The Bridge - Overdrive / Kristian Schultze Set - Recreation. 1972 Germany

Recreation is the reissue title of Overdrive. The music is a fine set of gritty electric piano oriented jazz (...rock) with plenty of fuzzy and dirty sounds including distorted bass and keyboards. Nice use of flute as well, and the album features a plethora of well written melodies. It would appear the album was originally oriented to television and film incidental music, though the tracks are more developed than that premise may imply. A year after this recording, Kristian Schultze joined Passport as their prime keyboardist for the next 4 albums or so.

CD: 2002 Crippled Dick Hot Wax!

The CD reissue offers a new cover... a new band name... and a new album title. I've included the original LP cover, which shows it as The Bridge - Overdrive. Apparently the bonus tracks on the CD came with the name Kristian Schultze Set and so the reissue label went with that, though the name recognition couldn't hurt. The package comes in a nice digi-pak with historical liner notes.

Last listen: April 28, 2018

Cortex - Volume 2. 1977 France

Many, many years ago I heard Cortex's 3rd album Pourquoi? and trashed it off as disco, never bothering to return to the band name again. Now I'm wondering if there wasn't more there, as Volume 2 could just as easily be considered disco. But on close inspection there is so much more happening here, it would be a tragedy for fans of the French fusion sound to ignore. Sure there are the fat beats, especially on the opening track, and the requisite white-boy funk track to follow. But as the album continues, the beats become more subtle, with plenty of jazz fills, while the bass player introduces some Top/Paganotti moves. Horn charts, tortured electric guitar solos and piano/Rhodes leads began to dominate. And when the flute takes over... oh, those melodies will be forever etched. This is a really good one and you can boogie on down with it too. I can go for another helping of this.

CD: 2002 Follow Me Records

The CD is a very nice triple FOC, with liner notes. However, I wish they'd left the original cover in full rather than the hipster vinyl montage.

Stray. 1970 England

My God! This has some of the most blistering guitar ever put down on vinyl. And he puts it through every effect one could find in 1970. Beyond intense. I rarely use the word underrated, as honestly how many people really rate this stuff? But dammit, if the tag don't fit here. A monster of an album. Derek Bromham plays some wicked lead here, and puts his six stringer through every effect he could get his hands on.

Over the years, this has become one of my all-time favorite albums. Not to be missed!

Ownership: LP: 1970 Transatlantic. Gatefold with stenciled die-cut sleeve. Online acquisition (2014). I had the first press with the purple label, but kept this one since it was in better shape.

CD: 2005 Arcangelo (Japan). Papersleeve edition that comes in the Saturday Morning Pictures promo box.

I have 2 copies of the LP, each with a different label (both scans as shown here). One was purchased online in 2011, the other 2014. The CD is a fantastic mini-LP creation of the die-cut. It's the same version as the Castle release, with fancier packaging. Purchased new online upon release, 

My first copy was the German Line CD (acquired 1997).

1997; 2/26/10 (new entry)

Jacques Blais - Themes. 1975 Canada-Quebec

Jacques Blais' solo album is yet one more branch from the creative Contraction, Toubabou, and Ville Emard Blues Band tree. Exquisite guitar and creative compositions color this fine work.

CD: 2008 ProgQuebec

Thirsty Moon. 1972 Germany

Three plus years ago I wrote:

For me, quite possibly the reissue of the year (along with their second You'll Never Come Back). Long Hair surprised everyone with these reissues I think. Complete with unique liner notes from the band and an independent reviewer, bonus tracks (in this case a 5:42 minute number that's highly relevant to the release) and a high quality production... ...I've had this for many years on LP, and never tire of it. Thirsty Moon play a favored style of Krautrock for me: Jazzy, improvised, heavy, intense, creative. They sound like no one particular group, but elements of similar German acts like Brainstorm, Kollektiv, Embryo, Emergency, Xhol Caravan and Missing Link are apparent. Six piece band with added percussion, two keyboardists (one dedicated to electric piano) and a reeds player. The band gels on a number of fronts, especially in energy and passion - something that is rarely captured in a bottle like this. Conny Plank's engineering is all over this too (phasing, panning, gadgetry galore). And 21.5 minute 'Yellow Sunshine' is a classic for the ages - like Missus Beastly playing in the production of the Cosmic Jokers series of albums. Yes, this is in the Top 75 albums of all time for me. Maybe even Top 50.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Brain. Amazing gatefold cover of a moon spun tornado that holds up the sun and the fiery flames spell out Thirsty Moon. Online acquisition (2000). My first copy was the Rock-On Brain version known as Yellow Sunshine that was acquired via mail order (1991).

CD: 2006 Long Hair. Jewel case with liner notes, photos, and one solid bonus track.

1991; 2000; 12/18/06; 2/22/10 (new entry)

Triana - El Patio. 1975 Spain

The flamenco prog rock movement in Spain can be traced to this album, Triana's debut. Long time dictator Franco passed away in 1975, and that event seemed to spawn a host of interesting rock groups interested in rediscovering their historical past, something Franco was loathe to promote, in fear of patriotic regionalism. Triana was so popular in their native Spain, that it wouldn't be too unusual to find a well played cassette in grandma's closet. Dramatic Arabian vocals, fuzz guitar, mellotron, organ, Moog and plenty of great flamenco guitar. Fantastic compositions all the way through. There are two bona-fide 15's here: Track 3 `Recuerdo de Una Noche' followed immediately by `Se de un Lugar'.

Personal collection
LP: 1975 Movieplay
CD: 2003 Fonomusic

The original is a beautiful gatefold LP. For years I thought I had an original, until I looked carefully. My goodness, it was a very obscure 1984 pressing (white label Fonomusic)! The cover feels very much like a 1970s product, and it probably is. My guess is they had extra covers and so they made new pressings to meet demand (Triana were very popular in Spain)*. The first CD was like all of the 1980's Fonomusic CDs - very cheaply done. They made up for this with the 2003 press, which comes in a beautiful triple foldout digi-pak. There's also the bizarre US press on Warner Bros.' "Latin Essentials" series. Really? That's just crazy.

* - A couple of years after writing this post, I did secure a real green label original on Movieplay.

Elluffant - Release Concert. 1972 Netherlands

The always misspelled Elluffant (2 f's) had one album that is something very different, almost like an avant garde classical album gone awry. It appears it may have been some sort of science project, whereas the protagonist built his own pipe organ, and came up with this fuzzy sounding monstrosity that I'm sure Mike Ratledge would've enjoyed playing. With an added drummer, they just jam for two side long sessions. Radical and noisy, but ultimately a tad boring.

Ownership: LP: 19?? Pigshit. An obvious bootleg that I sold off years ago.

Still not on CD as of 6/11/24.

2/18/10 (new entry)

Captain Marryat. 1974 Scotland

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this album, considering some of the hype surrounding its excessive value in original LP form. I really thought it would be average at best. But not so. It screams the era in which it was released. It's naive, it's honest, it's well played, and it's memorable. Nice melodies, and surprisingly strong vocals. Long sections are set aside for guitar (nice fuzz tone) and organ jams. And they are also very well executed. Very much a UK styled rock / progressive album from 1974.

Ownership: CD: 2009 Shadoks (Germany)

This album was about as mythical as they come in collecting circles. For years, it was only whispered about and many decried its very existence. But then a couple of copies popped on ebay in early 2009, each securing well over $4,000 each and many collectors (including me) became curious what all the fuss was. Shortly thereafter, the excellent Shadoks label, a reissue company whose primary focus is that of the most obscure albums, came through with both an LP and CD reissue. The turnaround on this one - going from impossible-to-find-mega-rarity to CD reissue is about as fast it will ever happen. But it's a win-win for all progressive rock fans. It's wonderful to have an artifact such as this on CD - and done the right way with the band's involvement. As is custom with a great reissue, the CD features unique liner notes and photos.

6/20/09 (review); 2/17/10 (new entry)

Rumple Stiltzken Comune - Wrong From The Beginning. 1977 Switzerland

Rumple Stiltzken Comune are the only progressive rock band I know from the Italian section of Switzerland. Despite their background, Rumple Stiltzken Comune sounds most like an English band. Especially echoes of Van der Graaf Generator and Gabriel era Genesis can be heard. While the vocals can get a little clumsy at times, the music more than makes up for it. It's quite complex, and not an easy listen. It's fully involved as they say. 4 very long and convoluted compositions. If you like your music dense and difficult, while employing the classic 70s analog rock instrumentation, then Rumple Stiltzken Comune is one for you to seek out. I quite enjoy the album myself.

Ownership: CD: 2000 Black Rills. Purchased new near the time of release. Fine reissue with photos and a short history. No bonus tracks. This was my introduction to the album. My copy shows a numbered edition of 250, and mine is #243. However the Discogs version does not have this indicating it may have been repressed.

2/6/10 (new entry)

Xhol Caravan - Electrip. 1969 Germany

Before Tangerine Dream, before Embryo, before Kraftwerk, before even the Ohr label, Xhol Caravan released what may be the first album to rightly own the name Krautrock. The band started as a straightforward soul group, Soul Caravan, and bastardized the name for the new direction the group was heading. Early innovators of the creative German sound, and borrowing heavily from that country's love of jazz, Xhol Caravan would always be a historical footnote. Sadly the band disbanded before it could be granted legendary status.

In 1969, on the little known Hansa label, Electrip was released to an unsuspecting public. Sporting wild artwork of a psychedelic nude woman, the buyer had to know this was going to be a special affair. And indeed it is. Starting with a toilet flush, the album blasts away with 'Electric Fun Fair'. Featuring primarily electric sax, electric flute, and organ as the solo instruments, the music is a mixture of free jazz, psychedelic, Zappaesque humor, and progressive jazz rock. 'Pop Games' and 'All Green' continue along this path with the same optimistic melodies and insouciant demeanor. Perfect music for driving the MG convertible around the Autobahn, hardtop down, blond babe with heavy mascara and white go-go boots actually admiring your hip music selection. The latter track would be the prototype for similar groups such as Missus Beastly, joyful yet experimental jazz rock. Side 2 is a slightly different breed of cat. On the 17 minute 'Raise Up High', the instrumental sections are very similar to the previous side, but here they added some wild English vocals to the mix giving the song a rough hard rock feel to it. As well, this track displays a more experimental and improvisational angle with some free blow moments. Overall, a classic in the field of Krautrock fusion and the catalyst of an entire movement.

Ownership: CD: 2000 Garden of Delights. This is the de facto aural reissue and features the label's usual great liner notes, previously unseen photos, and a rare 45 single when they were known as Soul Caravan. Purchased new upon release.

LP: 1997 Tripkick. The original LP cover is striking in its use of color and is replicated beautifully on this reissue. And it's usually featured on display in my music room. This was the first legitimate reissue of the album. Purchased new upon release from a mail order dealer.

3/23/01 (Gnosis); 2/15/10 (new entry)

Atman - Personal Forest. 1993 Poland

Atman were perhaps the original freak folk band from Eastern Europe. Personal Forest is about as psychedelic as any album ever released, and yet it's not entirely clear if that's what the band were striving for. In fact, it takes a bit to get going to be honest. It's not unusual to see folks call this a "world music" or, even worse, a "new age" album. It does start off by giving that vibe, but as the album goes deeper into the middle, or forest as it were, the album becomes incredibly intense, and is truly a trance inducing album. Voices, strange homemade and ancient instruments along with tribal drums take the listener to places formerly not discovered. All of Atman's albums are recommended, but none came close to the brilliance of Personal Forest. And that also includes the post-Atman group The Magic Carpathians.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Drunken Fish

Originally released as a cassette under the moniker Theatre of Sound Atman.

1999; 2/15/10 (new entry)

Free System Projekt - Moyland. 2005 Netherlands

Free System Projekt is yet another band we're featuring here that comes from the Tangerine Dream retro movement, that is found more predominantly in the UK, but also has a huge following in the Netherlands as well. When Tangerine Dream moved in a different direction following their "Virgin" years after 1983, no one really took the baton and ran with it. Now that doesn't mean electronic music died. Not even close. There were tons of other artists operating in this field, almost all of them solo acts, and none had the massive amount equipment that Tangerine Dream possessed (other than maybe Klaus Schulze of course). And as any fan of classic Tangerine Dream will tell you, it's a style of music that has many possibilities. The key to success is not only a large amount of both old and new keyboard toys, but it also helps to have more than one band mate - for the synergy of ideas that multiple people can create.

The big names in the Tangerine Dream renaissance are the British bands: Radio Massacre International, Redshift, AirSculpture, Under the Dome, Arc and many more. And the main representative in Holland is Free System Projekt. And truth be told, FSP are probably the most sycophantic to the original T. Dream sound (especially the Baumann trio years). But it's still highly original music within the confines of the style. It's as if someone uncovered numerous more Tangerine Dream recordings from 1974-1977. You can't wrong with a Free System Projekt album, at least of the ones I've heard, and that's most of them. Moyland is but only one great example. If you love complicated sequences, with mellotron overlays and wild synth soloing - the Free System Projekt is for you.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Quantum. Jewel case.

2/15/10 (first listen / review / new entry)

Dragonwyck - Chapter 2. 1973 USA-Ohio (archival)

Dragonwyck, at their peak in the early 70s, were once considered Cleveland’s rising rock stars, having earned a weekly spot at one well known local club for two years straight. Their 1970 debut, in reality only a demo recording in hopes of landing a label deal, and pressed only in a quantity of 85, was a hard psych affair similar to the 1967 Doors sound. Three years on, with many more shows under the belt and a whole new keyboard play-kit including organ and mellotron, demonstrated the band’s professional progression and a move towards more complex compositions. Still, in keeping with their three years behind the times modus operandi, Dragonwyck had only progressed to the Moody Blues circa 1970. That is, a psych influenced progressive sound, with plenty of vocal harmonies and large scale orchestrations (as emulated by the new expansive keyboard setup). The guitar, however, is more aggressive than anything the Blues ever did. Included were re-recordings of two tracks from the debut, still sounding oddly like the Doors and out of place with the newer material. Despite a fully produced recording, the album was never formally released (excepting bootlegs) until 2006. After the Chapter 2 recordings, the band began to move towards more commercial songwriting, which is reflected on the two 1974 tracks from a 45 single (that are bonus tracks on the World in Sound reissue CD). Interestingly enough, their sound at this point represented what most “Midwest Progressive” bands were to sound like – Starcastle, Ethos, and Albatross for example. In the end, a very much recommended purchase for psych and prog heads, with the caveat that the album was dated even in its own time.

Ownership: CD: 2006 World in Sound (Germany). Comes in a nice triple FOC digi-pak with liner notes and photos. Acquired not long after release (2006).

10/14/06 (Gnosis); 2/4/10 (new entry); 9/8/23

Il Balletto di Bronzo - Sirio 2222. 1970 Italy

You won't find many people out there that tout Sirio 2222 as Il Balletto di Bronzo's best album. And I'm certainly no different. See Il Balletto di Bronzo, once upon a time, released one of those once-in-a-lifetime masterpieces called Ys. Of course we'll feature it at some point, but for the one person who may be reading this and does not know about Ys, just buy it. But my random number generator picked Sirio 2222, so we'll be consistent and plug along.

As in everyday life, there are contrarians everywhere, and so it should not come as any surprise there are a few that state Sirio 2222 is much better than the overrated Ys. Fine. "Ya gonna think what ya gonna think so no point on a changin' yo mind."

Now, having said all of that, Sirio 2222 is a swell album of Italian psych, with elements of progressive rock beginning to seep in. 1970 is very early for an Italian band, and the famous Italian progressive movement was about a year away. Sirio 2222 offers some fine guitar work, good melodies, and a few places of imagination. But it doesn't give any indication of where they were headed next.

Ownership: LP: 2014 Lion (USA). Single sleeve. Recent online acquisition (2020). Comes with lengthy liner notes, and is the definitive reissue. My first copy was also an LP reissue (originals were always a fortune) from RPM Records in Garland (1989), that I sold off years ago. Eventually I ended up with the Japanese papersleeve CD. The mini-LP is nice, but adds nothing new, so I let it go. 

1989; 4/2/07; 2/13/10 (new entry); 3/26/18

Pulsar - Halloween. 1977 France

Pulsar are one of France's essential progressive rock groups. They were well known in their era, and enjoyed popularity up until the punk rock movement took over. Halloween is perhaps their most powerful work, with haunting melodies that contain some of the most brilliant strings and flute mellotron one can ever hear. There's also searing guitar work, dreamy vocals, militaristic drums, all of which add to the pervading melancholic feel. This is the type of music that sticks with you for days and days after only one listen. Side 1 is absolutely perfect, and for me, is one of the highlights of my entire collection. Side 2 is a bit more typical spacey prog rock (especially 'Dawn Over Darkness'), which doesn't possess the pure magic of the flip. All the same, this is still a near-masterpiece, and it's tempting to give it top marks for the one side alone. A very rich, deep, and compelling album.

Ownership: LP: 1977 CBS. Gatefold. Online acquisition (2011)

CD: 2008 Arcangelo (Japan). Papersleeve edition that includes Musea's English booklet making it indispensable.

The first copy I owned was the Musea LP which I purchased new not long after release (1988).

1988; 2/11/10 (new entry); 8/25/15

Heldon - Electronique Guerilla. 1974 France

All of the Heldon albums are special, and the first is no exception. It's more raw and primitive, and that's part of its charm. Moog synths with searing electric guitar work define the album. An anarchic left wing vibe gives it a radical student atmosphere, befitting Professor Pinhas' role.

I found some unpublished notes that I wrote in 2006 about Heldon's early albums: A proper discussion of French electronic music cannot be had without at least a passing mention of Heldon. Lead by the mercurial Richard Pinhas, a professor of Philosophy at Le Sorbonne, and master of electronics and guitar. The early albums, generally accepted as the first three, exude the feeling of the underground - a true rebellion to all things that are commonly accepted. Subversive. One can only wonder what role Pinhas would’ve had in the French Revolution, but I get the impression he would’ve made the history books. And, in some ways, he has made the history books, even if the subject in question are more for connoisseurs than the general public.

Ownership: LP: 1975 Urus. Single sleeve. Online acquisition (2000)

CD: 2005 Captain Trip (Japan). Papersleeve edition that sits in the Disc Union Heldon promo box with Interface on the cover.

The first copy I owned was the Cobra LP with a different cover (1987), purchased my final year of college.

1987; 2/10/10 (new entry)

Bacamarte - Depois do Fim. 1983 Brazil

Considered by many, including myself, as the best 1980s era progressive rock album for all of South America. The scene was rich in the 1970s, but had pretty much died by the 80s, with a handful of exceptions. Bacamarte definitely sounds like a band from the 70s, and it's been said the album was recorded in 1978. Speedy guitar runs, complex meters, soaring female vocals and melodic passages all define this mature work. Highly recommended. It must be said though, that the band doesn't really sound Brazilian as there's a total absence of indigenous sounds. In this way, Bacamarte are more like the current South American progressive scene as found in both Brazil and Chile.

Ownership: CD: 1995 Rarity. Contains one bonus track. My first exposure to this album was the original LP on Som-Arte (1992), which I sold upon obtaining the CD (1995). Probably wouldn't do that today, but no great regrets either. I did obtain good money for it.

1992; 1995; 2/9/10 (new entry)

Atlantis Philharmonic - s/t. 1974 USA

Atlantis Philharmonic is a duo formed in the Cleveland area. Despite the small lineup, it sounds like a much larger ensemble with a full array of keyboards (primarily organ), guitar, bass, drums, and quite a bit of percussion. The album contains a mix of instrumental and vocal work, and even veers towards the commercial in a couple of places. In this way, Atlantis Philharmonic is clearly a product of the Midwest progressive rock scene. It's heritage is obvious on repeated listens. A long time favorite of mine.

LP: 1974 Dharma
CD: 1990 Laser's Edge

Nosferatu. 1970 Germany

It is interesting to read modern reviews of Nosferatu, with comments like "all been done before" and "they borrowed different elements of albums prior". It once again demonstrates that we have a lot of young-uns out there downloading 50 albums a day and not digesting the music properly when listening. Or taking the time to understand the history. Had this album come out in 1973, then OK, maybe. But for 1970, Nosferatu were actually ahead of the curve. It's a distinctly British form of rock, with amplified sax/flute/guitar/organ and rough vocals. Listen to bands like Aquila, Hannibal, Indian Summer and Raw Material to see what I mean. It's a sound based in blues not jazz, the latter being more of an influence on Teutonic bands of the era.

Ownership: LP: 2010 Long Hair. Gatefold with history.

CD: 2010 Long Hair. Jewel case reissue with full history. 

Neither of the above have apparently been remastered very well. I replaced the Ohrwaschl CD, which looks like that may have been a mistake.

1990 (first listen); 2/7/10 (review / new entry)

Shiver. 1972 USA-California (archival)

Hard to fathom now, but San Francisco was once a blue collar town filled with longshoreman, canning slugs, underpaid brewery and chocolate factory workers. Even the beats like Jack Kerouac championed it. Despite this, there were a surprising few bands that represented that downtrodden underbelly of SF Society, and today are all but forgotten as the mega-millionaire software moguls, leftist academics and clueless hipster culture freaks have overrun the place and celebrate what they don’t understand. Enter Shiver, one of the most insane power trios to ever play anywhere, anytime. Recorded in that uncertain time between hippy-dippy psychedelia and the gritty days of post OPEC oil embargoes, Shiver gives us a peek into a time/place that is largely forgotten. We’ll make this review real simple: If you like long instrumental jams, with loads of effects applied to the guitar, and a relentless rhythm section, then you need this. Yesterday. The songs themselves are mere blues rock skeletons (with male Joplin-like vocal grittiness), in reality nothing more than excuses to launch into the next crazy jam. ‘Tough as Nails’, ‘Fixer’, ‘Bone Shaker’, ‘Interstellar Vision’ and the 14+ minute ‘Alpha Man’ are all about rocking you into oblivion. Rockadelic originally unearthed these archived recordings a few years back, and now Shadoks has taken the role of the CD issuer. Certainly in the top echelon of amazing finds from the good investigators of Rockadelic, an LP specialist label that has found more rare treasure than anyone else. Soundboard recording is in amazing shape, and isn’t too far removed from a major label live release of the era. Shadoks’ CD adds 4 more tracks, in lesser sound, and quite frankly, lesser quality, as they call out Shiver’s more basic blues rock roots to no purpose. Quit at the original Rockadelic release and you have a full album that is essential for those that dig cosmic blues jams. More rough and ready than the spaced out Krauts of Ash Ra Tempel and Guru Guru, but we’re in the same ballpark here. Actually as I reflect on my own review, the German band Silberbart would be a good comparison here.

CD: 2001 Shadoks (Germany)
LP: 2000 Rockadelic

Ozric Tentacles - Jurassic Shift. 1993 England

While listening to any album, I tend to read other reviews of what I'm listening to. I get the feeling that most reviews of Jurassic Shift were penned considerably later than the actual listen, or they weren't paying attention. For me, the most telling is the short shrift that 'Feng Shui' receives. To me it's one of their most innovative tracks, and the type of composition I'd like to see Ozric focus on more. In general I read things like "their requisite boring reggae song", "dull", and "spacey soft new age music". Did they actually listen to the whole song? Not only did they mix in traditional Chinese themes (new for them), but the last half of the track is the heaviest Ozric EVER got on tape. Ed Wynne tears it up - it's almost metal, something that Ozric stays (fortunately) away from, but in this context is breathtaking. I didn't see one review that even noted it. Wow.

Ownership: LP: 1993 Dovetail. Single sleeve

CD: 1993 Dovetail

By 1993, Ozric had already made quite a splash worldwide. Enough so that they were signed to a relatively large US label called IRS, and this was the debut for the label. I decided to stick with the original UK import. The big deal, at least made at the time, was that the cover of the CD and LP were made from a blend of straw and hemp. The latter sort of being wink wink I suppose. I still have the original insert that discusses the full process and that it didn't involve any trees. It was considered an ecological breakthrough! And then neither Ozric, nor anyone else, ever used the process again. You think it wasn't cost effective? You know it.

2/4/10 (new entry) 

Humus - Malleus Crease. 1996 Mexico

Here is my favorite Humus album. Malleus Crease is, IMHO, one of the best albums from the 1990s. This album is an amazing mixture of psychedelic space rock and Canterbury style melodies. Humus could almost be considered the second generation of prime Sensations' Fix.

Here's some old notes from the 90s: "Right off the bat let me tell ya - this is the most progressive album of the Loch Ness / Humus / Frolic Froth cadre. The fringe of their experimental underground Krautrock sound. There is a strong Canterbury current running through that separates this from the others - organ-flute - hell, even melodies. But, of course, that always FUZZED out guitar keeps this in the familiar barrio. I was floored." I still am.

Ownership: LP: 1997 W-Dabliu. Gatefold and features no less than 3 posters. And one bonus track not on the CD. Acquired mail order from the Record Vault not long after release.

CD: 1996 Smogless. Jewel case.

8/29/97 (UTR magazine #2); 2/3/10 (new entry)

Tomorrow's Gift. 1970 Germany

Tomorrow's Gift's debut is a great example of the hard driving, proto progressive sound that flourished throughout western Europe in the early 1970s. Most of these bands featured husky female vocals in the Grace Slick or Janis Joplin manner and for instrumentation the leads were flute, guitar (usually played in a loud acid style), Hammond organ and sax. It's one of my personal favorite sub-genres of music. Some other examples of bands that play in this style are: Affinity, Fusion Orchestra, Delivery, Goliath (UK), Sandrose, Mad Curry, Julian's Treatment / Julian Jay Savarin, Circus 2000, Analogy and many more.

My only complaint is the overlong four minute drum solo that closes Side 2 (of 4 sides). But otherwise a corker.

Ownership: LP: 2012 Second Battle. 2xLP. Gatefold. Limited edition. No number in the field.

CD: 1991 Second Battle. Standard jewel case release that offers little else. 

1992 (first listen); 2/3/10 (review / new entry)

Ibio - Cuevas de Altamira. 1978 Spain

Ibio, like many Spanish bands of the late 1970s, incorporated regional influences into their unique brand of progressive rock. And while the majority of these bands resided in Castile (Madrid), Catalonia (Barcelona), or in Andalusia (Sevilla, Cordoba, and Grenada) - Ibio represented the Asturias region. Much of this can be attributed to the new freedoms of expression after years of Franco repression, when regional pride was discouraged.

Cuevas de Altamira is a fine album with wonderful guitar leads and nice keyboards (including mellotron, which wasn't very common in Spain). As I read current reviews, some folks trash the affected traditional singing (sparsely used but powerful when present), which underscores to me once again that few take the time to understand the time and place of a recording. Personally, I miss the regional influences in modern Spanish progressive rock.

LP: 1978 Movieplay
CD: 1990 Fonomusic

The original is a beautiful gatefold LP, and it's an album I frequently display in my music room.

Machine and the Synergetic Nuts - Leap Second Neutral. 2005 Japan

One of the three great Japanese progressive bands of the 2000's including Pochakaite Malko and Naikaku. Influenced by the Canterbury scene of the late 1970s (National Health, The Muffins), heavy 90s Japanese instrumental progressive rock like Happy Family and Bondage Fruit along with a distinct taste for modern jazz like St. Germain. Complex, energetic and highly melodic. Band lists Soft Machine, Weather Report and Frank Zappa as influences.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Cuneiform

2/1/10 (new netry)

Krakatoa – We Are the Rowboats. 2003 USA-Pennsylvania

Krakatoa were an interesting band from Philadelphia (later Brooklyn) who combined avant progressive, post rock, and psychedelic music to great effect. They took the best elements of each: The quirky complexity of avant prog, while foregoing the dorky pursuit of the cutesy. From post rock they inherit the modern day melodicism, but avoid the staid 4/4 rhythms for a much more complex approach. And the true secret ingredient is the addition of a late 60s psychedelic edge, adding something to the music that many newer bands in the progressive rock field forget to do: Rock.

Even with the above, on paper anyway, the band sounds marginally interesting if the contents aren't mixed properly. And that's where Krakatoa creates their separation from the competition. Wonderful stuff.

Ownership: CD: 2003 Cuneiform. Jewel case with obi / ad strip. Booklet features recording details, a concert photo, and art.

2003 (first listen); 2/1/10 (review / new entry); 1/24/25