ETTORE SALATI

This month's Artist in Spotlight is Ettore Salati from Italy. Ettore is a sought after session guitarist by many prog musicians not just in Italy but all around the world. He started playing piano at a very young age (mostly classical music) but when he became a teenager and discovered the world of Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and 70's rock in general, he was immediately fascinated by guitar... more

KAT EPPLE (Emerald Web)

KAT EPPLE, flautist and composer, is our interview guest this month. She has won 8 Emmy awards, was nominated for a Grammy and she has released 18 albums internationally. Most of you know her as the other half of the legendary ambient/new age duo EMERALD WEB. She has a very large collection (over 200) of flutes that she gathered from all around the world during her travels. Kat composes original New Age/Jazz/World/orchestral music and has produced film scores and television soundtracks for National Geographic, Nova, CNN, Carl Sagan, Another World, The Travel Channel, Turner Broadcasting System, History Channel, HGN, The Guiding Light, PBS, and NASA among others, and was Music Director for the feature-length film, Captiva Island. She also owns a record company and works on both sides of the music industry as a musician and as a business woman... more

New Grass Revival / On The Boulevard

New Grass Revival are one of the pioneers of progressive bluegrass. Formed in 1971 by Sam Bush (mandolin/vocals), Curtis Burch (guitar), Ebo Walker (bass) and Courtney Johnson (banjo), they immediately got the attention from the industry both in a good and bad way. First of all, they were often told that their music was not bluegrass, and they knew it wasn’t “bluegrass” in its traditional sense, and it wasn’t what they were trying to achieve anyways. They were blending rock, soul and blues rhythms with the traditional bluegrass music. They were not wearing suites, but instead they had a more casual style along with long hair... more

BRYAN BELLER / THANKS IN ADVANCE (Onion boy Records - 2008)

The name Bryan Beller is no stranger to prog listeners as he worked for many years with Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa), Zappa Brothers (Project Z) and Steve Vai and played bass in Adult Swim's Dethklok. "Thanks In Advance", his second solo album was released a few weeks ago from Beller's own label Onion Boy Records.

The first thing you will notice listening to this CD is that this is not a "my solo album, now I get to show off" type of work. Which is a big plus and something that is not easy to achieve as it requires intense focus... or extreme comfort in your own musical skin. He could have been all over it with crazy riffs, in the end isn't it his own project? But instead Beller professionally composed all the songs and yes his presence is obviously there but not "in your face". Yet he steps forward when it is necessary and when he is in the background you can't not notice his flawless playing.

The album is a seamless mixture off many different genres. You will hear jazz, blues, rock, fusion but good luck placing it in any one of these categories. "Love Terror Adrenaline / Breakthrough" is a masterpiece of fusion with a killer guest appearance by Mike Keneally. It is the longest song (over 10min.) and in these 10+ minutes it goes from jazz to prog rock (an even some psychedelic feel too). Mike Keneally not only executes a dazzling guitar solo but he also plays electronic vibes and piano. You will also hear Bryan play rhythm guitar, acoustic piano, percussion, synth and of course bass. One of the best tracks on the CD is actually one of the shortest ones (under 2 minutes) titled "Life Story" on which Beller plays different bass guitars. There are no other instruments. "Thanks In Advance" has a very moving blues/rock sound with jazzy bass riffs whereas "Greasy Wheel" and "From Nothing" have their Zappaesque moments.

He is a graduate of Berklee, his resume is stacked with credits working with legends and he is darned good at what he is doing.... all the reasons for a musician to be spoiled, yet this is one of the most down to earth and soulful albums you could ever hear. It is very emotional, moving and warm unlike many other instrumental albums that float around. The reason why you will feel immediately connected to his sound is because he is not trying to prove anything... everything just flows naturally. If you like well done instrumental music and haven't purchased "Thanks In Advance" yet go to Bryan's website at: www.bryanbeller.com or to www.onionboyrecords.com, it's worth every penny, you won't regret it.

HANDE BURDG