F2 RECORDS UK EN DISCOVER

Nuevamente hemos recibido una enorme cantidad de material del excelente sello ingles F2, responsable de gran parte de los mejores lanzamientos de neosinfonico británico de los últimos diez años. Este fue el sello que descubriera nada menos que a Magenta, y en el cual se ven reeditados excelentes discos de grupos clásicos de los 90s como Solstice o artistas como Guy Manning (The Tangent).

Y como parte de un acuerdo muy interesante entre el sello y Discover, aquellos que compren mas de dos títulos de esta lista les obsequiaremos un CD sampler de F2 -editado en Inglaterra- con temas de Magenta, Chimpan A, Credo y Ezra, cuatro de las mejores bandas de su catalogo.

El listado es el siguiente:

STEVE THORNE Into The Ether

As with ‘Emotional Creatures’, Steve has assembled an amazing list of accomplished and well know musicians to enhance his songs, including Pete Trewavas (Marillion / Transatlantic / Kino), Nick D'virgilio (Spocks Beard / Genesis), Gavin Harrison (Renaissance / Porcupine Tree / King Crimson), Tony Levin (King Crimson / Peter Gabriel / Liquid Tension Experiment), John Giblin (Peter Gabriel / Brand X / Fish / Jon Anderson / Alan Parsons / Kate Bush), John Beck (It Bites / Alan Parsons Project / Kino), John Mitchell (It Bites / Kino / John Wetton), Gary Chandler (Jadis) The production, songwriting and presentation of ‘Into The Ether’ is a significant step up from the

first two albums. Thought provoking lyrics, very strong melodies and lush arrangements are all used to great effect, more so than ever before.

CREDO Rhetoric

‘Rhetoric’ is a giant leap forward for the band from their debit CD ‘Field Of Vision’, particularly with regards production, which was done by Mike Varty (Credo, Landmarq, Shadowland, Janison Edge, Mick Pointers’ Marillion), and mixed by Karl Groom (Threshold, Shadowland, and of Thin Ice Studios). The music of Credo and ‘Rhetoric’ fits fairly and squarely into the Progressive Rock bracket, but with a real emphasis on melodies. Hard-hitting lyrics and superb interplay between keyboards and guitars makes this album stand out from the crowd.

ABEL GANZ Back From The Zone

ABEL GANZ was formed in 1980 by keyboard player Hew Montgomery and multi-instrumentalist Hugh Carter. Although both had played in various bands together over the years, it was a shared interest in progressive rock that brought about the birth of Abel Ganz. Alan Reed (Pallas) joined the band, and they recorded their first album ‘Gratuitous Flash’ in 1983, followed by ‘Gullibles Travels’ and ‘The Dangers Of Strangers’. Abel Ganz signed to F2 in October 1999, and this release features remastered tracks from the bands first three (and best) albums.

ABEL GANZ Shooting Albatross (Digipak)

At last! The new Abel Ganz CD has finally been released! Featuring a guest appearance by one-time member Alan Reed (Pallas), and Magenta guitarist Chris Fry, Abel Ganz have produced a great CD, combining classic Prog sounds with some Celtic influences. This is a great CD and will appeal to all fans of melodic Prog.

ANNIE HASLAM WITH MAGENTA Night & Day EP

Annie Haslam: “When Magenta were invited to perform at the RoSFest Festival, USA in the Spring of 2005, it was the perfect opportunity to see the band perform live. Great songs, great musicians and an excellent singer! After that show we stayed in touch and I had mentioned that I would love to do a duet with Christina sometime. Before I knew it, Rob and Christina had written a new song called ‘Night And Day’. I found it reminiscent of the Renaissance song ‘Northern Lights’ I was also inspired to paint my interpretation of the song, and so this became the cover art called ‘Essence Of Love’, which then in turn became the inspiration for an instrumental pience of the same name. I am pround to be part of this project and hope it brings ‘inspiration’ of some kind to you.

BITTERTOWN Scenes From The Box

Released in August 2008, this is the superb debut CD by Bittertown from the Netherlands. This concept CD explores what happens when you open the box that contains all of your fears and worst nightmares. Three vocalists take on different roles within this compelling story. It's powerful, emotional, melodic, and very catchy!

BREATHING SPACE Below The Radar

Below the Radar is the second album by British progressive rock band Breathing Space but is the third album to carry the Breathing Space name. This album was recorded during an interim period after the departure of guitarist Mark Rowen, and Liam Davison of Mostly Autumn fame (who played all the guitar tracks on Iain Jennings' solo album Breathing Space) recorded all the guitar tracks and played a few live shows with the band. This album showcases a much rockier sound than Coming Up for Air and has been well received by the Breathing Space fans.

CHIMPAN A chimpan A

Chimpan A is a project initially conceived by Rob Reed (Magenta, Trippa), but it soon took on a whole life of it’s own. With Steve Balsamo (The Storys, plus appearances with artists such as David Gilmour, Roger Daltry, and Robert Plant) and Rob Thompson (The Storys), this debut CD is a masterpiece. Special guests Sam Brown (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Jools Holland, solo work), Aitch McRobbie (David Gilmour, Deep Purple), Christina Booth (Magenta, Trippa), Margo Buchannon (Eric Clapton, Seal, Joni Mitchell), Sian Cothi (Phantom Of The Opera), Tony Dallas & Ryan Ashton. An astonishing album with influences from Pink Floyd to Moby, pushing boundaries and breaking new ground.

ERASMUS Voyage

Bass player Matthew Cohen and guitarist / vocalist Jayde formed Erasmus in 2001. This CD was produced by Rob Reed (Magenta) who later invited Matthew to join Magenta. Matthew went on to for The Reasinong. Erasmus are a recording project formed in 2001 by bassist Matthew Cohen and vocalist/lead guitarist Jayde. They were later joined by drummer Charlie Steel and keyboard player Rob Reed (Magenta, Cyan). Rob Reed also helped with the arrangements and produced this, this, their first and last release, called ‘Voyage’ in 2002. Although filled with fine melodic song writing, ‘Voyage’ is a heavier album for the F2 label, not 'metal' heavy, more like Arena, mixing warm keyboard sounds with heavy guitars, and featuring some interesting chord changes and unexpected twists and turns. Jayde's vocals are unique - sounding like a mix of David Bowie and Tim Smith (Cardiacs). The album also features a brief but notable guest appearance from Magenta's own Christina Murphy who does some eerie Enigma- like chanting on the opening track. For fans of Pallas, IQ and Arena, with brilliant production. Matthew went on to join Magenta before leaving to form his own band The Reasoning with Rachel Jones (ex-Karnataka).

IQ - Frequency (SPECIAL EDITION - CD+DVD)

Frequency is a studio album by the British neo-progressive band IQ, released in late May 2009. It was the first album recorded with new band members Andy Edwards (drums) and Mark Westworth (keyboards). A special edition with a bonus DVD was also released. This DVD contains a recording of the gig performed on 1 December 2007 at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands.

KARNATAKA Gathering Light

LEE ABRAHAM Black & White

The new CD by Lee Abraham (bass player of Galahad), released on Festival Music. Features excellent guest musicians from the Prog scene including John Mitchell (It Bites and lots of others!), Simon Godfrey (Tinyfish), Jem Godfrey (Frost), Gary Chandler (Jadis), Steve Thorne, Sean Filkins, Simon Nixon, Dean Baker & Gerald Mulligan. With a superb recording and production, the tracks have clarity, power and melody throughout.

MAGENTA New York Suite

The third studio album from Magenta was called ‘Home’, and was initially released as a Special Edition double pack. The double pack is no longer available, but the two individual single CD’s are available separately. ‘New York Suite’ is the second part of the ‘Home’ Special Edition, part of the ‘Home’ concept and concentrates on one part of the story. The music on ‘New York Suite’ is far more Prog in nature than the tracks on ‘Home’, with each track lasting an average of 10 minutes, and includes some superb musicianship.

MAGENTA Another Time Another Place

This double CD includes powerful live versions of many of the tracks from Magenta’s first two CD’s ‘Revolutions’ and ‘Seven’. This is a totally different set to that available on the band’s DVD ‘The Gathering’ released in 2006. Magenta have gained a reputation for their concerts around the world - 2003 saw the band play some great gigs including the first ever Progeny Festival at London's Astoria Theatre, Baja Prog in Mexico and headlining at the Spirit of 66 in Belgium. This double CD demonstrates why so many people love Magenta.

MANNING Number Ten

A brand new studio CD from MANNING, the band put together by Guy Manning (solo artist, multi instrumentalist and member of The Tangent). This is Guy's 10th CD, appropriately called 'Number Ten', and sees the band take the Manning sound to another level, with superb melodies throughout. Released on the Festival Music label, it follows 'Songs From The Bilston House', a CD that continues to receive excellent reviews from around the world. The official release date is 14 February 2009. Guy manning is also a member of The Tangent.

MANNING One Small Step - 10th Anniversary Edition

Originally released in October 2005 and long since deleted, this is the 10th Anniversary Edition - remastered with a bonus track, packaged in a card slipcase.

MANNING Songs From The Bilston House - 10th Anniversary Edition

Nine tracks of great melodic Prog tinged with folk / Tull like elements. The keyboards really shine on this CD, as they interplay with guitar, flute and violin, and the vocals are stronger than ever. Songs From The Bilston House is a powerful recording with excellent production. An absolute must for fans of intelligent, powerful, melodic progressive rock!

MANNING Tall Stories For Small Children - 10th Anniversary Edition

Originally released in October 1999, this is the 10th Anniversary Edition - remastered with a bonus track, packaged in a card slipcase

MANNING The Cure - 10th Anniversary Edition

Originally released in October 2000 and long since deleted, this is the 10th Anniversary Edition - remastered with a bonus track, packaged in a card slipcase.

SOLSTICE Spirit (CD + DVD)

Spirit is the latest studio CD from Solstice, their first for 13 years, and includes a DVD of a complete concert recording during 2009. Solstice celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2010, and what better way to celebrate than to release a new CD! Thirteen years after the band’s last studio CD, Solstice release ‘Spirit’, already being described as their best release to date. The band, consisting of leader Andy Glass (guitar & vocals), Emma Brown (vocals), Jenny Newman (violin), Robin Phillips (bass) and Steve McDaniel (keyboards), have produced an album of melody, emotion, and power, highlighting all of the trademarks of the band – the driving guitar, soaring violins and driving rhythm with melodic keyboards. This release also includes a bonus DVD (NTSC Region 0) featuring an entire live performance filmed in 2009, with a set list including such classics as Morning Light, Cheyenne, and Brave New World, as well as many new tracks from ‘Spirit’.

SOLSTICE New Life

With Andy Glass at the controls, the production was much closer to the live sound than on Silent Dance, with a fuller dynamic doing justice to the bass playing, adding depth and power to the stage favourites that hadn’t made it onto the debut. The lavish swathes of keyboards are still present, but Marc Elton’s violin is more prominent, blending with Andy Glass’ guitar to frame Heidi Kemp’s commanding vocals.

A stunning album throughout, including the two epics, Guardian and Journey, tapestries of mood and colour which move from the meditative to the exuberant with a confidence that encompasses all the diverse elements which combine to make Solstice’s music unique. This remastered definitive edition release includes a bonus disc featuring two demos plus rare live recordings of the band from 1984 and 1985, released here for the very first time.

TINYFISH Curious Things

Tinyfish is a four piece band based in South London with a deep and abiding interest in all forms of progressive music. The group formed in 2005 as part of an informal collective of musicians who enjoyed playing the acoustic open mic spots of London (UK).

TWELFTH NIGHT Art & Illusion ('definitive edition' double)

A Twelfth Night 'Definitive Edition' CD release on Festival Music - Andy Sears’ 1984 debut album Art & Illusion. The bonus tracks have been remastered and the release includes all new artwork. It is a double album featuring the original album, demos, and alternate versions, plus a bonus disc of live material from the Art & Illusion tour, nearly all of it previously unreleased, and including for the first time tracks from Marburg (Germany) and the Dominion (London).

TWELFTH NIGHT Smiling At Grief ('definitive edition' double)

The eagerly awaited double CD featuring the original cassette release / enhanced CD release coupled with a bonus disc of the band's own archive release 'Smiling At Grief Live' (the only live recording known to exist of the four-piece line up). It also includes three previously unreleased tracks, including the original demo of Eleanor Rigby and a very different early version of This City. This reissue heralds the start of the re-release of the entire Twelfth Night back catalogue as ‘definitive editions’ on the Festival Music label.