Discography
Brand new sampler for 2002. Including samples from upcoming releases by Terry Bozzio & Billy Sheehan; Andy West with Rama; Magellan and Explorers Club. Also a demo from "Leonardo The Absolute Man".
From the beginning of 2001 Magna Carta has released music that we consider some of the most compelling and most consistently high quality work that has been on the label since it began as an idea in the late 1980's. Because of a lot of situations that we seemingly had no control over (world events, economic downturns, industry-wide apathy), it seemed that a lot of our releases got overlooked and under appreciated during this time period. We want to be certain that this doesn't happen again and we also want to give true music lovers the opportunity to rediscover some of the best of Magna Carta's most recent releases as well give you a preview of our upcoming titles.
So, in order to help this discovery and rediscovery process, "Frog Pest Fore" is now in your hands. The artists are gifted; the music is inspired. We hope you will feel strongly enough about what you hear to tell other people what they can expect from Magna Carta releases.
Peter Morticelli, President of Magna Carta
1) I personally thought that "Sonic Residue From Vapourspace" was one of the most creative and exciting projects that Magna Carta has ever released. The concept of making new and vibrant music from the elements of previously existing music still impresses me. Vapourspace (Mark Gage) is an amazing talent.
2) Trent Gardner began "Leonardo - The Absolute Man" with a full-blown demo version of this magnificent piece of music. We have included Trent's original demo of "Aria For Italy"/"With Father" and then segued it into the album version of "Reins Of Tuscan" just as the songs do on the CD of "Leonardo". For fans and collectors, this should be valuable treat.
3) "Leonardo - The Absolute Man" should be performed on stage. It is our fondest hope that will be it's ultimate destiny. Once seen in that context, it will become more apparent what a genius Trent Gardner is. James LaBrie's performance as Leonardo is a clinic in taste and execution for any vocalist.
4) What happens when you put the world's most exciting rhythm section together in a studio without any other musicians? Fans know that Terry Bozzio and Billy Sheehan are not just the world's greatest drummer and bass player. They are highly creative artists, writers and producers. When this album was first discussed, very few people were able to imagine how a drummer and a bass player could make a recording that held up as a complete and total work. Terry and Billy will convince you with the first listen. Now the next phase will be to see them tour together in this context.
5) Shadow Gallery has forged a following over the course of four albums. Excellent writing, playing, singing and production put Shadow Gallery in a league with acts such as Queensryche and Dream Theater.
6) Robert Berry creates a sonic world within Robert Jordan's world of imaginative books in the "Wheel Of Time" series. Berry's soundscapes are a major part of the "Wheel Of Time" soundtrack. It is almost possible to visualize scenes from the books coming to life through Berry's cinematic tracks.
7) James LaBrie is best known for his work with Dream Theater. But "MullMuzzler 2" is James second solo album for Magna Carta. MullMuzzler is a vehicle for James to work in a musical context outside of Dream Theater that allows him to write and perform in a less restrictive atmosphere. LaBrie has some very deep thoughts and he is able to give life to these concepts through MullMuzzler.
8) Jordan Rudess is James LaBrie's band mate in Dream Theater. Jordan's keyboard work is nothing short of genius and he is able to tear into his compositions with unparalleled virtuosity. "Crack The Meter" shows Jordan at the height of his musical powers layering textures, melodies and improvisations with nothing to hold him back.
9) Robert Berry's title song from "The Wheel Of Time" is a duet with Lisa Bouchelle. Capturing the moods of Robert Jordan's fantasy novels has Berry evoking characters and settings that spring from the pages of these brilliant stories.
10) Andy West with RAMA is a combination of heavy, riff-laden improvisation and unusual, yet memorable, melodies. Andy West cut his musical teeth as the bassist for The Dixie Dregs. Now on the album, "RAMA I", and brings in a lot of high profile firepower with the likes of special guests such as Mike Portnoy, Mike Keneally, T Lavitz and many more.
11) Magellan's fourth Magna Carta album, "Hundred Year Flood", is a tale both transfixing and devastating. Trent Gardner tells the true story of losing his older brother to the war in Viet Nam and the effect on himself and his family. This is one of the most emotionally riveting albums you will ever experience.
12) The Steve Morse Band has recorded and toured non-stop for most of the last two decades. Steve's playing and songwriting are unique and special. His musical borders are exemplified by the fact the he can front his own eclectic band or be the lead guitarist for classic rockers Deep Purple and musically adventurous Dregs simultaneously.
13) Explorers Club is a special project in the Magna Carta tradition. The best musicians' musicians (Terry Bozzio, John Myung from Dream Theater, Marty Friedman of Megadeth, Steve Walsh from Kansas) and great material and production (both from Trent Gardner). "Raising The Mammoth" raises the bar on just how good a record can be.
14) Niacin is an unusual power trio. No guitar. Instead, the power, growl and urgency of a Hammond B-3 organ. With a rhythm section made up of none other than Billy Sheehan and Dennis Chambers, Niacin's John Novello takes the organ through a gamut of emotions and speaks directly to the listener.
15) The December People are, probably, from another planet. Every few years around Christmas time they emerge with a brilliant album and are able to convince top name performers to record with them for no fee. "We Three Kings" finds Steve Walsh of Kansas lending his vocals to a very Sting-like version of this Christmas favorite. The entire album of "Sounds Like Christmas" sounds like a number of famous groups performing standard Christmas songs. Without divulging the identities of the membership of The December People, maybe it shouldn't be a surprise why they sound so much like these other groups. Oops, did we give it away?
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