Magna Carta Records

Recently I've realized that I tend to buy a bunch of records from similar artists on the same labels. These small labels are unlike major labels in that they tend specialize in one genre and others related to it; obviously that's only one difference. Because of these practices I've found myself becoming a fan of these labels nearly as much as I am of their bands. In an effort to spread the word about some great records, and the labels behind them I'll be making posts highlighting my experience with them.

First up is the Rochester, New York based Magna Carta Records.

Browse the Magna Carta site you'll soon realize that the bread and butter here is progressive rock. Big names in the genre like Steve Walsh, Alex Skolnick, Derek Sherinian, and James LaBrie should make it easily apparent the type of label this is. A lot of the releases this label has put out over the years have been superb, and I've discovered some gems simply by virtue of being on Magna Carta(Ice Age in particular). My only complaint, literally the one thing I don't like about this label, is their serious lack of vinyl releases. In one order I bought their entire vinyl catalog!

First up is the 7" single "Let's Live For Today" b/w "Beaumont Rag" by folk/prog/rock band Tempest. The A side is a cover The Grass Roots classic 1967, albeit with more flute and violin. I really love this version of the song, it just feels so much more genuine than the original for some reason. The B side is also a cover, this being a traditional Texas tune named after the town of Beaumont. "Beaumont Rag" is not on any album, and this 7" is the only release of it.

Blurry photo above

As you can see this version is on black wax and hand numbered, only 50 were ever pressed. A nice little 7" addition to my collection.

Glorious gatefold 2LP

...And rounding out the vinyl releases on Magna Carta is the legendary debut by Liquid Tension Experiment. LTE is the prog supergroup that consists of Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci of Dream Theater(though Portnoy is no longer in that band), Tony Levin of King Crimson, and Jordan Rudess who was mainly known for his solo work at the time but would later join Dream Theater. This is just pure wanky technical prog rock in the vein of Yes. No vocals can be found on this album, and they really don't seem needed at all. These four musicians have more than enough to say on their own. The back cover really says it best "Caution: "Three Minute Warning" is not for the musically fainthearted, impatient, or critics of extreme self indulgence." which could really be said about the entirety of the album.

The label looks like it was made in MS Paint, but Levin is still a bad ass

Petrucci before the roids