SOMA.PLANET - BHOLENATH - 2008

SOMA.PLANET is a band from Barcelona (Catalonia - Spain) formed in the mid 90s with an aim to pursue a trend of experimental rock and modern jazz in a clearly progressive framework. Main influences from the very early days are GONG, KING CRIMSON, EMBRYO, and later on, the Cantebury and krautrock scenes also are included in the band's spectrum. Founding members were Andreu "Tete" PÉREZ and Francesc GÓMEZ, with bassist Marc PRAT and drummer Ángel ABAD joining in by the end of the 90s. In the beginning of 2001, JORDÁ leaves the band to pursue his painting interests, so the band is momentarily reduced to a trio. By the time, the band already had a repertoire of their own on which they reflected their taste for unconventional structures and improvisations in an ever refreshing scheme. May 2001 finds SOM.PLANET doing an exciting gig at the Saló de Pedra (Council of Argentona), introducing keyboardist Marc TRULLÁS and sax/flute player Francesc "Furmi" GÓMEZ as newcomer members. Eventually, only the latter remained a steady member of SOMA.PLANET. Between 2002 and 2004, SOMA.PLANET engages in a diverse series of activities, including gigs in prog events such as Magic Festival (Torredembarra) and Stratus Prog (Barcelona), and jazz events such as Girona's V Jazz Festival and Ciclo de jazz de l'Amistat (Premia del Mar, Barcelona).

In mid 2003, SOMA.PLANET record their eponymous debut album, released independently that same year. The aforesaid album is a manifesto of the band's eclectic approach to experimental prog, blending the possibilities of contemporary jazz-rock, the bizarreness of psychedelia and the energy of avant-garde rock with solidness and proficiency. The inclusion of a number of guests on both traditional and modern instruments only adds to the eclectic fire turned on by the SOMA.PLANET compositions and arrangements. With the eventual entry of another guitarist, Manu CORBALÁN, the band's sound acquires an extra dose of dynamics, and so it becomes even more robust. Now, as a quintet, SOMA.PLANET record their sophomore album "Bholenath", released by Musea Records in 2008. It would be fair to say that "Bholenath" has been received more positively than the already acclaimed debut album, which is a sign that SOMA.PLANET have managed to make themselves more noticed in prog circles (as well as jazz-related Internet sources).
http://www.progarchives.com