Quatermass was re-released and sold further 20,000 copies. Since then, it has gained a cult status ^[3] and has received favorable retrospective reviews. Mike DeGagne has given the album a rating of four stars out of five on AllMusic. He has called Quatermass "a must-have for prog rock enthusiasts, especially lovers of the keyboard-dominated style which flourished in the early '70s".^[1]

2013 Esoteric Records CD edition
	Title
1.	"One Blind Mice" (bonus track - 45 A-side)
2.	"Entropy"
3.	"Black Sheep of the Family"
4.	"Post War Saturday Echo"
5.	"Good Lord Knows"
6.	"Up on the Ground"
7.	"Gemini"
8.	"Make Up Your Mind"
9.	"What Was That"
10.	"Make Up Your Mind (reprise)"
11.	"Laughin Tackle"
12.	"Punting" (bonus track - 45 B-side)
13.	"Afraid Not" (bonus track - rehearsal)
14.	"Bluegaloo/Broken Chords/Scales" (bonus track - live 1974)

^[4]

Personnel

Quatermass

J. Peter Robinson – keyboards
John Gustafson – vocals, bass guitar
Mick Underwood – drums

T1 - Contact Information

NOTE > Tu-Ner is on the road in the NE and Mid-West USA this August/September 2023. For dates go here: Tu-Ner.com

From the kitchen of the original King Crimson R&D fraKctal units & Stick Men. Defying logistics to grab four days together, the immersive session included repertoire rehearsal; as well as recording semi-prepared pieces and several full improvisations. The band's chemistry has deep roots and connections are made quickly so large slabs of music appear unedited. Purchase this release on Bandcamp.

These two hours of recordings are the outcome.
Well...only part of it.

- - -

Pat Mastelotto - Very rarely does a drummer go on to forge the most successful career on the demise of their former hit band. Phil Collins and Dave Grohl have managed it, and so too has Pat Mastelotto, a self taught drummer from Northern California, who has also been involved with pushing the envelope of electronic drumming. Pat has spent a lifetime jumping genres from pop, to prog, to electronica to world music with – among others – Mr. Mister, XTC, David Sylvian, The Rembrandts, Kimmo Pohjonen, and for the last 25 years with King Crimson and Stick Men.

Markus Reuter is a composer, guitarist, and producer. He began his musical journey as a composer before delving into Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft, mastering the Chapman Stick, and eventually transitioning to the U8 Touch Guitar. Reuter has released numerous solo albums and has collaborated extensively with various musicians. He holds a prominent position in the experimental band Anchor and Burden and forms the duo Tuner with Pat. Additionally, he was a member of Europa String Choir and has worked alongside notable artists such as Gary Husband, Robert Rich, J. Peter Schwalm, Mark Wingfield, and many others. Reuter's versatility is evident through his involvement in Devin Townsend's touring band. Notably, he also performs in power trios including Stick Men with Pat and Tony Levin, TRUCE with Asaf Sirkis and Fabio Trentini, and Markus Reuter/Tim Motzer/Kenny Grohowski.

Trey Gunn, the extraordinary Warr guitarist and musician, has left an indelible mark on the world of progressive and experimental music. Renowned for his virtuosic talent, he has graced the stages and studios with legendary acts such as King Crimson, David Sylvian, Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, Happy Rhodes, Puscifer, Tool and John Paul Jones, contributing his unique blend of mesmerizing and innovative playing. As the founder of the esteemed 7D Media record label, Gunn continues to be a guiding force in curating exceptional musical experiences. Trey Gunn’s visionary artistry and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound make him a true luminary in the realm of progressive music.