| # | 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 | |||||