FRUUPP And Friends Release A Tribute To Fallen Hero

July 8, 2026

Some Facebook groups are for idle chatter; others work miracles. A group dedicated to FRUUPP, one of the most underrated British prog ensembles from the early ’70s belongs to the latter category – championing the band in ways both possible and seemingly impossible. That’s how the collective’s box set and live album came to exist rather recently, and that’s how another interesting project, planned for October release, became a reality. It’s a platter titled “Solace” which will serve as a tribute to singing bassist Peter Farrelly who passed away in 2025.

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Manfred Mann Marks The Anniversary Of “Silence” With New Cuts On Expanded Reissue

July 7, 2026

As far as anniversary editions of classic albums go, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND haven’t really treat their fans to a lot of substantial surprises, which is why the upcoming reissue of the British ensemble’s 1976 gem “The Roaring Silence” should seem so special. Out on September 11th as a two-disc set, available in both CD and vinyl variants, it doesn’t only delve into the group’s glorious past with three tracks recorded back in the day and four preserved for posterity in 2025 – not necessarily focusing on the platter these tracks are expanding – but also adds three freshly minted pieces to the combo’s catalogue.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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