Basil Francis

Novalis – Schmetterlinge

Überblick When purchasing a career-spanning box set of a band that you’re not overly familiar with, you have to keep an open mind and expect the unexpected. For me with Schmetterlinge, the gargantuan 15CD/1DVD box set including every studio and…

Noēsis – The Current

You have to be brave and somewhat foolhardy as a band to try and penetrate the world of prog-metal, a genre that is oversaturated with Dream Theater soundalikes and where musical skill, above all else, is valued. It doesn’t pay…

Mildlife – Phase

Melbourne-based four-piece band Mildlife enter the scene with their debut album Phase, drawing on such diverse influences as jazz, disco and psychedelic rock to create a heady and truly intoxicating concoction. The opening track and lead single The Magnificent Moon…

Flying Circus – Starlight Clearing / 25 Live

And now for something completely different… “Communiqué number one. Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.” At first, it struck me as odd that a German band…

Black Severn – Wild Interior

Black Severn, who appropriately hail from Bristol, invite you to hear their second opus, Wild Interior, which comes hot on the heels of their self-titled debut, released in March 2016. At 34 minutes in length, it feels more like an…

Anthony Phillips – Invisible Men

Esoteric’s deluxe treatment of Anthony Phillips’ back catalogue continues with the not-so-highly sought after 1983 pop album Invisible Men, a collaboration between himself and long-time musical partner Richard Scott. The notes of this 2CD edition explain that it was a…

Unicorn – Too Many Crooks

This year marks a decade of Esoteric Recordings. Beginning by releasing solely progressive rock music, it’s safe to say the style of their releases has strayed from the original remit somewhat. Nevertheless, I’ll continue to chase their reissues, as what…

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Author: Basil Francis