“PRJ Compilation Vol. XVIII – Across The Meridians” does not stay in one place. It was never meant to. Five tracks, five countries, five traditions pulling in different directions — and yet something holds. A Dutch-British Art Rock producer sharp enough to turn corruption in sport into a prog statement. A British Jazz musician whose Canterbury roots run so deep that Richard Sinclair himself shows up to sing. A Polish instrumental collective with a name that means pressure and music that delivers exactly that. A Québécois Fusion outfit charting the fall of humanity to invaders from across time and space. An Austrian Progressive Metal band who have just opened the gates of Purgatory City. Five meridians. One unbroken thread. Curated by ear, not algorithm.
Stream “PRJ Compilation Vol. XVIII – Across The Meridians” via the YouTube player below:
— Tracklist & Exclusive Quotes —
01. Long Tall J feat. Ilya Jovten – “The Price”
(Netherlands/UK – Progressive Rock / Art Rock)
Purchase on Bandcamp: https://longtallj.bandcamp.com/track/the-price-feat-ilya-jovten
The theme of the single is corruption in sports. The video will be live on May 1 as well on my Long Tall J You Tube Channel. Long Tall J is a Dutch prog & art rock producer and guitarist living in London. Later this year the fifth album, titled ‘Voices’ will be released. In the mean time singles come out on a regular basis and ‘The Price’ is the third one this year.
02. Marc Hadley – “There But For The Grace Of God Go I”
(UK – Canterbury Scene)
Purchase on Bandcamp: https://marchadley.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-cut-water
My approach and material reflects my roots in the 1970s prog genre, particularly of course the Canterbury Scene. I hope the authenticity of that rooting comes across, even though my career I was primarily a Jazz musician.
03. Ciśnienie – “Gilotyna”
(Poland – Instrumental Jazz-Rock / Post-Rock)
Purchase on Bandcamp: https://cisnienie.bandcamp.com/album/angry-noises
Ciśnienie means “pressure” in Polish. “Gilotyna” means guillotine — blunt, tense, and completely instrumental.
04. The Grunions – “Quazar”
(Quebec – Instrumental Progressive Rock / Fusion)
Featuring introspective arpeggios and deranged riffs, “Quazar” is a psychedelic journey that takes unexpected twists & turns into the intersections of precision and chaos. As is Grunions’ tradition, jazz, prog, and surf rock fight for prominence in this composition that catalogues the fall of humanity to invaders who travel across time and space.
05. Red Eye Temple – “Neonblind”
(Austria – Alternative Progressive Rock / Metal)
Purchase on Bandcamp: https://redeyetemple.bandcamp.com/album/purgatory-city
“Every road descends here. Judgment waits. Enter Purgatory City.”