Cleves - s/t. 1971 New Zealand

From the small agricultural community Clevedon in New Zealand, arrives the Brown siblings (in Sydney, Australia) and their band Cleves (trimmed from their initial moniker of Clevedonaires). Sister Gaye provides the bluesy female vocals, making them a natural fit for the Post psychedelic, proto progressive with female vocals list. Musically, electric guitar and Hammond organ dominate, and most of the music is sublime - with an emphasis on melodic songwriting and strong psychedelic oriented jams. While big name bands are within easy reach (Jefferson Airplane et al...), I personally hear that unique European take on the sound, especially Mad Curry (Belgium) and Goliath (England). Only misstep is the album closer 'Waterfall' which is the only track that resembles their rural background. Not an album for those who like to use the word "dated" in their reviews, but for those who actually immerse themselves into the period in which it was released, there are many rewards to be found.

Personal collection

CD: 1998 Vicious Sloth (Australia)

Originals are very scarce and fairly expensive. Discogs doesn't even have it listed, as they must be presuming it is an archival release. But there's been plenty captured from ebay. The only CD is the now rare Vicious Sloth release (it's since been booted in Eastern Europe, so be careful!), which comes with some nice liner notes, a 45 single, and the near 17 minute Music from Michael EP (1970). The LP reissue has just recently surfaced. Bitch is Cleves Ver 2.0, and who only had a couple of singles to their name. It's a double album, with Bitch receiving a full LP, so guessing most of that album is archival. I haven't heard it at this point. As an aside, the original Cleves artwork does a disservice to Gaye Brown. As you can see in scan #2, and if you look for images on the Google, she's a very pretty lady - with a look similar to Katie Holmes or even Susan Dey in her prime.

Alpha Omega - Down the Gravity Well. 2013 Australia

Had someone fed me this album, and stated it was from a cassette from the UK Festival scene of 1985, I would have had no trouble believing them. Though from Australia, Alpha Omega sounds so very English. Hawkwind is obviously in the middle of the conversation with its driving guitars and bleeping synthesizers. The songwriting has that odd lost warehouse sound of the Soho underground, especially given the sparse post punk vocals. Perhaps early Omnia Opera or Strobe could be a guidepost, or something really obscure like Rancid Poultry. Strange to hear something like this from 2013 - but much welcomed. Nice gatefold cover too. Makes me pine for a new issue of Freakbeat.

Ownership: LP: 2013 Clostridium

9/30/15 (new entry)

Apollo - s/t. 1970 Finland

As many have said, Apollo is indeed a mixed affair. Heavy psych meets tropical percussion meets psych/bubblegum pop meets orchestrated symphonic. Vocals are anywhere from clean and poppy to growly and bluesy (the original death metal vocalist?). Hard to imagine respected avant guardist/jazz musician Edward Vesala playing 4/4 drums on such ordinary rock cuts. Then again his composition contributions (tracks 5 and 9) are by far the most wiggy/out-there (and instrumental only), thus once again proving the diversity of the group. It's almost like hearing a Various Artists recording from 1970, rather than tunes by a single band.

Originals are presented in a fine gatefold cover, and are very rare and expensive. I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of one in a trade with a friend from Finland back in 1994. The music didn't warrant its value (IMO), and I flipped it quickly to a well-heeled Japanese collector for a boatload of LP's. And I mean a boatload. Many of which I still own today. So it was definitely a good trade for both of us I think. First reissue to market was the CD from the current owners of the Blue Master label. In recent years, we've seen two vinyl reissues, each with the gatefold intact. The Svart reissue includes a 45 single in addition. I recently picked up the Mayfair release primarily because it was dirt cheap, and it allowed me to revisit the album some 21 years later. My opinion has only softened a little, and I'm glad I traded the original away when I did. And I've resold the LP away again...

Gash - A Young Man's Gash. 1972 Germany

Gash's sole album is truly an odd one, and not what you would expect from the Brain label (this early anyway). The album opens with the pedestrian blues/gospel rock number 'Angel and Mother' which offers little to recommend, perhaps recalling Dull Knife when playing in a similar manner. 'Twenty One Days' is a bit better, still in the blues rock camp, but the heavy Hammond organ goes a long way to begin gaining acceptance. 'In the Sea' is actually pretty good, and foreshadows Gash's more than capable progressive tendencies. It's biggest problem is it just simply sits at the end of a not-so-great side of music. But for Side 2, Gash threw out the rule book, and went for the gold medal, just as many of their contemporaries were doing. The three part side-long progressive suite is absolutely killer, similar to Nektar in composition, but even more crazed (thinking Message From Books and Dreams here). And from there it goes into insane off-the-rails Great Freaky Underground territory, and it's at that point you realize the album is simply great.

Even though it is inconsistent, and starts off rather badly, I'm bumping this up a point. One killer side deserves at a minimum to be called "Excellent".  

I wonder if they have some other tracks like Side 2 sitting in a vault somewhere that are similar? What a fantastic archival release that would be!

Ownership: LP: 1972 Brain. Extraordinary gatefold cover. Acquired mail order from a dealer in Alabama (1989).

There remains no legit reissues on CD or LP as of 6/8/24. This album is a charter member of my original CD Reissue Wish List going way back to the early 90s. Now that Satin Whale's Desert Places has finally been reissued, I believe Gash remains the last significant Brain release without a reissue (along with RMO I hasten to add). 

1989; 9/28/15 (new entry)

Gunter Schickert - Somnabul. 1980-1994 Germany (archival)

Obscure and uneven archival recordings from Gunter Schickert circa 1980 to 1994. On the plus side, it's worth the price of admission just to hear 'Arabische Nächte', which is Schickert at his absolute best, with fast paced sound on sound guitar, and molten psychedelic soloing layered on top. And the Middle Eastern theme gives off a big whiff of early Agitation Free (and would you believe Michael Gunther himself was involved on this project?). Also of note are the 'Dig It' segues which propel the album forward in an exciting way. Other notables are the extended version of 'In der Zeit 1' from Uberfallig, the haunting Voice of Eye styled studio manipulation of 'Sirenen', and the muddled psychedelic title track. On the down side is the brooding electronik 'Töchter der Neere' which isn't Schickert's forte at all. Also 'Monkeys' sounds like a GAM reject, whereas 'Now' is pretty dull to be honest.

Manuel Gottsching is credited with remastering. If only Achim Reichel could have been involved, then we would have had all the pioneering German sound-on-sound electric guitarists in the same room!

Ownership: CD: 1995 Musique Intemporelle. This is a very rare CD that was issued by Bernd Kistenmacher's Musique Intemporelle label, and was part of the "Rainbow Collection" that also featured an archival Agitation Free album. One of the series' trademarks was the addition of a "multimedia" track at the beginning of the disc (this is what they mean by CD ROM on the cover - it is a factory pressed CD), which comes across as loud static if you don't remember to start with track 2. There are no liner notes to speak of, so the origin of these songs is hard to determine.

1995; 9/27/15 (new entry)

The Wolfgang Dauner Group - Rischka's Soul. 1970 Germany

Recorded November 28, 1969, Wolfgang Dauner's Rischka's Soul (aka Dietrich's Soul) comes more from the restless jazz school, than the subversive underground that was just beginning to brew in Germany at this time. Dauner was no doubt a major influence, and perhaps even an inspiration, to those looking to expand the music norms of the day. Krautrock, as we know it today, had its founding during this era, but it didn't come from the mainstream, of which Dauner was a part of. The album was mostly known from its posthumous release on Brain, though it wasn't a contemporary recording. Still, without a doubt, Dauner was a pioneer in mixing psychedelic rock and jazz seamlessly. Much of this album sounds like the ultimate backdrop to a "happenin' club scene" to a 1970 art film, with the participants suitably stoned out of their bloomin' minds and squinting wildly while the Klieg lights were beaming off their freshly scrubbed cheeks. Whether the youngsters were dancing or meditating, Rischkas Soul was providing the soundtrack to their soul searching odyssey of utopian dreams. One of the better time-and-place albums of the day, and a must pick up for fans of 1969 era jazz rock. Just don't expect cutting edge Krautrock here.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Brain. Gatefold. Online acquisition (2003). 

CD: 2015 Long Hair. Jewel case. Full historical liner notes and photos.

The LP features a striking day-glo yellow gatefold cover. I had no idea until somewhat recently that the Brain press was actually a reissue of an earlier recording. The CTR (Creative Team Rischka) release is still unknown and pretty much extinct. 

The title was originally to be called Dietrich's Soul. But I guess Rischka won the contract and also apparently got the naming rights too! 

There's also a 1974 release which was part of Metronome's "This is" series, and were really just represses of earlier albums (or comps in some cases), and released on their 2001 Brain imprint. 

From the CD reissue we learn the story behind what the "Sounds" label on the front cover means (it's also on Guru Guru's 4th). It was a "seal of approval" from the magazine of the same name.

One other note about the CD - they inexplicably reversed the sides of the recording so that it starts with Side 2. Why they did this we'll never know. Perhaps the goal here was to ensure the release remains in a confused state.

2003; 5/28/09; 9/26/15 (new entry); 2/15/23

Roberto Colombo - Botte da Orbi. 1977 Italy

For those that constantly bellyache that most progressive rock is poorly composed, and is really a bunch of amateurs piecing disparate sections of music together, then may I suggest Roberto Colombo's sophomore release? This is a seriously dense work, and is clearly charted and most certainly required a music stand for the participants. Frank Zappa at his most complex must be in the conversation, though one can hear some of the Italian RIO/Jazz/Avant prog bands of the day, for example Picchio dal Pozzo, Orchestra Njervudarov, Agora, and Tullio De Piscopo - the latter even guests on the album. No jamming or grooves here, and the melodies are too brief, but powerful. Awesome production as well. Much of the avant prog genre is too high brow for me, but Botte da Orbi is thoroughly enjoyable, though lacking any notable peaks.

Ownership: CD: 1999 Mju:zik. Small wallet like cover. Apparently this was sold with a magazine initially.

2000 (first listen); 1//06; 9/25/15 (review / new entry)

Walrus. 1970 England

Yet another UK horn rock band from 1970. I always expect Walrus (the album) to be a bit better each listen, especially after taking in the barnburner opener, and yet it falls a bit short of heightened expectation.  Mostly it's the straightforward songwriting, and the band at times comes across as a bunch of rock-n-rollers with a horn section in tow. Still, there's plenty of good progressions, and 'Coloured Rain' demonstrated that Walrus could have gone the jazz rock route as well, to much success. Though they blew it here too with a late drum solo, demonstrating their lack of awareness. Not in the same league as Brainchild, Heaven, or Greatest Show on Earth, but certainly passable and conditionally recommended, especially to die-hard genre fans (of which I'm one).

Personal collection
CD: 2008 Esoteric

Single sleeve cover, and one of the more obscure Deram albums, though not one of the most expensive or sought after. The first CD to market was from Si-Wan. Unusual in that Si-Wan generally licensed their product from the parent companies in Japan, and yet I could find no evidence of a Japanese LP. It's possible one was released, and it's just not been captured, or it's also possible they licensed it but never actually released it (would likely have come out in the mid 1970s). The Japanese mini-LP comes from Deram, and that indicates the same license we're talking about here. I believe it's a separate mastering from the Esoteric copy that came out the same year. In any case, the Esoteric version is great, with excellent liner notes, great sound, and one non-album bonus track taken from a single in the same era. Some of the online discographies append a 1971 date to the album, but it's clearly copyrighted as 1970, and according to Esoteric, it was released in December of that year.

Wapassou - Ludwig. 1979 France

In many ways, this is Wapassou's most artistically accomplished work. The classically influenced 34 minute title track is dense and complex, with Wapassou demonstrating their musical maturity over the course of both sides of the LP. And yet, I found myself missing the haunting atmospheres, and mysterious sounds of the previous 3 albums. Perhaps had they broken this composition into smaller tracks, where they could be dissected individually, it may have worked more smoothly as a whole. As it stands though, the sprawling piece can be impenetrable at times. For fans of the classic Wapassou sound, there is no doubt it is an essential purchase, but it does seem to be a bit too formal I'm afraid.

Ownership: LP: 1979 Crypto. Single sleeve. Online purchase from 2015.  My first copy was the 80s Omega Studio LP reissue that I bought in 1990. This was replaced by the 1994 Musea CD. This CD misses the usual liner notes in English, only leaving them in French. One unique photo, which is preserved below. There is one 6+ minute bonus track, which is a separate sound from the album proper. It uses real drums but sounds like a later effort. OK but I'm indifferent. Considering all these factors, the CD can go.

9/22/15 (new entry)

xxx

WLUD - Carrycroch. 1978 France

Apparently the band's moniker of WLUD was inspired by the French jazz rock ensemble CCPP, and thus they too went forward with their last names. A classic lost in translation scenario, as it comes across as either Thud, Wad, or WTFuh - to my English ears anyway. Had they been christened with a name like Église fou avec Perles, perhaps the band would be more highly sought after today. Who knows, but the music here more than makes up for the shortsighted naming convention. Instrumental progressive rock with an emphasis on melody is the name of the game here. Those looking for conservatory styled compositions will need to look elsewhere, but if enjoyable put-a-smile-on-your-face instrumentals are your bag, then welcome Carrycroch' to your home (oh my, yet another problematic title - one pictures Roseanne Barr at a San Diego Padres game...). No matter, because once the platter (silver or black - choose your weapon) hits the turntable/laser all will be forgotten. If only such music was the norm in 1978. Obvious candidates of Camel and Yes get thrown around, but one could just as easily toss out Carpe Diem, Neo, and Terpendre just to show off to the only person who might know what you're talking about.

Personal collection
CD: 1996 Musea

Pulsar - Pollen. 1975 France

Generally regarded as the weaker of the classic three 1970's Pulsar albums, debut Pollen is still an album very much worth absorbing. The album suffers from a muddy production and a certain immaturity towards songwriting. In its favor, however, is an exorbitant amount of atmosphere. I would classify Pollen as "heavy cloud music" (a new genre is born!), in which there's a pervasive melancholy that requires an intense introspection. Ironically the music is inspirational rather than depressing, and provides a perverse motivation. The track that best represents this motif is 'Apaisement' with the drawn out flute, acoustic guitar, organ, fuzz chords, thudding drums, string synthesizer, and the mumbling vocals in French. A rainy day in Lyon indeed. A wonderfully sad album.

Personal collection
LP: 1975 Kingdom
LP: 1976 Decca (UK)
CD: 2008 Arcangelo (Japan)

The CD is a mini-LP but is Musea's disc and features their booklet as well.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Horizons. 1970 England

The Greatest Show on Earth are another fine entry from the UK brass rock genre of the early 1970s. On Horizons, GSoE provide us with 7 tracks in the four+ minute range, and one extended lengthy title suite. The music is heavily inspired by Blood, Sweat and Tears, but unfortunately the songwriting isn't particularly sharp. However, the extended song lengths allow GSoE to demonstrate their skill at instrumental breaks, and it's here the band excels. In particular the catchy grooves of 'Angelina' and 'Real Cool World' are inspiring, as is the bluesy 'Sunflower Morning' and the creative hard psych of 'I Fought for Love'. Addressing the elephant in the room, the long track has many great moments, but suffers a bit from immature jamming, especially prevalent with the front loaded near 3 minute drum solo and some monotonous percussion and bass rambling later on. Still there's more than enough time for some outstanding breaks and thus the track still grades out high. A very fine album, and only 8 months later the band would release their second and last album - which demonstrated more development within their sound.

Personal collection
LP: 1970 Harvest
CD: 2012 Esoteric

The album is housed in a really cool gatefold cover. I love eye covers anyway, and so this is one I had to get on vinyl (completed June 2018). The Esoteric CD is of the usual high quality with full liner notes, but no bonus tracks. As is often the case, I would avoid the See For Miles reissue, as it truncates the long 'Horizon' track (though it could have used a bit of trimming in the first place, but still...).

Spickle. 2000 USA-Louisiana

Spickle were a quartet from New Orleans, who play a type of instrumental metal, as performed by a late 1960's era garage psych band. Sure, one would call this math rock as well, I suppose. Whatever the genre warriors want to label it, this is one entertaining progressively slanted instrumental (heavy) rock album. It appears this is a band that fell entirely through the cracks. That's too bad. 

Sold the CD (2021)

2004; 9/6/15 (new entry); 10/12/21

Jade Warrior - Released. 1971 England

Jade Warrior's sophomore release continues their unique blend of psychedelic hard rock and world fusion. Of the former style, highlights include the eye opening 'Three Horned Dragon', 'Eyes on You', and 'Minnamoto's Dream'. The latter is one of the album's peak moments and probably is the track that most represents the debut album. The best track for my tastes is the stunningly beautiful jazz / world / rock piece 'Water Curtain Cave' which sounds as if lifted straight from Nucleus' Elastic Rock sessions. 'Yellow Eyes' closes the album in a similar mellow fashion. The 15 minute 'Barazinbar' seamless mixes all these styles into one wonderful psychedelic jam and is clearly the album's centerpiece. Only misstep is the dull rock-n-roll 'Reason to Believe' and is completely out of place here. Otherwise a very fine album, and comes highly recommended.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Vertigo (USA). Gatefold. Spaceship label. Acquired at the Colorado Springs Record Show (2023)

CD: 2005 Air Mail (Japan). Papersleeve edition that replicates the very cool 6 part multi-fold out cover. comes in a Disc Union promo box set with the first three Vertigo albums (the debut is the cover). Given the quiet nature of these albums, I probably will keep both editions.

2005; 9/3/15 (new entry); 12/2/23 (LP addition)

Agusa - Två. 2015 Sweden

Agusa quickly follows their highly regarded debut Högtid, with the old school moniker of "2" (Två / Tva), in Swedish of course. If you were hoping for some modern development, you've come to the wrong place. Agusa's mindset defiantly remains in 1971, and that's exactly what their audience wants to hear. In addition to Hammond organ, psychedelic electric guitar, and a pulsating rhythm section, Agusa have added the always welcome ingredient of flute. Well, that just about covers the landscape of 45 years ago. As with Högtid, Swedish folkloric melodies are the centerpiece, particularly on the first side long track (ah, it warms the cockles of my heart to say "side long track") 'Gånglåt från Vintergatan'. It's Kenny Håkansson fronting Flasket Brinner with a dollop of International Harvester on the side. Even better is the darker and less familiar 'Kung Bores Dans' - yet another side long opus. Agusa's music is organic and free flowing. There are no jaw dropping breaks or flights of fancy. I never tire of music such as this. This is the kind of album where you lay down, close your eyes, and let the music take you to new and unknown places. Soothing, comfortable, and entirely psychedelic.

Ownership: CD: 2015 Laser's Edge. Digipak. Purchased new upon release.

The album was also originally issued on LP by Kommun 2. Both the LP and CD were reissued by Kommun 2 in 2022 and are easy to find.

9/2/15 (new entry); 9/22/23

Dragon - Universal Radio. 1974 New Zealand

Dragon's debut came at the twilight of the early Hammond organ fueled progressive rock of the early 1970s with the more sophisticated AOR styled album that was about to dominate the FM landscape in the mid 70s. Universal Radio is definitely more the former, and also possesses a strong Latin fusion/rock component as well as a bit of space rock. Guideposts include fellow countrymen Ragnarok and Living Force, along with bands such as Kestrel (England) and Fruupp (Northern Ireland). Only 3 short years from their debut, Dragon were to become pop stars in neighboring Australia, and you can hear hints of that future sound on the track 'Going Slow' (though with progressive oriented breaks still in place). The album peaks on the splendid multi-layered epic 'Patina'. Bonus track 'Black Magic Woman' demonstrates a lingering Santana influence that was to be shed on their next opus Scented Gardens For the Blind, which is arguably an even better album. As it stands though, hard to imagine fans of early 1970s progressive rock not enjoying Universal Radio. There are a lot of ideas packed into this recording, so the relistenability factor charts high. Strongly recommended.

Ownership: CD: 2009 Aztec. Purchased new upon release. Comes in a fine triple fold-out digi-pak with an extensive history, photos, and 3 bonus tracks (though two are from a solo effort by band leader Marc Hunter and is a debatable addition). The release was taken from vinyl indicating the masters are lost (or in poor condition), but still sounds excellent. There are many boots out there, so watch out on that front. The Vertigo original only has the "spaceship" label, so don't hold out for the non-existent swirl variety. Funny enough, Aztec used a mock-up swirl design for the CD itself.

1//09; 9/1/15 (new entry)