[nicola]

THE SAMURAI OF PROG










ABOUT

THE SAMURAI OF PROG

...THE SAMURAI OF PROG
from Progarchives.com

The Samurai Of Prog biography

Multinational ensemble THE SAMURAI OF PROG (or TSoP, for short) was formed in 2009 by Finland-based Italian bassist Marco Bernard. (The band name originates from Marco's nickname.) Marco Bernard has been active in the Finnish Association for Progressive Music since 1995, and have been involved in their Colossus Magazine since 1996 - and instrumental in the Colossus series of theme albums they have created in cooperation with French label Musea Records. Originally conceived as a one-off album covering some of Marco's favorite songs, the project quickly outgrew its original charter, as several of the musicians formed long-lasting associations and a proper band emerged. Finnish drummer and mix engineer Kimmo Pörsti, and USA-based multi-instrumentalist/singer Steve Unruh joined Marco to become a core trio that would last over a dozen years and produce over a dozen albums.

For each album, Marco, Kimmo, and Steve were joined by an ever-rotating cast of high-caliber keyboardists, guitarists, and guest singers. But moreover, a defining characteristic of TSoP is their use of guest composers. This unusual methodology has enabled TSoP to create albums of high quality at a frenetic pace, recently releasing, on average, two full-length original albums per year! These albums manage to sound cohesive despite a plethora of composers and musicians, because certain elements (including Kimmo's drumming and mixing style) remain consistent throughout.

Marco (who organizes and manages the TSoP projects) and Kimmo (who operates the record label Seacrest Oy, which distributes them) have long held the belief that an album is more than the music; it's an experience which includes poring over the elaborate packaging and booklets which accompany TSoP CDs. These typically feature Ed Unitsky's fantastical artwork. The band has been reluctant to offer their music on streaming and download services, leading to their CDs becoming collector items which tend to sell out quickly after their release date.

In recent years, due to Steve's hectic schedule (he's a member of RESISTOR as well as UNITOPIA - thanks to a friendship with Mark Trueack stemming from their work together on an early TSoP album), he's had to scale back from full-time TSoP member to periodic guest artist. Steve's last full-time member album was 2023's "The Man in the Iron Mask", composed by Oliviero Lacagnina (of Latte e Miele fame). Steve lists this as one of his proudest achievements.

As of this writing in 2024, TSoP's trajectory is full-speed-ahead with Marco and Kimmo at the helm, plus ever-increasing involvement from long-time collaborators (such as Marco Grieco and Rafael Pacha). What began as Marco's little pastime project has grown into one of this genre's most active and vibrant musical outfits.

========== Bio provided by Marco Bernard, January 2024






















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN-The Likes Of Us

The Watcher-SAQQARAH-THE RUNAWAY

Hellishade of Heavenue-LEVIATHAN-Heartquake_Redux

Ignition-MONKEY3- Welcome To The Machine

The North Sky-THE TANGENT-To Follow Polaris

into_the_wastelands-THE DAME- II

stay_under_cover-GLASS ISLAND- Lost Media

Echoes Of Avalon-COLIN MASSON- Echoes Of Avalon

Encounter with the Elven Princen-CEN-projekt-THE STORY OF ENJA

Tear it Down-AIRBAG-The Century of the Self

Voyager-BAROCK PROJECT-Time Voyager

Black Science (Part 1-6)-INFRINGEMENT-Black Science and White Lies

Waves-UNIVERSE EFFECTS-The Distance

Spiderweb Train-Kaipa-SOMMARGRYNINGSLJUS

True Messenger-Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks-True

Presence-RENDEZVOUS POINT-Dream Chaser

Bees Bees Bees-PLANISPHERE-Mindstory

Life in the Wires, Pt. 2-FROST*-Life In The Wires

The Psychology Of Persuasion-NICOLA LORI-Urban Vision

The Age Of Magrathea-BENJAMIN CROFT-we are here to help

Blue Shift-FRANCIS GREGOIRE-Prologue

Subliminal Messages-FOUETTE- Subliminal Messages

Transmission Error-CIRCULINE-C.O.R.E.

Put It Right-THE PINEAPPLE THIEF-It Leads To This

The Solution (Part II) -THE SAMURAI OF PROG-A QUIET TOWN





























A QUIET TOWN-THE SAMURAI OF PROG-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ruqq8eMUu5E



GOOD LISTENING