| Taking a departure from White Willow, Jacob Holm-Lupo has crafted a brilliant album in the name of "The Opium Cartel". Joining Holm-Lupo from White Willow is Lars Fredrik Froislie so you know you are in for some major mellotron! Night Blooms is a perfect album! Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voices and a very soft mellotron laden symphonic approach throughout. Vocals are both female and male and really has a black and white vibe to it matching and reflecting the cover art. Musically this is an ideal headphone art album with tons of great passages and subtle harmonies. You need to own this album right away so go order this puppy ! | |||
| The latest epic 2 CD album release by Marillion is yet another highly inspired piece of create music. From a theme and mood perspective I would peg this album in the same league as their previous album "Somewhere Else". "Happiness" is a lyrically-rich album with some real delicate and introspective musical moments. This album took me a few real "listens" to get .......first impression was that the album was a tad thin musically but upon deeper inspection the beauty of the album has emerged for me. Missings for sure are the big epic tracks which is stunning considering this album spans 2 long play CD's. I guess I just love the epic Marillion format! Overall some great musical moments and another excellent Marillion album ! | |||
| Rache was the second album by Germany's Embryo and imho represents a pure classic album for fusion lovers! Rache shows a more progressive zone for Embryo than Opal (previous album) with tons of ethnic percussion, Hammond organ, clavinet, and some great Mellotron work tossed in. This album also featured a few member changes but still remains a Eastern infuzed fusion band. Rache is filled with some superb flute thanks to new member Hansi Fischer who was also known for his work with XHOL CARAVAN. Fans of Embryo will love this studio mix vs the Garden Of Delight's released of "BREMEN 1971". Same songs but done very differently. Fundamentally this is still very much Christian Burchard's musical vision which carries some huge parallels for me to the genius of Miles Davis. If you can find this little gem I would highly recommend it ......a huge album! | |||
| The first 4 Klaatu albums are to kill for and if you have not heard them then you are missing out. This soon to be out of print 2 CD set spans the musical life of Klaatu sharing 40 unreleased songs and versions for the first time ever. The highlight for me by far is the complete re-release of HOPE with an 80+ piece full orchestra...this was the version the band originally recorded and planned for release but was to never see the light of day. For over 20 years the world has adored HOPE and now can re-enjoy in a very different musical format. Symphonic HOPE is essential guys......you need to own this CD version. Of courswe the rest of the package is great too with much different takes and versions of songs from their musical history..as well as a nice book to showcase this. Get it before it is too late....already selling on ebay for a mitt full ! Yikes | |||
| Edensong is the musical creation of James Byron Schoen represting a true work of personal commitment and devotion. "The Fruit Fallen" is pure "prog" and offers a nice range of themes, moods and tempos. What I find cleverly unusual is that it works so well on many different levels.....from the heavy lyrics and harmonies to the emotive mix of cello, flute and guitar. Schoen also uses a nice selection of guest musicans and instrumentation including Tablas and African percussion. Sonically this album has been well produced and will sound great over your speakers. The first 2 tracks "Water Run" and "The Baptism" will totally transfix your ears and draw you into the whole album. Musically this album draws on a vocal style not unlike Matthew Parmenter's devil'ish side while blending the acoustic aura of IONA (flutes, cello, acoustic guitar) and the heavy musical prowess of DISCIPLINE. This is a great first album for Edensong and I recommend this album for all who still cling close to the Prog! | |||
| Now finally this legendary album has been gorgeously remastered to CD. If you have not heard this album then you have missed out! "Pacific Ocean Blue" is a deeply moving, personal album full of emotional songs and brilliant musicanship. If you are able to hunt down the Legacy edition then you will be amazed by Disc 2 as well which is another full CD from the 2nd album that was never to be......the Caibou sessions. Sound familiar ? This is not unlike the SMILE story with the Caribou tracks having been bootlegged and released many a times over (usually very poorly) and now you can enjoy a clean and vivid remastered set list. Musically this album is a pure mix of harmonic surf music aka Beach Boys mixed with the progressive pop sensitivities of perhaps Peter Gabriel. The vocals are huge on this album with some soulfull harmonies and the deep emotive voice of Dennis himself. Every song is excellent and this is just a beautiful album. | |||
| Libra first recording is one of the great italian progressive rock albums! Libra were a mix of progressive and jazz fusion and really hit the mark with this album. The line up on this album included members from Buon Vecchio Charlie, Myosotis and Logan Dwight. Musically this album has characteristics of the classic 70's Ital-prog with strong allusions to the music of PFM and Buon Vecchio Charlie! Libra also on this album blend a certain soul-like funk to a few pieces which makes it very interesting (this is a direction they would continue to go in after this album). This band were full of originality and were incredible musicians! For those who like a less symphonic sound will love this album ! | |||
| Acqua Fragile were basically looked at as a PFM family band likely as their lead singer Bernardo Lanzetti would later join PFM itself! They managed in their short career to produce 2 albums in the early 70's with the debut inreview here. Musically these guys carries traces of PFM, Genesis, Gentle Giant and some folk leanings too. The music is complex (not crazy complex) and symphonic in arrangements. For those who love PFM's "Chocolate Kings" will clearly love this album. Songs like "Cosmic Strips" could have been lifted right off of "Chocolate Kings" easily. This album is often slagged for being less than original and although i guess a fair criticism it is still a huge album in my humble opinion and deserves its day in the sun. The opening track "Morning Comes: could be one of the best Italian Prog rock songs of the 70's!. Overall I think the debut album is a great slice of Italian Prog rock and an album i continue to enjoy year after year. | |||
| Following his touring and contribution with the likes of Alexis Korner, Graham Bond, Eric Clapton John McLaughlin recorded a sensational album of jazz guitar dominated music. This album predates them all too...The powerful MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, the mind numbing work he did with Miles Davis and even SHATKI. This however is an amazing album on its own and features some superb jazz in a more accoustic fusion way ! line up on the album includes John Surman (baritone & soprano saxes), Brian Odges (bass) and Tony Oxley (drums). This is one of those great Sunday morning album to wake up to with a coffee and 45 mins on your side. A huge album and the start of it all for the Mahavishnu himself ! | |||
| My love of the music of the Box started back in highschool when I bought their debut album! I always found something magical about their music and I guess you might consider them to be a pure prog-pop band. Over the years the Box had anumber of hits but had fallen a bit off the view of many with each subsequent album. In 2005 they released what I would consider a absolute masterpiece. Imagine a concept progressive pop-rock album from these veteran Canadian hit makers! It is true....Black Dog There is a outer worldly concept album based on a shuttle flight that goes all wrong and ends up in another dimension. Musically the box still feature their guitar and keyboard based melodies but draw ina whole new vibe and feel on this album. Songs ebb and flow in and out of many wonderful dark symphonic passages song by song. The thing i really like about tis album is that it really breathes and feels so full in sound. I hate to say it but this is a beautiful album from start to finish! Highly recommended! | |||
| WARNING: THIS IS NOT CLASSIC PROG ROCK! In fact this album would be possibly more appropriately be better served on an electonica site, but what the heck! XELA is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/producer John Twells, who recorded back in 2003 a ground-breaking album (IMHO) that was totally missed. Musically Xela takes full inspiration of "The Postal Service", KRAFTWERK and CLUSTER and mixes bright electonic rhythems with some pretty hypnotic and dark trance-like electronics. Beneath the bits and bytes lies a very fragile and beautiful album that after repeated listens will shine thru. For those not into electonica you may want to skip over this one, but if you have a fondness of Schulze, Eno and more recent "Postal Service" then I would highly recommend this album to you! | |||
| Quill were prototypes in the Triumvirat-ELO camp of prog with Hammond and Moog led classical symphonic progressive rock. "Sursum Corda" (which is latin for Lift up your heart) is a 36 minutes work divided in two parts named First Movement and (naturally) Second Movement. I suppose it has all the cliches of vintage prog rock but besides all the negativity in the reviews let me assure you this is an excellent recording. If you like the the US bands Surprise and Fireballet then I can assure you that Quill will not dissapoint you. Musically Quill blends lots of symphonic keys with excellent drumming, bass and guitar work. Their 2 epic songs are excellent and take us on a nice little jouney. The sound on this CD is also quite excellent and offers some great moments and I guess thanks for Syn-Phonic for making this available ! | |||
| The Silver Apples were a very unique experience and nothing ever has come close to the originality of this duo. Imagine a mix of vintage homemade electronics and real drums put to some pretty tripped out slow and easy tunes. Silver Apples are Dan Taylor who plays and a rather huge drum kit and creates the beats and pulses for Simeon to play his primative electonics to. The end result is a unique sound and a rather addictive vibe. Is this progressive or psych ? Who knows and who cares......i am filing under progressive this time around. | |||
| Quebecois prog legend Jacques Tom Rivest who is best known as the lead singer in POLLEN released this magical solo effort in 1979. Along with 2 of his pals from POLLEN (Claude Lemay and Richard lemoyne) he released this gem of an album. For those familiar with the POLLEN album will hear some similarities for sure with this being more acoustic and slightly less symphonic. For all the rest let me say that this is an essentialy album to own! "Voyage To Tibet" is one of the most luscious and delicate songs you will ever hear kids ! Musically this album layers symphonic analog keys (mellotrons, polymoogs, hammond...)over some great guitar, bass and drum work! (even a bit of sitar in there!). Jacques Tom Rivest's voice is perfect fit for this music and never gets over the top. Start it finish this is an awesome slice of Canadian Progressive rock . | |||
| The first two Split Enz albums are legendary among Prog heads and are both huge for this prog music lover. Five of the songs on the album were reworked versions of songs from their 1975 debut album Mental Notes destined for a re-recorded debut album for the US market that never saw the light of day. Although not all new to our ears, this album still works well for me and has a different vibe than the masterful "Mental Notes" album. "Second Thoughts" is a strange album for sure and deserves it placement in the Art rock school of categorization. Phil Judd's unique vocals are addictive and absolutely makes this album work. In fact my prog pal Steve Cooper just commented recently on the huge intrigue element in Judd's vocals. Musically this album blends many different elements, styles and moods and never sits still. It is an album that is hard to grasp (even after all these years) as it is so diverse musically. A great album | |||
| After releasing 2 amazing earlier psychedelic beat masterpieces , Peter Daltrey and Eddy Pumer wrote and recorded under the title of a band called Fairfield Parlour. White Faced lady was their second album which never officially saw the light of day until the early 90's. This album is fantatsic and the 24 bit remaster on Kaleidoscope records offers superb sound quality. White Faced lady carries some lovely progressive-psych pop vibes and is a magical concept album telling the tragic story of a girl named Angel. Musically this is nothing short of genius with some just fantastic songs. | |||
| Matthew Parmenter is back with another another phantasmagoric album ! I was a huge fan of "Astray" (his first solo effort) and "Horror Express" takes me right back there ! On this album Parmenter plays all the instruments and features some huge symphonic passages and lots of great piano. The great epic tracks this time out have been substituted for shorter but still highly captivating songs. Parmenter's vocals are deep and sorrowful as always allowing the music to shine thru his darker vocalizations. A great album ! | |||
| I first saw Jellyfiche at the 2007 Montreal Progfest and was really taken back by their show and their music. In fact I was in search of their CD for over a year and finally they turned up at a recent FISH show and I was able to snag a copy of their album......and the verdict is in.....a great album! Jellyfiche blend the classic 70's Francophone prog style with some modern production and draw in other influences. No meaningless "noodling" here or average song writing, this is truely a magical symphonic album with well penned songs and inspired music. Lead Vocalist "Syd" has a powerful yet kind voice and Jellyfiche make some beautiful harmonies. A wonderful first album I would recommend to everyone! | |||
| I suppose The Silver Apples were really known for thier second album "Contact" which built very nicely off their debut album perhaps blending in a slighly less primative vibe. However this is still one huge tripped out album with hypnotic drumming, electronic mayhem and that quirky strangeness these guys were able to exude. Highly well crafted music that you must get into ! | |||
| I have been a huge fan of Ash Ra Tempel, Klaus Schulze and the fine solo work of Manuel Gottsching for a long time. This collection of rare oddities and snippets from Gottsching's distinguished career is well worth hunting down. Filled with unreleased live, studio tracks form the early 70's to the later 80's you will hear some great space guitar work. Fantastic stuff all the way thru ! He was far far far too under rated as a guitarist and this CD package nicely showcases for the world to discover just how good this guy was! | |||
| Second Hand were a rather obscure psych-prog band form London who released this strange little album in the early 70's. I will admit right up front that I don't know a ton about this strange band but I do know that I really like this album. This album was recommended to me by a faithful reader of this website and I am very pleased that I picked it up. Musically this band would be a mix of Atomic Rooster, Arthur Brown and Brian Auger with the zaniness of Zappa tossed in for good measure. This album is loaded with lots of great keyboard work (organ, mellotron, piano) as well as bass and drum interplay. I would not recommend this album for the novice prog/psych head but for those who are looking for something completely different then you may want to track this rare gem down. | |||
| If you are deep into prog rock then no doubt you have heard of the "Garden Of Delights" record lable who have brought us so many gems. I first heard this band of the "Psychedelic Underground Sampler # 10" and had to hunt the full album down. This one album band blend the psychedelic-era sonic presence of Pink Floyd with that 70's "Plank-like" Krautrock influnces (aka Amon DUUL II). Vocals although not used all that much do remind me of NICO. | |||
| Jane's 4th album and perhaps most complete studio album of 'em all! This of course was a concept album based on the elements of the planet (and then some). Musically this album shows some tight characteristics to ELOY (aka Ocean-era) with excellent space keyboards, soaring guitars, bass and drum interplay. | |||
| Four years ago I first heard the music of Yak and was really taken back by the fine collection of songs. I was waiting a few years to hear something new and with "Journey Of The Yak" there is no dissapointment. This time out Martin Morgan (keyboards) is joined by Dave Speight (Drums) and Gary Bennett (Bass) who as a trio have crafted one awesome album. Musically this is 48 Mins of pure magical instrumental progressive rock. Morgan's keyboard work is stunning and creates a highly textured symphonic palette for Speight and Bennett to mix and blend in some great instrumental interplay. The music of Yak is refreshing and creative and I love the sound of this whole band. You can buy this CD at www.yaksongs.com | |||
| The 3rd album by Arthur Brown and his acid infused band of Merrymen showcasing their strange prog/psych tendencies to the max ! Songs dip and doodle from the bizarre to the strange in that certain Arthur Brown style. Musically these guys were something special for sure.....Just listen to the track "A Scientific Experiment featuring the lower Colonic Irrigation" (highlight of the album for me) as it offers a bit of just about everything. The album is chaulked full of surprises ...from church mass to Zappa-esque instumentation to Canterbury tales with the end results feeling something like a mild ode to Jethro Tull's "A Passion Play" masterpeice. | |||
| The debut album by Canada's "Half Past Four" is a wild and highly original concoction of progressive, Avante Garde and art rock themes and moods. "Rabbit In The Vestibule" is a well produced album with some excellent musicanship and song writing. It is so nice to hear music like this being produced these days with bands really taking their time to write some original "Progressive" stuff. This album will appeal to fans of Renaissance and Kate Bush with the lead vocals coming from Kyree Vibrant (who does not sound at all like Annie H. or Kate Bush but does share the female vocal lead role and does so with great originality) and fans of Neo prog bands like Arena, IQ and Marillion. Perhaps the best part of Half Past Four is that they dont play into any one prog or avante garde category and each song really spans a wide spectrum making this album an original listen. You can contact the band and buy this CD from them directly at http://www.halfpastfour.com/ ...Overall a well done debut album and one that I have enjoyed a lot. | |||
| On their 3rd album 'Focus III' the band hit their height and ranks undoubtedly as the bands most progressive and complete work (IMHO). Jan Akkerman and Thijs Van Leer are at their tops musically and along with Ruiter and Van Der Linden deliver some of progressive rocks best! I snagged the Red Bullet Remastered CD version which offers some differences to the vinyl...different running track order and some slight differences. Highlight for me is the 14 mins epic track "Answers? Questions! Questions ? Answers!" which delivers some incredible instrumental classical rock to the forefront and IMHO is the best thing they ever recorded! Beautiful album for sure and one of those albums you have to hunt down | |||
| Triana were Spain's biggest 70's progressive band who released a coupld of real gems in the 70's. This Fonomusic collection marks the softer more symphonic side of Trana spanning 2 CD's. Triana were notorious for their unique blend of spanish guitar with great poly-symphonic keys and drumming work. Vol 2 in review here showcases this and from the perspective of more the tromantic sopft side and offers some great musical moments. If you are fans of Spanish prog bands like IBIO, Mezquita and Gotic and the Italian-Prog scene then you will love the music of Triana. | |||
| The magic has returned ! I have been patiently waiting for the release of "Further Out" and I can tell you it has been worth the wait! This album marks the 5th release for Baird and once again reveals his evolution in singing, song writing and personal inspirations. Immediately recognizable is the standout guitar work of new member Andrew Aldridge who compliments Ken's symphonic stylings to perfection. Also returning to grace this album is both Steve Cochrane (guitar) and Sue Fraser (vocals) who opens and closes the album off which brings a certain degree of circularity to this whole CD. 2003's "Martin Road" gave us my vote for song of the year in the highly imaginative "Victoria Day" and now with "Further Out" my 2009 choice is already very clear with the delicate and harmonic "Stainless Skies". Fans of longer tracks will love the final and title song which clocks in just a tad over 10 mins and features a little bit of just about everything! You must go out and buy this CD !!! | |||
| Coming Soon | |||
| Coming Soon | |||
