Back catalogue: Progressive Rock

Review: People are not over-egging it when they try and tell you that Polish composer Andrzej Korzynski was an exploratory artist. Words like 'mind-bending', 'cosmic', and 'immersive' are often used in the same sentence as any reference to his name, let alone musical output, which remains some of the most sought after among fans of what can only really be described as staunchly experimental psyche.

For many, The Devil Tapes is the holy grail of Korzynski. Made to score Andrzej ?u?awsk's film, The Devil, by this point the pair had already worked together on the movie soundtrack to Possession, and cracked the collaborative process. Having been asked to make music that was "totally unique, like something from another planet", the composer took his initial taped experiments and pulled the vari-speed down, then layered hallucinatory effects over the top, resulting in something that's beyond a mere accompaniment, and very much integral to the film itself.

Review: Northampton-based psychedelic rock band Dark formed in 1968 while founding member Steve Giles was still at school. They quickly became popular on the live circuit and worked up a tight playing style that they managed to capture when in the studio. Their debut album is their most well-known but a long series of compilations have also been issued. However, this is the first-ever accurate reproduction of one of the last surviving original twelve gatefold copies of the band's debut with the full-colour gatefold sleeve.

Review: By 1972, Family had really hit their stride after big success with albums Fearless and Bandstand. Boston Music Hall 1972 was recorded live at the eponymous venue on September 28th 1972 although ' A Song For Me' was recorded for "Rockenstock" French TV earlier in January of that year. It was recorded for radio during their Autumn tour and has big tunes like 'Burlesque', 'My Friend The Sun' and 'The Weaver's Answer' as well as a special bonus recording of 'A Song For Me,' which was originally written for French TV/A super sounding album from one of the great 70s bands.

Review: Brighton outfit Phoria have rightfully received plenty of critical acclaim over the course of their previous two albums - and it isn't likely to abate now they drop their third. River Oblivion builds on previous works in that it blends all the electronic intricacies of their debut with the newly added orchestral manoeuvres of their second. This fresh, supersonic journey takes us through the mind of writer Trewin Howard as it was during the many different highs and lows of those dark pandemic days. A real rollercoaster that will keep you coming back for more.

Review: Legendary prog rock icons Pink Floyd performed live at the KB Hallen, Copenhagen on November 10 ,1972 and this is a digitally remastered recording of that night. It's a great bit of musical history, capturing the band across two CDs that feature many highlights, not least the epic 24-minute rendition of 'Echoes' which is about as prog as prog can get. As well as that, the album takes in the entirety of The Dark Side Of The Moon plus extra tracks 'One Of These Days' and 'Careful With That Axe Eugene,' all of which make it a superb addition to the collection of any fan.

Review: Given that it is the fourth biggest selling artist album of all time, with some 45 million copies in circulation, you'd be forgiven for questioning the point of this 50th anniversary edition of Pink Floyd's most celebrated work. Yet, like the various Beatles albums that have been remastered and remixed in recent years, there is certainly a point to polishing the sound using modern technology. Put simply, 'Dark Side of the Moon', an album that's famously sonically detailed and was painstakingly recorded at the time, has never sounded better. With its mix of ambling progressive rock epics and memorable songs, it has always lent itself to listening on headphones; now, thanks to a sparkling and stunning 2023 mix, it's a more immersive and enveloping listening experience than ever (and that's before we get to the separately available surround sound and Dolby Atmos versions).

Review: Outside of jazz-fusion circles, violinist and composer Jean-Luc Ponty is best known for two things: embracing synthesizers and electronic instruments (including electric violin) earlier than his peers, and playing a small but significant role in inspiring some of Detroit techno's earliest innovators. This double disc set rounds up three of the albums that proved most inspirational to electronic musicians. Disc one sports 1987's warm, colourful and mesmerising The Gift of Time - where, fittingly, Ponty's ability to create surprising and intense off-kilter dancefloor workouts was first noticed by adventurous DJs - and 1989's Storytelling, which kicks off with his most famous work: the awe-inspiring 'In The Fast Lane'. Over on disc two, we get 1991's Tchokola, an inspired mix of fusion, Afrobeat and Zouk flavours that has long been a favourite amongst Balearic silverbacks.

Review: .During their live appearances - and especially ones captured for posterity by radio stations - Tool have often delivered surprisingly and unlikely cover versions. These, alongside a smattering of similarly eyebrow-raising duets and demos, form the basis of Absolute Ultra Rare, an unofficial compilation of obscurities that should be essential listening to fans. It sees the alt-metal and progressive metal heroes variously turn their hand to Pink Floyd (a surprisingly jangly take on 'Comfortably Numb'), Rage Against The Machine ('Know Your Enemy'), ska ('Wrong Way'), and Wings ('Silly Love Songs', which is turned into a moody growl). Throw in some heavy takes on their own tunes (see the opening rendition of 'Passenger') and you have a suitably epic collection of rarely heard tracks.

Review: Transmission Impossible charts the early career of American alt-rock masters Tool via performances recorded for radio broadcast - and the odd snippet of the accompany interviews. A majority of the tracks featured were recorded for radio stations across the US (and on a couple of instances, in the UK) between 1991 and 94, though disc three also boasts cuts laid to tape in 1998 and 2000. The band's original line up (which features throughout) was known for its loud, dynamic and energetic performances - all ten-ton guitar riffs, sweat-soaked drums, heavy bass and wild lead vocals - and these recordings capture their live sound perfectly. For fans of Tool, it's a genuine must-have collection.

Review: Just in time for the latest leg of Roger Waters' contested and controversial world tour, the grumpy former Pink Floyd front man has released a CD edition of The Lockdown Sessions, a mini-album of performances recorded at home (with the aid of many members of his live backing band) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It features Waters and company delivering gravel-voiced interpretations of The Wall favourites 'Mother' and 'Vera' (the latter segueing into 'Bring The Boys Back Home'), two tracks from Floyd's 1983 set The Final Cut, and Waters solo favourite 'The Bravery of Being Out of Range'. Most significantly, it also includes his re-imagining of 'Comfortably Numb', which Waters has re-framed as a slow, droning, trippy and ultra-atmospheric treat. As you'd expect, there are no Dave Gilmour style guitar solos in sight!