TEE "The Earth Explorer"

TEE is a five piece flute front progressive rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Their so-called 'European' sound is unique considering their far-east origin. The imaginative tunes with complex ensembles and rhythms will definitely catch the attention of prog lovers all over the world. Their sound will remind you bands like Camel, King Crimson, Asia Minor or even Frank Zappa on some parts. The band was formed in 2004 when... more

Kevin BARTLETT

You may not know his name but you have definitely heard his music more than once or twice in your life. Maybe on HBO, or on MTV, or on VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel. Doesn't ring the bell? How about American Idol Rewind, or Dr. 90210? We had interviewed Kevin Bartlett a couple of years ago when his second solo album GLOW IN THE DARK was released. Bartlett has been quiet since that time but but he has been secretly brewing new projects. A few months ago he had put a new song...more

Peter Hammill, founding member of Van Der Graaf Generator, released his 28th solo album " nearly 3 months ago. He recently got back home from a short tour covering North America, Canada and Italy. In the 70's when bands like...more

FRIGHT PIG Barque At The Lune *** REVERSAL OF GRAVITY Scuba Gear ***

A 14 track compilation... Styles range from tango to jazz fusion, yet always seem to gravitate to contemporary folk. This is what is said on Tobin Mueller's website about this CD called A Bit Of Light. It features: Entcho Todorov-violin; Donny McCaslin & Woody Mankowski-saxes; Bill Barner-clarinet; Thor Oliverson & John Luper-guitars. Tobin Mueller does all of the other instruments.

He wrote all of the material for his CD, with help from his wife on the track Can’t Complain.

This CD has a different sound with each track. Most of the songs seems to be from life experiences for which is a sad but true in the meaning of life. It deals with the death of a father to the birth of a baby and a little bit of everything else in between. Tobin's vocals are authentic and true. His lyrics are poetic and very real. He has a way of letting the music say what is between the words, as if every line is a duet with an unseen spirit. This is a very enjoyable CD that could be played in the back round while working at times it can pick you up and other times have you reflect on things from the past. If you have listened to any of his other CD's this is very different but also very enjoyable.

The CD begins with violin solo by Entcho Tudorov for a love song, Be My Love. “Bring On the Storm” is a fascinating piece that backed by guitar and simple percussion, it is more towards the sound of a folk song. Crazy Story is jazzier, which is very nice touch to this CD. The Waitress is a blues/folk song similar to a 1970's style of music.

Can’t Complain is a song about how things from earlier in life prepare us for what is to come in the future. This is a very good song. Let Me Play is very much a jazz song about love, My Heart Still Beats is a rhythmic and upbeat song that starts out sweet then turns strange and weird. When You Left is a simple folk song about an emotional loss. Final Words was lovingly written for a father. Loolay Lullaby is a nice song to sing along to while holding your baby. Over all the songs on A Bit of Light tells the story of life’s joys and pain; it is about love and the end of love. Pick this up.

BOB KONIG