Sometimes when you hear a voice, you can instantly recognize, who it is. Think along the lines of Jon Anderson of Yes, Roger Daltrey of The Who, Robert Plant, Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, etc. I could go on and on with this, but, you get the idea. These are voices of distinction!  There, on that list, you could put Hugo Flores. Whether he does a solo project, is working with Sonic Pulsar or any other projects, you can definately tell it's Hugo's voice. The melodies that come forth from Hugo are wonderful, as are his projects. Speaking of projects, let me introduce you to his newest project. PROJECT CREATION. This is another Hugo Flores project that has that wonderful hard rock progressive feel, but, with another feeling of happily going along comfortably. This time, Hugo has incorporated many other musicians to help with this project. These musicians include...Linx (Forgotten Suns) - Vocals, which are wonderfully working within the structure of the album, Alda Reis - Vocals, who also, has a wonderful voice, Vasco Patrício  - Guitar solos and/or melodies on "The Floating World", "The Shining Planet", "Arriving", "Returning Home" and "Warming up the Machines",  Paulo Chagas - Saxophone, Flutes , Carlos Bateras - Drums, Nuno Silva – Cello, Bass guitar on “Warming up the Machines”, “The Shining Planet” and “Mechanical Dragonflies”, as well as Hugo Flores - Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, Synthesizers, additional drum arrangements, "Berimbau", Percussion, Sitar and 12 String Guitar, plus others.
      Project Creation is a progressive rock opera, such as, Tommy, or Quadrophenia.  We've had Hugo tell the story of Project Creation on The Music Guru Show, but, if you haven't heard the interview, the story is about a dying planet. The people make a world sized ship, which can only carry some of the people. The ship leaves the planet with only a portion of the planet, looking for a real planet, for them to live, create an artificial sun & make life thrive. They, then go back to the dying planet to pick up the rest of the people, so that they can thrive. "Arriving", which is track 6 on the disc, seems to incorporate many different world instruments. It also starts off on a slower pace, then picks up. I really like this track. Everything on this album flows very well together. This disc is rated 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. This is available from ProgRock Records. Pick it up. You will be very happy that you did. For more information on Hugo Flores, you can visit www.SonicPulsar.com. Available now!

Since I was suppose to do this monthly, but, got behind, I added a couple of more reviews for you . Thank you all for your patience. 

                                                                                           
                                                                                                 

For something outside of the Progressive line, I heartily recommend this album..."Umphrey's McGee - Safety In Numbers". It sort of puts Little Feat meeting with the Doobie Brothers, but, with a little harder twang in the mix. When I say Little Feat, I mean the early "Lowell George - Little Feat", and when I say Doobie Brothers, I mean earlier Doobies, as well. Pre Michael McDonald. I didn't have any pre-set idea of what to expect from this group, but, when I listened, I really, really, really liked it. It was great. It reminded me very much of something like "Waiting For Columbus", which was Little Feat - Live, which is really how you want to hear them. That is what they do best...Perform LIVE. Hopefully, when Umphrey's McGee comes to town, I can see them & see the same reaction. Once again, I heartily advise that you go out & buy this, as it really took me by surprise. "Safety In Numbers" is the 3rd album from Umphrey's McGee. I don't have much more info on this album, but, I do know that Huey Lewis plays & sings on this disc.  I know that I will be on the lookout for more Umphrey's McGee. This will be available on April 4, 2006. Recommended  highly.


                                                                 

                  Next upon the list, we go back to the Progressive side of things and introduce you to Jeronimo Road. Jeronimo Road is...Damian Wilson on Vocals, Fraser T. Smith on Guitar, Phil Williams on Bass, Mark Heaney on Drums and Adam Wakeman on keyboards. When I received this, I was expecting a Kansas or a similar sound. What I received was something that was more akin to Asia, with John Payne on vocals. This is a live disc, which, some people don't really like, but, I think that this live album really shines and shows the talents of the band. The disc opens up with a great guitar solo, on "Hear Them Call", with a synth sound. Now, that could be Adam filling in with Fraser or it could just be a really cool Fraser start up guitar sound, which is what I think that it is. There are 8 live tracks...Plus, they add 2 studio tracks, one being Yes' "Starship Trooper", which of course, Adam's Dad played on.Phil & Mark really fill in the rythym section exceptionally, while Damian fills the vocals with that John Payne or Robert Berry vocal track.There is a CD Rom portion of this disc also. I haven't been able to check that part out, as of yet, but, I'm sure that it's amazing.  This is available from Explore Multimedia. Great Progressive Music, for sure.

                                                                                                   

Those that are visiting ProgPositivity Radio, already know about The Tangent, but, for those that don't ( For Shame! ), the band consists of Andy Tillison on Organ, Piano, Synthesisers, guitars and lead vocals. We also have Sam Baine on Piano & Synths and vocals, Jonas Reingold on Bass, Theo Travis on Sax, Flute, Clarinet & Vocals, Guy Manning on Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin & Voice, Jaime Salazar on Drums  and Krister Jonsson on Electric Guitars.
              This is a high paced album, which sometimes goes along the line of Pop Progressive music, but, I LIKE POP and I love Progressive music, so, if the two can meet, that works well for me. During the song "In Earnest", we start off very progressive, go into a poppy upbeat part, then, slow down into a bluesy sort of prog. This really works extremely well in the context of this 20 minute song. It sort of made me think of Yes' "Close To The Edge", with the many different tempo structures welding together into one great song. This is just 1 of 7 great songs on this album. Oh, by the way, there are a couple of short tracks on this disc as well. Not just the 20 + minute songs, but, there are those of us that love those epic songs now, aren't there? One of my favorites on this disc happens to be a short track called " The Sun In Your Eyes", which would sound more like a mixture of Simply Red, Motown with a vocal track that would definately go with Simply Red or even, dare I say it, Wham. Really, I like this song. It is very different for The Tangent, and after all...what is Progressive Music, if we don't progress out of what we've already done.  Another Muisic Guru Must Have!!!

                                                              GO OUT AND BUY THESE DISCS. THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT!!!!!!