| Another superb release on Cuneform records....Djam Karet blend high energy with total sophistication, but never get too crazy. Fans of complex Prog will need to have this recording! The Devouring is definitely "guitar-centric" and offers superb musicianship. | |||
| Superb symphonic prog for these legendary Swedish prog heads. Being an earlier release, Isildurs Bane concentrated on a much more symphonic prog than their later King Crimson-like approach. Isildurs Bane deliver here some classic tranquil moments which border on sonic perfection...sound effects and all! These two releases represent the 3rd and 4th CD from Isildurs Bane and contain some of their greatest moments ever recorded. Highly recommended to all lovers of Swedish folk prog. | |||
| Poet and musician, Roy Harper is a voice you will never forget. For most in hour of fame is found on Pink Floyd's Wish you Were Here and Led Zepplin III albums, but don't be fooled as Lifemask is a prog/folk classic. Here Roy is joined on guitar by Jimmy Page who adds some sweet guitar riffs, never sounding like Zep! Lifemask is a major journey and exploration into the life of the human race. Lifemask has a very holistic quality to it and the album is dominated with folkie acoustic guitar and has a strong Pink Floyd/Peter Hammill element to it. The bottom line is that this prog classic is essential in your collection and it would make great dinner music..... | |||
| Now this is certainly one of the classics....and yes another 70's gem from Italy. Here would will be overdosed on great keyboards (2 keyboardists), dynamic bass/guiter interplay with great drumming. Corte dei Miracoli have written here some very memorable tunes with some absolute gorgeous moments. This album has a very strong spacy sound put to some of the most soulful chorus...not unlike Locanda delle Fate in many ways. Songs are nice and long and considering the age of this puppy, the sound separation is actually quite good. The only let down is that the album ends far too early. Amazing music | |||
| Here is a sensational Jazz/prog act from Quebec Canada which needs to be heard. This 4 piece Jazz outfit play everything from heavy fusion to neo-prog and do so with the most incredible musicanship. This band will make all fans of great musicianship drool all over the speakers for hours. UZEB never too jazz orientated getting into the schzoid type of Jazz, but instead focus on superb controlled music which is ever changing. | |||
| This has always been one of my richest music treasures in my collection. This albums lives and breathes Progressive Rock all the way through. Dark and conceptual, The Dark Side delves into the vast regions of the human brain leaving lots up to the imagination of the listener. Floyd deploy a wide range of moods here from the tranquil beauty of Breathe to the stunning and operetic Great Gig In The Sky. This is one of the most influential and essential prog recordings of all time..never to have been duplicated since. | |||
| For those who love heavy symphonic Italian prog you will be amazed. I do not know why but these guys are left off the "best-of" Italian prog lists far too often. La Bottega Dell'arte blend the symphonic touches of Locanda delle Fate with the most beautiful of songs. Dentro weights very heavily on keyboards which there is no shortage of here....piano, mellotron, clavinet, moog, odissey, hammond etc....This is one of those bands that once you hear, you will not be able to get out of your head. Vocals are exceptional and handled by several members who can all really sing (lots of great harmonies)....very classical voices with the big classical symphonic sound. Like so many of the classic Italian bands they have dual keyboardists, a guitarist , bassist and percussionist all of the highest quality. Dentro is one of those cd's that every one love and never gets too heavy to lose some fine folk. Get this CD!!! | |||
| Well thanks once again to Alain Robert at Musea we can enjoy a super bit mapping remastered version of Pentacles classic album La Clef Des Songes....and a classic it is. For those who love spacey cascading symphonic prog with lots of soft organ and Crimson like atmospheres will get into this work of art. I love every song here only wished Pentacle had lasted longer. On this cd version Musea have attached 3 live songs from these early days of discovery. This music does not sound dated and has a very fresh feeling to it, which is nice for a change as many early '70 prog sounds like '50's! Pentacle offer superb musicianship with awesome guitar, keyboard and drum interplay. Pentacle has a strong tie with ANGE in that Christian Decamps produced the album and has a lot to do with its release right from the start. This is yet another essential recording. | |||
| For those who do not know the music of le Orme you are missing out for sure. In my opinion this is one of the greatest true essays in sound surrounded by the lush music of Le Orme. During the early 80's Le Orme changed their approach to music and began to explore as they did on Florian some non-traditional instruments and song arrangements. I have heard this album put down for far too long and can not accept the thoughts/opinions of many of my prog peers out there in prog land. This album is great with the lights down low and the ol headphones on. Florian is full of grandeur and very much progressive influences. In many ways this is my favorite Le Orme record and always seems to have a magnetism for my ears. This is another essential recording..so place your orders today..... | |||
| After hearing Unfolded Like Staircase I had to get their first release and as expected it is amazing. For those who love Unfolded, Push & Profit is a must! Matthew Parmenter takes you deep into the dark exploration of life from his view. Musicianship is high here and full of great musical passages. As you would expect songs are sharp and on the edge. This would be an impressive addition to anyone's progressive rock collection. | |||
| Widely favorably regarded as a modern classic, Finisterre's debut recording is magic to the ears. Finisterre blend the musical sophistication with the beauty of the 70's prog legends. This is pure original material and is 100% solid progressive music sure to please all fans. Finisterre have a very modern sound and do not sound like anyone else for comparison purposes. This is one of my favorite 90's prog releases from Italy. Finisterre blend classical piano with outrageous guitar and drum interplay. Each song has been carefully crafted and is very detailed. | |||
| This has been one of my all time favorite Italian prog releases of the 90's. Alessandro Serri's vocals alone will put you into a deep trance. His soft caressing vocals are set to some of the most beautiful prog you can hear. The title and opening track to this day remains in my opinion one of the milestones in modern prog rock. Eris Pluvia offer here some very beautiful and emotional proggy moments which you will fall in love with and never let go of. Highly recommended! | |||
| This is one of those cd's which will blow you socks off and give those who have never really heard them a great introduction. This set list is full of their classics with some nice variations. The highlights for me are Radioactive Toy and Waiting both tracks words can not describe. Steve Wilson and team are at their best and the cd is very well recorded giving the listener a true feeling of being at the show. This is very intelligent space music which comes in somewhere between Pink Floyd and Ozric Tentacles.....A real treat | |||
| For those Yes fans who have not heard this solo release you are missing out for sure! Squire's first solo release is packed with superb yes-like musicianship. As you would expect the album does concentrate and accentuate the bass guitar side of life, but don't be misled...this album is packed with superb music. In many ways it is my favorite of all the Yes solo releases and seems to have a very pure progressive feel to it. Chris is joined on the album by Mel Collins (Sax), Bill Bruford (Drums) and Partick Moraz (keys) to name a few who add some very rich moments to the album. Musically this album moves in and out of many moods and offers nice speaker dynamics. This is really a brilliant recording and the only criticism one could make is the absence of Jon Anderson, but then again you can't em all!! | |||
| So who ever called these guys an "ELP wanna be" should go play on the highway! Latte E Miele offer only subtle reminders of the great ELP, but certainly take us here down a journey into the unknown. This is one of the all time classic Italian prog releases. Here dream-like passages and inter-winded with the narrative of the story giving the listener a full concept feeling. Latte E Miele offer here some very dynamic mood swings and go from pastel pastures to heavy jazz-like passages. This album contains some of the greatest progressive rock moments ever recorded. This recording is multi-layered and has many operatic influences giving a full and intelligent feel to the recording throughout....it is one of my all time favs and is essential in anyone's collections. | |||
| I am sure most of you are all too well familiar with the late great Zappa's work, but for those who have not heard Hot Rats you are missing one of the best gems left behind from Frank Zappa. Here Frank is joined by a few friends including Jean Luc Ponty, Ian Underwood and vocalist Captain Beefheart. Hot Rats is full of surprises and offers many incredible progressive rock moments. This album offers nice long tracks with extended heavy guitar solos and lots of sax and keyboard activity to keep you on the edge of your seat. This album seems to grow on the listener and then is almost one of your collections high points. This is a real gem and should be listened to by all prog fans. It may take a while to hit the first time Zappa heads as it moves into the bizarre and strange aspects of music and Zappa pushes the boundaries of modern sound and image. This is an essential masterpiece and must be in your collection | |||
| Flyte's Dawn Dancer has been a staple in the prog collection of many prog heads for many years and for good reason. In many ways Flyte's style mirrors that of Camel and yet offers its own personality | |||
| Finisterre are leading the way for the 90?s prog band in Italy and deserve a lot more appreciation than they have received! Finesterre blend the sophistication of the best prog acts with the temperament of the old prog classic bands. In Limine explores areas of prog that their other recordings have not and in many ways is completely refreshing and different from other releases. | |||
| For a long time "Fountains" has been an addiction for me and for many good reasons. Kyrie Eleison have a very strong early Genesis flavor but also blend many original musical and progressive elements into their music. Kyrie Eleison managed to release before splitting up a masterpiece of progressive rock with Fountains. Songs are well written and offer some very solid melodies never getting too dark or loud for the listener to enjoy. Musicianship is very strong and extended song length makes this quite a prog gem. The sound does come across a bit dated and low tone aspects, but this will not reduced your enjoyment for this prog. Classic. Kyrie Eleison blend the symphonic mastery of Genesis with the thematic aspects of Van Der Graaf Generator. | |||
| Le Orme have created so many great prog albums that they all should be talked about more than they are. Uomo di Pezza is on of their finest moments ever in the studio and offers some brilliant moments. Uomo is full of PFM-like orchestral interludes with the unmistakable sound of Aldo Tagliapietra and company. The first 10 minutes of the album will have your drooling on the floor demanding more from the moment it begins and ends with some very sweet melodies. Like so many other Le Orme albums this one ends far too earyl and only clicks in around 35 mins. Speaker separation is quite excellent and sound quality is surprisengly good. Uomo di Pezza is a very complete album and should definitely appeal to fans of the classic early 70?s Italian prog scene. The quiet moments on this release are quite magical and very spiritual in many ways fitting nicely the concept behind this progressive rock masterpiece. Highly recommended | |||
| This is pure prog heaven through and through and in my opinion remains one of France?s greatest Prog moments?..Although other Pulsar releases are excellent, Halloween is my fav and for many good reasons. The intro is perhaps the greatest prog moment ever captured and will certainly tear your heart out. Halloween open with the soliloquy of a little boy introducing to the listener the main theme from which Pulsar build on. Halloween transforms in structure and theme throughout moving in and out of many different musical passages. This is one of my all time favorite concept prog releases and must be owned by all prog heads. Many proggers have been disappointed after hearing so many good things about this release, but I must tell you that it has been love since day 1. Halloween is very easy to listen to and offers a very complete "orchestral -like" feel throughout. | |||
| For most of you I am sure you would agree that this is perhaps Yes' most crowning achievement. Close to the edge is a masterpiece and brings out the best musicianship of the members of Yes. Each song is well written and delivered with pure beauty and energy. From a song writing stand point this is yes' greatest work. This is pure magic and is absolutely essential is your collection. And You and I still remains of the the all time greatest prog tracks ever in my mind. | |||
| After reading so much about this act I finally got a chance to hear it and have never looked back since. This recording is quite bombastic in nature and Happy Family create a loud but full prog quality in their music. Like Echolyn this music never sits still and gets very close to the bizzare at times. Toscco offers some solid progressive moments and is mostly instrumental. This is really an exploration of sound and requires deep active listening from the audience to keep pace. | |||
| Leave it to IQ to create a new package out of the old!. This release is mostly devoted to their earlier work with One entire cd containing new re-worked ancient IQ classics. The other CD is completely original and sounds more like an old cassette than a new digital recording. Many readers may hold the opinion that a major drawback to this recording would be the repetitive nature inherent in playing both cd?s back to back. I personally have not found this yet after many repeated plays as the material, approach and sound is so different to each other that | |||
| Unbelievable but true?yes kiddies it is Andrew Lloyd before the Phantom stole the Aspects Of Cats??..Way back when, Weber wrote a progressive/symphonic rock masterpiece set around the influence Classical great Pucinni. Weber?s dream-like masterpiece is supported by a cast of well respected musicians like Phil Collins(Drums), Gary Moore (Guitar) and several members of Colisseum. Variations is both classical and prog rock?ish at the same time. It is really a wonderful journey which seems to grow on the listener after repeated plays. Don?t worry this will not run on Broadway for 12 years like some of his other work. Variations has a great sound and the dominance of the cello throughout brings a very warm and passionate sound out from your speakers. Variations is all instrumental and moves in and out of many different moods. The re-release on CD is magical and it certainly out performs the old album collection. | |||
| This Italian prog release will most likely only appeal to the strong at heart??Concerto is as much of a journey as it is a prog album. The entire album is narrated along with some absolute incredible 70?s sounding prog. When Pholas Dactylus do finally get into the music side of the album, we are treated to some of the sweetest prog sounds ever recorded! Many prog heads have stated that if the narrator would have spoken at lot less this would have been the monster of all prog releases! In many ways this is a fair statement, but for some reason this album works very well for me and I find the narration almost hypnotic at times and seems to fit the concept and mood very well. This album works on many different levels and I love the prog sound they create. | |||
| Well don't looked surprised...(although I know I was the first time it was played for me!!). Yes it is "old-time" scorps with Michael Schenker on the lead guitar and a very young Klaus Meiner on vocals. If you could imagine before "Rock You Like A Hurricane" the lads for the Scorpions were playing psychedelic underground prog music and doing a very fine job at it. Lonesome Crow was produced by Conny Plank (Ex Grobschnitt, Hoelderlin etc...) and was distributed on the BRAIN label so you know it is quality. The scorps here explore some fabulous areas of acid prog rock led by guitarist Michael Schenker. The band get into a lot of great breakout jams which the listener is contagiously drawn into throughout the album. This is dark German prog rock which offers no keyboards but still manages to create lush atmospheres. I love this recording and only wished that the Scorpions had continued on in this genre...At times Klaus sings in a style which reminds me very much of Stefan Danielak (Wildschwein from Grobschnitt). | |||
