New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


Intelligent Music Project V “Life Motion” Featuring Members of Rainbow, Toto, Asia and River Hounds

originally published: 06/09/2020

In these interesting times, when life puts a forced pause on us, most of all we need to lift our spirits, to feel alive. “Life Motion” is the fifth studio album of “Intelligent Music Project.” And this time in the band led by Milen Vrabevski, MD (author and producer) there are big world names - the drummer and co-producer of the release Simon Phillips, as well as the vocalists John Payne (ex-Asia) and Richard Grisman (River Hounds). Ronnie Romero, a singer who became famous for joining Rainbow in 2015, made his debut in it. And when we add respected Bulgarian musicians to this stellar team, it becomes quite clear that high class is being pursued at IMP.

“Epidemic, crisis, contagion.” Not a day goes by without hearing these words for more than a month. Indeed, the current situation is a test for everyone, but it also brings some positives - such as the opportunity to spend more time on (rediscovering) art.

Milen Vrabevski, MD says: “I would like my children to grow up with the ideas I share in my albums, and instead of teaching them lectures about those ideas, I use the language of music, which is very universal and easy to understand.”

Legendary drummer Simon Phillips (Toto, Protocol, Mike Oldfield, The Who) gave two solos for the songs “Reflecting” and “Rising” on “Life Motion,” with music co-producers Dr. Vrabevski, Simon Phillips and Ivo Stefanov.

Intelligent Music Project IV “Sorcery Inside” is another entirely Bulgarian music project of the creator of “Intelligent Music Project” - Milen Vrabevski, MD. It includes legendary musicians such as Simon Phillips (Toto), Carl Sentans (Nazareth), Richard Grisman (River Hounds), John Payne (ex-Asia) and Joseph Williams (Toto), who have left their incomparable handwriting on the 12 compositions by Milen Vrabevski, MD.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Simon Phillips participated in the recordings not only on drums, but also as a music co-producer, together with Milen and Ivo Stefanov. The recordings were made in the fall of 2018 at Brotheryn Studios, California, by Simon Phillips and Ernest Tibbs (drums and percussion), Jesse Siebenberg (guitars, vocals) and Dave Palmer (pianos).

“Indeed, the cast of the Intelligent Music Project resembles an ensemble of the elder statesmen of rock, featuring a collection of decorated artists like Toto drummer Simon Phillips and Asia lead vocalist John Payne. The evident talent of each individual member of the band shines through at various points during the album Throughout it all, the production stands out for its silky smoothness, stitching together each aspect of the band’s throwback sound with commendable dexterity. 'Sorcery Inside' clearly attempts to be a modern-day alternative rock album, at times trading the traditional electrical-guitar driven sound for more experimental substitutes.” - The Stanford Daily

The European tour of Intelligent Music Project and Milen Vrabevski, MD with the participation of Simon Phillips (Toto), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow) and Richard Grisman (River Hounds) started on February 21 from Bulgaria. The first concert of the tour was held in Varna, followed by Plovdiv and Sofia, and the tickets completely sold out. As part of Dr. Milen Vrabevski's Intelligent Music Project, Phillips, Romero and Grisman presented their latest albums, “Sorcery Inside,” as well as the album “Life Motion.” The star trio were joined by some of the best Bulgarian musicians in the person of Stoyan Yankulov - Stundzhi, Biser Ivanov, Bobi Kosatkata, Ivo Stefanov, Ivaylo Zvezdomirov, Slavin Slavchev, Lina Nikol, Samuel Eftimov.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky




FEATURED EVENTS

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Tuesday, February 04, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Crossing

Tuesday, February 04, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Richardson Auditorium
68 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Toronzo

Toronzo Cannon

Wednesday, February 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Celia

Celia Vive! A Celia Cruz Tribute

Thursday, February 06, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Outlaws

Thursday, February 06, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

​​​​​​​Makin

​​​​​​​Makin Waves with Tusk: Chemistry, Synergy, Intuition

Tusk has been criss-crossing the country since 2008 as the classic Fleetwood Mac tribute. The five founding members have a rich history that spans more than four decades and cultivates an intimate familiarity with each other's musical nuances that shapes their performances with precision and unspoken understanding. 



Harmonium

Harmonium Broadway Cabaret Troupe presents their 2025 Broadway Cabaret Benefit

(WHIPPANY, NJ) -- Harmonium Broadway Cabaret Troupe presents their 2025 Broadway Cabaret Benefit on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center in Whippany. The event begins at 6:00pm.



Pianist

Pianist Luther Allison Brings the Music of New Orleans to Audiences Across the Country

James Black was a New Orleans-based jazz drummer, little known outside of the Crescent City. James Carroll Booker III was called the "piano prince of New Orleans." Harold Battiste was a reedist and composer who worked closely with such artists as Ellis Marsalis, Sam Cooke, and Dr. John.



McCarter

McCarter Theatre presents The Crossing on Tuesday

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, three-time Grammy Award-winning chamber choir The Crossing will perform David Lang's poor hymnal at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. Presented by McCarter Theatre, this performance explores themes of community, responsibility, and connection. Premiered in December 2023 in Philadelphia, the concert-length work has already become a staple in The Crossing's repertoire. Showtime is at 7:30pm.



Lucrecia

Lucrecia Pays Homage to Former Bergen County Resident and Reigning Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz

"Life is a carnival! It's much more beautiful to live it singing." If you're unfamiliar with my life's mantra, perhaps you’d recognize it if I were instead to say "la vida es un carnaval, es más bello vivir cantando." Now put a salsa beat under it and add the iconic voice of the Queen herself, Celia Cruz. Sound familiar? One would hope.