DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS

Days Between Stations is the creative partnership between guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes. The duo came together in Los Angeles in November 2003, and named the band after the 1985 novel by Steve Erickson. The band’s sound – Samzadeh calls it “art-rock,” Fuentes labels it “post-prog” – reflects their varied influences, as well as a shared disregard for stylistic boundaries... more

BILLY SHERWOOD

We are much honored this month to have Billy Sherwood (CIRCA:, former YES) as our interview guest. He just released his new CD titled "At The Speed Of Life". Currently, beside his solo projects he is one of the members of the band CIRCA:, formed by ex-YES members Tony Kaye and Alan White, along with Jimmy Haun. They released their first solo album in 2007, followed in 2008 by a live DVD. They are currently in the studio working on their second solo CD...more

Kate BUSH / Never For Ever

1980‘s “Never For Ever” is Kate’s 3rd album. The album was co-produced by Jon Kelly & Kate herself. One of the most interesting things about this album is that it is the first record by a British female artist to top the UK album charts. (Wikipedia). Kate’s progressive approach to music reaches its peak with Never For Ever. She tastefully blends different genres including folk, oriental, rock, classical and jazz. Unlike her first two albums which she wrote on piano, this one was written on synths... more

ASTRALASIA / CLUSTER OF WAVES

Astralasia is one of the originators of the genre progressive / tribal / acid house. Cluster Of Waves is the band’s most recent release that came out a few months ago. The band currently has 7 members: SWORDFISH (producer,drums, programming); BUAKU (bass); RACHEL MILLER (lead vocals); STEVIE B (sax/percussion); GILES BOULTON (voice/dub vocal); PETER PRACOWNIK (guitar); PHEEBS flute, voice, vocals); PAUL CHOUSMER (guest keyboards)

The album has a nice blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. The sound they achieve with this mixture is unique compared to other bands in this arena. And here is why: Although they use electronic elements in their music, the acoustic presence takes the listener to a more primitive, almost like, polytheist kind of time frame. The atmosphere is quite meditative and shamanic. This is where their tribal house side shows. “Deadly Virtue” is a good example to this with the sounds of the tribal drums and flute. It starts slowly but you quickly realize there will be something more and then it suddenly takes off to a jungle like beat and you almost find yourself running through the big trees. Then it goes back to the quiet beginning and ends that way. “Searching” is a total meditation song. But it is not like quiet transcendantal meditation we are talking about here, it is more like a shamanic thing where you do these repetitive movements until you don’t realize you are doing it because you are lost in the rhythm, and a voice keeps saying “searching for our souls”. Acoustic guitar and saxophone bring the song to an ambient ending. This is one of the best songs on the CD.

“Ashra Rising” is more electronic compared to the other ones. Echoes and space ship kind of sounds give a mysterious feeling to the listener. Especially the rising spacecraft sound fading in at the end is pretty impressive. Every single detail and sound are very well thought and planned here. “Oh Israel” starts with Phoebe Thomasson’s vocals. They become indistinct with each second and slowly fade out, leading the song to a more electronic, house atmosphere. “Peace and Love” is another piece in this direction, and then comes “Cluster of Waves at the Devilles Bridge” with the violin intro and keyboards. It has a very new age / ambient type of structure. As it progresses it takes you to the depths of the sea, and you feel like floating. I recommend you to hear this one with headphones on, it is really weird, in a good sense.

“Lost on a Horizon” sounds like Mike Oldfield only with more trance elements added to it. The bass starts dominating along with the repetitive keyboard and drum sounds. “Til Morning Comes” starts with soft flute and acoustic guitar. Percussions slowly take part and the song then reaches to a Jan Garbarek-ish ending with Stevie B’s saxophone. Astralasia, if you have not yet discovered their music, is one of the most interesting bands out there, even if you think the house/trance music is not for you, this is a band that will change your mind about it, because you never knew it could be preformed this way. You just have to hear it…..

Visit the band's website at: www.astralasia.co.uk

HANDE BURDG