"Tony Kaye retired from Yes in 1996, and came out of retirement the week following the events of 9/11 and began to write this album, the power of its music helped Tony to process the day that became the End of Innocence. The album takes you on a journey from the peace of the night before, to the emerging hopeful looking to the future. Tony Kaye met Dani Torchia in the week following 9/11. This album has been interwoven with the growth of their relationship. The artwork is painted by Roger Dean, the artist best known for his work with Yes and Asia.

Sad news received, violinist and vocalist for Kansas, Robby Steinhardt has passed away after a battle with acute pancreatitis at age 71. "Surely heaven waits for you". My condolences to his family and friends.

Van der Graaf Generator are next up with the deluxe box set treatment, this covering their Charisma catalogue, from 1970's Least We Can Do Is Wave through 1978's Vital. Trident/Real World engineer Stephen W Tayler was at hand for the new stereo mixes as well as 5.1 surround mixes of four albums: H to He Who Am the Only One, Pawn Hearts, Godbluff and Still Life. The box is also packed with Blu-ray of video performances, a 68 page book, and underwhelming cover art. Due in early September.

Vocalist John Lawton passed away suddenly last week in Bulgaria at the age of 74. Best known for his work with Uriah Heep and Lucifer's Friend, he was also a member of the Les Humphries Singers and featured on the 1976 Eurovision awards. My condolences to his family and friends.

Sad news. Franco Battiato, one of the world's greatest musical artists. His catalog is a veritable sound track through the last five decades, from beat to prog to avant to pop icon to world to classical. Immense and unparalleled talent. RIP, Maestro.

This new anthology features newly re-mastered versions of all of Rare Bird’s albums and singles, with EPIC FOREST being re-mastered from recently discovered first generation master tapes for the first time. The set also features an additional previously unreleased CD of the band’s entire live set recorded by Polydor Records at the Theatre Royal, London in June 1974. Also included is an illustrated booklet featuring exclusive interviews with STEVE GOULD and MARK ASHTON and a facsimile of the rare poster given with initial copies of EPIC FOREST.

Half hour clip of Area live on RAI TV in 1977.

A deluxe 5 cd boxed set featuring all of the albums by Arthur Brown & Kingdom Come featuring the albums “Galactic Zoo Dossier”, “Kingdom Come”, “Journey” & the archive recordings “Jam – the first sessions 1970” & “at the BBC 1971-1972” (featuring nine previously unreleased tracks). All newly remastered, with thirteen tracks bonus tracks, two never issued on cd, drawn from studio out-takes & rare singles

Here's an except from the upcoming documentary on the late Yes and Flash guitarist Peter Banks