Next streaming: January 1st/2nd 2022

I won't be streaming this weekend. Next streaming will be on the weekend January 1st/2nd 2022.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Exiles Lavender

Review 2021 part 2

This weekend I am spinning my personal top 15 of best releases of the year 2021.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Review 2021 part 1

Did you miss any of the shows I played this year? This is the opportunity to catch up! This weekend I am spinning excerpts of albums which I played in this year, focusing on albums which were released before 2021. In part 2 I am spinning the best of 2021 prog rock releases.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

No streaming today.

I am not feeling well tonight, so I cancel the show. Sorry for late notice.

The Samurai of Prog - The White Snake and other Grimm Tales II (2021)

The Samurai of Prog is a busy band. In the last 5 years they have released at least one album per year or even more, including side projects.
I have just finished digesting their Grimm Tales part 1 from earlier this year, now they have already released the successor. And this part 2 I like even more than part 1. It is less theatrical than part 1 and contains (in my opinion) better musical ideas.

The Samurai of Prog is a Finland based band consisting of Marco Bernard (bass), Kimmo Pörsti (drums) and Steve Unruh (vocals, violins, flute, guitars), who are always supported by a mass of guest musicians who also partly compose the tracks. This time most of the guests are from Italy and bring a certain Rock Progresivo Italiano (RPI) feel to it, which is another name for a certain Italian branch of Symphonic Prog. Even some lyrics are partly sung in Italian.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Kayak - Out Of This World (2021)

Kayak was formed in Hilversum, Netherlands, in 1972. They were disbanded in 1982, reformed in 1999 and reformed again in 2017. With 'Out Of This World' they have released their 18th studio album. They play melodic prog, with strong melodies and interesting twists in their artful song compositions. Highly recommended for those who also like Supertramp, Barclay James Harvest or Alan Parsons Project.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Big Big Train - English Electric (part two) (2013)

 "Big Big Train are extremely saddened to announce the death of David Longdon this afternoon in hospital in Nottingham, UK at the age of 56 following an accident in the early hours of Friday morning. He is survived by his two daughters Amelia and Eloise, his mother Vera and his partner Sarah Ewing. (...) David joined Big Big Train in 2009, immediately making a significant impact with that year’s The Underfall Yard album. He proceeded to record a further eight studio albums with the band, including the forthcoming Welcome To The Planet, as well as fronting the band for a series of highly acclaimed concerts from 2015 onwards. (...) The band’s Welcome To The Planet album remains scheduled for release on 28th January 2022. A further statement regarding the band’s 2022 concerts and other activities will follow in due course."

Big Big Train was formed in 1990 in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. They have released 13 studio albums so far. The music is strongly influenced by Genesis around the "A Trick of the Tail" period, but Big Big Train has managed to add their own flavour, with lush melodious arrangements, combining rock instruments with strings and brass band. Live they also tour with a small brass orchestra.
This weekend I am streaming the album "English Electric (part two)" with David Longdon on vocals and various other instruments.
David Longdon (1965-2021) R.I.P.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Steve Hackett - Surrender of Silence (2021)

Steve Hackett is one of the busiest artists in the prog world. Since 1975 and also after his departure from Genesis he released an album nearly every year. And with these albums he never ceased to surprise me. In his latest release 'Surrender of Silence' he combines more than ever before classical inspiration (especially from the neoclassicism period and Prokofiev) with rock and world music to a surprising melange of varied styles. The variety is also expressed in the instrumentation which ranges from classical orchestra over rock band to more exotic instruments like tar and dutar. The result is an album which is probably the most varied of his works so far. Two years ago I called 'At the Edge of Light' his best album since 'Spectral Mornings', but I stand corrected. This one is his best since 'Spectral Mornings'.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Some classics of the 70's and more

This weekend I mixed up the time myself. That is, why I missed my own show yesterday. The show I planned for this weekend I will play next weekend. Today I am streaming my favourite tracks from Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, Supertramp and Marillion. Also on the program is Saga, Manfred Mann's Earthband and Steve Unruh.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 GMT, 03:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 GMT, 00:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Ghosts, Angels and Demons

This weekend I am spinning a theme: I am only playing tracks with ghost, angel, demon, devil, spirit, haunted or supernatural in the title.

Attention! Europe switches back to Normal Time, while Northern America stays in Summer Time. Please check the times!

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 02:00 CET)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 23:00 CET)

My streaming URL

Saga - Symmetry (2021)

Symmetry is the twenty-third studio album by Canadian rock band Saga. For fans there is bad news and good news. The bad news is that the album does not contain brand new material. Instead it contains acoustic versions of previously released songs. And now the good news is, Saga re-invented their tunes augmented with new interludes with surprising arrangements in a way that it sounds astonishingly fresh and sometimes even better than the original. The playful acoustic guitars, which creatively intertwine with the vocals and the other instruments, and the use of cello, violins, clarinet, accordion and piano give the tunes a folk-ish, classical and world music touch. Now and then the British progressive folk band Gryphon comes to mind. Especially the re-imagining of their big hits 'Wind Him Up' and 'No Regrets' are truly stunning listening experiences.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Oktober - Uhrsprung (1976)

Fitting to this month the featured album of this weekend is an album by Oktober.
Oktober is an obscure German band who released 3 albums between 1976-1979. The band's name is a reference to the October Revolution of 1917. They were one of several so called German 'polit rock' bands of that time similar to Floh de Cologne, Ton Steine Scherben, Lokomotive Kreuzberg and others. These bands emerged after the 1968 protest movement as part of the extra-parliamentary opposition in West Germany. Common to all of them were lyrics sung in German with a political agenda against the ruling political system and the establishment.

The debut album of Oktober is called 'Uhrsprung', which is a creative composition of the words 'Uhr' (clock) and 'Sprung' (leap). Both words together can associate with a clock that is ticking, a time that will come and the word 'Ursprung' which means origin. The vocals are sung in a theatrical manner like a layman choir, not in the way of trained singers, because they represent the voices of the common people who declaim against the system, proclaim demands and dream of a better future.

The album consists of 5 tracks. The first three Familie (family), Schule (school) and Betrieb (work place) focus on the areas of life, where the person experience oppression. The forth song Staat und Solidaritätslied (state and solidarity song) is about the political fight in the state, and the last song Der Traum des Schmieds (dream of a blacksmith) is a dream about the awakening of the workers class.

The musical style is pure high quality progressive rock similar to Yes, Genesis, ELP or Gentle Giant. Notwithstanding these influences, the band manage to create an own distinctive sound with excellent instrument playing throughout on the symphonic side of prog. Unlike in Anglo-American countries, in Germany there is a strict separation between 'popular/rock/jazz music' and 'classical music'. Crossing the borders between rock and classical, as is done here, can be regarded as an affront against the establishment, so the use of this style is not surprising. It can be seen as the music of the future, where its 'progressiveness' is meant in the sense of historical advancement.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Gentle Giant - Octopus (1972)

Gentle Giant was formed in 1970 in London, UK. They have released 11 studio albums and then disbanded in 1980. Gentle Giant was one of the ground-breaking bands of the 70s, together with King Crimson, Yes and Genesis, who defined what progressive rock is about. With great musicality they merged classical and rock music in a way never heard of before, also combining rock instruments with violins, oboe, cello, horns, trumpet, vibraphone and many more. Very influential also for other progressive rock bands were their vocal harmonies, which were inspired by the counterpoint use in classical choral fugues. The featured album of this weekend is their 4th studio album 'Octopus' (1972).

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Next streaming: October 9th/10th

No streaming from DJ Exiles this weekend, sorry!
Next streaming will be on the weekend October 9th/10th.

Don't miss streaming from DJ Ant on Thursdays!

Prog on and see you next time!

Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink (1971)

Caravan was formed in 1968 in Canterbury, UK. The members of the band were also involved in the bands Soft Machine, Hatfield & The North and National Heath. They were a leading exponent of what became known as "the Canterbury sound". The music is a mixture of symphonic, psychedelic, classical and jazz rock music. The album "In The Land Of Grey And Pink" can be regarded as a milestone of this type of music and is one of the essential albums to listen to of the 70's progressive rock music.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Miriodor - Cobra Fakir (2013)

Miriodor is an experimental progressive rock band founded in Quebec City, Canada in 1980. The band describe themselves as "rock-oriented post-modern chamber music, with definite humorous overtones". They have released 9 albums so far. This weekend I am spinning their 8th album 'Cobra Fakir' (2013). The music is instrumental with adventurous harmonies and a slightly jazzy mood.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Argos - The Other Life (2021)

Argos is a band founded in 2005 in Mainz, Germany. They have released 6 albums so far. The featured album of this weekend is their brand new release 'The Other Life'. The music is strongly rooted in symphonic progressive rock with leanings towards jazz and Canterbury style music similar to Caravan.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Iamthemorning - The Bell (2019)

Iamthemorning is a duo consisting of Marjana Semkina on vocals and Gleb Kolyadin on grand piano and keyboards. They were formed in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2010, and they have released 4 albums so far. Gleb Kolyadin also released a highly acclaimed solo album in 2018. One year later Iamthemorning released 'The Bell', their latest album. The tracks on this album are classical influenced atmospheric songs in the style of song cycles by Franz Schubert.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Zyma - Thoughts (1978)

Zyma was an obscure short-lived progressive rock band founded in 1972 by musicians from the area around Heidelberg and Mannheim, Germany. They have released only two albums. This weekend I am presenting you their first album 'Thoughts'. The compositions are influenced by folk, jazz rock and Canterbury style music.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Next streaming: August 28th/29th

Due to technical problems there is no streaming this weekend, sorry!
I somehow missed that Firestorm updated its viewer and that old viewers are blocked from August 18th.
Therefore, I cannot login for the moment.
Next streaming will be on the weekend August 28th/29th.

Prog on and see you next time!

Big Big Train - Common Ground (2021)

Big Big Train is a band founded in 1990 in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. They have released 13 albums so far, and I am a fan since The Underfall Yard (2009). The music is slightly influenced by Genesis, around the 'A Trick of the Tail' period, but they have also included a brass band and violins. With this mini orchestra they also go on tour. This weekend I am spinning their latest release 'Common Ground'.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

Next streaming: August 14th/15th

No streaming this weekend, sorry!
Next streaming of DJ Exiles will be on the weekend August 14th/15th.

Don't miss DJ Ant on Thursdays!
Prog on and see you next time!

Exiles Lavender

Arachnoid (1979)

Arachnoid is a French band from the 70's, who only recorded one album, which is self-titled. The music is a kind of dark sounding progressive rock, which is influenced by King Crimson of the Wetton-era. There is a certain ominousness in the music which can also be heard from newer French bands/artist like Orion, Lazuli, Pitch or JPL.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 01:00 GMT, 03:00 CEST)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (22:00 GMT, 00:00 CEST)

My streaming URL

DJ Ant @Floating Islands

DJ Ant is giving his DJ debut at Floating Islands!
Now every Thursday, 1-3 pm SLT (8-10 pm GMT)!

Vienna Circle - Secrets Of The Rising Sun (2021)

Vienna Circle was founded in Pewsey, Wiltshire, UK in 2006, by the brothers Paul and Jack Davis. After two albums Jack left and Paul is the only permanent member to date. On the third album, released this year, Paul Davis plays all instruments, supported only by drummer Alex Micklewright and Gemma Davis on vocals. The music is mostly instrumental. Influences of Camel, Pink Floyd and Marillion can be observed, especially during the prominent guitar playing.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Atmosphera - Lady Of Shalott, Bonus CD (1977)

Last weekend I presented to you Atmosphera, an obscure short-lived band from Israel. They made some recordings between 1975-78, but the album was never released. In 2002 all tapes, videos and information of the lost band was gathered and issued as a double CD. Last weekend I played CD1. This weekend I am streaming CD2. It contains live recordings, tracks by a later line-up called ISTOPY and some solo works by Me El-Ma, a pseudonym of the drummer Ami Lipner.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Atmosphera - Lady Of Shalott (1977)

Atmosphera is an obscure short-lived band from Israel, who was active between 1975 and 1978, then disappeared again. That is a pity, considering the high talent of the musicians. They recorded two long, epic pieces for an album with English lyrics (Shakespeare & Lord Tennyson), but the album was never released back then. Only 25 years later the tracks were restored and remastered, with a video and bonus tracks. In the video showing them play they all seem to be very young, a bit like high school kids.

The music sounds like Yes, especially because of the typical high pitched voice and the Bruford-style drumming. The keyboards, with frequent use of chord breaking, sometimes sound more like Genesis than Yes. The guitar player proved he listened a lot to Howe-Fripp-Hackett before he played his part. A special mention goes to the bass player, who plays fascinating virtuosic bass lines without imitating Squire at all.

This album is a hidden gem and recommended to all who love the music of Yes, Genesis and King Crimson of the 70s. I read somewhere they were only 16 when they recorded it. I wonder what became of the musicians?

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Next streaming: July 10th/11th

No streaming this weekend, sorry for short notice!
Next streaming will be on the weekend July 10th/11th.
Prog on and see you next time!

Höstsonaten - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (chapter one) (2012)

If an Italian band (from Genoa) give themselves the Swedish name 'Höstsonaten' (after a movie by Ingmar Bergman) and then record a concept album after a poem, which is most influential in the English-spoken world: 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' (by Samuel Taylor Coleridge), then this is real cross-culturalism!

Höstsonaten was founded in 1996 by Fabio Zuffanti, the bass player of Italian prog band Finisterre. They have released eight albums so far. This weekend's featured album is their 7th. 

The music is strongly influenced by Gabriel-era Genesis, flute included, and even the vocals sounds a bit like Gabriel. But there is more: also a violin and a saxophone is added at most fitting places. The vocals sometimes reaches high-pitched screams that reminds a bit of the best times of Ian Gillan, and also a female voice is added in dialogue with the male voice, which adds to the dramatic character of the album. The composition is so well crafted and beautiful, that as a Genesis fan I sometimes regret, that Genesis did not compose this.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Evership - The Uncrowned King - Act 1 (2021)

Evership was founded in Nashville, USA, and is the brainchild of composer and multi-instrumentalist Shane Atkinson. In 2016 they released their first album. This weekend's featured album is their third and latest release 'The Uncrowned King.' In this symphonic and neo-prog recording influences of Kansas, Styx, Yes and Rush can be heard.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

The Samurai of Prog - The Lady and the Lion and other Grimm Tales I (2021)

The brand new release of Finland based The Samurai of Prog is a themed album based on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. As usual for this band the initial trio Marco Bernard (bass), Kimmo Pörsti (drums) and Steve Unruh (vocals, violins, flute, guitars) are supported by loads of guest musicians who also partly compose the tracks. Maybe most known of them is keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel of Kayak. And also as usual we will hear high quality symphonic prog.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

The Emerald Dawn - To Touch The Sky (2021)

The Emerald Dawn was formed in 2010 in Edinburgh by Katrina "Tree" Steward and Alan "Ally" Carter, before moving to St Ives, Cornwall in South West England, where they were joined by Thomas Jackson on the drums and Jayjay Quick on bass, who later was replaced by bassist David Greenaway. They have released four albums so far. This weekend I am streaming the latest release "To Touch the Sky". The band describes themselves as a multi-instrumentalist, symphonic progressive rock group, who combine elements from classical music, jazz and rock to produce their own original sound. The name is meant to suggest an environmentalist revolution. The music is mainly instrumental with occasional vocals of Tree Steward. The well composed three pieces full of interesting musical ideas create an overall mesmerizing, contemplative atmosphere.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Next streaming: June 5th/6th

No streaming this weekend, sorry!
Next streaming will be on the weekend June 5th/6th.
Prog on and see you next time!

Theme: songs from different countries

This weekend I am playing a theme: every track is from a band of a different country.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

JPL - Sapiens, chapitre 2 / 3 : Deus ex Machina (2021)

Jean-Pierre Louveton is the guitarist of the French prog rock band Nemo. Since 2002 he releases albums under the moniker JPL. His latest and already 10th album is called 'Sapiens, chapitre 2 / 3 : Deus ex Machina'. The title indicates it is the second album of a trilogy. The first album I somehow missed, so I cannot tell if it is a proper continuation. However, the music of this album caught my attention from its first note. It has a dark atmospheric touch to it, which shows a certain continuity in many French prog rock artists ranging from Arachnoid, Pitch, Orion to Lazuli. The playful chords and rhythms sometimes remind a bit of King Crimson.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Ciccada - Harvest (2021)

Ciccada is a band from Greece, formed in 2005. They have released three albums so far. This weekend's featured album is their third and latest release: Harvest. The music is a perfect blend of jazz, folk, psychedlic and art rock, borrowing influences ranging from Gryphon, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant to early King Crimson.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Pitch - Conquistador (2012)

Bruno Pitch is a chapman stick player from France who released his debut album in 2010. His first album was instrumental, but in 2012 he was joined by Syloe, who added vocals to the music. Together with Guix Hure, who also played drums on the first album, they recorded the album 'Conquistador' with 10 sophisticated compositions full of great musicality and some exceptional tonal scales which now and then sound a bit 'crimsonesque'.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Illuminae - Dark Horizons (2021)

Illuminae is a new project by Ian Jones, founding member of South Wales band Karnataka, and vocalist Agnieszka Swita. It features guest musicians like Steve Hackett and John Helliwell, among others. The result is a well produced good sounding modern prog rock debut album. The folk influence of Karnataka can be heard, but the album has also a strong cinematographic touch, which reminds a bit of IO Earth.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Theme: Human

This weekend I am playing a theme: most tracks will have 'human' in its title. With great sadness I heard last week that Human Visage has left us. He was a long time member of the progressive rock community in Second Life. Rest in peace, Human, you will be greatly missed.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

It's springtime!

This weekend I am spinning a theme: I am only playing tracks with spring, green, flowers and April in the title!

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Jesus Christ Superstar (1970)

On Easter it is a tradition to play '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 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Lifesigns - Altitude (2021)

Lifesigns was formed in 2008 in the UK by keyboard player John Young. The debut album in 2013 gained positive attention in the prog world and featured among others Nick Beggs on bass, Steve Hackett on guitars and Thijs Van Leer on flutes. The second album in 2017 I somehow missed (my bad). Now they have released the third album 'Altitude', featuring Dave Bainbridge (Iona) on guitar, with guests on violins and cello. The album contains well crafted compositions with modern sounding, pleasant melodic and very accessible progressive rock music. This weekend I am playing this album in it's entirety.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CEST, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CEST, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

The time is out of joint (part 2)

This weekend I am continuing the theme: Time! There are too many tracks to choose from.
For Europeans: North America is already in summer time, so all my events are one hour earlier than usual.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 02:00 CET, 01:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 CET, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

The time is out of joint; O cursed spite!

This weekend it happens again. North America switches to 'Daylight Saving Time' while Europe stays in the 'Normal Time' for another two weeks before it switches as well. Which means that in these two weeks, all events given in SLT time take place for Europeans one hour earlier. Just hurry, and don't be late!
On this occasion I am playing a theme: Time!

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (23:00 CET, 22:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Transatlantic: The Absolute Universe - Forevermore (2021)

Transatlantic is a progressive rock supergroup, consisting of guitarist Roine Stolt (Flower Kings), keyboardist and vocalist Neal Morse (Spocks Beard), drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and bassist Pete Trewavas (Marillion). Since 2000 they have released 5 albums so far. Their 5th album has been released this year and bears the title 'The Absolute Universe'. The album exists in three versions: The extended version, the abridged version, which is a new but shorter recording of the same material, and an ultimate edition, which contains both versions. This weekend's featured album is the 'Extended Version'. Like their previous albums, also this one contains symphonic prog of the finest sort, with nods towards King Crimson, Genesis, Yes, Supertramp, Gentle Giant and the Beatles.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Steve Rothery - The Ghosts Of Pripyat (2014)

Steve Rothery is the guitarist of Marillion, who in 2014 released his solo debut album. The instrumental album features guitarist David Foster, bassist Yatim Halimi from Panic Room, keyboardist Riccardo Romano from Italian band Ranestrane, as well as guest appearances of Steve Hackett and Steven Wilson. The result are seven songs in a relaxed atmospheric and also somewhat melancholic mood. The music was inspired by images of the ghost town Pripyat close to Chernobyl, which was evacuated after the nuclear disaster.

Also on the programme are songs from other side projects of Marillion members, like Edison's Children with Pete Trewavas and Mark Kelly's Marathon, plus a track from the latest album of Fish.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Mark Kelly's Marathon (2020)

After all other members of Marillion had their side projects, now this is the one of their keyboard player Mark Kelly. He formed his own band, who have last year released their debut album. Surprisingly, it is neither a keyboard solo album, nor does it sound much like Marillion. Even if the vocals sounds a bit like Peter Gabriel, it does not sound like Genesis either. Mark Kelly's Marathon is a very sophisticated band project, well produced, with good musicians throughout, and if any comparisons apply, then maybe the music reminds a bit of RPWL.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Genesis live in London 1976 (part 2)

This weekend we are going to listen to part 2 of the Genesis concert.

More background information:
The tour from which the concert is taken is special because it was the first tour after Peter Gabriel had left the band. Phil Collins sang, but he had not accepted the role as frontman, yet. Introductions into the songs were also done by other members of the band. Because Phil often stood in front of the band to sing, they needed a second drummer. This is the only tour with Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson) on the drums. 

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Genesis live in London 1976 (part 1)

On this weekend's show we will going to listen to part 1 of a Genesis concert which was recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London during the Trick of the Tail tour 1976. With:

Tony Banks - keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
Mike Rutherford - bass, guitars, backing vocals
Phil Collins - vocals, drums, percussion
Steve Hackett - guitars
Bill Bruford: drums, percussion

Part 2 of the concert will follow next week.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Solstice - Sia (2020)

Solstice is a band formed in Milton Keynes, UK in 1980. It is mainly a band project by guitarist Andy Glass, the only musician participating on all the band's productions and the main composer for the band in it's various guises. They have released 6 studio albums so far.  This weekend's featured album is their latest release: Sia (2020). They play melodic prog rock with folk and jazz leanings, featuring a violin and female vocals.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

The Samurai of Prog - Beyond the Wardrobe (2020)

On this weekend's programme is the latest release of The Samurai of Prog: Beyond the Wardrobe.
The multinational ensemble consists of Marco Bernard (bass), Steve Unruh (vocals, violins, flute, guitars) and Kimmo Pörsti (drums). On each album they are accompanied by a huge amount of guest musicians. Since 2009 they release high quality albums on the symphonic side of prog. Also their latest release is a marvellously composed album, which immediately became my favourite release of the year 2020.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Genesis - Three Sides Live (1982)

Internet is working again! It was a long outage, around 12 hours.

Nevertheless, today I am streaming the Genesis live album 'Three Sides Live'. The fourth side of the UK edition contains additional live tracks from 1976, 1978, and 1980, while the international edition contains tracks from the group's second EP 3×3 (1982) with B-sides from Duke. Today I am playing the UK edition.

Only in the night from January 17th to 18th at:

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

 

Due to internet outage no streaming on Saturday, January 16th

Due to a major internet outage in my region it is not possible for me to stream on Saturday, January 16th. (I am sending this using a mobile connection.)

Next streaming: January 16th/17th

No streaming this weekend, sorry!
Next streaming will be on the weekend January 16th/17th.
Prog on and see you next time!

Classics of Progressive Rock part 2

This weekend I am spinning another set of progressive rock classics. This time featuring Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, ELP, Van der Graaf Generator, Colosseum, Caravan, Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Alan Parsons Project, Barclay James Harvest and Renaissance.

Starport Omega : Saturday 6 pm SLT (Sunday 03:00 CET, 02:00 GMT)

Floating Islands : Sunday 3 pm SLT (00:00 CET, 23:00 GMT)

My streaming URL

Top albums of 2020

1. The Samurai of Prog - Beyond the Wardrobe
2. Different Light - Binary Suns (Part 1 - Operant Condition)
3. Rick Wakeman - The Red Planet
4. The Flower Kings - Islands
5. Days Between Stations - Giants
6. Mark Kelly's Marathon
7. Magenta - Masters of Illusion
8. Wobbler - Dwellers of the Deep
9. Solstice - Sia
10. Bernard & Pörsti - Gulliver
11. Pendragon - Love Over Fear