STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK Release First Completely New Record Since 1969

July 6, 2026

Four years of existence in the ensemble’s initial span and four albums: that could have been the entire story of STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK. Yet the American band who called it a day in 1971 and returned, if briefly, in 1974-1975 to add a sole song to their catalogue, got back in 1982 to stay. Strangely, going about for another completely new longplay didn’t seem to be on the group’s radar for a long time, as 2012’s “Wake Up Where You Are” married the veterans’ fresh pieces with fresh versions of their old ones. All this makes “Where’s One?” – ready to be out on August 7th – a proper follow-up to “Good Morning Starshine” from 1969.

Continue reading →

Posted in News Tagged

Current ASIA To Issue Album With A Ghost Of John Wetton

July 3, 2026

One can rarely get excited when old ensembles, led by a sole member of a classic line-up, acquire new players and forge ahead – but it was not the case with ASIA, as this scribe discussed in a video. The current version of this band, with Geoff Downes at the helm, released the “Live In England” album last March that could convince even the biggest doubter in their strength, because having guitarist John Mitchell and drummer Virgil Donati on board meant the quarter meant business, yet the group secret weapon is singing bassist Harry Whitley, who made the prospect of the collective’s fresh studio recording so interesting. The results of their work, however, turn out to be even more intriguing.

Continue reading →

Posted in News Tagged , , , , ,

First Album Of PETE ROTH TRIO With Bill Bruford To Be Out

July 2, 2026

It’s been a slow yet steady rise for Pete Roth whose first two albums – 2011’s “Meridian” that was released under the British guitarist’s name, and 2014’s “Circus In The Sky” that was credited to PETER ROTH BAND – found favorite reviews but have remained specialists’ fare. Everything will soon change, however, with the release of “Group Chat” from PETE ROTH TRIO on September 18th – for an unfair reason, though. Judging by the little ensemble’s videos, the music on this live CD, accompanied by a DVD with visual features, is superb, offering fusion of the highest caliber, applied to both originals and interpretations of Gershwin and Dvořák – only for many fans the main attraction here should be the presence of Bill Bruford.

Continue reading →

Posted in News Tagged ,

Martin Carthy Celebrates His 85th Birthday With Massive Box Set

June 30, 2026

One of the most respectable figures in British folk and folk rock circles, Martin Carthy somehow remains more of a hidden treasure in comparison to such his colleagues as Ashley Hutchings and Dave Swarbrick both of whom shared a stage and record space with this singer-songwriter. Many people don’t even remember Carthy’s stints with STEELEYE SPAN and THE ALBION BAND, yet Martin’s solo work is well-loved, and though there’s only so many times one may want to listen to “Sovay” that’s became a staple of his repertoire, following its permutations through the years must be part of the pleasures “Along The Road Forever: Live At The BBC 1965-2022” – a forthcoming box set, comprised of twenty CDs – offers.

Continue reading →

Posted in News Tagged

THE SPECIALS Remember Their Hometown Run Of Shows

June 29, 2026

Terry Hall’s untimely passing in December of 2022 signaled the end of THE SPECIALS, yet the English ensemble’s fans can’t let go of their memories, and when Sky Arts aired the “Live From Coventry Cathedral” film in December 2024, the demand for the recording of the band’s return to the two-tone hometurf to be issued became obvious. And where’s demand there’s supply, so July 10th will see the release of the “Live From The Cathedral” collection.

Continue reading →

Posted in News Tagged