Dave Foster is probably known to prog fans for his first band, Mr So & So, who released a few albums and once looked like they might ‘happen’, but ultimately fizzled out. Or perhaps for his role in the Steve…
View More Dave Foster Band – GlimmerAuthor: Graham Thomas
K’mono – Mind Out of Mind
Well, this is rather odd; I feel as though I’ve walked through my wardrobe and emerged in some weird medieval fantasy. I mean I obviously know what I like, and as strange as this is, I do like it very…
View More K’mono – Mind Out of MindThe Wring – Spectra
Spectra is the third offering from guitarist and songwriter Don Dewulf, and it very much continues to be based on the template established on the first two releases. This means a welter of metallic riffs, some odd time signatures and…
View More The Wring – SpectraBarend Tromp – Juvenile Fish Tales
Juvenile Fish Tales is the latest album from Barend Tromp, an envelope-pushing guitarist, bass guitarist and sitar player from the Netherlands. It’s an instrumental album inspired by a book he received as a child which explored the undersea world and…
View More Barend Tromp – Juvenile Fish TalesIsobar – Isobar III
I first came across the core of this band when they were known as Metaphor, a rather quirky prog group with unusual songs, and their fourth album, The Pearl was very enjoyable. Just as I was getting interested, they split…
View More Isobar – Isobar IIILong Distance Calling / Pil & Bue
Boston Music Room, London Wednesday 15th February 2023 It’s been a ridiculous seven years since Long Distance Calling last played in the UK, and it was at this venue, the Boston Music Room in London. There are probably a number…
View More Long Distance Calling / Pil & BueLonely Robot (An Evening with John Mitchell) / Quantum Pig
Islington Assembly Hall, London Wednesday, 8th February 2023 Midweek gigs in London in February need to be a bit special to tempt out a decent crowd, and as support act Quantum Pig hit the stage, the signs weren’t very good…
View More Lonely Robot (An Evening with John Mitchell) / Quantum PigGleb Kolyadin – The Outland
This delightful album was unleashed on the world via Bandcamp last November, but to very little fanfare, perhaps because of its Russian connection. But if that’s the reason, it’s a shame, because it really deserves to be heard. Gleb Kolyadin…
View More Gleb Kolyadin – The OutlandUFO – No Heavy Petting [Deluxe Expanded Edition]
At the start of 1976, UFO were a band on the way up. Since acquiring the services of the young guitar maestro Michael Schenker in June 1973, they had recorded two well received albums, Phenomenon and Force It, produced by…
View More UFO – No Heavy Petting [Deluxe Expanded Edition]Oak – The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise
Released towards the end of last year, Oak’s The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise wasn’t an album I considered for my picks of 2022, simply because I hadn’t listened to it enough. Having immersed myself in its riches many times now,…
View More Oak – The Quiet Rebellion of Compromise