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BIENVENUE CHEZ UNICORN DIGITAL Last update / Dernière mise à jour: 26 Juin/June 2008
SIGNS OF ONE AND JELLY FICHE OPENING FOR FISH
Scottish singer-songwriter Fish, also known as Derek William Dick, former lead-singer of Marillion, will be performing in Quebec City on Friday June 27 2008 at the Cabaret du Capitole (972 Saint-Jean Street) and in Montreal at Le National (1220 Sainte-Catherine Street East) on Saturday, June 28 2008, in support for his latest and most remarkable solo album entitled 13th Star.
Signs of one who's new CD Innerlands keeps getting great reviews, will be opening for FISH's concert in Quebec City
Montreal band Jellyfiche who just released their first CD Tout ce que j'ai rèvé, will have the honor of presenting the opening show in Montreal, their set will begin at 9:00 sharp.
Tickets are available through Admission and at the National boxoffice.
MM CIRCLE THIRD ALBUM TO BE RELEASED
SPACED OUT's drummer Martin Maheux is back with his project MM CIRCLE and wil be releasing the album Requiem pour un vivant at the Divan Rouge (4234, rue St-Laurent in Montreal)on the 16th of July 2008.
With this new album, MMCircle introduces the world to it's new incarnation. Beginning as a jazz quartet accompanied by a violinist for the first album, MMCircle progressed to an octet, combining a jazz quartet with a string quartet for album # 2. For the third album, MMCircle went a step further and created music for string quartet and drums. Martin Maheux is the drummer in question and heart and soul of MMCircle. Like the first two albums, he wrote, arranged and produced all the music.
This third album, Requiem Pour Un Vivant, is by far the most contemporary of MMCircle's outputs, exploring a rare paring as is strings and drums. On Requiem Pour Un Vivant, Martin travels deeper into the universe of composition, but leaves improvisation it's place in the grand scheme of things, inter woven into his distinctive style of playing.
SNARLING ADJECTIVE CONVENTION FIRST CD Bluewolf Bloodwalk
Snarling Adjective Convention is an adventurous group of talented artists who are fiercely experimental in their approach to music. Combining elements of avant-garde jazz, metal, dark ambient, psychedelic, prog rock, and funk, the ensemble consists of five instrumentalists who are well known in both experimental and progressive rock circles: Roger Ebner (wind synth, sax), Joe Kopecky (guitars), William Kopecky (basses), Dan Maske (keyboards, trumpet, flute, percussion), and Craig Walkner (drums). William's wife Sophie appears as a special guest on two tracks to contribute haunting spoken word performances en francais.
Snarling Adjective Convention’s spontaneously composed debut CD Bluewolf Bloodwalk is a startling collection of sinister, cutting-edge works of art that bristle with dark energy and virtuoso playing. Invoking the ghosts of 70’s electric-era Miles and gloomy French sound sculptors Shub Niggurath, Bluewolf Bloodwalk offers the fearless listener an unforgettable and visionary musical trip.
New York Progressive Rock band Celestial Oeuvre’s new studio CD is being mixed right now at Studio Illusion by Michel St-Pere. The mix is almost finished and the CD entitled “This Mortal Coil” will be released in the summer of 2008. Celestial Oeuvre first CD Second Chance released independently was very well received in the Progressive Rock Community.
More news about this new Celestial Oeuvre CD coming soon.
JELLY FICHE RELEASES FIRST ALBUM
It was with much anticipation that I went to see Jelly fiche at the Lion d’Or on Tuesday, March 18 2008. Mid-week shows are always a bit complicated for me to attend, but I would not have missed this one for the world! This performance was in honor of the official launch of their first album, entitled Tout Ce Que J'ai Rêvé. I was looking forward to see what the Jelly fiche folks had in store for us. All I can say is that I wasn't disappointed because It was just a magnificent concert... but I expected no less from them, judging by the quality of their acclaimed performance at FMPM 2007. I was most happy to see the Lion d'Or packed with over 150 people, the atmosphere was truly electric!
The evening began with the opening act, renowned pianist André Delage, playing Genesis classics on the piano. He presented only three numbers, One For The Vine, Firth Of Fifth and The Musical Box, for a mesmerizing half-hour that was worthy of an enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd at the end. André played with passion, giving his own twist at times to the legendary tunes. What a great start to the evening!
Around 8:30, time for Jellyfiche, two screens with back projection at each side of the stage, presenting spellbinding images throughout the performance. They performed their new album in its entirety, including Tout Ce Que J'ai Rêvé, Les Arbres, Caché au Fond Plus Haut, Source Infinie, In Vitro, Dans La Peau D'un Autre, parts 1 & 2, La Fontaine and La Cage des Vautours/Liberté. A brilliant performance from the very theatrical Syd, wearing different costumes that represent the various themes of the songs. Their music, highly melodic, psychedelic at times, is inspired by the songwriting of Harmonium, and the eerie musical arrangements of Pink Floyd. The musicianship is impeccable, from Éric Plante's exquisitely precise keyboard and saxophone work, to Jean-François Arsenault's Gilmour-inspired, blistering guitar solos and Syd's powerful and emotional vocals. Kudos also go to Sylvain Auclair on bass and Matt Bergeron on drums for their excellent work accompanying the trio. One of the few prog bands in Quebec to sing in French, Jellyfiche brings back the glorious atmosphere of the era when Harmonium, Contraction, Morse Code, Maneige and Pollen were masters of the airwaves, packing auditoriums where they played! What a satisfying show, and what a privilege to have seen the band bring all these songs to life in front of us! This is a show you have to see!
The Gourishankar have made their entrance in the Progressive Rock world with a BANG with the release of 2nd Hands on Unicorn Digital in 2007. The Band had previously recorded and independently released an album called Close Grip in 2003. CLOSE GRIP has been released on UNICORN DIGITAL on the 15th of April 2008. The album contains 7 songs plus a Bonus Track. The Band is currently looking for a new Singer and work for a new CD is in the work.
World-class fusion trio Spaced Out will hit the stage this September at FMPM 2008. Formed by bassist Antoine Fafard and originally having the name Cortex, several different line-ups came and went before the group were signed to Unicorn Digital to release their first (self-titled) album in 2000. They were the first band on Unicorn Digital, apart from label founder Michel St-Père's own Mystery, and are to this day one of its most popular and best-selling groups. Drummer Martin Maheux has been there since 1998, while guitarist Mark Tremblay has been with the group since the live dates following their second album, entitled Eponymus II. Two studio albums have followed in recent years, 2003's Slow Gin and 2006's Unstable Matter, which was the heaviest to date, allowing touches of metal to fuse with the jazz and rock influences already present. During this time the group has stayed active in a live setting, performing at NEARFest, as well as the Crescendo Festival in France. Two live DVDs are available to demonstrate their prowess. The music of the group is a heavy instrumental fusion that is compared to everything from Return to Forever to Planet X, with Fafard's own bass style reminiscent at times of Jaco Pastorius.
The 2008 edition of the FMPM will take place September 13th and 14th of next year at the Salle Pierre-Mercure of the Pierre Peladeau Centre, in Montreal. Musique ProgresSon (ProgQuebec) and Unicorn Digital are now pleased to present the complete lineup for this year's edition, which includes four international groups: Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (Italy), Univers Zero (Belgium), Riverside (Poland), and Knight Area (Holland), and three groups from Quebec: Charles Kaczynski, Spaced Out, and Interference Sardines, all performing on Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14, and also Premier Ciel who are performing on Friday September 12, as part of the FMPM pre-show. More info at www.fmpm.net
The material for the next Spaced Out studio album has been composed and is now being recorded. The new pieces will offer the high energy music that you might expect from the band. Funky elements are more present than ever and the production will be at a top level. The album will be released by the end of 2008.
MYSTERY PREPARES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF DESTINY?
This summer will be the 10th anniversary of the release of Destiny? The third album by Montreal band MYSTERY and last one recorded with singer Gary Savoie. After the release of MYSTERY’s latest album Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face, Tracks from the Destiny? Sessions were transferred into Illusion Studio’s computer and the new mix was started. Michel St-Pere says about this project: Not only this album brought MYSTERY to a new level, but it also started the whole Unicorn Records adventure. But I was not satisfied with the mix and after mixing Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face, I knew I could bring Destiny to a new level. The new mix sounds great and this album deserves to be heard the way it was meant to be. The 10th anniversary edition of Destiny will be released in the summer of 2008, while the band is recording a new album and prepares to do some live shows.
QUEBEC PROG BAND DIRECTION SIGNS WITH UNICORN DIGITAL
Unicorn Digital is proud to announce that Quebec Progressive Rock band DIRECTION has just signed a deal with the label for the release of their new album entitled “EST” This is the fourth album by Direction and it will be released on may 10th 2008.
Canadian instrumental progressive rock band Talisma has just released their third album entitled Quelque Part on Unicorn Digital. Talisma who has been making waves into the progressive rock world for the past 5 years, had released two successful album, Corpus in 2003 and Chromium in 2005. Following the footsteps of Spaced Out, Talisma has gained over the years a great reputation, thanks to 2 albums that are still to this day among the best selling CDs at Unicorn Digital.
Unicorn Records, Inc. is proud to present the Progressive/Melodic Rock band Little King’s new CD, Legacy Of Fools. The album, which follows on the heels of the El Paso, Texas, group’s critically acclaimed Virus Divine (Unicorn Records - 2005), is scheduled for international release on January 26, 2008.
According to songwriter Ryan Rosoff, “The lyrical theme of Legacy Of Fools focuses squarely on some of the problems that we have inherited, and also on what we are willfully leaving behind.” The song "Legacy" traces four generations of Rosoff men, starting with Ryan’s grandfather and ending with his infant son. The album’s opener, "Prodigal Son," examines another familial relationship, this time between the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States. "202" is named after Rosoff's classroom number (he teaches high-school English) and shines a harsh light on the state of education in America. "Mea Culpa" is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, and "Collateral Damage" is an angry indictment of the war in Iraq that asks “What would you do/If we occupied Cleveland?”
Legacy Of Fools continues Little King’s 11-year tradition of high-level musicianship. The group’s intricate interplay is flaunted on tracks like "Collateral Damage," "Legacy" (which includes a beautiful violin melody performed by one of Rosoff's former students, Lyris Soto), "Internal Smut," and "202.” The dynamic material alternates between soaring melodies and chest-thumping rock and roll. Rosoff’s rhythm and solo guitar work are top-shelf, and he sings with passion and conviction. Eddy Garcia (formerly of Ministry and Pissing Razors) drums deftly; his chops are wrought with power and complexity. Bassist Michael Esparza plays with an acute understanding of when to groove and when to step into the spotlight. The power trio is joined by backing vocalists Heather Oglesby and Betsy Tinajero on three songs, and for the first time in Little King's history, keyboards play an integral role in sculpting the band's sound, as Ruben Gutierrez enhances seven of the album’s nine tracks. These collaborations result in a disc that is equally emotional and adroit. Without question, Legacy Of Fools is Little King's most complete, hard-hitting, and satisfying effort to date.
Unicorn Digital is proud to announce the release of Quebec City progressive rock band Signs of One new CD Innerlands. Signs of One third CD, first one for Unicorn Digital will be released on November 20th 2007 at the Liquor Store in Quebec City.
Formed in 1997, Signs of One has released 2 albums on their own before being approached by Unicorn Digital to open the first FMPM (Le Festival des Musiques Progressives de Montreal) in September 2006. Their energetic scenic presentation and songwriting brought Signs of One and Unicorn digital to secure a deal for the worldwide release of Innerlands in October 2006.
Innerlands has been produced by Serges Samson and Signs of One. The album contains 14 pieces for a total time of 71 minutes of great progressive music recorded from June 2007 to February 2007.
It has been quite a year for HAMADRYAD, Unicorn Digital’s best selling artists has been real busy in 2007, Opening for Deep Purple for 2 shows, Giving one of their best performance at FMPM2007, and progtober fest3, releasing their third album and first live CD recorded live at the Crescendo Festival in France in 2006, played more European dates in 2007.
After taking a little rest, the band is back in the studio to record their third studio album. No dates have been announced yet , according to guitarist Denis Jalbert, the band will not release the album until they are confident that this is going to be their best opus yet. but the band is aiming for a 2008 summer release.
Spaced Out Live at the Crescendo Album and DVD available now
Unicorn Digital most prolific artist who had just released their first Live CD has just released the same concert on DVD. Recorded live in 2006 at the Crescendo Festival in France, Both the Enhanced CD and the DVD contains their memorable first concert in Europe during the Unstable Matter Tour in 2006. With 4 Studio albums, one live DVD, these new Live CD and DVD are great ways to feel the intensity of the Spaced Out live experience.
Spaced Out offers a style of music where aspects such as rhythm, harmony and melody have been carefully thought out and composed with the goal of bringing this style to life. Through the well structured forms, the players are free to express their personality with improvised solos. In their repertoire, polyrhythmic games combined with modal colors form a unique music which is instantly recognizable. Influences from musicians such as Keith Emerson, Jan Hammer, Eddie Jobson, John Mclaughlin, Frank Zappa, Trevor Rabin, Igor Stravinsky, Sergey Prokofiev, Bélà Bartok, Philip Glass and many more have played a big part in the music created and produced by S O. The level of intensity produced by this instrumental music band is to such a high degree, that the listener is undoubtedly left spellbound.
SIGNS OF ONE AND JELLY FICHE OPENING FOR FISH
MM CIRCLE THIRD ALBUM TO BE RELEASED
SNARLING ADJECTIVE CONVENTION FIRST CD Bluewolf Bloodwalk
CELESTIAL OEUVRE SIGNS WITH UNICORN DIGITAL
GOURISHANKAR NEW CD CLOSE GRIP VAILABLE NOW
SPACED OUT TO PLAY FMPM 2008
MYSTERY PREPARES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF DESTINY?
QUEBEC PROG BAND DIRECTION SIGNS WITH UNICORN DIGITAL
TALISMA NEW CD AVAILABLE NOW
Little King new CD Legacy of Fools available now
Signs of One's first CD Innerlands available now
HAMADRYAD all set to record third studio album
Spaced Out Live at the Crescendo Album and DVD available now