Frank Zappa - Trance Fusion 2006

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Genre: Instrumental rock

Release Date: 2006

Label: Zappa Records

Eddie Hardin - Wizard's Convention (1976)

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Genre: Hard-, Blues-, Classic Rock

Release Date: 1976

Label: Repertoir Records

Eddie Hardin - vocals, various instruments

Ray Fenwick - vocals, guitar, backing vocals

David Coverdale - vocals

Roger Glover - bass

Glenn Hughes - vocals

Jon Lord - piano

Mark Nauseef - percussion, drums, bells

Tony Ashton - piano, vocals

Mo Foster - bass

Les Binks - drums

Henry Spinetti - drums

Ric Lee - drums

Rick van der Linden - piano, various instruments

Pete York - drums, percussion

Mike D'Abo - vocals

Mike Smith - vocals

Jimmy Helms - vocals

John Crocker - alto sax

John Slaughter - guitar

The Chris Barber Band - various instruments

Having witnessed first hand the enjoyment and musical freedom experienced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover during the making of his 'concept' "Butterfly Ball" album ex-Spencer Davis Group keyboardist Eddie Hardin felt sufficiently inspired to partially follow suit by inviting a variety of musicians who he'd always wanted to work with to contribute to a new studio
project he had in mind. Recalls Hardin "Basically I'd written quite a lot of songs which I felt maybe suited other peoples voices and styles rather then my own." Some of the 'other peoples voices' he enlisted to help him included ex-Manfred Mann vocalist Mike D'Abo, ex-Dave Clark Five man Mike Smith, future Londonbeat mainman Jimmy Helms and ex-Deep Purple members David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. "Glenn was great, he came to the studio, had a bottle of whiskey and some fish 'n' chips and then laid down his vocal".
Complementing Hardin's astute choice of vocalists was his equally canny choice of musicians. Roger Glover helped out on bass whilst Purples keyboardist Jon Lord appeared on "She's A Woman". Amongst the drummers featured were ex-Fancy / judas Priest man Les Binks, ex-Herd member Henry Spinetti, former Ten Years After member Ric Lee, future Ian Gillan sticksman Mark Nauseef and Hardin's old Spencer Davis Group / Hardin & York sidekick Pete York. Leading session bassist Mo Foster appeared throughout the album whilst guitarists included Chris Barber man John Slaughter and another ex-Spencer Davis Group member in Ray Fenwick. Mr. Hardin himself sang lead vocals on The Craig Song" and "Make If Soon" as well as tinkling the ivories on a variety of tracks whilst keyboardists Tony Ashton (ex Ashfon Gardner & Dyke and later in Paice Ashfon Lord) and Rick van der Linden (ex-Ekseption) also helped out.
With such an array of talent if seems incredible that the album never charted. However as the LP was originally released on Christmas Eve 1976 if made it impossible for people to buy it until stores reopened after the Xmas holidays by which time most record stores had forgotten about if whilst coping with the post Christmas rush of record tokens and demands for TV advertised compilations leaving "Wizards Convention" to sadly disappear from sight. Collectors, however, might like to note that we've added six bonus tracks from the original sessions for the "Wizards Convention" album to this CD.
"Looking Forward To Tomorrow" features lead vocals by Billy Ocean, Eddie Hardin handles the role on "Time For Another", "The Put Down Song" and "Goodnight Children" whilst on "Summer Days" and "Seems I'm Always Gonna Love You" he's joined by ex-Elf / Rainbow / Black Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio.
Eddie Hardin recalls having had a lot of fun making the album and to this day regards if as "The best album I've ever recorded".
When you consider his involvement with the likes of the Spencer Davis Group and his work with people of the calibre of John Entwhistle and Roger Glover that is indeed praise of the highest order. - Review by Mark Brennan

John Macaluso & Union Radio - The Radio Waves Goodbye (2007)

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Genre: Progressive Metal / Rock / Fusion

Release Date: 2007

Label: Lion Music

John Macaluso - Drums

James LaBrie - Vocals

Mike Dimeo - Vocals

Don Chaffin - Vocals

Dina - Vocals

Shelly - Vocals

Adrian Holtz - Vocals

Suzy - Vocals

Jack Frost - Lead Guitar

Alex Masi - Lead Guitar

Marco Sfogli - Guitars/Bazuki

Chris Caffery - Guitars

Alex Rastopskin - Guitars

Larry Meyeer - Bass/Guitars

Robert Katrikh - Guitars

Vitalij Kuprij - Keyboards/Piano

Dimuti - Keyboards/Rhythm Guitars

Marty Mallinger - Keyboards

Derrik Weiland - Piano

Randy Coven - Bass

John Macaluso is one of the most respected drummers in rock. He has played on close to 200 albums, including on the highly acclaimed Ark albums, Yngwie Malmsteen's Alchemy, and TNT's Realized Fantasies. Obviously, this has helped him get some of progressive metal's finest musicians on his first solo album, which he set out to make the best ever album of his career.

The list of singers appearing on the album is stunning. From Dream Theater's James Labrie to Riot's Mike Dimeo and the new Ark vocalist Adrian Holtz, the vocal performance on the whole record is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The disc begins with the Labrie-sung "Soul in Your Mind", whose overall flow recalls Dream Theater circa Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence thanks to Vitalij Kuprij's atmospheric keyboard contributions. Macaluso's drumming is central on this song, and is arguably among his greatest performances ever. Kuprij weaves moody synth lines around the drums and a thudding bass figure while Labrie sings aggressively, leaving plenty of space for both a synth and guitar solo respectively.

Ark came to a halt when Jorn Lande left the band after 2001's amazing Burn the Sun, still among prog metal's greatest offerings. Many fans questioned whether Macaluso and Ostby could find a replacement, but despite numerous rumours, nothing much came of it. Finally, Macaluso introduces the new Ark singer Adrian Holtz (with whom they were planning to cut a new CD before shelving the idea). Holtz' vocals are incredible -- he is a monster singer and is poised to become my discovery for new voice of the year. Possessing a brilliant midrange tone, he has the ability to shift from smooth, delicate phrases to soaring screams without overdoing it. He sings on five of the songs, all of which are amazing in different ways.

Obvious reference points while describing this truly progressive metal disc would be Pink Floyd's psychedelic parts blended with the gripping melodic edge of Ark and the hallmarks of instrumental music. "The Prayer Pill" and "Dissolved", arguably the best songs on the album, are both delivered by Holtz. Both pieces are more keyboard-dominated than guitar; dark-toned synth patches cover Holtz' indelible vocal melodies, supported by sweet back-up singing courtesy of Donna and Laura Macaluso. "Dissolved" boasts modern keyboard effects drilled into the mix, juxtaposed with some Middle Eastern flavour, and is carried by jazzified soundscapes and an eerie blend of psychedelic guitars and funky bass groove. The production of this song is totally mindblowing -- perhaps the best I've heard on a Lion Music artist.

Riot and Masterplan singer Mike Dimeo's unique vocal style should also be attributed to this album's success. There are only a handful vocalists who are capable of singing any style this perfectly, and Dimeo is one of them. Vitalij Kuprij's somewhat electronic snynth intro on "Mother Illusion" is so progressive and different from 98% of music out there that I'd never believe a singer like Mike Dimeo would be asked to sing on it. This guy is simply unbelievable, and actually reminds me a good deal of Jorn Lande. Despite never picking up pace, it feels especially tailored for him, and Macaluso's kick drum tones are still unmatched. Dimeo also sings on "Gates to Bridges", which also features Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery ripping it up, but Kuprij's laidback, mood-intensive playing saves the piece from being a typical hard rocker.

On the guitarist front, besides Chris Caffery, John Macaluso has also hooked up with the rising force Marco Sfogli, whose work on James Labrie's Elements of Persuasion blew everyone away. Sfogli first weaves dense acoustic guitars on the Floydian cut "Shimmering Grey"; and then shows us the real deal when he injects a searing guitar force on the seven-minute instrumental "T-34". Having heard this song like a dozen times on repeat, I can't help but wish Macaluso would release another solo disc, all instrumental this time. It is the absolutely inspired songwriting that sets this piece apart from hundreds others; there are dazzling synths, pianos, octopus drumming, and of course the godly Marco Sfogli on this song.

If you, like me, always hoped to hear a full-blown drum solo by Macaluso, for a good four minutes, "Pretzel" is going to be your song. The dialogue between the young girl and John in the intro is hilarious, and pokes fun at all those fans who tend to go to the bathroom during shows while the drummer cuts it loose. It is one long yet totally disciplined drum solo by one of rock's best. Period. Being a solo album, Macaluso also sings lead vocals on one song, the totally jazzy "The Six Foot Under Happy Man", but I wouldn't really consider it among the album's strongest cuts. What I, however, must mention is Dimuti, who is credited as guitarist, keyboardist, and bassist on various songs, and every time I was blown away by something and checked out who it was, I came across his name. I bet lots of prog fans will want to check him out if they're unfamiliar with him.

Another high point of the CD is "Things You Should Not Know", again featuring Adrian Holtz at the helm, and if anything on the new Ark CD is going to be in this vein, everyone be prepared to be blown away. It features some nice flute melody, cool Kuprij acrobatics, phenomenal drumming, and face-ripping guitar work by Alex Masi, another Lion Music artist. Speaking of which, Lion Music reminds me a lot of Magna Carta in the 90's (remember when they were still a cool label?) where every musician would guest on each other's albums, and add their own signature to the compositions. This disc reminds me a lot of that -- and it contains striking melodic strength with top-notch musicianship without overstepping the limits of the compositions.

Lyrically, the album seems to explore themes of religion, the occult, and spirituality; but fear not, there is nothing preachy here. In fact, the airy keyboards, creepy sound structures, and somewhat spacey overall vibes unite seamlessly with the subject matter discussed.

This is going to be a top release of 2007. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz