Progressive Rock is alive and well and living at California-based label ProgRock Records with the release of the new Starcastle CD Song Of Times. It's the band's first new release in over two decades, making this an even more historic event! Formed in Champaign, IL in the late 1960s. Starcastle released four critically acclaimed albums between 1976 and 1978 on CBS/Epic Records which sold over a million units combined. The band toured extensively into the 1980s, appearing with such artists as Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, Ted Nugent, Rush, Kansas, ELO, Peter Frampton, Santana, Boston, and Todd Rundgren, amongst many others. Now signed to ProgRock Records , whose name says it all about the label's roster of tremendous "progressive" talent, the band prepares to take to the skies with their new release! Starcastle's new CD Song Of Times, which dons stunning artwork by Ed Unitsky, is quite possibly their best work yet!
"What an honor and thrill it is to be able to put out this album", proudly claims ProgRock President Shawn Gordon . "I loved these guys when they hit the scene, never in my life did I think I'd get to work with them, especially with such an amazing album!" The CD includes contributions from original members Gary Strater, Terry Luttrell, Steve Tassler, Herb Schildt, Matt Stewart and Steve Hagler, as well as new faces Al Lewis, Bruce Botts, John O'Hara, Neal Robinson, Mark Mcgee, Jeff Koehnke and Scott McKensie.
"Starcastle is thrilled to join with ProgRock Records in the release of our new work" says the band. "We see this record as bridging our past and future, and are happy to be aligned with ProgRock, who represent so many fine and vital artists in this continually unfolding genre." With original and new band members joined together, Starcastle are anticipating another run of mega-success. Songs like "Babylon" are sure to put a smile on any radio program director's face, with its catchy melody, commercial song structure and stunning vocalizations by new band member Al Lewis.
Through a series of adventures and the passing in 2004 of bassist and driving light Gary Strater, a dedicated group of friends, musicians and associates have persevered to complete and release Song Of Times. In support of Starcastle's new masterwork, the band will be headlining a one-off gig on April 27, 2007 at the Rites Of Spring Festival in Phoenixville, PA. In an interesting twist, after so many years of comparisons with rock superstars Yes, Rick Wakeman's son Oliver, who also has a release on ProgRock Records entitled Mothers Ruin, will accompany Starcastle on keyboards for this live event!
Amongst the hoopla surrounding the new Starcastle CD comes more adventurous releases from ProgRock Records, such as the solo album from Henning Pauly entitled Babysteps. The CD includes guest appearances by Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, as well as Jody Ashworth of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and both Michael Sadler and Jim Gilmour of Canadian muli-platinum selling, hard rock legends Saga. ProgRock Records has previously released solo albums from Michael Sadler - Clear and Jim Gilmour - Great Escape.
Henning Pauly has also released two other albums with ProgRock Records under the guise Frameshift. The first CD, Unweaving The Rainbow also features James Labrie, whilst the second release An Absence Of Empathy boasts performances by ex-Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach.
ProgRock Records is proud to announce the historic release of the third Planet P Project CD called 1931, featuring original Rainbow keyboardist Tony Carey. The first two Planet P Project albums contained several radio and video hits including "Why Me" and "Power Tools". Tony Carey has over 30 albums to his credit, and as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. "I'm delighted to have found a new platform to deliver my admittedly esoteric stuff," boasts Carey, "and I'm excited to be working with Shawn and ProgRock Records!"
For more information on the new Starcastle CD and other ProgRock Records releases, check out the official website: www.progrockrecords.com.
[Source: Glass Onyon PR]