There are three options: a CD @ £12.99, an LP @ £24.99 or a 4 CD boxset (including Blu-Ray) @ £38.99. Collectors may opt for the most luxurious choice with tracks from Dave Brock’s archive and the rare mono single ‘Mirror of Illusion’ / ‘Hurry on Sundown’. I quote what Joe Banks said in his seminal book on Hawkwind: “They didn’t achieve escape velocity on their debut recording but in an underground scene accustomed to experimentation and spontaneity, it’s still a bold asserti

Press release: Norway's TUSMØRKE is Norwegian for twilight) once shared a stage with White Willow but their music has been described as darker and more primeval although still in the psychedelic progressive folk vein. A lengthy explanation is provided for the concept behind the album and I quote, “The passage of time is the future becoming the present. It moves forward in circles like a rolling wheel. Balder, Osiris and Jesus are all vegetation gods emulating the turn of the

ALEX MARCELO – SOLO (Intakt Records) (2026) ( www.intaktrec.ch ) Press release:  We are thrilled to release our first collaboration with pianist Alexis Marcelo – a mesmerizing solo debut! A contagious exuberance of playing, energetic explosive improvisations, and an openness to jazz tradition and experimentation combine on this album to create an impressive musical statement. “Almost everything he plays affirms his history and culture as a first- generation American, the son

There’s an interesting column in the latest edition of PROG magazine lamenting that “the reality of Scottish prog has been a struggle against heartbreaking neglect…Out of sight, out of mind. …the lack of gigs in Scotland and the expense for Scottish bands playing further afield. But there is some good news: “The three big beasts of Scottish prog – Comedy of Errors, Pallas and Abel Ganz are all completing albums and there was a ‘Wha’s Like Us’ prog festival in Scotland in Augu

Shindig magazine favourites Schizo Fun Addict are back with just over 5 minutes of music on two songs: ‘Pasteline Dream; in tribute to a band that never was discovered by serendipity (more details on FdM) and ‘Fate Reprise. Both are from their forthcoming LP “Desolate Ecstasy” due for release in 200 limited vinyl edition in May, 2026. Their music having been previously described as “spaced out lo-fi psyched wonder” with the addition of two lady backing singers on the first so

This follow-up to Harper Trio’s successful “Passing By” LP is described as “an aural journey rich in nuance and unexpected turns”. It begins with ‘Quiet Mind’ demarcated by a quintuplet of harp notes from Maria- Christina Harper accompanied by Josephine Davies on sax whose warm notes are a delight throughout (Except maybe during the more avant-garde sections) and Evan Jenkins of The Neil Cowley Trio on drums (cymbals and atmospheric percussion on this number). The impressive

Press release:  Moon June Records in collaboration with Wandering Willow Records present the latest release from multi-instrumentalist Anton Roolaart “The Ballad of General Jupiter”. Entirely composed and produced by Anton — except for the closing track Yesterday and Today (written by Jon Anderson of Yes), this album marks another bold step in Anton’s artistic evolution. Blending rich musical textures with evocative and lyrical storytelling, “The Ballad of General Jupiter” is

Press release:  Robec is the solo project of Marius T. Røbech, former member of Ocean of Lotion, based in Bergen, Norway. Through years of sonic explorations in different places and spaces, the former guitar player found the soundscapes of pulsating synthesizers combined with repetitive grooves and twangy guitars, making it an interesting place to explore in the grander space of the prog rock world. “The Forest is too Loud” is an instrumental album that explores expansive sou

This is the second Astralasia 4 x CD set to be released over 2025/2026 following “The Seven Pointed Star” as reviewed previously on DISS. Marc Swordfish, in his 36 th  year of all things Astralasia gives the background to this hand-picked collection in the press release. CD 1 has eight tracks from the “Wind on Water” double LP, the “Oceania” double LP and the “A Momentary Lapse of Vinyl” double CD and others. Two of the tracks are covers: Brainticket’s ‘Cotton Wood Hill/ Plac

“Synaesthesia” arose from a dinner conversation between Icarus Peel and Steve Palmer at which it was decided to produce an instrumental album of four ten-minute long pieces. Jay Tausig on drums and Rob Gould on keyboards joined the project. The end result has a nostalgic feel about it; as the liner notes suggest, harking back to the times people sat cross-legged on the floor in the dark fully immersed in the music which cites various influences- the one that struck me the mos

This newly remastered and expanded box set features 26 additional tracks consisting of alternate mixes, additional studio session and a previously unreleased live convert recorded in St. Louis in April, 1975 with the usual high-quality booklet and essay. Recorded at Chipping Norton Studios in England it was a concept album about a travelling circus and followed the highly acclaimed top 20 U.S. album “Remember the Future”. “Down to Earth” marked a more down- to -earth approach

I already reviewed this album in 2025 but a 3 x LP set has been released with the addition of a sidelong ‘suite’ that picks up the themes of the original tracks and a side of instrumental mixes. The above seems like the tip of the iceberg with a head spinning array of options on Bandcamp. This 16-track “psychedelic-fused concept album of sorts” deals with some serious subject matter and despite themes of alienation, identity loss and obsession is “upbeat and hopeful”. Apologi

A disco pastiche on mobile phone addiction from the redoubtable Mascot Math- what’s not to like?

Described as “a mix of catchy and almost pop-like melodies with explosive, hard-hitting impro noise” ‘Opus X’ is a hard-hitting drum heavy opener for sure. There is a nice hook, a vocal and some energised blowing on ‘What’s my Chances?’, also released as a digital single. Vocalist Nelly Moar leads the all to short enchanting ballad ‘Stormy Nights’, ‘Where the Sky is the Highest’ is the longest number at 5:30 with vibes and guitar solos alongside the brass and ending with solo

To quote from the Karisma press release “The Swedish band Ritual entered the prog scene like a typhoon with their 1995 debut album. The Scandinavian scene was already strong with bands like Änglagård, Anekdoten, White Willow and Landberk, but Ritual came with a different approach. They are both highly accessible and melodic, and also very technical and symphonic. Tove Jansson’s Moomin universe inspired several songs on the album, but the music leans more toward folk, symphoni

Most recently alto saxophonist Angelika Niescer released an acclaimed album with cellist Tomeka Reid called “Beyond Dragons”. ‘Rejoice, Disrupt, Resist’ is a pretty good title for the full on 8-minute opener. ‘Poranek’ is essentially a short duet with flautist Nicole Mitchell and the pace nor raucousness of the drums (Mike Reed) doesn’t let up. There’s also a second saxophonist (alto and tenor – Dave Rempis) in ensuring the energy levels don’t flag. ‘SAMO bsqt; has an enigmat

The prolific Santtu Laakso AKA Astral Magic along with Jonathan Sigel on guitar and violin and Shane Beck’s spoken word/ poetry is back once again asking the question – are we being watched by alien beings? A big question and a legitimate one. The musical groove starts on ‘Wormhole’ with some nice guitar fills. ‘Vector Equilibrium’ is a swirl of synthesiser as Shane continues the narrative. ‘It’s all Just a Simulation’ is like a mirror image of ‘Wormhole’, and similarly intox

‘World in Greyscale’, the 30-minute title track, dark and deep music, is based on a simple repetitive and unwavering beat which is used as a backdrop to layers of synths to create a chilled atmosphere. ‘Sepia’ follows a similar pattern although I found it to be more melodic and less dense; Jerry Kranitz accurately describes the music as “electro hypnotic chill-out dance beats and floating space ambience, augmented by Alisa’s breathy vocals”. “Atomic Autumn”: No longer space r

“With their infectious, energetic and positively 'smile on the face' rhythms on stage, audiences have come accustomed to Buddhadatta's reverence for Buddhism via their attire and the topics of their songs, all inspired by practising, throat-singing Buddhist monk / band leader, Vogli Bonze. Bass player Seiko engages almost the entirety of the audience with constant eye contact as she swathes her samurai bass - Nick Cave would be envious of how she connects. Then she steps up t

“Led by electric jazz harpist and composer Maria-Christina Harper , the collection features original tracks inspired by her Greek and Egyptian musical heritage. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, ‘ Dialogue of Thoughts’ reaffirms the trio’s boundary pushing and distinctive sound—spiritually charged, shimmering soundscapes and experimental tones that reimagine the harp’s place in jazz. Rather than placing the harp centre stage, Harper prioritises vivid musical conversation. Along