Back catalogue: Progressive Rock

Review: Former Porcupine Tree founder member Steven Wilson has packed a lot into his career since the early 1990s - not least being a leading light of the post-progressive movement - but until last year he had never written or recorded a Christmas song. He was challenged to do that by a friend and, with a little help from collaborator Randy McStine, conjured up 'December Skies' - a suitably nostalgic, dreamy, progressive rock-tinged affair that touches on some of the usual Christmas single tropes while steadfastly refusing to revert to cliches. It has a pleasingly timeless feel, sounding like a largely cheese-free echo of the mid 1970s. On this limited-edition 'deluxe' CD single, you get both vocal and instrumental versions and a trio of Christmas cards based on the song's animated video.

Review: Bristol trio Beak>, like their co-founder Geoff Barrow, have always had a tendency towards the obtuse, choosing to go where they please musically with an air of disenchanted veterans whose faith in the world is waning all the time. This dystopian streak was evident on their 2009 full-length debut, where they consciously avoided overdubs and studio trickery, and it has returned to the fore on their widely acclaimed fourth studio set - a collection of 'head music' that they insist should only be listened to in its entirety. If you do that - and you should - you'll be treated to a delightfully cosmic, psychedelic and otherworldly journey through organ-heavy dream pop ('Strawberry Line'), wide-eyed krautrock-influenced funkiness ('The Seal'), acid-fried soundtrack weirdness ('Windmill Hill'), gentler and more intergalactic excursions ('Bloody Miles') and much more besides.

Review: Recorded in October 1997, but lost and rediscovered two decades later by digital artist Gvoon Arthur Schmidt, GVoon: Brennung 1 is one of countless gems nestling in the sound archives of the late, great Holger Czukay. Described as a "futuristic sound meditation" by remastering engineer Dirk Dresselhaus (better known as experimental electronica producer Scheider TM), the single, expansive piece was created by Czukay at a point in time when he was happily working with German techno and electronica producers (Westbam included) while exploring the potential of digital music-making and production technology. The results are typically immersive, enveloping and off-kilter, sounding as far-sighted and ahead-of-their-time as they no doubt did when the piece was originally recorded in 1997.

Review: Family's final studio album, It's Only a Movie, celebrated its 50th birthday in late 2023. To mark the occasion, Esoteric has offered up this remastered, expanded edition. Disc one boats the original album, an extended fusion of blues, psychedelic rock, string-laden progressive rock and Country & Western-influenced Americana, as well as a handful of single B-sides, alternate takes and early versions of LP cuts. Over on disc two, we're treated to a mixture of BBC 'in concert' recordings (where their roots in the British blues explosion of the late 1960s are far more evident) and performances captured for BBC Radio One's legendary 'Top Gear' programme (which did much in the 1960s to bring Beatles performances to the masses).

Review: Hailing from Norway, Hedvig Mollestad is renowned for her ability to bridge the worlds of jazz and heavy rock with a fierce, improvisational spirit. The trio, which has been at the heart of her sound since its inception, is back with their latest offering after a four-year hiatus, following the release of Ding Dong. This time, there's a palpable sense of urgency and creative freedom. Tracks like 'Bees In The Bonnet' and 'Under The Velvet Sky' highlight their complex interplay, weaving intricate structures with fiery, riff-heavy moments. The trio's chemistry, cultivated over years of touring and writing together, has only deepened, with an infectious energy that resonates throughout the release. Mollestad's sharp, commanding guitar work remains a focal point, as she effortlessly fuses influences from jazz legends to the weighty riffs of metal pioneers.

Review: A treat for Pink Floyd fans, as recordings of two legendary concerts from 1969 - sneakily captured by members of the audience - are bundled together on one must-check CD. The first seven tracks showcase a portion of the legendary band's distinctively psychedelic performance at Plumpton Racecourse, Sussex (then host to the 'National Jazz and Blues Festival'), offering up twisted, elongated takes on early material (including 'Set The Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and a fine medley known as 'The Journey'. The final four tracks were recorded in Port Talbot and include breathtakingly brilliant, jammed-out interpretations of 'Careful With That Axe Eugene' and the pinnacle of psychedelic-era Floyd, 'Interstellar Overdrive'.

Review: Oftentimes those albums that people say are the best ever are not even close but one we think actually deserves its place amongst such polls is this one. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon took prog rock to its logical conclusion and remains an epic listen decades later. Fans will always soak up a newly remastered or extra deluxe version and, of course, any live recordings of their favourite records. And that's what we have here from a legendary show at the building now known as Wembley Arena in 1974, on CD, and magnificent to get lost in.

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: In March 1972, Pink Floyd headed to Japan for a live tour debuting their then forthcoming album Dark Side of the Moon. The Travel Sequence presents one of those performances in full, with the legendary prog rock four-piece blending live versions of the as-yet-unreleased set with a smattering of fan favourites and elongated freak-outs. While the recording quality is undeniably fuzzy (the tapes the concert was recorded to had been in storage for over 50 years), the two-disc set captures the band at the peak of their powers. Highlights include still-in-development versions of 'On The Run' and 'The Great Gig in the Sky', a chaotic version of psychedelic fave 'Careful With That Axe Eugene' and a vast, 25-minute extension of 'Echoes' to close the concert.

Review: Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this iconic release - arguably one of if not THE msot famopus rock album of all time - gets an anniversary edition remastering, bringing its revolutionary sound into sharp focus while maintaining the spirit of its original recording. The remaster captures the depth and complexity of the band's vision, from the eerie pulses of 'Speak To Me' that lead into the tranquil yet ominous 'Breathe (In The Air),' to the iconic synth-driven chaos of 'On the Run.' The haunting 'Time' sounds even more immersive, its ticking clocks and swelling synths fully realised in this updated mix. And then there's the unparalleled vocal energy of 'The Great Gig in the Sky,' which now resonates with even greater emotional intensity. On the second side, 'Money' continues to provide that inescapable groove, its jazzy bassline never failing to captivate. 'Us and Them' brings with it a sense of melancholy and philosophical reflection, while 'Any Colour You Like' serves as an entrancing bridge before the chilling introspection of 'Brain Damage' leads into the album's climactic conclusion, 'Eclipse.' For both long-time fans and newcomers, this remaster offers an opportunity to hear the album as it was always meant to be heard, with every nuance and every note given the space it deserves.

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: SML is the quintet of bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardrum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Together they present their debut album Small Medium Large, a collection of long-form improvisations recorded during two separate two-night stands at the beloved Los Angeles venue ETA. Forming the perfect locale in which to boost their initial rise, ETA is perhaps no longer a fitting name - with SML, we're no longer pondering this band's estimated time of arrival. Small Medium Large is a sublime assemblage of circulatory grooves and textural anomalies, at different moments recalling the synth-laced improvisations of Herbie Hancock's Sextant, the jagged dance punk of Essential Logic, the rhythmic revelry of Fela Kuti, the low-end elasticity of Parliament/Funkadelic, or the glitchy dub techno of Pole.

Review: Canterbury scene stalwarts Soft Machine were well established by the time they headed out on a European tour in 1970 to promote their third album. Their performances in Paris and Rotterdam were recorded for radio broadcast and it's those live recordings that make up this two-disc set. It shows the jazz-rock fusionists at their mercurial best, with disc one featuring a performance of the Third LP in full, alongside fan favourites from its two predecessors. Disc two, meanwhile, features a handful of extended takes on tracks from all three albums they'd released up to that point, as well as a fine version of 'Teeth' - a track that would eventually surface in studio form on 1971 LP Fourth.

Review: Now I See The Light is the comeback album from often-overlooked Japanese math rock pioneers Toe. As the title suggests, the blissful, meditative soundscapes offer listeners a refreshing perspective, providing the emotional grounding needed to view life through a renewed lens. Toe exemplifies modesty in their artistic expression. Their music, characterised by intricate instrumental subtleties, reflects a reserved demeanour, paralleling their minimalist online presence. Their focus remains solely on creating music, naturally attracting those who truly appreciate their craft. Discovering toe is thus a serendipitous experience. Blending elements of post-rock, pop, jazz, electronic and ambient genres, toe has crafted a sound that feels both seamless and cohesive. The album opens with '????', enveloping the listener in the warm embrace of intricate guitar harmonies, akin to a comforting reunion. The band's chemistry radiates through each hypnotic rhythm, reflecting their strong bond. Though primarily instrumental, tracks like 'Loneliness Will Shine' feature tender vocals from guitarist Yamazaki Hirokazu. His airy voice enhances the beautiful instrumentals, creating a captivating atmosphere reminiscent of Dredg's El Cielo. The placement of these vocal tracks within the album ensures a well-balanced pacing, making it feel neither purely instrumental nor vocal. The pristine audio quality of the album allows every detail to shine. '??????' exemplifies this, with carefully panned elements creating an amazing depth. Despite its clarity, the production maintains a human touch, avoiding sterility and instead feeling authentic. What stands out most about toe is the unwavering authenticity woven into their music. There are no gimmicks or over-the-top embellishments, just pure auditory bliss from beginning to end. After a nine-year hiatus, it's as if they seamlessly continued their musical journey, allowing us to experience the light they bring to the world. The CD includes a poster, adding an extra touch for fans.

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: During the mid 1980s, years before he found fame with loved-up acid house/rave era outfit The Grid, Richard Norris ran a "psychedelic and freakbeat" club night in Liverpool called The Hangout. This fine compilation rounds up some of Norris's favourite 'floor fillers' from that night, joining the dots between the propulsive krautrock of Can, the NYC headiness of The Velvet Underground, the organ-rich Mod quirkiness of The Turtles, the high-octane psych-jangliness of The Seeds, the driving garage-rock of The Seeds, the gnarled psych-pop of Captain Beefheart, the flash-friend hedonism of Sharon Tandy's 'Hold On' and much more besides. An absolute masterclass from a man with an incredibly good record collection.