Back in stock: Progressive Rock

Review: Born in Kent and central to the UK's 70s jazz modernism, Neil Ardley composed with the precision of a scientist and the vision of a cosmic philosopher. This long-overdue reissue from Analogue October captures a project that translates planetary orbits into a nine-note harmonic systemitoo vast for acoustic instruments, brought to life instead through early synthesisers. 'Arcturus' and 'Spiral Nebula' interlace fluid sax work from Barbara Thompson with John Martyn's signature reverb-drenched guitar, while Geoff Castle's synths evoke deep-space drift. 'Rainbow Four' channels modal funk, and 'Neptune' floats into ambient abstraction. Produced at Morgan Studios with a full ensemble of jazz heavyweightsiTony Coe, Ian Carr, Billy Kristian, Richard Burgess, and Trevor Tomkinsithis is a record that swings between science fiction and symphonic elegance. For all its high concept, it remains rooted in groove and human touch. A meticulous AAA cut from the Decca master tapes seals the experience: a bold and beautiful reminder of how far British jazz once dared to travel.

Review: This special green slab of wax brings together two Emerson, Lake & Palmer tracks, one of them with a fresh twist from a legendary US record store. The classic ballad 'From the Beginning' is rich in warm acoustic guitar and Greg Lake's evocative vocals so it stands as one of the band's most beloved and accessible moments. On the flip, 'When the Apple Blossoms Bloom...' receives a bold Dope Jams Kaatskill Mountain take, which flips it into a sprawling, psychedelic-drenched remix that infuses the instrumental with hypnotic grooves and experimental textures. With both cuts on one 12", this one is both a nod to prog rock's legacy and a bridge to new sonic frontiers.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


For this outing, the mighty Dusty Donuts crew return to Queensbridge where they cross paths with a 'Lost Girl' which featured on a legendary mixtape by one of QB's finest. The bouncy, choppy Marc Hype & Jim Dunloop Late Night Remix is guaranteed to energise any crowd with its well-programmed beats. On the flipside, the vibe shifts from Queensbridge to Staten Island and brings a unique sound that woos in a different fashion. This heavy soul classic arrives in true Shaolin style with dark, choppy soul chords and classic hip-hop beats. Both of these tracks command attention with powerful drums while the synths connect with both mind and soul.

Review: Pink Floyd's filmed performance in the haunting ruins of Pompeii has always been one of the band's most enigmatic moments, and this newly reworked version reveals an even deeper level of intimacy and chaos. The remastering by Steven Wilson accentuates the tonal complexity, particularly in 'Echoes,' where each reverberation and shift in atmosphere feels more present. The raw, untamed energy of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' and the hypnotic pulse of 'A Saucerful of Secrets' add a depth to the band's evolving sound. There's a startling sense of discovery in these tracksiboth in the unedited 'A Saucerful of Secrets' and the alternate take of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene.' Pink Floyd's creative tension and experimental spirit pulse through these recordings, making the listening experience feel like an invitation to witness them at their most initmate and unguarded.

Review: Serving as follow up to 2023's acclaimed breakout third full-length Take Me Back To Eden, London's elusive, masked progressive metal mystics Sleep Token return with Even In Arcadia. Renowned for their genre-fluid melding of djent, metalcore, post-rock with further leftfield elements of post-classical, hip-hop, trap and indie-pop, the project led by the enigmatic Vessel has seen a massive expansion in popularity since the release of their last album. Set to headline Download 2025 before embarking on their first US Arena Tour, their newest endeavour promises to maximise all of their sonic abandon and outdo their own blueprint in the process, with lead single 'Emergence' starting life as a piano ballad before morphing into an ambi-trap groove metal anthem until fading with a lush, jazzy saxophone and piano finish. No doubt, this will be one of the highest selling/streaming/controversial/debated/talked about metal-centric titles to be released this year.

Review: With their sixth album in seven years, German jazz quartet Web Web return with a fresh touch: Plexus Plexus is more psychedelic and at times far "Krautier" than before, representing a speedy departure from their previous Web Max release. Special guest JJ Whitefield (The Poets Of Rhythm, Karl Hector & The Malcouns, Syrup) weaves a remarkable guitar thread throughout, gluing its sound together through solo intermissions, riffs and vamps. In his style, we hear everything from The Poets of Rhythm and Syrup to the more psychedelic vibes of Karl Hector & The Malcouns, injecting the record with the zoomed-out energy of 70s jazz-Kraut bands. Departing from their last record, Web Web have truly a back-to-basics approach through spontaneity, riffing on the back of an intense three-day recording sesh in Munich.