D'AccorD's Newie: HELIKE

The gentlemen from D'AccorD have their new album OUT NOW. Released under the Karisma Records imprint, HELIKE is a new piece that is filtered through the lense of a true 70's prog concept LP with 2 "side" long suites, a gatefold to keep you reading whilst listening, lyrics to map the journey and a band sound laced with guitars, flutes and mellotron.
The influences on the music are many, varied and worn on the sleeve of all band members BUT this is not a tribute album or a pastiche: it's a work that stands up on its own by virtue of the songs.
The concept is based around the legend of Helike and associated Greek myths & gods. DON'T be put off by that if you're not into ancient mythology - the story has significant currency through the Japan earthquake & subsequent floods as well as the Boxing Day Tsunami.
D'Accord's playing is excellent throughout as is the recording and mixing (done by Daniel from the band) whilst the mastering is by a former Pink Floyd engineer. I really enjoy listening to this album and the only thing I need that isn't provided when doing so is an LP sized cover to hold & read while I'm sitting in the sweet spot. The last album was released on vinyl so there is hope yet.
If you like PROG you'll love this album. If you don't like prog you'll probably like it after listening to this CD. It can be had from iToons, and various other online providers in CD format as well as digital download.
Click on the headline to get a squiz at & listen to the band!
Cheers
ray

Silent Waltz

Recently I sent a remix of Silent Waltz to finemastering.de to have it "stem mastered" as an experiment. I hadn't had any of the Miriam & Me tracks mastered and wondered how they would translate.
The results were pretty successful. There's a bit of hiss at the very beginning which is a result of my recording chain at the time. I also asked Jan Ohlhorst, the M.E., if he could attempt to reduce the reverb that was printed to the vocal track. This was recorded at a time when I was a reverb junkie I'm afraid. Jan did a good job of that quite tall order.
The final result is a track that I'm very pleased with.
The vocals and melody are by Miriam Webb who also plays the nice 'cello lines. I did the rest; including the grumpy 'cello bits - the 'cello arrangement was an exercise in chording an arpeggio which Miriam, then my 'cello tutor, devised.
The link in the title will take you to a FLAC version and the link below this text is to a 320MP3.
320MP3
Cheers
ray