JT Bruce - Universica
JT Bruce’s combination of guitars and synthesizers get more complex and wondrous every time I hear it. He is on his third free and legal online album and he still has a heady combination of metal and progressive rock going on. The album is titled Universica and it may be a little more progressive, even a bit of space rock and new age added to the mix. The tracks are all named after stars so you can be forgiven if you think the artist has some other-worldly mystical motive (motif?) in mind. But whatever is in Bruce’s mind, this still remains music that you can immerse yourself in. I find it a cross between Yes’ more improvisatory endeavors and Chick Corea’s Return to Forever days. As with the other two albums which you can find here and here, it is an imaginative musical journey.
The album is available from the artist’s web site in 128kbps MP3.
I’ve played all three of his albums on my radio show (which has a “freely available music” format) within the past month or so. Definitely great stuff around, but I just wanted to point out that you could snag the higher-quality 320kbps version of the Universica album at its Jamendo page:
http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/34714
Also got to throw-out a thank you to this blog for supplying me with some material for my show (I’ve plugged this blog on my show as well a few times).
:)
Comment by JX — March 28, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
Thanks for the plug!
Comment by Marvin — March 28, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
I will second the thanks for this blog.
If any of the free albums I have over at my place ever get featured…I’ll be truly giddy.
Comment by icastico — March 29, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Yes, I’m downloading as soon as I saw that puppy. Awesome stuff!
Comment by Nobody Important — March 29, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
I haven’t forgotten you. Icastico! It’s just that I get so many requests and recommendations that it takes a looong time to hear them all. I’m still putting albums on the site that were recommended a year ago! I’ve yet to listen to your albums but I will. However please remember that only about 10 percent of that I hear makes it to this blog and I can’t make the time to notify anyone on what does or doesn’t.
Comment by Marvin — March 29, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Marvin,
No worries.
Like I said, I will be honored to make the cut if it happens.
You have good taste…
But I gotta drop the occasional shameless promo in your comments…I just gotta…;^)
Comment by icastico — March 30, 2009 @ 1:25 am
I’ve been raving about this guy for a few years - truly a unique talent - and generous to give it away. This is real music.
Comment by Dimaension X — April 5, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
This is a real gem. Excellent LP, melodic and it rocks out and gets funky in equal measure.
Comment by Pompey_lad — May 5, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
I really like JTs work. The previous albums were also great stuff!
Comment by Jerry Cornelius — June 18, 2009 @ 2:51 pm