This Italian trio has arranged classic Genesis material for contrabass and grand piano, resulting in a beautiful chamber music version of Genesis. The third member inserts occasional processed spoken word lyrics, though the end result might be better if these had been omitted. After running through much of The Lamb (but not in order), they delve into an excellent selection of older tracks, 74-minutes in all. A multimedia section includes an mp3 of an original composition by pianist Alessandro Cavicchi that includes quotes from three Genesis songs, and a short video of Cavicchi explaining the project (in Italian with English subtitles). The effect is much the same as with the Genesis for Two Grand Piano CDs, that the brilliance of these compositions is made even more apparent by these interpretations.

The leader of the band is Magnus Andersson, who plays keyboards and sings lead vocals. There is also the keyboardist Mats Öberg on vocals, the drummer Morgan Ĺgren (both have played with Zappa), a string quartet, and six more people. It is a intriguing mix of everything, with very nice melodies. Almost like a progressive musical.

Unknown but nevertheless important. feat. 2 members of ZAPPA's band. Music is impossible to categorize, but a mix of ZAPPA and more commercial progg. style.

Three Seattle area musicians started a new Christian progressive rock band called Ajalon. Aptly named because of its sublime connotation as explained in the Bible, Ajalon’s music is at once hard hitting and grand in it’s design. Two years later, rock keyboard legend Rick Wakeman heard a tape of Ajalon. What he heard was a wide range of dynamic expression that ranges from the momentous rock symphony to the clement acoustic ballad. Rick signed Ajalon to his label Hope Records. The songs feature the grand scale composition merged with the delicate heart cry of the acoustic folk ballad.

Alphataurus came from Genova. They were one of the many unknown italian bands who suddenly had a recording deal, made an album and disappeared into oblivion. Their only album, Alphataurus, the first on the newly born Magma label, is a masterpiece. The singer Bavaro has a very original voice, keyboard player Pietro Pellegrini plays with competence and no self-indulgence, guitar-playing of Guido Wasserman is well cared and the rhythm section of Oliva and Santandrea creates a powerful background. Drummer Giorgio Santandrea was briefly in Crystals, while keyboardist Pietro Pellegrini has long collaborated with Riccardo Zappa and PFM.

An overview of Carlos Alvarado Perea's works from '83 to '94. This Mexican keyboardist's work relies on samples, is entirely instrumental, and is both interestly composed and played. Tracks include guests on guitars, violins, etc. Reminds me of some French progressive (J-P Boffo, etc.) mixed with Banda Elastica.

Arjen Lucassen's new 'ambeon' project with Astrid van der Veen in vocals. As the work progressed very smoothly it changed and Astrid did all the lyrics and melodies herself. After all it all was quite a challenge but Astrid is proud of herself and satisfied with the endresult.

A little known Italian electronic prog group that only released one album and a single at the end of the 70's and that has very little in common with the most part of other italian artists of their time. Connection with Antonius Rex leader Antonio Bartoccetti is strong in the album, as two of the six tracks are co-written by him and the overall sound of Antares' music is not far from the 1978 album Ralefun by Antonius Rex. The music is electro-pop mainly based on keyboards with light progressive leanings.

Apollo was formed in 1969 by three ex-Topmost members (Harri Saksala, Eero Lupari, Heimo Holopainen) and Edward Vesala, who later became a jazz percussionist and multi-instrumentalist. They released only one album and although it was quite succesful they broke up. The music is not real prog. A combinatiom of rock songs and avantgarde jazz. This is kinda politically progressive like Swedish progg songs.

Initially named Magma, the group was founded in 1993 at the university of Viçosa, Minas Gerais. Already with fine instrumentals, they acquired their current identity with the addition of the singer Tânia Braz, a musician who studied composition at the School of Music of the UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais).

The objective of the group is integrate into the Brazilian progressive rock scene.