Drummers’ communions are rarely special – unless the players are extraordinary and bent on experimentation. Such was the case with gatherings in former KING CRIMSON skin-hitter Michael Giles‘s studio, involving its host and other outstanding percussionists, Jamie Muir, of the same band’s fame, and Morris Pert, whose CV included BRAND X and Kate Bush. Both of his colleagues passed away, so it’s about time Giles issued their sessions – the gems caught on tape at different times and separately.
Four studio albums in fifty years may not seem like a great work rate for a rock band who never officially broke up, even briefly, but that’s what makes every ZEBRA record count. Still going as the original trio of singing guitarist Randy Jackson, bassist Felix Hanemann and drummer Guy Gelso, this ensemble take pride in their first three platters, all issued in the ’80s, with the collective’s eponymous, Jack Douglas-produced 1983 debut going gold, and “IV” from 2003, released 17 years after its predecessor, didn’t disappoint either. Since then, there’s been nothing new, though, despite reports from 2017 of the group starting on their next endeavor – and, eventually, the veterans are ready to deliver.
One of those rare groups whose each member played a major creative role – not only playing but also writing and stepping up to the microphone to sing lead vocals – 10CC were long overdue for a deeper look into their work. There have never really been expanded editions of their albums, and the closest the ensemble got to providing any context for their oeuvre seemed to be the “Tenology” box set from 2012. But with “The Stockport Shuffle: Complete UK Label Anthology 1972-1974” that will see the release on November 20th, the band’s inaugural pair of platters – 1973’s “10cc” and “Sheet Music” from the following year – are to receive a proper examination.
While many other prog-prone artists prefer to take their time working on a particular project, Clive Nolan has always been quite prolific, which doesn’t impinge on the quality of his work. So even though it’s been a little more than six months since the English musician issued a third installment of his "Alchemy" saga, here comes another concept album, this time with a Viking theme at its core.
To call Rick Wakeman a voluble person would be a severe underestimation: when he speaks, he cannot be stopped – and it’s for the better, because the tales the veteran tells during his various outings, including live shows, are vastly entertaining. No wonder the legendary keyboard player once penned an autobiography; it’s surprising, however, that 1995’s “Say Yes!” – which became a collector’s item – has never been reprinted.
