Ryo Okumoto, long-time keyboardist for prog rock group Spock’s Beard, recently released his new solo album, The Myth Of The Mostrophus, via InsideOutMusic. The six song prog extravaganza features Okumoto’s signature style accompanied by the talents of a who’s who of progressive rock.
The Myth Of The Mostrophus is going to come roaring to life for two shows only, in Los Angeles, CA, at Champion Site and Sound on November 5 and 6.
Ryo has with this album both paid homage to his work with them and gone beyond it in terms of exploring new themes and sounds. The band hand-picked for the event consists of Beard-mate Alan Morse, ProgJect members Pete Griffin and Jonathan Mover, guitar legends Marc Bonilla and Joey Trevola, Michael Whiteman coming in from the UK to sing the songs, all of which he co-wrote, plus additional keyboards/vocals by Kevin Krohn and vocals by Keiko Okumoto.
They will be performing The Myth Of The Mostrophus in its entirety, tracks from Ryo’s previous solo albums Coming Through and Makin’ Rock, along with a few other wonderful musical surprises.
Get tickets here.
The album features guest appearances by a number of incredible musicians including current and former Spock’s Beard bandmates:
Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard) - Drums & Vocals
Al Morse (Spock’s Beard) - Guitar
Dave Meros (Spock’s Beard) - Bass
Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard. Transatlantic) - Vocals
Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard) - Vocals
Steve Hackett (Genesis) - Guitar
Michael Sadler (Saga, ProgJect) - Vocals
Mike Keneally (Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, ProgJect) - Guitar
Jonathan Mover (Joe Satriani, ProgJect) - Drums
Marc Bonila (Keith Emerson/Kevin Gilbert) - Guitar
Doug Wimbish (Living Colour) – Bass
Randy McStine (McStine & Minnemann, Porcupine Tree) – Guitars & Vocals
Lyle Workman (Todd Rundgren) – Guitar
Michael Whiteman (I Am the Manic Whale) – Guitars & Vocals
Twenty years since Ryo Okumoto’s last solo album Coming Home (2002), work on the new album began in November 2000, when Okumoto reached out to I Am The Manic Whale vocalist/bassist Michael Whiteman, following that band’s performance on a livestream event that Okumoto had taken part in. An exchange of demos resulted in the writing of the initial tracks for the album. Okumoto then reached out the fellow Spock’s Beard bandmates (Nick D’Virgilio, Alan Morse, Dave Meros, Ted Leonard and Jimmy Keegan) to join in and the album started to take shape before rounding out with additional guest stars through his Okumoto’s new group ProgJect including Michael Sadler, Jonathan Mover and Mike Keneally. With the additions of Steve Hackett, Marc Bonila, Doug Wimbish, Randy McStine, and Lyle Workman, the star-studded lineup was complete. The result is a prog rock tour de force from one of the most entertaining and influential artists of prog’s modern era.
Engineered and mixed by Rich Mouser, the album can be ordered here.
Tracklisting:
"Mirror Mirror"
"Turning Point"
"The Watchmaker (Time On His Side)"
"Maximum Velocity"
"Chrysalis"
"The Myth Of The Mostrophus"
“Chrysalis” lyric video:
“Chrysalis” video:
“The Watchmaker” lyric video:
(Photo - Alex Solca)
