Year : 2024
Style : Melodic Rock , Progressive Rock
Country : United Kingdom
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 109 mb
Bio:
Benjamin Croft is a British Prog keyboardist, music producer and songwriter. He will be releasing his new single “Wrestling With Plato” on February 2nd. The song features Lynsey Ward (Exploring Birdsong) on vocals and virtuoso drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats).“Wrestling with Plato” is a tragic love story told over the lifetime of two people. A song about elaborate excuses; in the case of our protagonists, these are far reaching…From a very young age, Benjamin developed a strong interest for music. At the age of 7, Benjamin began piano and trumpet lessons. “Around age 17, my life was forever changed after hearing the album ‘Close to the Edge’ by the band Yes. I quickly developed a love for progressive rock. Keyboard players such as Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson inspired me to practice for up to 8 hours a day,” says Croft.At 19, he won a scholarship at Leeds College of Music. After graduating, he completed several contracts on international cruise lines, travelling and performing. He lived and played in the US, and toured the world twice, working with artists as diverse as Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and The Platters. “One night I was playing country, the next musical theatre and then jazz or rock.”Benjamin relocated to London in 2012 and quickly began to make a name for himself. In 2018, he recorded for Beautiful South founder Dave Hemingway’s latest project ‘Sunbirds,’ and worked as a session musician, composer and arranger. He recently joined the progressive rock band The Gift.While keeping up with a busy schedule performing and recording, Benjamin started composing his own music and released his first album “10 Reasons To…” on 33Jazz Records in March 2019. 12 original compositions blending jazz fusion, classical and progressive rock.His second album, “Far and Distant Things,” was recorded throughout 2020 and released in the summer of 2021 on Ubuntu Music. It features some prestigious guest musicians such as Randy Brecker, Allen Vizzutti, Frank Gambale, Barry Finnerty, Mike Miller, and Chad Wackerman.Both albums have been critically acclaimed in the UK, US and Europe.Benjamin spent the last 2 years making his latest album, “We Are Here To Help,”. “It has been a great honour to record with legendary musicians including Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Jeff Scott Soto, Greg Howe, Mike Stern and Frank Gambale.”“We Are Here To Help “ is an epic project with a heavier blend of progressive rock and metal, pushing further the boundaries of creativity, musical mastery and sonic excellence. The album also marks the launch of his record label “Galactic Receiver”. It is due for release in 2024.
Album:
Following the critically acclaimed "10 Reasons To" (2019) and "Far And Distant Things" (2021), versatile British keyboard virtuoso Benjamin Croft returns with his third album "We Are Here To Help". An epic blend of progressive rock and metal pushing further the boundaries of musical and sonic excellence.British keyboard player, songwriter, and producer Benjamin Croft is something of a hidden prodigy in the progressive music genre. He started playing piano and trumpet at the age of seven. As a teen he was introduced to progressive music via Yes's Close To The Edge, wherein his musicianship expanded beyond piano to more diverse keyboard work. Graduating from Leeds College Of Music, Croft tour the States and the world performing with Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and The Platters.A gifted songwriter in his own right, Croft began writing and recording for his own solo projects. 2019 introduced 10 Reasons To ..This was followed by Far And Distant Things in 2021. Both albums for success and acclaim from UK to Europe to the United States. Now, the prodigious and talented Croft returns with his third album, We Are Here To Help on his new label, Galactic Receiver.Musically then, Croft's progressive work is informed by both classic melodic progressive rock and it's more modern interpretations that recognize the same, yet also jazz-rock fusion. Croft can channel Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, and Chick Corea, but also be found standing with peers such Jordan Rudess, Derek Sherinian, and Neal Morse. Some will likely make comparisons from Yes to King Crimson, Dream Theater to Transatlantic or The Flower Kings. The new album also features help from friends of the genre: Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Jeff Scott Soto, Greg Howe, Mike Stern and Frank Gambale, among others.Fundamentally, and obviously, We Are Here To Help is an immensely keyboard-centric album; this is self-evident throughout. (This is not to slight the accompanying musicians who give remarkable performances throughout especially via rhythm section and guitar solos.) It's also largely instrumental, though there are vocal pieces such as the heavy prog rocker We Are Here To Help and the female fronted Wrestling With Plato. With Caught In The Flypaper, the vocals are so slight that they can be missed.More larger instrumental excursions into grand prog wonkery (in the best sense) come With You Made Me Miss, Same Siders, and Lower Moat Manor. A recurring musical undercurrent, or better, an arrangement arc is Croft's use of jazz rock fusion. This rises notably in the rhythm section, but also, in his keyboard work. The pivotal example is found at the start with the fantastic The Age Of Magrathea.This was my favorite song on the album.All said, Benjamin Croft's We Are Here To Help is a well-crafted, beautifully played, and expertly executed album of classic melodic progressive rock, interpreted for the new century. Croft is a master and this album should not be overlooked. Quite recommended.
Line Up:
Benjamin Croft - keyboards
+ guests:
Jeff Scott Soto - vocal
Lynsey Ward - vocal
Greg Howe - guitar
Mike Stern - guitar
Per Nilsson - guitar
Frank Gambale - guitar
Carter Arrington - guitar
Billy Sheehan - bass
Stu Hamm - bass
Dave Marks - bass
Flo Moore - bass
Simon Phillips - drums
Marco Minnemann - drums
Tracklist:
01. The Age Of Magrathea
02. We Are Here To Help
03. You Made Me Miss
04. Caught In The Flypaper
05. Same Siders
06. Wrestling With Plato
07. Lower Moat Manor
08. She Flies Softly On
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
