Xanima is a dramatic and visual artrock band from Stockholm, Sweden. Their music is a combination of pop-rock- electronica with symphonic elements. There are lot of catchy tunes, nice grooves and the album sounds excellent! It's music from the 20th century as we know from the 80's. This second album from Xanima describes the complex journey of a soul that's been chosen to be the model for the whole human kind - a "Prototype: Homo Sapiens". The music was already written by keyboard player Pelle Händén and vocalist Jade Ell in 2011 but it took some time until this year before the album was released.

As to be expected the album is dominated by keyboards played by Pelle Händén who manages to produce some stunning sounds from this instrument. Together with the excellent singing voice of Jade Ell they have succeeded in making an album that's entertaining from beginning to end. Xanima also is a strong live act with a powerful stage performance, including dancers and actors adding to the live show experience. Especially vocalist Jade Ell with her extravagant clothing stands out on the stage. Imagine a whiff of Kate Bush and Evanescence mixed with Toyah and/or Dalbello (remember her hit "Tango"?) and I think you've got a fairly good idea of what to expect from this album. The more traditional proggers among us might have some difficulties dealing with this album but I think even they will have to admit that this is a well produced album that sounds great! The album is consistently good, although there are a few tracks that jumped out and grabbed me more than others.

Examples are the title track "Prototype: Homo Sapiens", "Parallel Universe", "Mantra", "Eternal Truth", and "Sacred Sacrifice". On the tracks "Ritual Dance" and "Confession Chase" the guitar plays a bigger part. The conclusion is that Xanima isn't really progressive rock but just very good music. It's well worth a trip from "Prog Country" to discover new musical territories! If you did like Toyah and Dalbello in the past this is a must listen!Xanima fronted by the radio friendly vocals of Jade Ell, is dramatic and visual artrock to a tee. It's dark, light, fantasy - all put into a dreamy landscape. The songs of this the band's second album, is describing the complex journey of a soul - that's been chosen to be the model for the whole human kind - a "Prototype: Homo Sapiens".




Astral Dance (Pelle Handén) Pelle Handén started out in Stockholm in the mid 80’s. making the album: “Mindgate” an instrumental synth based mixture . Well received by the synth audience, continuing working with an album for LCM/CBS. “Beyond”, a majestic synth symphony.

 In 1992 ”Dreamscape” was released, an album with a new fresh soundscape at the spanish label Lektronic soundscape. Followed by a mini CD “David 256” -95, installation art music. After a number of years composing for TV and film, Pelle made his way into more pop based music. Together with the female vocalist Magoria releasing the album “The Divine Child”. A mix between electronica and pop. 

The Swedish synth electronica Astral Dance is back again with universal ultrasonar melodic soundscapes composition and production music

https://soundcloud.com/hydr8ed
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https://soundcloud.com/didgeri-dan

Gabriowl: vocals, throat-singing, vocal noise, syllable wizardry, hand drums, instruments of ∞

Didgeri-Dan: trumpet, jaw harp(s), didgeridoo, drone flute, wavedrum, throat-singing and instruments of ∞.

Gorbonzo: Piano, Synths, all Keys (many open doors), Beatbox, Chief Beat Crafter ∞

Yes are an English rock band who have achieved worldwide success with their progressive, artistic, and symphonic style of rock music. Pioneers of progressive rock, YES have achieved worldwide success with a history spanning 50 years and 22 studio albums. The band is known for its expansive songs, esoteric lyrics, elaborate album art and live stage sets.

The band’s current line-up consists of guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer Jon Davison and bassist Billy Sherwood.

YES alumni are Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford, Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Billy Sherwood, Tony Kaye, Peter Banks, Patrick Moraz, Benoit David, Oliver Wakeman, Igor Khoroshev and Tom Brislin.

Cecilia Mackie write, sang and made the music for every song on this page. Mackie is a British vocalist and music producer with recording studios in New York and London.

MIJA Biography

Born and raised in a musician family from Gothenburg in Sweden, her father was a well-reputed musician in a famous Swedish band between the sixties and eighties.
Mija started in a school-choir when she was 14 years old, and began to take song lessons for a song coach for several years. At this time she also started her first rock band with her own music. They played together for some years and had a lot of gigs during that time. At the same time she joined an established gospel-choir for ten years and during this time they did approx twice gig in a week in which Mija often was the song soloist. They also made an album.

Later she joined another funk-rock band, LC-Band with professional studio musicians. In this band she stayed for a couple of years before they dissolved and they released two singles and they were doing gigs from time to time.  At the age of 22 she went to study a musical program at a folk high school for  
2 years. She continued to take classical/jazz/pop vocal lessons and was a member of the vocal ensemble on the school. The ensemble gave performances in classical, musicals and folk music. After finishing this education Mija applied for and was accepted to University for music in Gothenburg. But turned it down and began to work as song/music teacher for six years on and off and during that time she also supported herself as a singer in a song duo (jazz, folk music and blues). Mija was also hired as cafe singer at two different restaurants for several years. She continued to support herself as a singer. During this time Mija sang in 1 cover band, 1 jazz-quartet, and continued with her own song duo, worked as a studio singer and participated in some well-known musicals and was also hired as a background singer for other artists.

1998 she got a roll in a bigger production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in corporation with Baltic Republic. She played Maria Magdalena. During these years Mija still continued to singing with different bands. Following year she became a singer in a cover band called Lazy Babes in which Magnus Rosen from Hammerfall also played. She sang with them for a couple of years. Later she started a new band, Robberband with studio musicians from the Swedish rock and pop elite and they did a lot of gigs together. Nowadays Robberband includes members from Lost Horizon, Nostrademus etc.  And they are still doing gigs at clubs, parties etc.
Mija has supported herself as a singer in many different bands, with all styles. She has made approx 3000 gigs & 300 studio sessions. The latest project is the co-operation between Mija and Benny Jansson (Tears Of Anger, Ride The Sky, XSavior).
Mija and Benny found each other musically and began to write songs together in 2006/2007. A new member, Hasse Nilsson, a drummer [Dimension Zero, Gaffla Knivur, Diabolique] has also joined the band in 2008. The rest of the band is session musicians from different well-known projects.  
And more to come.....



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