Musea Records

S.O.T.E. (Not in PA database)

Time to End (2003)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - The Blandness Of Being - (4'48)
2 - Morning Session - (6'15)
3 - Jack's A Friend - (3'41)
4 - The Days Fly Fast - (7'19)
5 - Something Building - (6'24)
6 - Fire Incarnate - (5'09)
7 - Bitter - (3'32)
8 - Victim Of Circumstances - (6'33)
9 - A Different Sensation - (9'31)
10 - Time To End - (6'22)



Label info:
SONGS OF THE EXILE (S.O.T.E.) is a modern power-trio from the Netherlands combining classic RUSH, YES, DREAM THEATER, Allan HOLDSWORTH and Steve VAI into a powerful sound of their own. Six strong compositions (Including one of over 23 minutes long) fill up an hour of splendid guitar, bass and drums. Although the lyrics give somewhat cynical view of the world they do fit the singer and the music perfectly. Modern instruments like guitarsynth and six-string fretted and fretless bass combined with emotion laden vocals have ensured that SONGS OF THE EXILE received very good reviews in the leading Progressive rock magazines in the Netherlands. Covering ten tracks, the following album "Time To End" (2003) takes you from contemplative moments to waves of aggression with everything in between in an hour of splendid music in a style uniquely their own. On top of wailing guitars and complex drumming the use of extended-range instruments, harmony vocals, guitar and pedal synthesizers lay a colourful palette of sounds. It carries the emotion-laden lead vocals telling the story of John, Jeremy and Jones to their turbulent ending. A definite must-have for modern day guitar oriented Progressive rock fans loving recurring themes and long storylines in this collection of songs that can be listened to both seperately as well in its entirety.

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Reasons (2008)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - 1980 - Reason - (5'19)
2 - 2005 - Alone - (6'30)
3 - 1949 - Lacrimosa - (1'18)
4 - 1953 - Natural - (4'41)
5 - 1993 - Countdown - (8'17)
6 - 2007 - Wind - (1'58)
7 - 1962 - Too - (6'30)
8 - 1965 - Breath Of Life, Part One - (6'39)
9 - 1965 - Breath Of Life, Part Two - (3'58)
10 - 2000 - Vaguely - (7'22)
11 - 1960 - One - (7'00)
12 - 1964 - Tree - (6'46)
13 - 1997 - Change - (11'56)

Label info:
"Reasons" (2008) is a concept-album that deals with a lifetime (Time seems to be the main theme for the band !) connected with the mind's existential and philosophical concerns in each age of life. SONGS OF THE EXILE is basically a "power-trio" (Guitar, bass & drums), with some additional keyboards in the background. But the band's music has become fully personal and difficult to categorise. The main initial influence was RUSH, and comparisons were also made with QUEENSRYCHE, DREAM THEATER's "Metropolis Part Two - Scenes From A Memory", or even Allan HOLLDSWORTH and Steve VAI. It gives a good idea of the atmospheres in that album, still dark and tortured. But the music has also become really personal, powerful, diverse and constantly inspired, creating an innovative blend of heavy-metal and symphonic Progressive rock. A must.

Thierry Crusem (Not in PA database)

Les Couloirs De L'Amer Etonnant (2003)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Constellation Monoceros - (7'28)
2 - Le Tout De Rien - (4'07)
3 - La Sourde Oreille - (5'00)
4 - Les Couloirs De L'Amer Etonnant - (5'10)
5 - Abstrait D'Union - (5'04)
6 - Les Graines De Milet - (7'02)
7 - Que Restera-T'il ? - (4'37)
8 - Candide - (4'15)
9 - La Pomme - (3'29)
10 - L'Ethernudité - (5'10)
11 - Nouveau Né - (4'55)
12 - Vois, Comme Il Est Haut - (6'55)
13 - Poisson De Mars - (6'09)
14 - Bonsoir Lily - (2'08)

Label info:
Thierry CRUSEM (MAMIE TONK) is a young talented artist from the Lorraine region, in Eastern France. You just have to look at him in his eyes on the cover picture of "Les Couloirs De L'Amer Etonnant" (2003), to feel the incredible charisma that shines from him. Helped by his band L'AUTRE SYSTEME, the singer takes the listener to his dreamlike world. And if at first, you think it's the voice of Christian DECAMPS (ANGE) you're hearing, that's purely by chance. Actually, this first discographic tour-de-force shows a truly original music, between powerful Progressive rock and typical French poetic songwriting. The lyrics have been worked and polished to the maximum, during the three years it took for the project to come to life. A need for perfection also showcased in the beautiful packaging, as well as in a sumptuous production, courtesy of Jean-Pascal BOFFO ! He and the numerous musicians that made an appearance here have been recruited amongst the top of the local scene: Thierry SIDHOUM (ANGE), Alain WITTISCHE, David METZNER, Félix PACI, Christophe PEROTIN... As if it wasn't enough, the booklet introduces illustrations by young and promising graphic artists. If you try to forget that it was published by Musea, you could even have the feeling it directly came from the catalogue of a major label ! Talent added, of course... It's no doubt that if this artist have been helped by this kind of label, you could have heard nothing else than his powerful and charming voice from your radio set !

Imago (Rejected for Progarchives inclusion)

Derrière Le Rideau (1978/2004)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Après Avoir Collé - (4'26)
2 - La Dentellière - (3'49)
3 - Fanzine - (4'04)
4 - Dors, Dors - (3'49)
5 - Le Baba Débile Et Le Vampire Dément - Fable - (3'17)
6 - L'Ami Américain - (5'14)
7 - Le Cachot - (3'41)
8 - J'Aimerais Bien Gagner Le Hit-Parade - (4'15)
9 - Dernier Voyage - (3'33)
10 - Journey - (3'16)

Label info:
IMAGO was a very special French band, inspired by Anglo-Saxon rock as well as French variety. The musicians were probably the ones that toured the most in France during the late Seventies, with much success. The Musea reissue of "Derrière Le Rideau" includes all the tracks from the album initially released in 1978. These ten songs are a mix of folk and rock, of acoustic and electric instrumental parts, always dynamic, inspired and moving. The funny, iconoclast and ironic lyrics are filled with humor, lucidity and revolt against stupidity. After that third album, the band noticeably recorded a late opus in the late Nineties. Here's an excellent band, that remained underground but deserved a wide recognition. To be rediscovered !




Edited by Windhawk - October 18 2011 at 08:50

Local 7 (Progressive Metal)

Substrat (2002)
Imprint: Musea

Track list and info: PA database






Edited by Windhawk - August 10 2011 at 09:02

Rigel Michelena (Not in PA database)

Bartok's Room (2001)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Artilugio - Florilegio Artefactico - (8'30)
2 - I - (4'45)
3 - Final Chat: Colubre - (2'32)
3 - El Ojo Dido - (4'47)
4 - Song For Bartok - (7'00)
5 - Inside - (5'21)
6 - Twiggy Pig - (5'10)
7 - The Last Dodo Bird - (2'36)
8 - Street Jam - Jam En La Calle - (3'30)
9 - Uranus - (5'01)

Label info:
With "Bartok's Room", Venezuelian guitarist Rigel MICHELENA simply thanks his cat for letting him record this album in his favourite room ! Beyond this anecdote, this musician perfroms, with the help of various guests, an excellent modern jazz-rock. All this shows an amazing youth.

S & L (Not in PA database)

Eternal (2001)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Another World - (5'40)
2 - Eternal - (4'02)
3 - Nobody's Land - (5'24)
4 - Tension - (3'07)
5 - Escape - (5'04)
6 - Heaven - (6'00)
7 - Crush - (4'58)
8 - Sunday In L.A. - (6'04)
9 - Epilogue - Tension Part Two - (4'56)



Label info:
S & L is a current Italian Progressive rock group, called after the initials of its two musicians' first names. These two goldsmiths are a keyboardist devoted to the big names of Progressive rock music (Salvio SCHIANO), as well as an extremely melodic guitarist (Lino ESPOSITO). "Eternal", the first instrumental album, was released in 2001 under the Musea label. It provides a music which is at the crossway between Seventies Progressive rock Italian people are so fond of, the guitar-hero style which is dear to Joe SATRIANI, a touch of neo Progressive sound and a little bit of symphonic heavy-metal. SAGA and DREAM THEATER are two other references often mentioned...

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Time Machine (2004)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Time Machine - (5'08)
2 - Faithless Breed - (5'28)
3 - My Friend My Enemy - (6'40)
4 - Runaway - (4'20)
5 - Noise - (4'58)
6 - A Different Man (I. Part One) - (6'46)
7 - A Different Man (II. Part Two) - (7'48)
8 - Landscape - Sunrise And Sunset - (6'24)



Label info:
Three years later, S & L is back with "Time Machine" (2004), a second album both more personal and more professional. The feeling we have now that this is a real group is even strenghthened by the participation of lots of guest-musicians. Three tracks also involve singing, one of which is the suite "A Different Man". Embark for a fascinating trip in the windings of the current Progressive heavy-metal sound !

Jade (Not in PA database)

Jazz Afro Design Electric (2000)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Môm - (8'28)
2 - Deux Minutes Suisse - (2'04)
3 - Tharabella At Thames - (6'04)
4 - Budaï - (7'13)
5 - Monica Du Désert - (7'32)
6 - Acid Halloween - (8'16)
7 - Kosovo - (8'07)
8 - Hiroshima 6/8 8:11 AM... - (5'00)



Label info:
JADE is a current French group that works in the area of experimental and totally instrumental Progressive rock. Guitar player Olivier FRECHE, bass player Bernard BRAND and drummer Raoul WISNIEWSKI evoke TIEMKO or KING CRIMSON, but with a strongly jazz-influenced rhythm section. The unfailing cohesion of the trio is quite evident on "Jazz Afro Design Electric", an album recorded during the year 2000. One can also notice the friendly appearance by former ABUS DANGEREUX guitar player PierreJean GAUCHER. Not to be missed !

Ophiucus (Crossover Prog)

Ophiucus (1971/2000)
Imprint: Musea

Track list and info: PA database





Edited by Windhawk - August 10 2011 at 16:37

Loch Ness (Psychedelic/Space rock)

Drumnadrochit (1999)
Imprint: Musea

Track list and info: PA database





Edited by Windhawk - August 07 2011 at 22:02

Motoi Sakuraba (Not in PA database)

Gikyokuonsou (1990/1999)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Humpty Dumpty - (6'26)
2 - Tone Access - (3'46)
3 - Byzantium - (6'00)
4 - Motion - (8'15)
5 - Paradigm - (4'01)
6 - Narratage - (5'20)
7 - Scrap And Build - (5'43)
8 - Drama Composition - (5'44)



Label info:
Keyboards virtuoso Motoi SAKURABA performs a truly majestic and melodious symphonic rock. He has a special taste for rich and refined sonorities and for energetic, emphatic and luxuriant moments. All of those are built in themes displaying a great musicality and a permanently inspired technique. "Gikyokuonsou" (1990) was issued a year after the break up of DEJA VU, a legendary Japanese band that was once led by him, and that only issued one excellent album in 1988 ("Baroque In The Future").

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Force of Light (1998)
Imprint: Musea

Track list:
1 - Persistance Of Hope - (8'00)
2 - A Force: To Arms ! - (5'12)
3 - A Light To Lead The Way - (5'48)
4 - Strive Against The Dark - (1'39)
5 - Bulzome Rising - (4'41)
6 - Traveler's Respite - (5'51)
7 - Tides Of History - (5'27)
8 - Force On The Move - (4'32)
9 - Sanctity - (5'18)
10 - The Lever To Move The World - (5'24)

Label info:
"Force Of Light" was released nine years later, in 1998, as the soundtrack to the video game "Shining Force III"...