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From The Desk Of Turing Machine’s Scott DeSimon: Demis Roussos

The complex math rock/angular indie/krautrock mix as embarked upon by New York’s Turing Machine since 1998 came to an abruptly tragic end in November 2009. On the eighth of that month, 34-year-old drummer Gerhardt “Jerry” Fuchs was killed in a freak elevator-shaft accident in a building where he was attending a fundraiser. Understandably, surviving members Justin Chearno (guitar) and Scott DeSimon (bass) put the band to rest after losing an integral piece of their musical puzzle and close friend. So, it was to everyone’s surprise when, earlier this year, Turing Machine announced its return with a new album, What Is The Meaning Of What (Temporary Residence Ltd.). Chearno and DeSimon will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on them.

DeSimon: Like most rock nerds, we came to Roussos through his singing with Vangelis’ prog band Aphrodite’s Child. (Their last album, 666, is still one of our all-time favorite records.) His solo LPs may be hit or miss—ranging from straight-up ’70s Euro-Pop to folky stuff to disco to what I guess might be described as “world music”—but the man has the voice of a Greek angel. That said, keep away from anything with the phrase “Live In Brasil” printed on it. His second record, Forever And Ever, is a good bet, and has the devastatingly beautiful “Lovely Sunny Days” on it. Demis, it must be said, is a mountain of a man, prone to wearing Walter Hudson-esque caftans and muumuus. I think he even wrote a book about his struggles with weight, which really just adds to the man’s larger-than-life image.

Video after the jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZababJgF10