Record Reviews
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  | CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING
WARNER BROS. 26433 (Barcode: 075992643320) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000
1st album by one of the most remarkable UK Prog bands Curved AirFind albums by this artist. Formed by violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, they would be one the first ensembles to incorporate classical music directly into their superb compositions. Way`s considerable instrumental skills were well supported by similar talent of the keyboards player Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist and they both composed all of the band`s material. The addition of vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist, a remarkable singer with a unique voice, turned Curved Air into an outstanding creative musical unit. This album is considered to this very day one of the strongest debut Prog releases ever and the instrumental "Vivaldi With Cannons" turned into a Prog anthem. The original album was the first ever vinyl picture disk. A true Prog classic.
| | Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2616 (Barcode: 5013929471641) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the debut album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Robert MartinFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. The album presented ten original songs written or co-written by Way, Monkman and Martin, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds one outtake from the original recording sessions and an entire second CD of alternate takes, singles and BBC radio recordings. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.
When originally released in 1970, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High TideFind albums by this artist and East Of EdenFind albums by this artist) and the first to feature violin to such an extent.
Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.
Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
| | Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: 18/07/2019 | CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CURVED AIR ~ AIR CUT
ESOTERIC 2617 (Barcode: 5013929471740) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the fourth album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist. Following the departure of the three founding members of the group: Darryl WayFind albums by this artist, Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist and Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist, Kristina and bassist Mike WedgwoodFind albums by this artist carried the group´s name into the future, enlisting the violinist / keyboardist Eddie JobsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Kirby GregoryFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim RussellFind albums by this artist to complete the new lineup, which recorded this album. It presents eight original songs, written by Gregory, Jobson, Wedgwood and also Kristina, who wrote the lyrics to two songs written by others. This remastered reissue offers improved sound quality but no bonus material.
The music offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries and despite the departure of the two songwriters responsible for the majority of the material present on the first three classic albums, the material this album offers is on a par with its predecessors. Sadly this lineup proved to be short lived and disbanded shortly after the album was released in the summer of 1973.
In 1974 Curved Air reunited and recorded one live album called simply "LiveFind albums with this title", which featured the original lineup except for the bassist and a year later Kristina and Way managed to put another lineup together and recorded two more albums: "Midnight WireFind albums with this title" (1975) and "AirborneFind albums with this title" (1976) before disbanding for many years to come.
Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.
Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
| | Updated: 25/07/2019Posted: 25/07/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CURVED AIR ~ MIDNIGHT WIRE
REPERTOIRE 4499 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
1975 album by this legendary group with a new line-up with only Darryl Way and Sonja Krisitina left from the original band. Slightly less Progy than the earlier releases, but still a good album with great vocals and outstanding musicianship.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | CURVED AIR ~ PHANTASMAGORIA (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2638 (Barcode: 5013929473843) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the third album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Mike WedgwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. A brass section was also used on this album and the Jazz vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist played on selected tracks. The album presented nine original songs written by Way and Monkman, with lyrics by Kristina, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds three bonus tracks (A-side of a single and two previously unreleased studio tracks) and entire DVD of TV appearances by the band. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.
When originally released in 1972, the album established Curved Air as one of the most important and innovative British Prog groups at the time and proved that the band was constantly evolving and exploring new territory. This album used some of the most advanced and complex electronic music elements thanks to Monkman´s interest in the subject. Of the triptych created by the first three albums this one is by far the most coherent and perfectly put together one.
Sadly, just a few months after this album was released the three founding members of the group: Way, Monkman and Pilkington-Miksa decided to leave the group and go their separate ways. Kristina and Wedgwood carried the group´s name into the future, and the band would go into several reunion project in the years that followed.
Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.
Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
| | Updated: 21/07/2019Posted: 21/07/2019 | CD+DVD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CURVED AIR ~ SECOND ALBUM (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2637 (Barcode: 5013929473744) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the second album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Ian EyreFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. A string section was also used on this album. The album presented eight original songs written by Way and Monkman, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds five BBC radio recordings and entire DVD of TV clips of the other video material by the band. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.
When originally released in 1971, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High Tide and East Of Eden) and the first to feature violin to such an extent. One of the songs on this album ("Back Street Luv") charted successfully and introduced the group to much wider audience beyond the strict Prog circle.
The two sides of the original LP album were quite different; the first side with the songs written by Way and lyrics by Kristina is more Rock oriented whereas the second side with songs by Monkman is much more complex and experimental and includes an almost thirteen minutes long epic track which closes the album.
Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.
Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
| | Updated: 21/07/2019Posted: 19/07/2019 | CD+DVD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SONJA KRISTINA ~ CRI DE COEUR
MARKET SQUARE 116 (Barcode: 5024545225129) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003
Ten years after recording her last solo album, British singer Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist (of Curved AirFind albums by this artist fame) recorded this, her 4th solo project. Considering the fact that she is normally associated with Prog and later Folk-Rock, this time she makes a complete about-face and turns to Jazz, quite a surprise to her numerous fans and admirers. This is quite a daring step, as Kristina presents here her interpretations of the classic Jazz songbook, which was recorded repeatedly before by the greatest Jazz singers – definitely not an easy pair of shoes to step into. She wisely chose to use up-to-date arrangements, beautifully done by Israeli (living in London) pianist / arranger / composer Tsivi SharettFind albums by this artist, and a intimate setting of a Jazz trio, which includes Tsivi on piano, the excellent Ben HaseltonFind albums by this artist on bass and Brian EdwardsFind albums by this artist on sax & flute. Subtle string arrangements were added on several of the tracks. Overall Kristina stands up to the challenge, even though she freely plays around with the both the tempo and the melody of the original standards. The instrumental arrangements are very good and Kristina’s voice is still strong and unique as ever. Jazz purists will probably shrug at this recording, as it often steps beyond what they expect to hear, but for open-minded listeners there are plenty of nice surprises to enjoy.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SONJA KRISTINA ~ HARMONICS OF LOVE
MARKET SQUARE 150 (Barcode: 5065001032080) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1994 Released: 2009
3rd album by the wonderful British vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist, ex-lead singer of the legendary Curved AirFind albums by this artist, recorded with her band Cloud 10Find albums by this artist. Kristina is at her absolute peak here, combining elements of Prog, Folk-Rock, Jazz and Ambient, with brilliant songwriting and stunning vocal abilities. The sound of the album is very close to her Curved Air recordings, mainly due to the presence of the wonderful violin player Paul SaxFind albums by this artist, who contributes some amazing instrumental parts, reminiscent of Daryl WayFind albums by this artist´s violin performances in Curved Air. The album has a distinctive Jazzy feel and Kristina´s beautifully melodic compositions provide an excellent vehicle for the players to contribute their instrumental contribution. This gem was unavailable for many years and this reissue is a most welcome event, enabling many of Kristina´s fans to be able to hear this great album again, now in expanded form with many bonus tracks. Absolutely not to be missed!
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SONJA KRISTINA ~ SONGS FROM THE ACID FOLK
MARKET SQUARE 109 (Barcode: 806676000265) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1991 Released: 2001
Following the demise of the legendary band Curved AirFind albums by this artist in 1976, their soloist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist continued her career as a solo artist, with a few attempted Curved Air reunions over the years. Following her early 1980s activity and the release of her eponymous debut album, she left the scene and hibernated for a few years, concentrating on raising her children. She returned to public appearances, first on the theatre stage and later by forming a new band, which was quite a surprising direction change for her. Coming back to the roots, Kristina and her new band performed a beautiful mix of Folk-Rock and modern Psychedelics, called Acid Folk. In 1990 Kristina reunited again with the original band members of Curved Air for a tour (which is documented on the Alive, 1990Find albums with this title album) and once the tour was over returned to her new band and recorded this, her second solo album. She also wrote all the songs for this album, which was another surprising and bold step forward. The result is a charmingly beautiful Folk-Rock album, one of the best there are but unfortunately little known. Her splendid voice is all there, as good as in the old Prog years, but in the mostly acoustic and serene setting it sounds even more perfect. It really great to see Kristina revitalize her career time after time and to be able to hear her superb voice again. Warmly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SONJA KRISTINA ~ SONJA KRISTINA
MARKET SQUARE 140 (Barcode: 5030094123427) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1980 - 1985 Released: 2006
Following the demise of the legendary band Curved AirFind albums by this artist in 1976, their soloist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist continued her career as a solo artist, with a few attempted Curved Air reunions over the years. This, her eponymous first solo album, which was recorded with her band EscapeFind albums by this artist, proves that she lost none of her vitality over the years and her magical and unique voice was still at full bloom. Accompanied by a great group of musicians, including her Curved Air partner violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist (who at the time was leading his group WolfFind albums by this artist), she delivers a splendid set of songs, some of which include her lyrics. Although the album suffers slightly from the dreadful 1980s production standards, this can be easily put aside in view of her magnetic presence. The bonus tracks are especially interesting, as they include the only single (A/B) recorded by the 1984 Curved Air reunion called “Renegade” and an ultra rare Kristina single from 1985, recorded with the band TunisFind albums by this artist. The album is a must have for all Curved Air fans and all people who are mesmerized by Kristina’s unique vocal delivery.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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