As 2024 draws to a close, 7D Media proudly reflects on a year filled with innovative releases, inspiring collaborations, and bold musical journeys from Michael Shrieve, Tu-Ner, Jason Blake, 3Below, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius, and Markus Reuter. This year saw our talented roster of artists pushing creative boundaries and delivering unforgettable listening experiences. Here's a look back at our 2024 highlights:
April 5, 2024 – Jason Blake: Candles Burn
Jason Blake's Candles Burn is a captivating EP that merges progressive rock with classical chamber music, featuring the intricate interplay between Blake's Warr guitar and cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne's emotive cello. The album opens with "Dredged Memories," where the guitar sets a rhythmic foundation that allows the cello to explore both classical and modern melodic expressions, gradually building emotional intensity. The second track, "Rift and Reckoning," showcases a more structured approach, balancing melodic richness with careful restraint, while the final piece, "Leaving Only Embers," highlights Blake's guitar prowess in a dynamic blend of rock and chamber influences. Overall, Candles Burn invites listeners to experience a unique soundscape that emphasizes the expressive capabilities of acoustic instruments outside traditional settings, making it a significant contribution to contemporary instrumental music.
April 10, 2024 - Happy Rhodes: A Concert for Vickie
7D Media began streaming Happy Rhodes: A Concert for Vickie on YouTube. This special concert was recorded at the Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, MO on April 10th, 2023 as a celebration for Vickie Mapes Williams. The remainder of the concert will be available on Youtube in 2025.
May 3, 2024 – Tu-Ner: Tu-Ner for Lovers
Tu-Ner for Lovers is an innovative album by the trio Tu-Ner, composed of renowned musicians Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter, and Trey Gunn. This album serves as an exploration of love and intimacy through a progressive rock lens, blending various genres and styles into a cohesive auditory experience. Drawing inspiration from their live performances in 2023, the tracks feature intricate rhythms from Mastelotto's drumming, Reuter's touch guitar textures, and Gunn's evocative Warr guitar melodies. Each piece is an improvisational journey that shifts between art-rock, minimalist passages, and abstract soundscapes, creating a rich tapestry of sound that reflects both romantic themes and the complexities of modern relationships. The album aims to engage listeners emotionally while showcasing the trio's exceptional musicianship and collaborative spirit.
May 24, 2024 – Michael Shrieve: Drums of Compassion
Drums of Compassion is a profound musical odyssey by legendary drummer Michael Shrieve. Inspired by the Dalai Lama's call for compassion and paying homage to Babatunde Olatunji's 1959 Drums of Passion, the album represents over two decades of musical exploration and spiritual reflection. Featuring collaborations with world-class musicians like the late Zakir Hussain, Jack DeJohnette, Airto Moreira, and Amon Tobin, the album blends progressive fusion, world music, and ambient electronica into a mesmerizing soundscape. Shrieve describes the music as cinematic and meditative, expertly weaving intricate drumming with ambient atmospheres created in collaboration with sound designer Jeff Greinke. More than just a musical recording, Drums of Compassion is a transformative journey that invites listeners to explore human connection through the universal language of music, reflecting Shrieve's spiritual intentions and his most personal artistic statement to date.
October 11, 2024 – Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius: Impostor!
Joe Deninzon, the violinist for the band Kansas, & Stratospheerius electrified listeners with Impostor!, a genre-defying exploration of progressive rock, jazz, and funk. With special guests Michael Sadler (Saga), Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), Fernando Perdomo (Jacob Dylan), and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers. The album features a rich tapestry of original songs that delve into topics such as cancel culture, impostor syndrome, and societal anxieties, all while maintaining a melodic appeal reminiscent of classic prog influences like Kansas. The title track, characterized by its frenetic energy and intricate violin work, exemplifies Deninzon's virtuosic talent alongside a stellar lineup that includes guitarist Michelangelo Quirinale and keyboardist Bill Hubauer. The album is notable for its dynamic compositions, blending classical elements with modern rock sensibilities, creating a cohesive listening experience that resonates with both progressive rock aficionados and casual listeners alike. With tracks like "Outrage Olympics" and the instrumental "Voodoo Vortex," Impostor! stands out as a significant contribution to the genre, showcasing the band's evolution and artistry in a vibrant musical landscape.
November 8, 2024 – 3Below: Live in Me´rida
3Below's album Live in Mérida, showcases a vibrant fusion of musical traditions from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The album features the extraordinary talents of Michael Manring, known for his work with Jaco Pastorius and the Hyperbass; Trey Gunn, a prominent Warr guitarist associated with King Crimson; and Alonso Arreola, a celebrated Mexican bassist and poet. Recorded live on November 5, 2023, at the Palacio de La Música in Mérida, Mexico, the performance also includes special guest Emmanuel Pina on oud. The album reflects the group's unique journey that began with their exploration of West African music in Mali, leading to a rich tapestry of acoustic and electric sounds that highlight their diverse influences and exceptional musicianship
November 15, 2024 – Jason Blake: A Confusion Sequence
Jason Blake's album A Confusion Sequence, showcases his innovative prowess as a Warr guitarist, further solidifying his reputation in the progressive music scene. This album features a collaboration with renowned drummer Marco Minnemann, and it is characterized by a rich blend of heavy, dark passages interspersed with contemplative melodies. Each track, such as the opening "Awakening To Questions" and the lead single "Dormant Visions," invites listeners on an immersive journey through diverse sonic landscapes that highlight Blake's unique tapping technique on the twelve-string Warr guitar. Critics have praised the album for its emotional depth and intricate compositions, marking it as a significant addition to Blake's discography and a testament to his artistic evolution in modern progressive music
November 20, 2024 – Markus Reuter: Passacaglia (for Solo Harp)
Markus Reuter closed out the year with Passacaglia (for Solo Harp), a downloadable score composed in early 2022 at Burg Wendelstein, Kaiserpfalz, Germany. Written in response to an opportunity to contribute to renowned harpist Marion Ravot's debut album—released in November 2024—this score, engraved by Gabriel Lucas Riccio, contains no performance markings, leaving interpretation entirely to the performer.
King Crimson - Scorebooks
“And then I got the songbook… Songbook?… It’s a beautifully transcribed manuscript of those three records… This is a little bible...” - Steve Vai talking about the King Crimson scorebooks with Rick Beato that Steve and Danny Carey used to prepare for the BEAT 2024 tour.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2024, 7D Media is excited for the possibilities the new year will bring with releases from Marco Mattei, Andre Lafosse, The Frazza Files, Deep Energy Orchestra, Tu-Ner, and the King Crimson: Wetton Years scorebook. Thank you to all the artists, collaborators, and fans who made this year unforgettable. Here's to another year of musical discovery and innovation in 2025!