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MAGENTA

Neo-Prog • United Kingdom


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Magenta picture
Magenta biography
Formed in Cardiff, Wales, UK in 2001

Most of the old progheads miss the 70's when Prog' reached the peak, atmospheric guitars, wonderful keyboard solos and beautiful symphonic arrangements where things from the past until this great band released "Revolutions".

MAGENTA was born in the year 2001 as a one album project, Robert REED (a talented keyboardist and composer who had worked on several good prog bands like FYREWORKS, CYAN and TRIPPA) decided to join Christina Murphy (Now Christina Booth), an incredible vocalist that has a bit of Stevie Nicks with the brilliance of Annie Haslam plus of course her personal and unique style and release "Revolutions", a double conceptual album about the moments that changed humanity (small revolutions). For that purpose they decided to hire some session musicians for the recordings. But the project was too big for that, and fans started to ask for live concerts, so they change the plans and form a permanent band, with Tim Robinson (Percussion) who with the other members Chris Fry (guitar), Martin Rossen (guitar) and Matthew Cohen (bass) form the almost definitive lineup.

Their debut album "Revolutions" blends the spirit of the 70 Symphonic bands with the perfect production of the XXI Century, is easy to find references of YES, GENESIS and even Mike OLDFIELD, a very ambitious project that satisfied the exigent British critics. They announced their next album "Seven" and the fans kept waiting for almost three years before it was released, After recording "Seven", Tim Robinson left the band so a MAGENTA fan and very competent drummer Alan Mason-Jones joins MAGENTA.

In 2004 when this conceptual album about the Seven Capital Sins is released, less symphonic than the previous but with the energy of Neo Prog bands like PENDRAGON and MARILLION (FISH-era) the long waiting period was worth, MAGENTA shows a more mature sound and for the joy of old progheads the influence of the 70's heroes is still clear. The last change in the lineup comes, Tim Robinson leaves MAGENTA and Alan Mason-Jones, a drummer who was already a MAGENTA fan joins the band in time to release the Single "Broken". This CD presents four other themes including the wonderful Church Organ solo "Opus III" by Rob Reed and the power ballad "Call Me". This short album shows a more mature band that has a clear and unique sound, even when there are some references to classic prog' bands.

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MAGENTA Videos (YouTube and more)


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MAGENTA discography


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MAGENTA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.57 | 206 ratings
Revolutions
2001
4.06 | 376 ratings
Seven
2004
3.49 | 140 ratings
Home
2005
3.76 | 120 ratings
Home + New York Suite
2006
3.71 | 231 ratings
Metamorphosis
2008
3.67 | 162 ratings
Chameleon
2011
3.84 | 239 ratings
The Twenty Seven Club
2013
3.86 | 161 ratings
We Are Legend
2017
3.83 | 104 ratings
Masters of Illusion
2020
3.65 | 31 ratings
The White Witch - A Symphonic Trilogy
2022

MAGENTA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.76 | 42 ratings
Another Time... Another Place
2004
3.75 | 35 ratings
Live at The Point
2008
4.07 | 32 ratings
Live at Real World
2010
4.33 | 12 ratings
The Gathering
2010
4.07 | 18 ratings
Live: On our way to who knows where
2012
4.97 | 10 ratings
We Are Seven
2018
4.29 | 7 ratings
Acapela 2016
2019
4.14 | 7 ratings
Acapela 2017
2019
4.00 | 1 ratings
Reaching for the Moon
2023

MAGENTA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.44 | 50 ratings
The Gathering
2005
3.91 | 28 ratings
Live At The Point 2007
2009
4.09 | 15 ratings
Chaos From The Stage
2016
4.43 | 7 ratings
We Are Seven
2018
4.91 | 3 ratings
Angels and Damned - 20th Anniversary Show
2021

MAGENTA Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.08 | 37 ratings
The Singles
2007
3.30 | 11 ratings
The Collection
2008
4.00 | 14 ratings
The Singles Complete
2015
4.00 | 2 ratings
Essential
2017
4.88 | 6 ratings
Acapela 2016 and 2017
2019
4.00 | 9 ratings
The Lost Reel
2020

MAGENTA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

3.85 | 26 ratings
Broken
2004
3.17 | 10 ratings
I'm Alive
2004
2.92 | 12 ratings
Night And Day (with Annie Haslam)
2006
3.64 | 20 ratings
The New York Suite
2006
2.80 | 13 ratings
Speechless
2007
4.26 | 12 ratings
Wonderous Stories
2009
3.78 | 9 ratings
The Lizard King E.P.
2013
3.67 | 6 ratings
Trojan E.P.
2017
4.00 | 6 ratings
Songs from the Big Room
2021

MAGENTA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 The White Witch - A Symphonic Trilogy by MAGENTA album cover Studio Album, 2022
3.65 | 31 ratings

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The White Witch - A Symphonic Trilogy
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by Steve Conrad

4 stars Revolutions...Revisited

Cinematic Sizzle

Rob Reed and MAGENTA present their tenth studio album, a re-imagining of a segment from their debut release "Revolutions" from twenty two years ago. Entitled "The White Witch- A Symphonic Trilogy", it's almost an apples-and- oranges comparison of the two.

That is, the original segment that inspires this album is a progressive rock tour de force with all the majesty and pomp and bombast one could ask. Whereas this album features the multi-dimensional maestro Rob Reed writing what strikes me as a modern "pops" classical work, utilizing core MAGENTA members, vocalist Christina Murphy Booth, and guitarist Chris Fry, with hautboyist Sam Baxster, and flautist Katie Axelsen, plus the narration of the venerable Les Penning. Reed then, I assume, uses a great deal of virtual instrumentation to develop the symphonic sounds that take me back to what for me are the roots of my love for progressive rock music.

Roots

That is to say that when my parents were introduced to classical music through the influences of fellow faculty members of the tiny two-year college in a tiny town in south-central Kansas where both worked, I was inadvertently steeped in the same music practically from the time I was in diapers.

And it was no stretch to become enamored with progressive rock, which drew heavily on the styles and richness and depths of those classical works.

I couldn't help but think that Rob Reed too was steeped in these works, and "The White Witch" certainly reflects his love of the classical plus his cinematic work even from before MAGENTA, and ongoing.

Three Movements

In "Revolutions", there were four parts plus a brief overture, whereas in this one, the story arc is carried through three movements, "Sacrifice", "Retribution", and "Survival". Summarized, it has to do with Sara, a born healer and helper, who in plague-stricken 17th century England, was seen as a blasphemer and devil-worshiper, burned at stake, wanting only to be a loving, healing, helping presence.

Rob utilizes a great deal of symphonic texture and nuance from dead silence (all too rare in some music) to spine- tingling full-bore symphonic splendor.

Live instruments are interwoven in lovely fashion, and Chris Fry's classical guitar is often highlighted.

Voice

Christina's vocals are an education in timbre and tone and in being germane to the requirements of the music. Whereas in the original work there were often harder-edged and harmony vocals, in this, she carries the entire weight. It is beautifully done, expressive, ranging from tragic wistfulness to passionate entreaty.

Evocative

For me the success of this album lies in how it evokes images and ideas to go along with the music- for instance while listening I could imagine a ballerina interpreting the pathos and sweep of the piece. Or a full-bore choir adding power and depth to the music. Or as has been suggested, an actual cinema presentation- one may be forthcoming.

My Conclusions

Quite a power-house, basing this masterful work upon a progressive rock tour de force, and making it as lush and gripping and evocative as one could imagine.

My Rating

A solid four stars, an "excellent addition to any progressive rock music collection".

 Angels and Damned - 20th Anniversary Show by MAGENTA album cover DVD/Video, 2021
4.91 | 3 ratings

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Angels and Damned - 20th Anniversary Show
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars After 20 years at the top of the game, is there really anything left to say about Magenta? Since Robert Reed and Christina Booth started working on an one-album project back in 2001 they have pursued a path of incredibly melodic prog based on the songs of Rob and the vocals of Christina, with every release being an absolute delight. Guitarist Chris Fry has been there since the beginning, with the line-up completed by Dan Nelson (bass) and Jonathan 'Jiffy' Griffiths (drums), and they are an incredibly tight unit moving through different styles and dynamics as the need arises, with Christina sometimes waiting patiently for the right moment as the boys run through yet another instrumental passage and others where she is totally dominant, very much in charge of proceedings.

This release is a DVD and CD set of a very special performance to celebrate their twentieth anniversary, so we get material from all their albums, as well as some special guests including the amazing Peter Jones (who seems to be everywhere these days) and the much-missed David Longdon who joins for a wonderful cover of "Spectral Mornings". Over the years I confess I have loved everything they have done, and this celebration is just about perfect. Any fan will point to one song which should have been played and wasn't, but even with a show lasting 140 minutes there is just not enough time for everything. But there is just so much on here to enjoy, with closer "Lizard King" epitomising for me just what this band is all about with dynamic bass, complex drums, driving guitar, keyboards everywhere and Christina over the top with her vocals which are a sheer delight, as they have always been.

When it comes to melodic prog there are few who can compete with Magenta, which is why they have had a career which so far has been going for 20 years. Here is to the next 20, as this is essential and a progtastic delight from start to end.

 Masters of Illusion by MAGENTA album cover Studio Album, 2020
3.83 | 104 ratings

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Masters of Illusion
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by Heart of the Matter

3 stars Being presently the latest studio album of this interesting Welsh symphonic combo, led by keyboard wizard Rob Reed and fronted by notable singer Christina Booth, "Masters of Illusion" will not disappoint the band's followers in keeping high the instrumental, compositive and vocal standards for which they are well known. It results to be a really accomplished piece of work in that sense: the resemblance to the sound of Renaissaince still holds strong through the whole record, sustained above all by Christina's voice, very reminiscent of Hannie Haslam's. Also present here is the interesting guitar soloing by Chris Fry, not so cloned now from Steve Howe's own phrasing as it has been formerly "accused" of.

I have to say also that, even displaying impressive songwriting and arranging skills, this album is not particularly graced with the gift of melodic originality: in that sense it's hard to tell the difference with the band's previous output. There are exceptions however, and I've found one in the fourth track, "Snow", which stands out to my ears and taste as the most memorable in this set, precisely because of its melodic charm.

Being the kind of person that feels comfortable not only with the convoluted, but also with the more mellow, symphonic but not overcomplex end of the progressive spectrum, I've found a good one here and think you might too.

 Acapela 2016 and 2017 by MAGENTA album cover Boxset/Compilation, 2019
4.88 | 6 ratings

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Acapela 2016 and 2017
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars In recent years, Magenta's pre-Christmas performances at Acapela Studios near Cardiff have become something that all fans make every attempt to attend. Unlike their normal full-blown shows, this gives the band the opportunity to have some fun with their material and deliver unique, semi-acoustic performances which are very different indeed to how the songs usually sound. This 4-disc set comprises songs from the 2016 and 2017 shows on two CDs and two DVDs (which I have not seen, so this review is for the audio only). Not only does the band deliver different arrangements to some of their most well-known songs, such as 'Greed' or the wonderful 'King of the Skies', but they also feature solo material from Chris Fry, Rob Reed and Christina, while this set also features the first ever live performances of songs from Rob's Kompendium project sung by Steff Rhys Williams.

When music is being performed like this there is no room for anyone to hide, and while there are many standouts throughout the whole album, one which really hit home for me is 'Prekestolen', the penultimate track over the two CDs. The first half of the song is delicate, with Christina's vocals (as always) taking centre stage with some wonderful oboe (care of guest Karla Powell who plays a very important part on many numbers) and of course delicate piano from Robert, before it transforms into a wonderful version of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. It takes balls to perform a song live which everyone knows, with everyone waiting to see if Christina is going to hit the notes, and of course she does with aplomb. The final song on the album is one of my very favourites, 'The Lizard King', which features some wonderful acoustic guitar from Chris, gorgeous bass from Dan Nelson, and sympathetic drumming care of Steve Roberts.

There are few progressive bands who sound so happy in a setting like this, but what really shines through is not only the quality of the musicianship, the depth and power of the songs, but just how much fun the guys are having onstage. Magenta continue to be one of the finest progressive rock bands around, who continually deliver in multiple ways, and this is yet another gorgeous example.

 We Are Seven by MAGENTA album cover Live, 2018
4.97 | 10 ratings

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We Are Seven
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars The title of this double live CD is taken from two of their albums which are here performed in their entirety, namely 2017's 'We Are Legend' plus 2004's 'Seven', along with a few other songs. Looking in my book 'The Progressive Underground Volume 1' (I promise the first and only time I'll plug it in a review, honest), I can see the first time I reviewed a young Robert Reed was in May 1993. As well as Cyan he was involved with the likes of The Fyreworks and Ezra, but no-one can doubt that his career moved to a new level when he joined forces with Christina Murphy (now Christina Booth) and released 'Revolutions' in 2001. Guitarist Chris Fry was also there from those early beginnings, while bassist Dan Nelson and drummer Jiffy Griffiths only arrived in time for the previous studio album. But this doesn't sound like a new band, but rather one who are firmly in control, providing the perfect support for Christina.

One of my prog regrets is not seeing this band when I was in the UK and did attend CRS one night in the full expectation of seeing them support IQ only to have missed them as they played far earlier than I expected. But this album almost makes up for that (there is also a DVD available of the night). Dan and Jiffy know when to stay in the background, or when to be forceful, while Chris and Rob Reed have an understanding rare indeed between guitarist and keyboard player. Although their sounds are quite different, I did find myself often being reminded of the relationship between Paul Thomson and Steve Paine of Legend as they provided the support for Debbie Chapman. Then at the front is Christina Booth, surely one of the most instantly recognisable singers of the modern progressive age. There are times when she reminds me of Stevie Nicks, others of Judie Tzuke, and here is a singer perfectly on control, fully understanding the emotion she brings to the material, confident to hold onto notes perfectly, or to sing slightly lower if that is what is required.

Magenta continue to demonstrate why they have been one of the top progressive rock bands in the UK for so long, winning multiple awards, and the only problem I have with this album is that it is so damn good I just never wanted to stop playing it. After blasting us all into joyous rapture with 'Speechless', where they show just how much they can rock when they want to, they go straight into the 26 minute plus 'Trojan', which works through all that one would expect from an epic of this length, with each musician taking his opportunity to take centre stage, and mix and layer with the rest when needed. A few other musicians have been added on oboe and flute, who add some additional flavours, but even without them this is an album for the ages, something very special indeed.

If ever anyone wanted to hear what modern progressive rock can sound like in the hands of masters, then play them this, as if a 'live' album could ever be called faultless, it is this.

 The Singles Complete by MAGENTA album cover Boxset/Compilation, 2015
4.00 | 14 ratings

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The Singles Complete
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars I've only just come across this double CD set that was released in 2015, but if any release could be said to be the perfect introduction to the band then it just has to be this. 24 songs, with a total running time of more than two hours, this shows exactly why the band have built such a strong reputation since their inception since back in 2001. Although the set is marked as "complete", I don't think that's technically true, but it is still a fine compilation nonetheless. Rob Reed is not only a wonderful multi-instrumentalist but a fine composer, and in long-time guitarist Chris Fry he has built a great relationship, which has allowed them to work with other musicians to create the perfect backdrop for Christina Booth. Christina is certainly one of the most important female singers of her generation within the prog field, and she is always front and centre of the music, always providing the perfect vocal foil, whether it is a rock number or something more overtly progressive.

Rob had never hidden his love of progressive music of the Seventies, and it clearly shows in Magenta's music, even down to the few covers that are included here. I have heard a few different versions of "Wonderous Stories" over the years, but there is no doubt that the version here is the best to date, but the other cover is the one of great interest to me, namely "Lucky Man". This feels more stripped-down, more acoustic, yet somehow even more layered than the original, so that it comes across as a very different version indeed, but losing none of the power of Greg's original. But, what really shows the depth of the band is the way that these songs don't stand out dramatically above their own material, with numbers such as "Broken" and "Speechless" demonstrating just how diverse the band are, bringing together numerous progressive elements but also driving the bass and guitar to create something that is looking both backwards and forwards at the same time. I've been playing this set a great deal as it is just so easy to fall into the world of Magenta, and if you have yet to investigate why not start now?

 Chaos From The Stage by MAGENTA album cover DVD/Video, 2016
4.09 | 15 ratings

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Chaos From The Stage
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars Recorded Live at The Assembly, Leamington Spa on 21st November 2015, this DVD + CD set takes its title from the final song on the set, 'The Lizard King'. I don't have the CD, but have heard that the picture and camera quality is excellent, and given how good the sound is on this recording I wouldn't have expected anything less. Since they first started working together in 2001, singer Christina Booth and multi-instrumentalist Robert Reed have continually produced excellent albums, and it is a particular regret of mine that I never managed to catch them in concert, especially now I have heard this. Joining them in the band is Chris Fry (guitars), Dan Nelson (bass) and Andy Edwards (drums) and the over-arching feeling that one gets from playing this is that here is a band in total control at all times.

They all understand their roles, when to hang back and let someone else take the spotlight, so that there is always a feeling of space within the arrangements. The harmonies and some of the arrangements could have come from Floyd, other sections of songs could have come from Yes, but in reality it is solid Magenta, showing that there is still plenty of life in Seventies-style progressive rock. 'Lust', taken from the mighty 'Seven' (can't believe that album came out 14 years ago) moves all over the place, with the bass taking the song into new places, hoping that the drums will manage to keep up while Rob and Chris have a delicate battle. Then there is Christina, a singer who never fails to deliver, both in emotion and pitch, always in control. She lets the boys have their fun, but then always comes in with poise and grace, taking the song to another level. There is no doubt that Magenta are still one of the very top prog acts in the UK, and if you have somehow missed them then is the palce to start.

 Wonderous Stories by MAGENTA album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2009
4.26 | 12 ratings

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Wonderous Stories
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Well, I guess it would be a mater of time before Magenta would record a cover of one of their most beloved influences. Still I was quite moved by this version of Yes Wonderous Stories. The main track is a very respectful and straightforward performance, an almost note by note reproduction of the original, with very few chances. And Christina Booth beautiful vocals were just perfect for this tune. I liked both the alternative tracks (one total acoustic and one instrumental) too. Even the cover is interesting, although I was waiting for something more Yes-ish (like a Roger Dean painting, but I guess that was expecting too much).

A very nice cover that shows just how good Magenta is. Let´s hope they come up with more like this!

 We Are Legend by MAGENTA album cover Studio Album, 2017
3.86 | 161 ratings

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We Are Legend
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars UK band MAGENTA has been among the more popular of the relatively recent progressive rock bands ever since they appeared with "Revolutions" back in 2001. So far they have more than a dozen of studio and live albums to their name. "We Are Legend" is their most recent studio album, and was released in the spring of 2017.

Just about anyone with an interest in well made, sophisticated yet also accessible progressive rock in general and perhaps even more so those with a passion for the symphonic oriented varieties of this style should already be well aware of the UK band Magenta and their take on that particular aspect of the genre. "We Are Legend" is a quality example of that kind of progressive rock, and a production that warrants a check by those who tend to fancy music of this nature ? a high-quality CD of modern symphonic progressive rock and one that should have a broad general appeal.

 Chaos From The Stage by MAGENTA album cover DVD/Video, 2016
4.09 | 15 ratings

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Chaos From The Stage
Magenta Neo-Prog

Review by rdtprog
Special Collaborator Heavy, RPI, Symph, JR/F Canterbury Teams

4 stars This new DVD of Magenta contains tracks mostly taken from their last three albums. This concert is presented in the best picture quality you can have for a standard DVD, and in the almost perfect sound that let you enjoy every instrument almost like a studio album. The band offers a modern symphonic prog sound that doesn't bring something new, but the strong songwriting and great musicianship will capture your attention. Chris Fry guitar sound is quite remarkable sounding a lot in the territory of Steve Howe. So it's not a surprise to hear a huge Yes influence on the band's music. If I had to pick up some favorites on this 100 minutes concert, I would choose the epic "The Devil At The Crossroads" with his multi-movement going from the light and the more dynamic parts. "Guernica" from the album "Chameleon" that shift from the acoustic to the electric is another great track. From that same album, "R.A.W". show a darker and heavier side of the band, it works very well!. Finally, the other epic of that good album with the title track "Metamorphosis" conclude this interesting set-list. This another fine release for Magenta that is another nice addition to the band live releases.
Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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