Show Date: Fri. March 31, 2000
Show #105
Prog 1999/2000 - volume 12



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Playlist:
# Artist Song (click to play) Album Year CD label
1 Djam Karet Technology and Industry Live at Orion 1999 Cuneiform
Djam Karet is a long-lived instrumental progressive band from the US. Dual lead guitars weave a soul-piercing melodious cacophony of distortion, sustained notes and spaced out solos. This CD was recorded live by Mike Potter at Orion Studios after a long hiatus of no live performances. This is a great introduction to the bands' music. The music could be compared to the more guitar oriented music of Heldon, or Frank Zappa's instrumental "guitar" songs.
Djam Karet Home Page
 
2 Oryzhein la parabole Scalaria 1999 self-produced
Oryzhein are an interesting new French Canadian (Quebecois) non-pop-rock band. Much of the album I am reminded of classic French bands like Ange and Mona Lisa, but, with a modern touch. There are also some very interesting pieces incorporating world music sounds and instruments. Overall, a very good and diverse album.
OryZhein - NonPopRock
 
3 Gaga Blung Creation (excerpt) Destruction In Art 2000 Näs CD
"The CD Destruction In Art is a part of an as yet uncompleted multimedial work that takes a somewhat ironic stab at the concept of The Artist as God. The music slowly paints an atmosphere through its repetitive rhythms and minimalistic sounds. Droning and lingering, yet psychedelic and even danceable (!?) landscapes of sound." - Daniel Elander
Gaga Blung
MP3.com - Gaga Blung
 
4 Mastermind Excelsior! Excelsior! 1999 Avalon/Marquee (Japan)
Mastermind's 5th studio release has brothers Bill and Rich Berends delivery and hard-hitting instrumental prog/fusion. They are joined by keyboard maestro Jens Johansson, who is known for his solo releases as well as collaborations with Allan Holdsworth, Jonas Hellborg, and a bunch of metalheads like Yngwie Malmsteen, DIO, etc. The album leads off with a smokin' guitar and synth anthem that has Bill and Jens trading licks in Jeff Beck/Jan Hammer fashion. The album also leans back into some more reflective pieces with some bluesy solos. So far, this is my favorite Mastermind release. The track Excelsior! is a bonus track on the Japanese release.
The Mastermind Website
Jens Johansson - Home, sweet Homepage
 
5 Quidam Angels of Mine Live in Mexico '99 1999 Musea
"Quidam is a Polish band with a fantastic female singer and lush arrangements. This is a live album of their concert at Baja Prog last year. Besides original material, they also do interesting covers of "Rhayader/Rhayader goes to Town" by Camel and "Child in Time" by Deep Purple." - Alan Mallery
Quidam
 
6 DFA Esperanto Duty Free Area 1999 Mellow Records
DFA are an excellent new Italian band that will be playing at NearFest in June 2000. The first song of the album reminds me somewhat of Ozric Tentacles, although, none of the rest of the album sounds like it. At other times the music has affinities to Deus Ex Machina (especially on this song with Alberto Piras of DEM on vocals!). The music is highly original, complex and adventurous. This band shows that progressive music does not have to be simplistic to be accessible or deliver a high emotional impact. One of 1999's best albums, IMO.
D.F.A. Home Site
 


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