Next streaming: January 6th/7th

Next streaming will be on the weekend January 6th/7th.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Exiles Lavender

Review part 2

This weekend I am continuing my review of 2017. This time I will focus on 2017 releases. With Steve Hackett, Wobbler, Big Big Train, Anathema and many more.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Review part 1

This weekend I am spinning excerpts of all albums that I played in the last 12 months. With Kansas, Seven Impale, Anderson Ponty Band, David Cross Band and many more.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Believe - Seven Widows (2017)

Believe is a band from Poland formed in 2006 who have already released six studio albums. This weekend I am spinning their latest release 'Seven Widows'. They play neo-prog with a Hackett-sounding guitar and violin.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Manfred Mann's Earthband - Watch (1978)

This weekend I am spinning another 70's classic: 'Watch' from Manfred Mann's Earth Band, an album which is not only progressive but is also one of the most commercially successful albums of the band.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

A Kew's Tag - Silence of the Sirens (2015)

Is it possible to play progressive rock with drums, bass, vocals and acoustical guitar? A Kew's Tag from Germany prove it is possible, and their live performance is as brilliant as on CD. This weekend I am spinning their album "Silence of the Sirens" (2015) in full.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Manfred Mann's Earthband - Nightingales and Bombers (1975)

This weekend I am presenting one of my favourite albums of all times, Nightingales and Bombers by Manfred Mann's Earthband. It marks a highlight in the progressive rock period of MMEB, and this is also the last album of the first line-up with Mick Rogers on vocals and guitars.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 2 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Wobbler - From Silence to Somewhere (2017)

There was a silence of 6 years around the Norwegian band Wobbler, but now they are somewhere again: From Silence to Somewhere is their brand new album, and the wait has been well rewarded. Formed in 1999, they have released their 4th album, which I will present in full. The music is symphonic prog with a lot of playful complex musical textures, with influences ranging from Genesis, Yes to Gentle Giant.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (11 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Fromuz - Sodom & Gomorrah (2013)

The name of this band tells their origin: they come from Uzbekistan. Founded in Tashkent in 2004 they have released 4 studio albums so far. This weekend I am playing their most recent album from 2013. They play instrumental progressive rock with strong symphonic elements and traces of Pink Floyd. This album is a concept album telling the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. It contains theatric and cinematographic effects, so overall it feels a bit like a soundtrack to a film.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (10 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Anderson/Stolt - Invention of Knowledge (2016)

In 2014 Jon Anderson (Yes) and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) met on the Progressive Nation at Sea cruise, where the idea was born to make an album together. They began exchanging musical ideas via internet and it resulted in the album "Invention of Knowledge", which I am spinning this weekend.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (10 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

King Crimson - Starless And Bible Black (1974)

This weekend I am spinning one of my favourite albums of all times: King Crimsons Starless and Bible Black. I am playing the 2011 remix version by Steven Wilson & Robert Fripp, which was released as part of the 40th Anniversary Series.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (10 pm UTC) (new time!!!)
My streaming URL

Anathema - The Optimist (2017)

Are you an optimist? With the brand new album of Anathema I am! With this release they continue their symphonic post rock approach, that can also be heard on their previous album 'Distant Satellites'. I am spinning 'The Optimist' by this band from Liverpool, UK, in full.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 11 am SLT (6 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973)

This weekend I am spinning one of my favourite albums of all times: King Crimsons Larks' Tongues In Aspic. I am playing the 2012 remix version by Steven Wilson & Robert Fripp, which was released as part of the 40th Anniversary Series.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 11 am SLT (6 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Half Past Four - Good Things (2013)

When I first heard this Canadian band, aside from the funny band name also the music immediately caught my attention. It is female fronted modern progressive rock with sophisticated textures and a few jazzy influences, not unlike Thieves' Kitchen. They have released two albums so far, and this weekend I am spinning the second.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 11 am SLT (6 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Next streaming: September 23rd/24th

Sorry, dear proggers, I cannot make it this weekend to stream. Also the following weekend I have some appointments in RL. So next streaming will be the weekend September 23rd/24th. Prog on and see you next time!

Exiles Lavender

Hidden Lands - Halcyon (2017)

Hidden Lands is a Swedish band formed in 2012. This weekend I am presenting their third and latest album, which is again a great keyboard driven symphonic prog release.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 11 am SLT (6 pm UTC) (New time!!!)
My streaming URL

Next streaming: September 2nd/3rd

Exiles is travelling this weekend, so there will be no streaming. Next streaming on the weekend September 2nd/3rd. See you there!

Exiles Lavender

Comedy Of Errors - House of the Mind (2017)

This weekend I am presenting the brand new album of the Scottish band Comedy of Errors, which is their forth release since 2011. Like their previous three albums this release is another great piece of neo prog. That's why this band also became one of my favourite post-1989 progressive rock bands.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 10 am SLT (5 pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Discipline - Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea (2017)

Discipline is a Detroit based band, who releases albums since the late 80's. For me it is one of my favourite post-1989 progressive rock bands. This weekend I am featuring their latest release, which is a bit less dark, and a bit more 'song-oriented' than their previous two albums, with many nods towards Van der Graaf Generator.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 10 am SLT (5 pm UTC) (New time!!!)
My streaming URL

Exiles is on holiday

No excellent Exiles tunes next weekend because I am going on holiday. Next show will be on the weekend August 12th/13th. Prog on and take care everyone!

Exiles Lavender

The Samurai of Prog - On We Sail (2017)

The trio Steve Unruh, Marco Bernard and Kimmo Pörsti, surrounded by various changing guest musicians, and named The Samurai of Prog started off as a cover band of progressive rock music, but their third release The Imperial Hotel solely consists of new material and is a great symphonic prog album. The forth album is a again a cover album, but consists of previously unreleased material. The latest and fifth release consists again of new material, and it seems that new material fits them best. The current album On We Sail is another excellent example of well composed symphonic prog, with orchestral sounds and lots of playful keyboards, flute and violin. 

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 1 am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 10 am SLT (5 pm UTC) (New time!!!)
My streaming URL

David Cross Band - Sign of the Crow (2016)

David Cross was violinist of King Crimson between 1972-75. After that he continued working as a musician and recorded some albums.
To be honest, I lost track of David Cross since his departure from King Crimson. What a mistake! I just saw him live at the Loreley Night of the Prog festival, and his performance was one of my personal highlights. He continues the musical style of King Crimson in an excellent way. This weekend I am playing his latest release.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

no streaming next weekend

No streaming from me for the next weekend, because I am going to the Loreley Night of the Prog! See you the following weekend. Prog on and take care everyone!

Exiles Lavender

Anubis - The Second Hand (2017)

Anubis is a neo-prog band from Australia, who have now released their fourth album, which I will present in full.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Next show: July 8th/9th

No streaming from me for the next two weekends for various reasons. Next streaming will be on the weekend July 8th/9th. Take care everyone!

Exiles Lavender

Advent - Silent Sentinel (2015)

Advent is band from New Jersey who have released three albums so far. This weekend I am streaming their third and latest album 'Silent Sentinel'. It is symphonic prog with pastoral sounds and jazzy leanings, with influences ranging from Genesis, Anthony Phillips, Yes and Gentle Giant.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Next show: June 17th/18th

No streaming from me for the next two weekends for various reasons. Next streaming will be on the weekend June 17th/18th.
Take care everyone!

Exiles Lavender

Bad Dreams - Deja Vu (2016)

Bad Dreams is a band from Argentina, who started as a Genesis cover band. In 2015 they started to release their own material. This weekend I am presenting their second and latest release 'Deja Vu'.
I would classify the music as neo prog, with much Genesis and Marillion influences.
Also, Steve Rothery (Marillion) plays on one track.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Spring is here!

This weekend I am spinning Deep Purple's April, Echolyn's Mei and other tracks with spring or flowers in the title.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Big Big Train - Grimspound (2017)

Only one year after the impressive release of the album 'Folklore' UK-based band Big Big Train released another great album, called Grimspound. Like the previous albums it is symphonic prog. It contains symphonic style compositions with a lot of playful twists. Besides 70's Genesis, this time I also hear a bit of Renaissance, Yes and even Ponty influences. I am spinning the album in full at

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Exiles is on holiday (again)

I won't be able to stream next weekend.
See you again on the weekend May 13th/14th.
Take care everyone!

Steve Hackett - The Night Siren (2017)

This weekend I am presenting the new album of Steve Hackett: The Night Siren.
It is a symphonic style album with world music influences.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Exiles is on holiday

Next streaming will be on the weekend April 29th/30th.
I wish you all a pleasant and peaceful Easter!

Jesus Christ Superstar (1970)

Easter is approaching, and as a tradition I am playing "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1970), a rock opera written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. With Ian Gillan as Jesus and Murray Head as Judas.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

King Crimson - The Night Watch (live 1973, released 1997)

As a tribute to my favourite King Crimson singer and bassist John Wetton (12.6.1949 – 31.1.2017) I am spinning this weekend the live album 'The Night Watch', which was recorded live in Amsterdam in 1973, but was not released until 1997.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)
My streaming URL

no streaming this weekend

Because I am giving a concert with the company orchestra on Sunday, I will not be able to stream this weekend. See you again in April!

T - Fragmentropy (2015)

T is the pseudonym of German multi-instrumentalist Thomas Thielen. He plays all instruments by himself. The music is deeply rooted in symphonic prog, with endless playful symphonic textures and a voice that slightly resembles David Bowie. This weekend I am presenting T's fifth album 'Fragmentropy' in full.
 
Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 1:00 UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 4pm SLT (23:00 UTC, 00:00 CET)  
Note: As Europe has not switched to Summer Time, I am streaming on Sunday at the old UTC time, which means 1 hour later in SLT.

My streaming URL

Manfred Manns's Earthband - two albums

Manfred Mann's Earthband belongs to the big progressive rock bands mainly because of the albums they have released between 1973-1979. This period can also be divided into two eras with two different singers. This weekend I am playing two albums, one from each era:
- Solar Fire (1973) with Mick Rogers
- The Roaring Silence (1976) with Chris Thompson

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (10pm UTC)  
Attention: Most states in the USA switch in the night from Saturday to Sunday to Daylight Saving Time (DST) and so does SLT! This means, for all listeners without DST, the show starts one hour earlier than before.

My streaming URL

Kansas - Leftoverture (1976)

 This weekend I will catch up the show from last weekend. So...

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its release Kansas is performing the album 'Leftoverture' in its entirety on their current tour.
I am spinning this album in full at

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Show cancelled

Sorry, show cancelled and will be repeated next week.

Seven Impale - Contrapasso (2016)

After the highly acclaimed debut from 2014 the Norwegian band Seven Impale is back with a second album. They play a mix of rock and jazz, but compared to their debut the arrangements and instrumentations sound a bit heavier. I am presenting this album in full at

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Gong - Rejoice! I'm Dead! (2016)

Gong is a multinational psychedelic rock band with roots in the UK and France, founded 1967 in Paris by Australian guitarist Daevid Allen. The music incorporates elements of progressive, jazz, space rock and fusion into its style. Allen, who contributed to one song on this latest release, left us in March 2015, so the title of the album can be also seen as a tribute. The present incarnation of the band is currently touring and will be playing live at the Loreley Night of the Prog this summer. I am presenting this album in full at

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Anderson Ponty Band - Better Late Than Never (2015)

Decades ago Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty had the idea of a joint project, but it never happened until recently. Hence the name of the album: Better Late Than Never, ... and I wholeheartedly agree. How it would sound if some Yes songs got a jazzy Ponty treatment, and some Ponty tracks got Andersons vocals added to it, can be experienced here. I am presenting the album in full at

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

ptf - What is Constant (2015)

ptf is a violin driven band from Japan, who have released two studio albums so far. Their instrumental music is quite inspired by 70's symphonic progressive rock and jazz rock. I am playing their latest release in full.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Alco Frisbass (2015)

Alco Frisbass is a French band mainly consisting of two multi-instrumentalists, who have released their self-titled debut album in 2015. The instrumental music blends Jazz, Canterbury and symphonic elements to an energetic mix, with layers of keyboards and mellotron, jazzy guitar lines and an occasional violin on top.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL

Nemo - Coma (2015)

Nemo is a French band that was founded in 1999. Until 2015 they have released 9 studio albums. What a shame, I have never heard of them before. Now I have read that they are going on a hiatus. Their so far last album received incredible good reviews, which made me curious. The music sounds like symphonic prog with heavy edges, with pleasant vocals in French.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6pm SLT (Sunday 2am UTC)
Floating Islands : Sunday 3pm SLT (11pm UTC)
My streaming URL