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New Album by Kansas Soars High On Billboard Album Charts

originally published: 07/30/2020

The Absence of Presence, the recently released, new studio album from America's legendary progressive rock band, KANSAS, made an impressive charting debut on the Billboard album charts. In the US alone, the album currently holds the #4 spot for Current Rock Albums, #5 Internet Albums, #10 Billboard Top Albums, and #10 Top Current Albums. Worldwide, 'The Absence of Presence' came in at the top spot for Sweden Rock/Metal Albums Chart, #2 for UK Rock Albums, and #4 Switzerland Albums Chart.

Released to fan and critical acclaim, The Absence of Presence is now available to stream and purchase online. The album has been widely praised for its musicianship and dedication to classic KANSAS sound. Publications from Forbes, and Billboard to American Songwriter, critics have called it one of the best albums in the KANSAS catalogue.

Previous to the album's release, the band released songs and music videos for the singles "Memories Down the Line", "Jets Overhead", and "Throwing Mountains".

"Now that The Absence of Presence has officially been released, we are excited for fans to finally hear the entire album," commented lead vocalist Ronnie Platt. "The band is very proud of the album and grateful for KANSAS fans' support of it. Hopefully it gives fans something to sink their teeth into and enjoy until we can get back out performing concerts."

The Absence of Presence follows-up 2016's The Prelude Implicit, which debuted at #14 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. KANSAS has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and is famous for classic hits such as 'Carry On Wayward Son' and 'Dust in the Wind' to the progressive epic 'Song for America.'




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Released by Inside Out Music, the album features nine all new tracks written by the band, produced by Zak Rizvi, and co-produced by Phil Ehart and RichardWilliams. KANSAS's signature sound is unmistakable throughout. The album showcases Ronnie Platt's towering vocals, David Ragsdale's searing violin, Jersey native Tom Brislin's dazzling keyboards, Williams and Rizvi's electrifying guitar riffs, Ehart's powerful drums, and Billy Greer's rocking bass.

New Jersey Stage spoke with Tom Brislin about joining the legendary band and building his prog rock credentials with acts like Yes, Camel, Renaissance, and The Sea Within in Issue 73.

The album is available on CD, Double LP 180 Gram Vinyl, Limited Edition Deluxe CD + 5.1 Blu-Ray Artbook, and digitally on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and all other streaming services. To stream or purchase, please click here. 




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) continues its series of Soundtracks Talks at the Princeton Public Library with "Amadeus and the Myth of Mozart" on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 7:00pm in the library's Community Room. Chris Collier, Executive Director of the Princeton Garden Theatre, and Michael Pratt, Conductor of the Princeton University Orchestra, unravel the enduring legacy and myth of Mozart by watching and discussing excerpts of the 1984 Academy Award-winning movie Amadeus. Their conversation anticipates the Garden Theatre's showing of the restored theatrical cut of the film the following evening, Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7:00pm.

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents The Space Between Notes: Dualities and Emotions Beneath Monk's Brim as the newest visual arts exhibition at The Gallery at Paper Mill in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery on display from February 3–28, 2025.

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The common factor in pandemics that have plagued humanity since the beginning of time is... humanity. Smithsonian Curator Sabrina Sholts contends that recognizing our habits and traits is the key to reducing our risks. She'll bring clarity to this critical issue in her Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center, in partnership with Princeton University's Humanities Council and co-produced by Jill Newman Productions, presents two-time GRAMMY Award winner Meshell Ndegeocello in No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, a theatrical live rendition of her 2024 album, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 7:30pm.

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) — Critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Maia Sharp and Antje Duvekot will co-headline a performance at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The show is part of the on-going Split Level Concert Series which highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Although the necessity for the film is troubling, the people followed throughout We Are Not Machines (No Somos Máquinas) turn a horrible situation into fuel for reconstruction, choosing to fight with passion and determination against the system that affects them rather than passively falling victim to it.

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Pro Arts Jersey City presents Stepping Up 2 - a Pro Arts Volunteer Exhibition weekends from February 8 - March 7, 2025 in the Art150 Gallery. The exhibition is curated by Alexandra Alvarez and showcases works by Pro Arts volunteers.

(MADISON, NJ) -- Saxophonist Bruce Williams, who hails from Washington, D.C. and currently resides in Montclair, NJ, has made his presence known on the jazz scene by garnering critical attention with his own enthusiastically received CD releases, Brotherhood and Altoicity (Savant Records), and Private Thoughts (Passin' Thru Records).

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Celia Vive - A Musical Tribute to Celia Cruz performed by Lucrecia on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 8:00pm. This is a unique and unforgettable concert presentation featuring Spanish Cuban singer Lucrecia who pays tribute to the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz.

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Seven-time Grammy nominee Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), a revolutionary force in jazz, will perform at McCarter Theatre Center on Thursday, February 13, 2025. A transformative artist in contemporary jazz, Chief Adjuah has been redefining the genre since 2002. He is known for his dynamic live performances that blend jazz, soul, funk, and African traditions, continuously pushing the boundaries of the genre. Showtime is 7:30pm.