Ozric Tentacles - Paper Monkeys. 2011 England

Ozric's best studio album in about a decade. Paper Monkeys seems more motivated than the last few efforts. Definitely more energy, and features some fine guitar rave-ups from Ed Wynne, similar in that way to The Floor's Too Far Away (another newer Ozric album that I'm quite fond of). Electronica continues to influence their sound - perhaps even more so than prior. There's no mistaking this is an Ozric Tentacles album, and it doesn't appear they're ever going to change the formula. But for what they do, this is one of the better ones.

Ownership: CD: 2011 Madfish

11/28/11 (new entry)

Frob - s/t. 1976 Germany

High energy jazz rock with fuzz guitar, organ, electric piano, and Moog as the lead instruments. More energetic than Morpheus or Release Music Orchestra for example. A less funky Munju perhaps. Every track smokes, and there's quite a bit of variation in the jams. The guitar work is unreal and I think the raw production helps. Great atmospheric organ too. There are no weak tracks, nor is there anything that particularly stands out. It's remarkably consistent.

CD: 2004 Garden of Delights

Vos Voisins. 1971 Canada-Quebec

Vos Voisins is a really good example of heavy organ and blues based progressive rock. This seemed to be a somewhat popular breed of music in Quebec in the early 1970s, and can also be found in other fine groups such as Champignons or Dionysos. Some wonderful fat guitar leads too. High quality French vocals as well. A couple of the tracks are piano lead introspective numbers. Best song, in my opinion, is 'Le Monstre de la Main'.

Ownership: LP: 1971 Polydor. Online acquisition (2021). 

CD: 2011 ProgQuebec. Jewel case. Features two bonus tracks, liner notes, and photos. These bonus tracks are from a very scarce 45.

It's a recent revelation that the alternate cover comes from 1977. As the story goes, the original "wanted poster" rendition had to be pulled, due to Polydor not receiving permission from the Allo Police tabloid to use their logo.

My first copy was in fact the alternate cover. Acquired via mail order from Le Pick Up in Montreal (1994).

1994 (first listen); 1/20/11 (review); 11/13/11 (update/new entry); 2/11/23 (update)

Polyphony ~ USA ~ Virginia

Without Introduction (1972)

Polyphony were a complex and intense American progressive rock band from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Without Introduction brings forth an enormous amount of energy. Loud guitar, shredding organ, two hyperactive percussionists, and hazy psychedelic vocals is what you'll find here. ELP's Tarkus suite seems to be the main influence here, with a bit more of that American rough and tough edge, not to mentioned the heavy guitar presence. 'Juggernaut' is the pick of the litter, but the entire 37 minutes is well spent. I've always been a bit surprised this album isn't more revered, as I find it among America's finest progressive rock albums from the early 1970s along with Metaphysical Animation and Ram's Where In Conclusion.

Ownership: 1972 Eleventh Hour (LP)

1993 (first listen); 11//04; 11/12/11 (review); 10/13/16 (update)

Tonton Macoute. 1971 England

Tonton Macoute was the name of Papa Doc Duvalier's private military force in Haiti, loyal to his rule. They brought forth a reign of terror that paralyzed the island state with its systematic violence. With such a menacing moniker, one would presume Tonton Macoute to be a heavy and sinister rock band. Quite the opposite. Their sole album is a proto-progressive jazz rock affair, similar to other UK artists of the day like Raw Material and Diabolus - though more instrumental than either. The album features one brilliant flute driven composition in 'Flying South for the Winter'. Other classic tracks include 'Don't Make Me Cry' and 'Natural High' Parts I and II. Only misstep is 'You Make My Jelly Roll'. 

Ownership: LP: 1971 Neon (Germany). Gatefold. Online acquisition (2024).

CD: 2010 Air Mail (Japan). Papersleeve edition that mimics the original in miniature. 

Former ownership: LP: 2001 Akarma. Gatefold. This was my introduction to the album.

12//01 (first listen); 11/12/11 (review / new entry)