| Simply drop dead essential progressive rock with that classic Italian symphonic influence. Montefeltro is really the genius of 2 men who wrote and performed much of the material with 2 guest musicians as well. Chords are heavily symphonic and passages lush with superb musicianship….what else could you ask for ? Although I love the entire album, the opening epic track is delicious "Canto" which clocks in at around 22 minutes and manages to cover a wide range of themes and ideas. Vocals are excellent and are full of great expression with lovely melodies and harmonies. Guitar expressions are also very well sequenced into the music and is played with great feeling and musicianship. This is yet another one of Musea's great contributions to the genre of Progressive Rock . | |||
| Highly romantic , pastoral progressive rock with strong parallels to the music of Camel. Full of soft keyboard symphonia, flute filled interludes and a superb mix of acoustic and electric guitar passages giving this album a timeless quality. Vocals are soft and excellent with loads of harmony and once again seems to fit the music to perfection.
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| In 1977 Zauber recorded an album to be named Phoenix but never got the opportunity to release it until some 15 years later. Zauber play a highly involved progressive rock with stong allusions to that of ELP while maintaining a highly original and classic Italian influence. One of the most immediately recognizable "Zauber'isms" is the voice of Liliana Bodini who brings a new dimension forward in their music (she has a great voice). Instumentation is varied with flute, moog, mellotron, electric piano, triangle, organ etc. Songs are performed with high instumentation skill and is truely a wonderful little album. Album also contains 2 bonus songs recorded in 1991 to mark the re-formation of Zauber.
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| Second release from this excellent German progressive rock outfit. I acquired this CD several years ago and was immediately addicted to their sound. Lead vocalist Martin Eden has one of those voices which just go right through you (at times has a bit of a Peter Gabriel delivery). Also of note is the excellent guitar work of Udo Lang and keyboard work of Tobias Budnowski who play with great emotion and sound performances. Highlight for me is opening track "Start It" which has been played to death and represents in my opinion perhaps their most expressive song ever. This is a great neo-prog like album which I have and continue to enjoy very much…..a great discovery | |||
| Orchestral symphonic prog from The Netherlands delivering a highly involved concept album of great beauty. In many ways "Sounds Of Passion" is a really a sonic meditation in itself and comes across as a daydream - like symphony. Lead conductor and arcetect Erik de Vroomen plays a wide range of instruments including Grand Piano, synths, Hammond Organ, Pipe Organ, Novatron, Clavinet , Moog Taurus Bass Pedals to name a few. Erik is joined by a few other session musicians who add solid bass, guitar and drums throughout. Epic title track runs for 29 mins and is the center piece of the album. Overall "Sounds Of Passion" is a highly involved and dramatic piece of symphonic progressive rock. | |||
| Wonderful symphonic prog with a high degree of energy and positive musical spirituality throughout. Steve Cochrane is a multi-talented musician/song writer who plays keyboards, bass and guitars with great ease. The centre piece of "The Purest Of Designs" is clearly the 27 min epic track "Songs For Spring" which showcase this musicians talents and musical flexibility. Steve Cochrane's songs are involved and a contain a nice variety of tempo and mood changes. Without a doubt he is a great guitarist and it is during the instrumental moments when one can really appreciate all of Steve's guitar virtuosity. "The Purest Of Designs" is heavily symphonic in nature and contains some highly memorable melodies and wonderful instrumentation.
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| Now here is a great recording which will appeal to many of the selective listeners out there. This Swedish symphonic act play a richly landscaped style of music and in some ways remind me of a mix of the work of The Flower Kings and Jadis. Manticore's songs are very well written and played with great instrumentation. Their clever choice of instrumentation enables a very full and warm sound with Hammond, Mellotron and magestic Richenbacker accents throughout. Vocals are very well done and are sung effortlessly in English with conviction. This is a wonderfully original sounding album which I would fully recommend. | |||
| Grand epic fantasy concept album dominated with the keyboard genius of Dave Greenslade. Based on the wonderful world created and inked by artist Patrick Woodroffe , Greenslade transports us musically into his wonderful world. Greenslade is assisted throughout by both Phil Collins and John Lingwood on the drums and daughter Kate Greenslade who was 2 years old at the time. In many ways "Pantateuch" plays like a childhood nursery rhyme with Greenslade's choice of colorful themes and passages. Along the way we are treated to some nice varieties of keyboards with Mellotron, Church Organ, Polymoog, Tubular Bells, Minimoog, Clavinet, Vibraphone to name a few. I suspect that this recording may not be for everybody, but I have always loved the fantasy concept like albums and this one is luscious. If you are lucky enough to find the BGO CD copy you will be amazed at how well the re-mastered version really sounds (Super Bit Mapping). The packaging is also superb with 48 page colored book to keep you entertained full of Woodroffe's fine art.
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| In 1970 Trees released their 2nd album with "On The Shore" blending strong elements of Prog, Psychedelia and Folk. Led by the strong and beautiful voice of Celia Humphris (sounds like a mix of Annie Haslam and Sandy Denny), "On The Shore" delivers a wild contrast of soft 70's classical Avante Garde folk rock. What is truely addictive here is their juxtaposed sounds, blending piano with guitar (acoustic and electric). The longer songs are simply "to die for" with the extended psychedelic jams and fuzzy electric guitar droned solos. For those who love a great album cover you will be delighted here with Storm Thorgeson's psychy camera work (best known for designing Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon"). Without a question "On The Shore" is a fabulous and highly eclectic piece of Psychy 70's Folk which definitely has my ear. | |||
| Live At The Classic Rock Society has been kindly made available through the hard work of Martin Hudson (CRS founder member) who needs to be thanked for his energy here. This is truely a remarkable little live album full of grand Galahad moments. The music was recorded and mixed to CD without any overdubs which gives this album a real live feel and is one of the immediate selling features for me. I will admit that I am a big supporter of this band and have been a fan for many years now. Having never seen them live, this album takes a special place in my collection. Sounds reproduction is excellent and speaker speration is quite good with Pepper's distinctive bass and pedal fingerings, Garrett's neo prog keyboard runs, Luckman's complex and varied drumming, Keyworth's guitar traps and of course Stuart Nicholson's quality vocal chords. Track listing is Sleepers, Aqaba, Live & Learn, The Chase, Ghost of Durtal, The Automaton, Richelieus Prayer and Room 801. This is a live album which favourably showcases this bands capabilities and talents...essential.
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| With songs written and performed by this virtually unknown musician, "The Coenobite" delivers a highly captivating album full of surprises and charm. "My Habit" is a concept based album with a wide range of mood and tempo changes throughout. The Opening track clocks in around 30 minutes and is made up of some 6 distinct parts. The Coenobite plays a highly dark symphonic style of music which also contains some nice electric guitar parts. The Coenobite is credited with playing most of the keyboards, guitar and drums. Sound effects are used throughout to add to the macabre feeling The Coenobite is trying to evoke throughout this album. A good listen.
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| "More Grains Of Sand" represents Swiss Proggers Clepsydra's second release which contains some excellent Neo Prog sounds. Clepsydra deliver soaring sythns (aka Marillion , Pendragon…..), great guitar work and the emotive vocals of Aluisio Maggini. Pendragon's Nick Barrett makes a guest appearance on the opening track (for those who are Pendragon completists). Songs are well written and performed with great gusto and emotion. A highly enjoyable album all the way through.
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| Germinale's first album is just simply irresistible and may be one the best releases from the '90's Italian prog scene in my opinion. What makes this album work so well for me is it's completeness …..organ/keyboard - flute soaked passages, harmonic guitar solo's , foreboding bass lines , surrounded by excellent and varied drumming and percussion. Vocals are excellent and as you would expect highly expressive and of course sung in Italian. Once again I find their music reminiscent of early Italian prog greats PFM with the heavy combination of both symphonia and jazz- like musical passages in the same song. Highly recommended and one of my favs… | |||
| Ash Ra Temple's "Starring Rosi" is a definitive trip into cerebral space land. "Starring Rossi" is a clash of Space & Psychedelic influences and is one of the most accessible spaced-out recordings of all time. Featuring the original space-guitar compositions of Manuel Gottsching smothered in the female narration of some cosmic chick named Rosi. An excellent album from start to finish and in my opinion an essential album. | |||
| Frequently cited in error as a Swiss Marillion clone band which although some similarities (keyboards and art work) may exist does stand completely on its own as a solid piece of work. Fans of Steve Hackett's fine work will clearly love this one as both musically and stylistically Deyss draw on many "Hackett'isms". This is clearly articulated in Giovanni De-Vita's guitar playing which is simply exceptional and fits the music to perfection. Vocals are sung in English and are well done by a guy who is called Jester (another Marillion'ism I guess?). Overall Deyss has a highly neo symphonic prog sound (Love it or Hate it!)which is delivered with great energy and emotion.
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| Please remain seated, pass all glasses to the front and get into your crash positions…..Ladies & germs please get ready for some high wired and explosive Prog Metal from 3 member Clockhammer. Now normally I do not give much credence to the Prog Metal genre personally, but Clockhammer's "Klinefelter" will be an exception (there is always an exception). Clockhammer's music is generally loud but controlled and in many ways carries a sound not unlike elements of Canadian band Rush. Lovers of guitar will love Byron Bailey's talents who also has a very nice voice. Clockhammer have done things musically that many would not dare to even try and do carry some real progressive tendencies throughout their music. Clockhammer's music range from Acid Psychedelic to Progressive Rock to Blues to Metal influences. A highly original and creative band who love to turn up the tempo and volume to eleven! | |||
| Irish classic prog with striking melodies and memorable songs. "Songs For A Thought" is really a superb collection of many of Fruupp's finest musical moments taken from all 4 albums, including 1 amazing unreleased song "On A Clear Day". Fruupp's music is full of grand beauty with flowing choruses and excellent musicanship. I must admit that I am a big Fruupp fan and regard their albums very highly. Overall Fruupp have a highly original and distinctive sound which I am sure many will enjoy. | |||
| Severely forgotten Italprog blending excellent analog keyboard shapes & sounds with excellent vocals (sung in Italian) and scrumptious guitar work. Fiore Di Metallo contains some highly memorable songs which are played with warmth (mainly due to their lovely keyboard work) and create some wonderful atmospheres. I Califfi were way ahead of their time and in a very foreboding sense bring forward many of the sound elements found later in rock. This is a highly complete album in many ways …..soft vs loud, symphonic vs harder rock, acoustic vs electric….If you enjoy the classic Italian prog sounds then without a question Fiore Di Metallo is essential in your collection. | |||
| Wonderfully dark and intense progressive rock with a tendency for the harder edge. "Vixit" is full of great instrumentation with some wild & frenzied musical moments….delicious. Indiscipline play a highly skilled & challenging music with some great guitar & bass interplay. Vixit would certainly not be characterized as symphonic rock. Vocals are quite interesting and are sung in both English and French and fits the music actually quite well. | |||
| Trees debut album originally released in 1970 blending heavy folk and psychedelic influences . After being unable to put their second album "On The Shore" down, I had to get the debut release which is also very solid. Once again traditional and original folk pieces are arranged and delivered with a mix of soft / tranquil folk shades juztaposed with heavy acid laced psychedelic freak outs.....simply amazing. Throughout we are treated to the great voice of Celia Humphris who adds some folk-opera to the album. I highly recommend this album to those who are willing to open their ears to some pretty ground breaking and thought provoking music. | |||
| Classic and highly emotional Dutch progressive rock on the now defunct SI Music label. November have a wonderfully accessible sound with a lead singer (Karl Messemaker) who has an unbelievable voice and reminds me very much of Peter Gabriel. Their sound is a blend of mainstream with fringe progressivre rock elements and do actually remind me Peter Gabriels music quite a bit. First Of November is actually quite symphonic with orchestration throughout. I find the songs well written and contain some great musical moments, delivered with some solid musicianship. | |||
| 90's Symphonic progressive rock band who cross both neo and classic prog genres in this excellent album. I remember 5 years ago when this album first came out contacting the band as I was so impressed with their 90's symph - prog effort. Now here I am 5 years later finally getting around to a brief synopsis of this tasty little Italian gem. With sculptured and pastel keyboard landscapes, guitar and bass are juxtaposed with rich emotion and energy. Songs are generally on the longer side of life (7-11 mins) and are well written and recorded. In many ways this band have a similar approach to bands like Fancyfluid and Finisterre to give some context. Overall an album which I have really enjoyed as the years go by. | |||
| In my opinion another essential German early 70's progressive rock gem. Not unlike their first brilliant album, "Join Inn" contains 2 songs with the first track 'Freak 'N Roll' representing a masterful wild acid laced guitar/keyboard jam......pure magic to your ears. The second track "Jenseits" taking on a much slower, sombre , moody keyboard driven piece of electronic space music. Musicians include Manuel Gottsching (Guitar), Hartmut Enke (Bass) and Klaus Schulze (Drums, Organ, synthesizer). Overall this album is quite tasty and if you are looking for a really wonderful spaced out piece of music then you must "Join Inn" | |||
| Third and final album released by The Mandrake Memorial representing a wonderful and absolute popular psychedelic experience. Puzzle contains some simply scrumptious "psychy" parts and actually contains grandiose classical ideas at the same time….best of all it works. This is a concept album based on imaginary creatures called Curl-Up's who are represented on the fine cover art work. Included on the re-mastered CD package was their last known recordings…a version of Thunderclap Newman's Something In The Air and the B-Side on the last 45 single released from The Mandrake Memorial. Songs carry a certain "Beatle'ish influence to them (aka Strawberry Fields…..) and contain many different background sound effects and sonic distortion making this album strangely wonderful. Highly addictive album with some truly memorable musical moments. | |||
| Grand epic concept masterpiece with magestic melodies and scrumptious instrumentation. Without a moment of hesitation I would take this album to my grave as one of my all time favs. Imago Mundi was in my opinion Asgard's absolute top musical peak (although all of their albums are genius in design). Magestic keyboards with punching guitar and bass surrounded by wonderful percussion and the great vocals of Kikko Grosso. Asgard deliver one of the most original progressive rock sounds mixing small elements of classic old time Genesis, Marillion, Dream Theatre and even Rush. This wonderful fantasy like concept album musically traces the steps of a young dwarf as he trys to travel across the dangerous medieval world of Imago Mundi. This is an essential piece of the '90's progressive rock story. | |||
| Canadian symphonic keyboard wizard Ken Baird's second release building very much on the success of his eye opening debut album "August". In contrast, "Fields" although still heavily instrumental does put more emphasis on the vocal aspect of his music. With assistance from Sue Fraser who certainly does have a very lovely voice, it is Baird himself who carries the dominant lead vocal role and does so with great conviction. "Fields" is absolute "symphonia" at its finest, full of heavy keyboard driven orchestral landscapes, pastoral atmospheres and images you can almost picture yourself playing a part in. Baird's music carries a wholesome quality to it and is not ever "over produced" sounding and given lots of room to develop his themes and ideas. A wonderful and highly colorful symphonic rock album which will win your hearts over
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| Excellent Renaissance inspired band led by the distinctive vocals of Sandy Leigh who sounds somewhere in the Annie Haslam and Jon Anderson camp. Solstice are excellent musicians with Violin, deep bass lines, solid guitar and percussion interplay. Silent Dance emits real warm earthly tones and contains some highly memorable melodies and progressive moments. This is an excellent album that I have had in my collection for quite a while now and do frequently resurrect it to re-enjoy the music. | |||
