CBGB, located in what was at the time one of the least desirable parts of New York City, could barely aspire to divedom. It was a sleazy, tiny and filthy bar in a city that was spiraling down the toilet.…
View More Various Artists – CBGB & OMFUG: A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986
I have to start with the context for this compilation, given that Strawberry / Cherry Red Records have already built up a collection of releases covering this period of American music history. This set, a 94-track companion volume being a…
View More Various Artists – Steppin’ Out: The Roots Of Garage Rock 1963-1965
Two years ago, I ended my review of We Can Work It Out: Covers of the Beatles, 1962 – 1966 with the following sentence: From the 1962 to 1966 caveat in the title, I’m hoping that Strawberry is working on…
View More Various Artists – With A Little Help From My Friends (3CD Set)
Progressive rock and dance music share some DNA. Both are enamoured of the latest technology and long form explorations of the music. Both are known for incorporating influences from genres as diverse as classical music and third world rhythms. At…
View More Various Artists – Burn It Up: The Rise Of British Dance Music 1986-1991
Looe Beach, Looe, Cornwall Friday, 26th September 2025 Some music transcends the here and now, and takes you to another place entirely. The final song from headliners Marillion on the Friday at the new Kernowfornia Festival in Cornwall was the…
View More Kernowfornia Festival
One of my earliest memories from childhood is my father showing me a book of song lyrics. The songs would have comprised what would later come to be known as Americana – folksy, simple, emotional and often humorous songs that…
View More Various Artists – When Will They Ever Learn? A Story Of U.S. Folk Music: 1963-1969 (4CD Boxset)
Blues may appear to be an out of place genre to be reviewed on a progressive music site, but here is the thing, Blues and in particular electric Blues is one of the building blocks for modern music as we…
View More Various Artists – Rollin’ And Tumblin’: American Electric Blues 1965-1971 (3CD Boxset)
Ever since the Beatles announced “I want to hold your hand”, power pop has had a significant grip on popular music. That influence has waxed and waned throughout the years, but never has it disappeared. The branding may have changed…
View More Various Artists – I Wanna Be A Teen Again: American Power Pop 1980 – 1989
You have to hand it to the folks at Cherry Red. No matter the genre, when they do a compilation, you can always expect the unexpected. Electric Junk – Deutsche Rock, Psych And Kosmiche 1970-78 is a journey (literally, as…
View More Various Artists – Electric Junk: Deutsche Rock, Psych & Kosmiche 1970-78 (4CD Boxset)![Various Artists – Jingle Jangle Morning: The 1960s U.S. Folk Rock Explosion [3CD Clamshell]](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Various-Artists-–-Jingle-Jangle-Morning-820x450.jpg)
If, like me, you are interested in how the various strands of rock music, including progressive rock, emerged from the embryonic but frankly unappetising world of the early 60’s pop culture then this compilation does a great job of peeling…
View More Various Artists – Jingle Jangle Morning: The 1960s U.S. Folk Rock Explosion [3CD Clamshell]