Drahk Von Trip - Heart and Consequence. 2005 Sweden

Drahk von Trip are a southern Swedish group who play a unique mix of space rock and aggressive neo psychedelia. A large scale 6 piece band complete with female vocals and plenty of different instrumentation (violin, flute, "vintage synthesizers", multiple percussion contraptions, and some highly unusual wind instruments like the yidaki, a specific type of didgeridoo, as well as the Didjeribone). Some of the guitar work found here is quite inspiring. Though they have elements of many bands from White Willow to Hawkwind to Azalia Snail to Ozric Tentacles to Magma (mainly found in the bass work on 'One of a Kind' and 'Gahn'), Drahk Von Trip do not remind me of any one particular group. 10 lengthy, and somewhat complex, tracks allow for much discovery for each future listen.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Transubstans

11/26/15 (new entry)

The Tony Williams Lifetime - Ego. 1971 USA

The negative opinions are pretty strong on this one. I can appreciate the expectation that one would have for such a talent as Tony Williams in the highly creative year of 1971. And this definitely doesn't come through as a landmark winner of the year. But is it an abject failure? No, not in my opinion anyway. There's 3 throwaway percussion songs, and they are all the shortest, so that helps. The remainder is a fine jazz rock effort, and it closes well with the final 3 compositions. Anything with Larry Young on organ is worth an ear, and he does a fine job here. Final two tracks are the highlights. Overall the tone is pretty loose and raw, which are pluses. Williams' vocals are not a highlight for sure, but we've all certainly heard worse.

Former ownership: CD: 1999 Verve. Digipak. Includes the original LP liner notes.

2000 (first listen); 3/14/15; 11/24/15 (review / new entry); 1/21/24 

Darediablo - Feeding Frenzy. 2003 USA-New York

Welcome to the Hard Rock Cookin' Show. Today we have Darediablo from New York City. Tell us, Darediablo, what is your secret recipe?

Thanks for having us on the show today, Bob. We look at both the past and present for our recipes. On Feeding Frenzy, from the past we take one part Uriah Heep and one part Captain Beyond. And from the modern chefs, we like one part Kyuss and one part Tortoise. Blend. Drain the vocals out. Serve.

Yum.

Darediablo are very much a typical Under the Radar band from the 2000's. They never really had much exposure to the progressive rock community, and yet that may have been a better audience for the group in the long run. Today, the band seems long forgotten, only brought to life by archivists like myself. Like many before them, Darediablo arose from the New York City indie scene. They did have quite a bit of exposure 15 years ago, with their music showing up most prominently on ESPN's The Life among others. Their sound has been described (as recounted by the band themselves) as anything from Medeski, Martin & Wood meets MC5, to a combo of Black Sabbath and AC/DC. Since I've only heard Feeding Frenzy, I can't really say if these comparisons are accurate or inaccurate. My own description certainly points to another branch of the progressive hard rock tree. After Twenty Paces, the band seems to have disappeared altogether, and I cannot find any active internet presence. At some point, I need to make an effort to hear their other three albums, as Feeding Frenzy is most certainly a solid organ based instrumental progressive hard rock album. 

Ownership: CD: 2003 Southern. Jewel case. Simple booklet with recording details.

1//05; 11/23/15 (new entry)

Eye - Center of the Sun. 2011 USA-Ohio

When you name your band Eye and your first album is entitled Center of the Sun, then you are more than likely to draw comparisons to early Nektar. And indeed that is just what this Columbus based band seems to be aiming for: Journey to the Center of 1971 Nektar. Early Pink Floyd would also have to be mentioned, only in that Nektar themselves were indebted to those that set their controls for the heart of the sun. A sufficiently muddy production - complete with fuzz bass, distorted guitar, mellotron, and disembodied voices - will likely enthrall anyone who thought 1972 was way too glossy of a year. And honestly, what can one complain about? It's not exactly like the world is filled with Nektar copy bands. Sit back and enjoy a new interpretation, if "new" is a term one is allowed to utilize here. Originally there was no CD for this album. I presumed that's because one needs to leave the fuzzball on the needle to truly appreciate.

Ownership: LP: 2011 Kemado. Single sleeve.

CD: 2015 private. Simple slip case. I store it with the LP.

11/17/15 (new entry)

French TV - After a Lengthy Silence. 1987 USA-Kentucky

Fine sophomore album from French TV, a band that continued to grow leaps and bounds from album to album. After a Lengthy Silence is mostly an instrumental progressive rock, heavily influenced by jazz fusion, with a surprising space rock ending. The production is typical of the muddy late 1980s, and holds back the potential of the material. This aspect of the band would also improve as time went on.

Ownership: LP: 1987 Y Records. Single sleeve. Acquired not long after release (1990).

1990; 2009; 11/14/15 (new entry)

Quantum Fantay - Dancing in Limbo. 2015 Belgium

Quantum Fantay have always been a Masters Class course at the Ozric Tentacles University. And on their 6th studio effort, Dancing in Limbo, yet another thesis has been proposed and accepted. So much so, that the professor himself - one Ed Wynne - even guests on the album! If you're the sort that appreciates Ozric Tentacles most in full blown space rock mode with fiery guitar solos and fluttering flute, meanwhile constantly twisting and turning with jumpy rhythms, then Quantum Fantay will certainly blow your socks off. I'm of that sort, and my socks are missing. Dancing in Limbo earns Quantum Fantay yet another "A".

Personal collection
CD: 2015 Progressive Promotion

11/4/15 (new entry)

Dungen - Allas Sak. 2015 Sweden

After a 5 year break, we receive Dungen's 7th studio album, though if we're to use their numbering system, I suspect they would say it's their 6th (witness album called 4). No matter as Dungen continue with their brand of Swedish psychedelic progressive... pop. The latter perhaps a bit more pronounced this time, especially on the opening trio of tracks. I still can't get over just how popular Dungen are (including a guest appearance on prime time USA late night TV). Me and about 20 other people from Sweden have a full collection of this kind of Swedish psych from 1970-1974, sung in the native tongue. Not a single album anyone would ever have heard of today. Speaking of which, it took me 10 years to figure this out, but now I know precisely where Gustav Ejstes got his main ideas from. If you're a big fan of Dungen, then you should make an effort to hear this album Till dej, one I assure you Gustav has framed on his wall at home.

As mentioned, there is quite a bit more pop this time around than prior, though there is plenty for the more adventurous listener to dig their teeth into. 'Franks Kaktus' is an absolutely stunning instrumental and among Dungen's finest compositions to date. 'En gång om året' is the mournful downer Scandinavian psych that is Dungen's signature sound. 'Åkt dit' gives us the requisite mellotron drenched sound we so crave. 'En dag på sjön' reminds us just how popular Santana's fusion era was in Sweden in the early 70s (think the live Lotus album here). 'Sova''s attempt at a psychedelic ending is admirable, though ultimately boring, and the fast forward button was looked at. More than once.

Personal collection
CD: 2015 Mexican Summer (USA)

11/3/15 (new entry)

Rogue Element - Premonition. 2004 England

Not only is the duo of Rogue Element's debut influenced by Tangerine Dream, but very specifically 1976 and 1977 era Tangerine Dream. There's gobs of mellotron (as played by both gentlemen), "Modular System" sequencer action, and electric guitar soloing. If you love everything about Stratosfear, Sorcerer, and Encore, and the multitudes of bootlegs (official or not) from this era, then Rogue Element will fit in perfectly with your listening routine. Make sure the CD is labeled, or you may confuse it with your existing Tangs collection. From my perspective, this is a style that allows for multiple interpretations, so other variations are much welcome.

Ownership: CD: 2004 Acoustic Wave

11/2/15 (new entry)