Stepan Project - Progressive Folk (?)
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Suggest New Bands and Artists
Forum Description: Suggest, create polls, and classify new bands you would like included on Prog Archives
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91264
Printed Date: February 22 2025 at 16:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Stepan Project - Progressive Folk (?)
Posted By: cacha71
Subject: Stepan Project - Progressive Folk (?)
Date Posted: January 01 2013 at 11:30
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Stepan Project is the creation of Romanian musician and composer Ilie Stepan, bass guitarist in TM Progresiv http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3709%20" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3709 and guitarist in Pro Musica http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3255" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=3255 In November 2012 Stepan Project released "Lumina" a set of 3 CDs and a DVD which concludes the trilogy "Sensului Vieţii", "The Meaning of Life" in translation. The trilogy consists of "Sensului vieţii", (1996), "Undeva in Europa" a double CD album (2001), and now "Lumina" (2012), distributed by Soft Records. As Ilie Stepan states, the material for the album "Lumina" has 3 directions : the spiritual, old traditional music, and urban, day to day music of the present. the pieces have themes relating to love, protest, and hatred in the world. and this is because to feel the beauty of something one has to know its opposite (Soft Records). "Lumina" is excellently produced, and presented in a case which contains the three CDs, DVD and an 80 page booklet. Currently only "Lumina" is available, but I have it on good authority that the other two works of the trilogy will be re-released in due course. Ilie Stepan is a prominent, influential and well respected musician in the Romanian Rock/folk scene and, in my opinion, has produced some excellent work which deserves to be included in PA. Links: http://www.softrecords.ro/onoutate.php?id=59" rel="nofollow - http://www.softrecords.ro/onoutate.php?id=59 http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/cel-mai-grandios-proiect-muzical-romanesc-lumina-ilie-stepan-1_50a92c017c42d5a663790508/index.html" rel="nofollow - http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/cel-mai-grandios-proiect-muzical-romanesc-lumina-ilie-stepan-1_50a92c017c42d5a663790508/index.html http://www.mycd.ro/product.php?id_product=1236" rel="nofollow - http://www.mycd.ro/product.php?id_product=1236 Videoclips (taken from various albums) ------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Replies:
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 01 2013 at 11:50
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As a long time fan and follower of Ilie Stepan and all of his projects, I definitely second this proposal. Stepan Project's latest album Lumina is a musical masterpiece which should be getting much more international recognition. |
Posted By: Andy Webb
Date Posted: January 01 2013 at 16:50
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Interesting folk rock, but they have no place here, I'm afraid. ------------- http://ow.ly/8ymqg" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 02 2013 at 01:21
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Full 2006 show based on their second album to give a better view on the band's music: Part I: http://www.tvrplus.ro/editie-integralele-remix-75391#.UOPewyHtksN" rel="nofollow - http://www.tvrplus.ro/editie-integralele-remix-75391#.UOPewyHtksN Part II: http://www.tvrplus.ro/editie-integralele-remix-75392#.UOMj1zA8q0k" rel="nofollow - http://www.tvrplus.ro/editie-integralele-remix-75392#.UOMj1zA8q0k |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 04 2013 at 16:08
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The first 2 albums "Sensul vietii" and "Undeva in Europa..." can be freely streamed on Grooveshark: http://grooveshark.com/#!/artist/Stepan+Project/479595" rel="nofollow - http://grooveshark.com/#!/artist/Stepan+Project/479595 |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 11:50
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I listened to 'Undeva in Europa' and part of 'Sensul vietii' over the weekend. I'm not sure the YouTube samples above present the best picture of Stepan Project, or at least they don't demonstrate the same level of progressive arrangments and folk infusion as some of the earlier albums. In particular I felt these tracks were strong and encapsulated the prog folk leanings of the band, although admittedly there are jazz, symphonic, rock and just plain folk-rock sounds throughout the first two albums as well: "... De Toamna" "Piatra Scrisa" "Chira Chiralina" "Sus in Deal la Viflaiem" The second album is a bit less progressive than the first, but in many ways is more folk-leaning so there's sort of a balance between the two. I'm going to finish listening to 'Sensul vietii' and see what I can find online of the latest CD/DVD package (won't be buying it since the only copy I could find is almost $50 USD). Anyway, I respect Andy's opinions but in this case I think Stepan Project is worth exploring a little further and will be taking them to the PF team to get additional comments. Thanks! ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 07 2013 at 15:02
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The you can hear previews of all the tracks from the new album on the band's official website: http://stepanproject.com/discografie/" rel="nofollow - http://stepanproject.com/discografie/ The 3CD+DVD pack can now be ordered from the band's official website also and it's the best price I could find: http://stepanproject.com/comanda/" rel="nofollow - http://stepanproject.com/comanda/ List price is 100 RON which is roughly 30 USD, but I don't know how much they'll charge extra for international postage... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: January 08 2013 at 03:12
I agree - the YouTube clips are not the most interesting or representative - as you often find on YouTube the most "accessible" samples are posted, and you definitely need to listen to the whole album to get a sense of what it's about. Naturally some are more progressive than others, as is the case with most progressive bands. Thanks to Amatala for providing the extra links and information, they certainly give a more accurate picture of Stepan's work  ------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
ClemofNazareth wrote:Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 21:26
| I think this is a really tough one, and boy, Grooveshark could learn a few lessons from Spotify re usability. I hear so much else besides folk in here. It's like Stepan can't settle on one thing, although folk/world seems to be slightly favoured. To me this is definitely prog, but I don't know if we should offer him to eclectic first? |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 22:10
I hear enough in those TV shows to make me think this guy is certainly worth evaluating in Crossover. I don't know what the Eclectic boys think, but maybe they should be given 'first refusal'? 
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 11 2013 at 22:30
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oops sorry yam yam, every time I listen to Stepan I get another opinion. He is maddening! It would be great to hear from Hugues on this. Hugues are you there?
I have sent Mr Trane a private message (or two)
 |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 15 2013 at 04:31
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You can download 2 free mp3 tracks from the new album Lumina here: http://atelier.liternet.ro/articol/12483/Stepan-Project/Lumina-Ei-cei-care-Buy-Flowers-Not-Arms.html" rel="nofollow - http://atelier.liternet.ro/articol/12483/Stepan-Project/Lumina-Ei-cei-care-Buy-Flowers-Not-Arms.html These are radio edits, so a few minutes shorter than the actual album versions, but still, they're worth checking out. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 22 2013 at 04:04
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Any news from the Eclectic team about this? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: January 22 2013 at 12:39
The Prog Folk Team aren't quite finished with their evaluation yet. Thanks for your patience. 
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Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 22 2013 at 13:01
Prog Folk or Eclectic, I'm happy either way... Thanks for the update! 
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: January 22 2013 at 15:21
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We're undecided in prog folk at the moment but agree this belongs here somewhere. I see both Eclectic and Crossover suggested and am thinking we should defer at least to Eclectic for now. If Crossover wants to have a deeper listen so much the better. If both decide to pass than I think PF could find a home for him. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: January 22 2013 at 18:18
So where next? Let's toss a coin...Heads Eclectic, tails Crossover!  Your thoughts Chris?
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Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: January 23 2013 at 03:43
| Hi David. Reading through the posts again it looks like Bob and Ken are both in favour of Eclectic as the first port of call. We can take a little time for the PF chaps to ''move'' to Eclectic, although I can do it if they are busy. Either way, things are looking promising for the artist to be added. |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: January 25 2013 at 03:50
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Indeed - that's what Prog should be: music that defies genres...
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: January 25 2013 at 10:10
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Yes, and it's rarely 100% one thing or the other... anyway, that would be boring :-)
------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: January 26 2013 at 07:44
| Moved to Eclectic. |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: April 12 2013 at 04:34
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Any news about this? Thanks!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: April 12 2013 at 05:25
| Two members of the Eclectic Team have so far voted; one ''move'' to Folk and another ''move'' to Folk or JR/F. The Prog Folk team said they would reconsider the artist if rejected by Eclectic, so that looks likely now. |
Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: April 12 2013 at 05:46
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Thanks for the update: Amatala, thanks for bringing it up again. JR/F? I wouldn't have expected that. How about Crossover if it doesn't seem to fit neatly into any other category? Personally I would have thought Folk would be the closest match ------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: April 12 2013 at 05:52
| Yep, Crossover was also mentioned by the PF guys and that's another possibility. I know David has had a listen already so maybe we should try there first. I'll check with Eclectic to see if they're done. |
Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: April 12 2013 at 07:18
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Thanks for the updates and for keeping the things moving... ;-)
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: May 03 2013 at 02:42
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Still awaiting Eclectic's official response to Chris's query regarding whether or not they are done with this artist, but the comment just prior to his post suggested that they thought Stepan Project seemed to linger somewhere in between Prog Folk and Crossover, and all votes cast there have been 'move' votes. Prog Folk have said they might be able to accept if neither Eclectic or Crossover would take them, so it seems logical for Crossover to take a quick look (listen) next before they most likely end up back where they started! I thought it was worth us evaluating this artist based on the clips I saw in this thread some time ago of a TV show they did, but will wait for the official nod before proceeding any further.
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Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: May 03 2013 at 03:08
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Thanks (again) for the update... For a proper evaluation I would suggest listening to the full "Undeva in Europa" album on Grooveshark - this is a concept work and listening to the tracks in proper sequence would give a more complete image about this artist. Disc 1: http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Undeva+n+Europa+CD1/4989225" rel="nofollow - http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Undeva+n+Europa+CD1/4989225 Disc 2: http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Undeva+n+Europa+CD2/4989174" rel="nofollow - http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Undeva+n+Europa+CD2/4989174 Looking forward to more good news!  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: May 03 2013 at 05:23
^ Many thanks for those links.  Listening now... " rel="nofollow">
 |
Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: May 03 2013 at 07:19
Enjoy!! Thanks for the update!------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: May 03 2013 at 09:02
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Yes, I did enjoy it thanks...And I would echo the comment posted in Eclectic's team thread that if not seen as fit for that sub (which it seems they are not), then this artist lies somewhere between Prog Folk and Crossover, with much variation in style between tracks, and definitely belonging in the archives somewhere, I feel. If this project does eventually get moved to Crossover then I would definitely vote 'yes' for inclusion.
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Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: May 04 2013 at 02:31
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Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I do hope a conclusion is reached soon - It certainly does deserve a place here and I look forward to hearing news of its approval
------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: May 12 2013 at 11:21
Now is your chance David!
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Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: May 12 2013 at 14:03
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And as promised: http://progfreak.com/Stepan-Project-156399.html?path=pa/recent" rel="nofollow - http://progfreak.com/Stepan-Project-156399.html?path=pa/recent .
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Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: May 13 2013 at 01:15
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Thanks! Waiting for the next vote now!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 13:03
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As I find I have language barriers when trying to get some more detailed info on this one - a brief history of the band/project, complete line-ups for all three albums and complete track lists for all three albums with track lengths would be appreciated.
------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: May 31 2013 at 23:48
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Ilie Stepan was born on November 24, 1953, in Caransebes, Romania and is one of the great legends of Romanian rock. Not only a fine composer, guitarist, instrumentalist, arranger and author - he is also a radio and television producer - and producer of film and theatre music, as well as other artistic projects. Founder of the group Pro Musica, whose first performance was in January 1973 - and the author of one of the most impressive songs of the Romanian Revolution "Timisoara" - he was also an active member of the group Progress TM from 1975 to 1977, playing bass and acoustic guitar. He reorganized Pro Musica in 1978, orientating it towards progressive rock influences and Balkan national ethos. Stepan Project: Ilie Stepan established the group 'Stepan Project' to work on the musical project "Trilogia Sensului Vieţii" (A trilogy called "The Meaning of Life"), which included "Sensul Vieţii" (Meaning of Life), the CD for which appeared in 1996, "Undeva în Europa…" (Somewhere in Europe …), which appeared as a double CD in 2001, and "Lumina" (Light), a lavish triple CD and DVD box set, which was finally issued in 2012. The launch performance
of the first part of the trilogy, "Sensul Vieţii", released in 1996, was
attended by 24 invited musicians from folk, pop-rock, jazz-rock,
classical and folklore, alongside musicians from Ilie's former band
Pro Musica. In addition to the traditional rock instruments, the
group used a variety of other more esoteric instruments. "Sensul
Vieţii" was nominated in all Romanian rankings for 1996, and
was named as the disc of the year by Panoramic TV.
The double CD
"Undeva în Europa…" continued the concept behind "Sensul
Vieţii". Launched on the Internet in the first second of 2001,
the music video for the track "Lumina" signified the first
signs of the new millennium on a planetary scale, and the album
itself contains 22 tracks in total, covering 130 minutes of music.
Along with Ilie Stepan himself, over 30 musicians are used. The album
took three and a half years to make and a launch 'megaconcert' was
held on 31 December 2006, occasioned by the accession of Romania to
the European Union, and performed in front of over 100,000
spectators.
"Lumina" itself contains three CDs and a booklet of 80 pages, and took 11 years to complete, finally closing the trilogy. It is indeed a great epic fusion, with 33 tracks on three CDs, 3 bonus tracks, 7 slideshows, 3 videos, 2 concert recordings on landscape DVD, with 5.1 Surround Sound (the first Romanian DVD to feature this). In total it contains five and a half hours music. Dozens of instruments were used once again, from the archaic (leaf, bagpipes, dulcimer, cobza, violin trumpet, chop, taragot, pipe) to the more typical modern rock instruments. Not only musicians, but painters, photographers, graphic artists, filmmakers and writers were employed. This final part of the project also included Bards, religious choirs, opera singers, musicians from the world of folk, pop, rock and jazz, as well as specialists in electronic and computer music. The official release concert took place in Timisoara in the Great Hall of the Council of CJTimis, on 20th November 2012, under the title "Extraordinary Concert Ilie Stepan, Dietrich Krauser, Horia Crisovan and their guests." At one point of the concert members of Ilie's former group group Pro Musica were on stage together for the first time in 18 years.
Stepan Project – Sensul Vietii / The Sense Of Life (1996) ( http://www.discogs.com/Stepan-Project-Sensul-Vietii-The-Sense-Of-Life/release/2985319" rel="nofollow - http://www.discogs.com/Stepan-Project-Sensul-Vietii-The-Sense-Of-Life/release/2985319 ) Phonographic Copyright (p)– Radio Vest Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar– Ilie Stepan Recorded and mixed in Timisoara, September 1995-May 1996 Stepan Project– Undeva În Europa... (2001) ( http://www.discogs.com/Stepan-Project-Undeva-%C3%8En-Europa/release/2987980" rel="nofollow - http://www.discogs.com/Stepan-Project-Undeva-%C3%8En-Europa/release/2987980 ) Label: Show Factory – SF CD 001 Tracklist + Credits: 1-1. Anul 1001 D. Hr. (8:08)
Choir– Corul "Anastasis"*, Corul Psaltic "Sf. Iosif de la Paltoș" Notes: Programare midi - Radio Vest - Noiembrie 1996 - Decembrie 1997
I also haven't found the track timings for "Lumina" as yet. |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 02:20
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Ah. I'll make this one easy on myself then. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=8142" rel="nofollow - Artist added . Feel free to cater for the discography. You've been credited with the addition :-)
------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 02:45
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Great news! Thanks to all, especially Yam Yam for providing the biography :)
------------- http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk |
Posted By: GentleGiant
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 03:02
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Timings for "Lumina" tracks CD1-78:19 1.08:40 2.06:18 3.06:33 4.05:31 5.07:31 6.08:55 7.04:47 8.06:00 9.07:04 10.07:47 11.09:11 CD2-78:01 1.06:38 2.06:35 3.07:20 4.06:27 5.06:52 6.04:13 7.08:35 8.08:40 9.06:19 10.09:16 11.07:04 CD3-79:53 1.09:21 2.06:55 3.06:51 4.05:37 5.04:17 6.10:26 7.04:40 8.06:22 9.07:16 10.08:05 11.10:01 ------------- BeGiantForADay "This British band is just the cup of tea for aficionados who demand virtuosity,progress and originality in their mix." http://rateyourmusic.com/~GentleG |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 09:46
Thanks a lot for this, Olav! I'll add the albums later this evening. Concerning 'Lumina', I feel that the detailed credits will have to be ommitted from the actual track listings, and a general footnote added explaining that due to the vast diversity of musicians and other artists involved, and the wide variance of contributors to each particular track, this would have made the album additon far too complex. Perhaps I should just list all of the contributors in a general 'whole album' list just below the actual track listings? And Virgil - Many thanks indeed for providing the timings for 'Lumina'
 |
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 09:52
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Use the standard album data format. Usually I'll credit the musicians that appears on all tracks first, then I'll add the dividing "With:" and then list all musicians with a partial role.
------------- Websites I work with: http://www.progressor.net http://www.houseofprog.com My profile on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/haukevind/ |
Posted By: yam yam
Date Posted: June 01 2013 at 11:07
Thanks Olav - that's how I'll aim to do it. If I screw up, I guess someone can go always go back and fix it for me...  
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Posted By: amatala
Date Posted: June 03 2013 at 04:24
Great news, finally!  Thanks again yam yam and everyone who helped keep this moving! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/amatala" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/amatala |