| Fruup were one of Ireland's greatest bands and produced a number of great albums in the 70's with Modern Masquerades being one of my personal picks of the litter. Musically these guys were highly talented offering some creative song writing and instrumentation. On this album the lush keyboard work of Stephen Houston stands out with some pretty huge mellotron and keyboard passages and atmospheres. Peter Farrelly's bass and vocals are at times simply stunning, delivering the perfect mix of vocals and harmonization. Martin Foye's drums and Vincent Mc Cusker's guitars blend all the music together and add some great musicianship. Their overall sound is not unlike Trespass circa Genesis, but with a much heavier folk influence. An interesting note is that this album was also produced by King Crimson's Ian McDonald.
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| Having followed Galahad’s career from the very start, I can only say these guys keep surprising me album after album. Ear Zero is a well crafted album although very much in the vein of their earlier work does add the fresh mellotron of Dean Baker. Year Zero is an exceptionally well recorded album with the mixing, the mastering sounding incredible…likely Galahad’s best sounding album yet. As usual Galahad deliver an album although very much rooted in the classic prog vein draw on modern modal aspects. John Wetton (Asia King Crimson) guests on this album and mixes very well against Stu Nicholson’s angelic vocals. The first 4 tracks on this album have to be 4 of the best songs I have heard in a long time….Galahad once again you have my ears and Dean welcome aboard….a great album and very much necessary to have in your collection.
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| With all of their previous releases in my collection, I could hardly wait to get my hands on Citizen Cain's latest release "Playing Dead" which I can report with confidence has been definitely worth the "four year itch" (4 years since their last release). For those unfamiliar with Citizen Cain let me introduce you to what I think Genesis really would have sounded like if they have not become the Phil Collins all star band......Citizen Cain are Stewart Bell (keyboards/drums), Cyrus (bass/lead vocals) and Phil Allen (guitars/backing vocals).
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| Tempi Dispari is a magical live album from 1974 by the Atomic System variation of The New Trolls, led by guitarist Vittorio De Scalzi after three members left to form what would end up being Ibis. De Scalzi is joined by future Nova keyboards player Renato Rosset, who influences this variation in a more jazzy oriented way than any other New Trolls incarnation. The band play here two side-long suites with side 1 really exploring the Jazz theme and side 2 including a theme from "Concerto Grosso 1" of excellent and innovative music with very heavy Miles Davis-like jazz prog rock influences. This is actually an unbelievable album to be honest and a real severe departure from the traditional New Trolls sound delving more into the modal aspects of early Soft Machine and early Herbie Hancock…mostly I think due to the addition of sax. Although jazz rock dominated this album also contains some pretty spacey/trippy segments. Side 2 is more of I guess what you would expect from the Trolls with heavier guitar and more of an electric prog direction sound but still the freaked out sax really bring new sound to this group…a great album which I love.
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| The music of Devil Doll is something very special and each album of theirs remains some of the most original gothic prog work ever done. This was apparently a fan club only re-release and the sleeve warns that "this music can alter your mental health". An orchestra tunes up, some polite applause and then a Sousa-style march that is interrupted by some mob sounds…wow and then it gets going. Strings and organ accompany sinister chants in a liturgy of the damned that turns into a stunning Goblin-esque prog workout. It's a crime that some horror film director didn't grab these guys cause they make some of the most tense, evocative evil soundtrack music I have ever heard. They actually make Italy’s Goblin sound like the happy hour in relation to this music darkness. About 6 minutes into it, the Devil Doll we all know and love starts to materialise, with the unmistakable strains of Mr. Doctor's hissed/whispered/growled vocals taking over and leading the listener through a surreal maze of terror and insanity. While one is listening, one can clearly hear influences of gothic-rock, progressive-rock, classical music, theatrical music, chamber music, soundtracks of old horror movies, opera and church music. There is simply no such category in which one could neatly and safely place Devil Doll, unless you name category itself as Devil Doll.
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| Solaris may be one of my all time favourite electronic symphonic rock bands with "1990" representing another excellent recording in their discography. Essentially “1990” consists of four parts: 1. 1980 - the first Solaris Radio-recordings, 2. Los Angeles 2026 - "A" side of the second Solaris LP that had been previously released, 3. A Night Exhibition - a suite, which was composed of their farewell-koncert and 4. Ceremonial Concert – a memorial concert in the year 2026 . Musically Solaris are László Gömör - drums, István Cziglán - guitars, Attila Kollár - flute, Gábor Kisszabó - bass, Tamás Pócs - bass, Robert Erdesz – Keyboards and Csaba Bogdán - guitars. Their compositions are complex and contain a lot of varied themes and arrangements, as well as many beautiful solos and interplays between guitars, keyboards and flute. This is pretty much an all instrumental album with music full of inspiration and originality. Their music has a strong melodic content, often laced with Eastern European themes, and is highlighted by the use of dynamics and extended thematic developments. For me the definite highlight is the 23+ minute piece Los Angeles 2026, with its interlocking themes and gradual buildup to the climax.
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| I must admit I really do not know much about Autograf except for their wonderful music. Years ago a progressive rock music collector traded this with me and that is really all I know (anyone have more info?). From what I can find they were around in the cold war Russian days and played a form of music not supported by the communist government. Musically, Autograf blend the keyboard symphonia of Camel with heightened classical characteristics with the electronic prowess and approach of Canada ‘s FM. Autograf supported 2 keyboardists (Leonid Makarevitch and Kris Kelmi) who draw from a host of electronic and piano instrumentation in a rich duo format. The guitars are right from the Andy Latimer school of prog with lots of fine leads and rhythm sections (Alex Sitkovetsky). The percussion is also excellent and never overpowers the symphonic nature of the mix (Vladimir Jakushenko). Lead vocalist Sergey Brutyan sings in his native tongue and does so from the heart and carries his own very nice original sound….his voice really fits the music… Musically these guys were excellent songwriters and excellent musicians and this collection of progressive rock songs is truly to be heard by the world.
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| ECM recording artist Steve Tibbetts has been for me a real sweet find and over the past few years and has musically become one of my favourite artists. “Exploded View” is absolutely a sonic maelstrom of an album. Tibbetts clearly belongs to a lost generation of musicians, the ones who grew up listening to the progressive and underground sounds of the '60s and early '70s and were left in the cold when the music went corporate. On Exploded View the guitarist continues to compose his personalized music filtered through his emotions, his guitar pyrotechnics, and his studio experimentation. Playing with the same musicians he's worked with since his first self-produced recording in 1977, he leaves nothing out, and yet it all works . Like Yr, Exploded View journeys through carefully wrought landscapes, with urgent acoustic guitars giving way to screaming feedback, the steady gurgle and throb of percussion, and the plaintive cry of Claudia Schmidt Considering this was recorded in his home studio, Tibbetts gets an astounding clarity of sound on this album. Tablas and congas have never had a more visceral punch, their sharpness defining and punctuating Tibbetts' sustained electric lines and the resonance of his acoustic guitar. Oh yes and also throughout Steve draws in the audio dones of Tibetan monks chanting. This album will clearly blow you away.
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| N.T.Atomic System released their first album in 1973, a splendid album very rich in the vein of classic Ital –Prog culture with Vittorio De Scalzi himself playing flute and keyboards along with guitar….The music on this album is fully of beautiful melodies and dramatic instrumentation. On this album they have added the female vocals of Anna e Giulietta whose voice sounds great along with De Scalzi’s. This album contains the bands rendition of Mussorgsky's “A night on bare mountain” (Una notte sul Monte Calvo),..a short but great instrumental track, sounding a bit evil and creepy. One of the standout aspects of this album for me is the great keyboard playing of Renato Rosset (Piano, Hammond organ, moog, mellotron and electric piano). This album has it all…lots of sound dynamics, the special 70’s Italian passion with great theme dynamics and great instrumentation. My personal favourite is track 6 “Quando L’Erba Vestiva La Terra” which carries a strong Procol Harum feel with dense yet lush symphonic organ and keyboards as well as a beautiful melody. The last song "Butterfly" is surprisingly sung in English and sounds like Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) with a heavy Moody Blues feel to this last track. For me this is definitely not only the best New Trolls album but also would have to rank IMHO as one of the very best albums from the 70’s Ital-Prog scene. An essential Ital-prog album deserving to be in your collection !
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| Now here is a good example of an album I have not pulled out in a number of years and realized it needed to be added definitely to my site. In late 60’s King Crimson’s Ian McDonald and Michael Giles began working on an album with the end result being nothing short of a great piece of work..an album I always considered to be a cousin to Crimson’s “Court Of The Crimson King”. The core of the band on the album is a trio made up of Ian on a wide variety of instruments (guitar, piano, organ, saxes, flute, clarinet, zither and vocals, Mike on drums, percussion and vocals, and Peter Giles on bass. This is effectively the same lineup as that of King Crimson's precursor, Giles, Giles & Fripp (THE CHEERFUL INSANITY OF GILES, GILES & FRIPP) minus Fripp and Ian McDonald in. In many ways this album is lighter sounding than “Court” and is slightly more subdued with more jazz influences. Vocals are well done and sound very English-like with some great vocal harmonies. 2 guest musicians also join in being Steve Winwood and trombonist Michael Blakesley. Side 1 contains 4 very different songs with “Suite In C” featuring the organ work of Winwood Track 2 “Flight Of The Ibis” representing the original melody for what became Cadence *& Cascade, Track 3 “Is She Waiting?” representing a very fitting English song which sounds at times like something out of The Beatles work. Track 4 “Tomorrow’s People” taking a real musical twist with a upbeat beat like song. The second sidelong track “Birdman” Is a delightful fantasy about a dotty inventor who dreams of flying and builds the wings that allow him to achieve his dream. Very English, and very optimistic -- unlike most of Crimson's material. The melodies soar, and this piece is the climax, both artistically and emotionally, of the album. It and "Suite In C" provide very strong bookends to the album as a whole. Overall a great album an one which should get more reflection from the music world.
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| The Cosmic Gardeners were one of the great underground psychedelic bands of the 90’s with Joy-Sele representing their second album and represents a bit of a concept album. Very psychedelic album with lots of fuzz guitar, sitar, psychedelic song writing, wah wah and phase outs space effects throughout. The packaging looks very homemade with green paper on red pale printing..very cool, but some might find a bit cheesy and amateur….depends all on your perspective my friends…. Essentially The CG’s are Riff (guitars, noise, vocals, drums, mandolin) and Bela (bass, synths, organ) who write and perform some pretty trippy songs mixing I would say elements of Ozric Tentacles and early Porcupine Tree with the West Coast 70’s counterculture moods. The end result is a very good album with some very innovative sounds and intelligent songs...May not be for everyone but if oyu like your space prog then this ius a great find !
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| My first encounter with Colin Bass was on the recent few Camel albums in which he simply blew me away and I really found his symphonic influences mixed perfect with Latimer’s guitar and song writing. An Outcast Of The Islands is bass’s first solo album and what an album it is! Without a question this album I would put on the same level as the recent Camel albums with clean swooping symphonic atmospheres, breathtaking instrumentation and great song writing. Bass plays all basses adds keyboards and vocals and is joined by Camel’s Andy Latimer (guitar) and Polish Prog Quidam’s Zbyszek Florek (keyboards), Szymon Brzezinski (guitars), Marcin Btaszczyk (Keyboards) and Dave Stewart on drums. This is a very complete album with even 2 orchestral instrumental pieces he performed with the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra. Overall an exception album full of great songs and amazing instrumentation…highly recommended
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| Triumvirat have always been referred to as an ELP clone band a view which I have failed personally to adopt….sure there are some strong similarities but also a number of differences….Mediterranean Tales is certainly one of those differences ! The opening side long title track is simply killer with heavy 70’s keyboard and German underground sensitivities. Cleverly energized epic track with some breathtaking instrumental-passages and instrumentation. Mediterranean Tales is a strong mix of classical and rock genres including overtures, fugues, thematic restatements and many different styled movements. Make no mistake this album is full of Jürgen Fritz’s killer keyboard work (a classically trained musician). The rest of the band include Hans Bathelt (drums, percussion) and Hans Pape (bass, vocals) . Re-mastered CD edition also includes four bonus tracks previously appeared on singles. A Classic Recording from a great progressive rock band !
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| During the “early years” England’s Ozric Tentacles published unofficial 6 cassettes of music of which the best of has been collected and presented here on 2 CD of re-mastered songs. The releases contributing to this compilation include "Erpsongs", "Tantric Obstacles", "There Is Nothing", "Nodens Ictus", "Sliding Glass Worlds" and "The Bits Between The Bits". Led by guitarist Ed and bassist Roly - the brothers Wynne - the songs here represent the Tentacles brewing their own perfect mug of musical mushroom tea. It's all here: the complicated rhythms, the atonal compositional experiments, the psychedelic, anarchic extravaganzas, the crazed jams and overall spaciness. Climb aboard for some of the best Ozrics ever !….Essential Music.
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| Karnataka’s Delicate Flame Of Desire is a beautiful album with showcases some of their best work so far. Once again they are fronted with the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Rachel Jones. Jones' voice is absolutely stunning and whose style is tonal and deep with conviction in a sensual and evocative style not unlike that of Joanne Hogg of Iona and Mary Fahl of October Project. Musically Karnataka actually remind me very much of October Project and Iona with their celtic-like inspired sounds and song writing style. Karnataka don't really break any new musical boundaries here but do deliver an album full of dramatic, multi-layered arrangements and emotional beauty. For those who love celtic-like prog will definitely love this album. |
| Stumbled unto this excellent soundboard transfer from Warren Haynes’s Ritz PowerJam show in 1993 featuring the likes of John Popper(harmonica, vocals), Noel Redding (bass, acoustic guitar), Lincoln Schleifer (Bass), Chuck Leavell (Keys), Bernie Worrell (organ, clavinet), Jaimoe (Drums), Jerome Brailey (drums) and Mark Quinones (Percussion). This robust line up basically perform non-stop rhythm & blues inspired tunes for 3 hours and cover both original and cover tunes. This 3 CD set captures the complete show with 2 sets and extra encores (and some more guest appearances from the band PHISH). What is remarkable about this recording is actually the recording itself which is pure digital and sounds perfect. The cover says it was taken straight from DAT and I believe this to be true. Overall and excellent concert with some simply bone crushing guitar riffs and song arrangements. |
| North Circular was originally released as a triple album Vinyl set but has since been transferred onto a double CD. Saloman has a deliberate and distinctive sound that speaks equal and vaporous volumes of punk, pop, AOR, psychedelia and folk, and he's never at a loss for song and this is most certainly the case here with North Circular. Saloman and Co. cover a vast range of themes and melodies on this album drawing on a vast array of influences and genres along the way. way His fourteenth recording ( not counting numerous compilations or his work with Mary Lou Lord ) showcases everything about him his fans love; great guitar playing, heart-felt lyrics and above all, absolutely a-freakin'-mazing songwriting, timeless songs that transcend genre and are instantly catchy. Saloman doesn't veer away from what can only be described as extended psychedelic freak-outs (such as the nearly thirteen minute, "The Pips"), and many bluesy blasts worthy of vintage Hendrix or Cream. OVerall a superb long play album which although transcends 2 CD's finishes far too early ! |
| My first Fruup album was actually a compilation album titled "Songs For A Thought" which featured a few tracks from this album and right then I knew this band was for me. Fruup's music is very melodic and varied mith a mix of influences ranging from the aspects of The Beatles to Genesis. Once again this album is centered around the keyboard work of Stephen Houston with lush mellotron-string atmospheres and melodic piano. Peter Farrelly's unique characteristic vocals really helps shape the unique sound of Fruup and offers a unique contrast to other lead singers. Martin Foye's drums and Vincent Mc Cusker's guitars are also quite superb and add some great musicianship. Fruup will be most remembered for their little highly sculptured folky-prog songs scented in their own unique characteristics and style. With unique charm and style, Fruup cleverly mix oboe, flute with piano, vocals guitar, bass and percussion creating an aura of progressive originality.
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| So you love cosmic folk and your looking for some great albums to play for your friends eh ! Well here is Holderlin’s first album which is not connected in anyway to their later sound. Holderlin’s Traum is a great album full of cosmic folk prog and represents a very interesting listen with its rich mix of folk, classical and rock into seven tracks of varying effects. The standout track for me is 'Requiem Fur Einen Wicht' which has a hauntingly beautiful dreamy feel in its musical elements: acoustic guitar, flute, and violin, as well as some strong vocals from the female vocalist Nanny de Ruig. This album will appeal greatly to those who like the 'progressive/cosmic' folk sounds that the Pilz label is known for. The album features guest musicians Peter Bursh and Mike Hellbach from Broselmaschine and Walter Westrupp of Witthuser and Westrupp fame. All lyrics and vocals are in German. A hauntingly beautiful album.
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