Goodbye, Brian Godding

November 27, 2023

Universally praised as a jazz player, Brian Godding, who passed away on November 25th at the age of 78, has always been, in fact, held in high esteem as half of a musical unit that influenced most of the classic rock twin-guitar pairs, a part, together with Jim Cregan, of the legendary BLOSSOM TOES. Their two albums, 1967’s “We Are Ever So Clean” and “If Only For A Moment” from 1969, both overseen by Giorgio Gomelsky, are considered cult treasures now, but Brian felt his horizons were limited by what the band did, and a one-off gig with Julie Driscoll in 1969 presented Godding with a chance to move forward and expand his outlook in more than one way, thus targeting genuine greatness.

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ISILDURS BANE Add Jinian Wilde To Their Collaborators List

November 26, 2023

For what it’s worth, ISILDURS BANE‘s formula of having like-minded artists to join their ranks in the studio proved to be successful from the very beginning, when the Swedish proggers invited METAMORFOSI TRIO for a burst of unpredictable creativity on “Mind Vol. 3” back in 2003, but in the following two decades that first attempt was continued by the band’s collaborations with Steve Hogarth on 2017’s “Colours Not Found In Nature” and Peter Hammill on “In Amazonia” and “In Disequilibrium” – issued, respectively, in 2019 and 2021. And now their roster of collaborators is to include one more name: Jinian Wilde.

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Michael Messer And Chaz Jankel Take A Ride

November 24, 2023

It’s great when unexpected collaborations happen, especially when one of creative parties just recently emerged from solo-recording sabbatical only to find his composer’s juices flowing energetically enough to attract a kindred spirits. That’s how events went for the great Chaz Jankel who delivered an impressive platter titled “Flow” last year and now arranged a joint effort with another British guitarist, bluesman Michael Messer.

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UFO Flip The Switch On “Lights Out”

November 23, 2023

Lesser mortals would find it hard to come up with a successor to such a brilliant album as “No Heavy Petting” that UFO issued in 1976, yet this quartet didn’t seem to have any qualms about trying to do so. Cue “Lights Out” which arrived the following year decked out in another memorable Hipgnosis cover – and featuring a cover of LOVE’s immortal “Alone Again Or” alongside seven originals, including the future concert staples “Too Hot To Handle” and the platter’s titular track. All of those are to demonstrate their timelessness on February 2nd, 2024, when the newly remastered record will see an expanded, deluxe edition.

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Tony Hymas Takes To The Skies One More Time

November 22, 2023

He could be called a legendary keyboard player, yet Tony Hymas has always been a secret weapon of British jazz-rock, his tunes and ivories leaving indelible ornaments on platters by two great late JB’s, Jack Bruce and Jeff Beck, as well as on records by bands the veteran used to be an integral part of, PH.D – where his “H” rubbed shoulders with Simon Phillips’ “P” and Jim Diamond’s “D” – and SKY for whom he even sang “”Desperate For Your Love” back in 1985. For the last four and a half decades, the maestro has also had an impressive run of solo and duo albums, one of which, “Flying Fortress” from 1988, is a many a listener’s favorite. That’s why the 80-years-old decided to reissue this rarity – and provide it with a sequel.

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