(Glass Onyon) The progressive music community is buzzing with the release of a new live double CD by prog-rock legends Nektar called 'Fortyfied'. Celebrating their 40th Anniversary, Nektar's contribution over the past 40 years has quite rightly earned them their place in any 'Progressive Rock Hall of Fame'. But the band is much more than a 'Prog Legend', the Nektar brand of innovative composition, performance and visuals is simply unique. Recorded on their 2008 tour of Europe, 'Fortyfied' is released on the band's own label Treaclemusic and features many beloved Nektar classics such as "Tab In The Ocean", "Recycled pt.1", "Man In The Moon" and part two of the group's classic "Remember The Future".The Nektar story is a remarkable one. A British rock band that found stardom and major success in Germany and the USA, yet failed to make the significant breakthrough in their own country. With three gold albums under their belt ("Remember The Future", "Down To Earth" and "Recycled"), Nektar produced some of the most original work of the seventies and eighties. In virtuoso guitarist Roye Albrighton Nektar had a charismatic front man who had shared a stage with Jimi Hendrix, in Allan "Taff" Freeman a unique keyboard player, in Derek "Mo" Moore a bass playing powerhouse and in Ron Howden a fluidity rarely found in a drummer. Fifth member Mick Brockett was not a musician, but was responsible for one of the most stunning light and visual shows ever to grace the rock stage. Nektar's history appeared to have been written when they finally split in the eighties. Despite attempts to re-kindle the flame, the Nektar light, it seemed was out...until that is, the year 2000. The new millenium saw the long awaited reunion tour of the classic line-up, to rave reviews and fantastic receptions. The light we thought was out, had in fact been kept aglow - by loyal fans across the globe! "It's pretty timeless music," says Roye Albrighton, "and what I'm hearing from most of the new, younger fans that are now coming to our shows, is that it's like going back in time. They are starting to really discover music again, which, of course, is a great relief to us and some of the older bands from our time."
An American tour in September 2004 saw Taff Freeman depart the band for personal reasons and his successor, Hammond virtuoso Tom Hughes, instantly earning a place in the hearts of the Nektar faithful. With continued concert dates, along with the remastering of the remainder of the Nektar back catalogue on CD, this legendary band has become once more a proud force to be reckoned with in the world of progressive music. In 2007 Nektar truly took over their own management, procured their official website as their own, entirely under their control and went on a 22-date tour of Germany. Joining Roye and Ron was Peter Pichl on 5-string bass and Klaus Henatsch on keyboards, these two new members from the rock 'n roll city of Hanover, Germany, seemed to gel from the outset and now, along with the release of the critically acclaimed CD 'Book of Days' in 2008 and the new live DBL CD 'Fortyfied', Nektar looks set to make its mark once again.
Much to the elation of US Nektar fans, the band is scheduled to play three special engagements in America:
May 1, 2009 (Friday) - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater
May 2, 2009 (Saturday) - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
May 3, 2009 (Sunday) - Rosfest (end of Rosfest special acoustic/electric show)
May 4, 2009 (Monday) - New York, NY - Concert Hall NYC
As far as future plans for Nektar: "To make more music, and to experiment more in different ways...an orchestrated version of 'Journey' is not unlikely, but we'll see," says Roye. "I am also working on a new solo album, but this will take some time to finish, Nektar is taking up a lot of my time at the moment." An acoustic Nektar tour is also in the works.
For information on how to purchase 'Fortyfied' visit Nektar's official website: www.nektarsmusic.com