The prolific Bill Nelson ’s taken a brief pause from his solo work to turn his attention towards a project of a different kind. Orchestra Futura was a live improv trio that also included Theo Travis and Dave Sturt. Although they never released any studio recordings, a selection of material has just been collated and issued as Live At Nelsonica & Clothworkers Hall . Prog caught up with its members to find out more and uncover Nelson’s plans for the future.

Following Richey Edwards’ disappearance and the “commercial disaster” of The Holy Bible , the MANIC STREET PREACHERS were told that this is the end. Instead, they roared back with an unassailable anthem heralding one of the biggest British albums of the ’90s. Sam Richards celebrates 30 years of Everything Must Go : “It was the most spectacular feeling,” says Nicky Wire. “That period when you go over the top...”

Had Robin Holloway published Music’s Odyssey—described by its author as “an invitation to the glorious long voyage of Western classical music”—30 years ago, he might well have got away with it. By day

Guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny is on a roll. Not only has he launched Uniquity Music as a home for his material new and old, but he’s also released a new studio album, Side-Eye III+ , a record he proudly describes as the best he’s done. He tells Prog why it’s so important to bring fresh talent to the spotlight and the unexpected ways he turns his old instruments into art.

Gong ’s music has always been out of this world, but on their latest offering, Bright Spirit, they transcend darkness with a hefty dose of glissando and a pinch of System 7. Frontman Kavus Torabi, bassist Dave Sturt and guitarist Fabio Golfetti tell Prog how the third part of their latest trilogy has re-energised them and why they’re looking forward to getting back onstage.

Lidy Blijdorp; Tobias Borsboom Channel Classics CCS47726 65:29 mins Using the recording genre creatively is an art in itself. What can it offer that perhaps a live concert cannot? I think it allows mo