Marquette, aka Markus Roth, came from German and was born in 1962, grew up in a time of worldwide musical upheaval. While in the American music scene, new styles such as soul or twist were increasingly competing with blues and rock’n’roll of the classical variety, the beat was already appearing on the musical horizon in Great Britain. His 4-year-old uncle, himself a drummer in a jazz-rock band, introduced Markus to the music of Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, and King Crimson. Markus gained his first experiences with keyboard instruments, computers, and sequencers, played in various bands, and developed his skills as a composer. Not surprisingly, Hammond, Hohner Clavinet D6, and Rhodes Mark I also found their way into the studio for Marquette – Human Reparation. Through the Internet came the worldwide contact with other musicians and the first professional collaborations. Thus, Achim Wierschem, also known as Mindmovie, a solo artist and guitarist for the progressive rock band Flaming Bess, became aware of Markus Roth and promptly engaged him as a guest musician for their last CD release, Flaming Bess – Der gefallene Stern. A real friendship developed between the two musicians, and a great musical understanding. Music, for Markus Roth, is one of the most important forms humans use to communicate or express themselves. Marquette released two albums, “Into the Wild” – 2020 and “Magnificent World” – 2024.

Synthagma is an impressive revelation coming from Leichlingen, closely situated to Cologne in Germany. The foundation of the group goes back to late 2021. The idea for Synthagma matured in the silence of the fading pandemic and became a creative new beginning for two experienced musicians. But, In the middle of the pandemic when drummer Thomas (Ex-Trespass) and organ/keyboard player Ropp (Ex-Kampai, Ex-Emarald-Edge) met again after some years and decided to form a new band and searched for suitable group members. Both musicians were former founding members of Inquire in 1996 (disbanded in 2003 – temporarily reunited for a shot interval in 2009). They played together on four highly recommended Inquire albums before their ways split for some years but they continuously stayed in loose touch. In 2023, After an intensive and careful search for suitable fellow musicians, guitarist Roland Eichler-Hungerbach joined the band 2023 – an exceptional instrumentalist with an unmistakable style. In 2024 bass player Thomas joined and completed the band. Composed by legendary and talented musicians, Synthagma presents its compositions in the tradition of legendary 1970s bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, or Ekseption. Synthagma’s debut album “Radical Animal” is available on all major streaming platforms. The physical CD can be ordered for only 10€ plus shipping.

The Tibet band was born in Werdohl in the German Sauerland founded in 1970/71, and was active throughout the 70s. However, their self-titled album from late 1978 on Bellaphon (now available as a CD from Musea, Belle Antique, Sireena, and others). The tracks for the album were recorded in three separate sessions dating from December 1976 to September 1978. On July 13, 1975, they performed at the Goethe open-air stage in Barkhausen, which now belongs to Porta Westfalica, an artificial structure created by the planners in 1973. The performance was professionally recorded and has now been remastered by Eroc. Only the last track comes from another source. The sound of this new release is flawless. Tibet played progressive rock in the style of the seventies. Worth mentioning: Only one track of the performance (‘Fight Back’) is known from the Tibet LP. The 48-page LP booklet contains, among other things, a very readable review by Jürgen Krutzsch of his time with Tibet. The Bellaphon LP by Tibet is well known. Here is only a video with some important tracks from 1975 in top sound quality. Tibet deserves recognition for having been a small part of the progressive music scene with their extensive live performance history throughout the seventies, and for the eclectic and ambitious style of music for which they were known by their small but persistent fan base.