Espiritu - Libre y Natural. 1976 Argentina

Espiritu's second album is an intriguing mix of Relayer-era Yes blended with Argentine singer songwriter tendencies. Libre y Natural can be weighed down by the latter, especially as it drifts towards pop realms with whiny dramatic vocals, only to be reeled back with some fine Moog soloing, wicked bass, and odd rhythms. Not the best Argentina has to offer when it comes to progressive rock, but certainly worth the effort to hear on occasion.

Former ownership CD: 1997 Microfon/Sony. Jewel case. Four page booklet that includes a history in Spanish.

I first acquired the LP via mailorder from Argentina (1996).

2//96 (first listen); 6/30/16 (review / new entry); 9/15/24 (update)

Eclat - Volume 3. 1997 France

Eclat, from Marseilles, were one of many French progressive rock bands to have emerged in the 90s, only to be completely forgotten in modern times. Eclat reminds me most of Minimum Vital, especially in regards to the energetic electric guitar and Medieval themed undertone. The album is primarily instrumental, and the only vocal track 'La Madeleine', is also the album's only clear misstep. A fine album worthy of investigation. Eclat appears to still be active, though I haven't heard anything past their 2002 album, which seems to be the case globally.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Kezko. The booklet is a 4 panel foldout. Purchased new online upon release.

6/24/16 (new entry) 

Smoking the Century Away. 1997 Mexico

There was a time in the late 1990s when the Smogless label was Mexico City's response to, and admiration of, the 70s Kosmische Kourier movement. Loch Ness, Humus, and Frolic Froth were the most known of these groups, but there were a few other random kollektiv's, and one of those was Smoking the Century Away. This "brand name", as it were, was their outlet for more organic psychedelic music and wasn't as fuzz guitar focused as the 3 groups mentioned above. Sort of a drifting, primitive sound (especially the keyboards), as one might find on an Amon Duul II side long excursion. This album is made up of one track, broken up into 19 vignettes. Yet another late 90's band that is long forgotten today, and still awaits their true discovery.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Smogless. Booklet is a trifold. Purchased new from New Sonic Architecture while in New York City, close to the release date.

1998; 6/23/16 (new entry)

Red Sand - Mirror of Insanity. 2004 Canada-Quebec

Canada's Red Sand are quite simply Script For a Jester's Tear era Marillion, right down to the Fish-like vocalist and album artwork. Which is fine with me, as I felt the early years of the neo-progressive movement held promise. And I never thought Marillion gave their more progressive side a chance and were too quick to embrace AOR styled music. Mirror of Insanity has a few new ideas to add and it's nice to hear a band tackle a genre that lost its way years ago. All the same, perhaps a bit more originality would have helped them here.

Their followup, Gentry, saw the band lose even more momentum in an already crowded marketplace, and my interest as well. Best to check out the debut and not look back. Keep expectations in check though. Execution meter scores high. Originality meter didn't move. And I decided to part with my copy...

6/21/16 (new entry)

Ozone Quartet - Fresh Blood. 1997 USA-North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina's Ozone Quartet, on their debut Fresh Blood, provide us with a rough 'n ready instrumental violin driven prog rock / fusion album, as if Jean-Luc Ponty played lead for Boud Deun. Not the best production you'll ever encounter, but it probably adds the right amount of grit needed to make it work. This one is easy to get into for fans predisposed to the genre.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Flat Five. Standard jewel case layout. 

1997; 6/19/16 (new entry)

Lizard - W Galerii Czasu. 1997 Poland

Lizard's debut is an unusual effort coming from the late 90s. Most of Poland's progressive rock scene were following along in the footsteps of Collage, and performing UK styled neo-prog. And there is definitely some of that sound present here, but there's also a bit of heaviness (not metal), perhaps paving the way for future stars like Riverside. But most interesting to me is the look back to the Iron Curtain years, and there's a distinct melodic songwriting as you might find on a late 70's SBB album, or even from the Czech group Modry Efekt. Odd combination, but it works. I bought this CD upon release, and enjoyed it immediately. Strange that I never pursued anything else by the band (though it didn't help that some of their initial followup albums were "official bootlegs", which is rarely a good thing). Time for some research. The band is still around, and releasing albums, but they appear to have fallen off of everyone's radar. No idea if the quality is the same though.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Ars Mundi. Fine new album layout with original art and lyrics

1997; 2013; 6/19/16 (new entry)

England - Garden Shed. 1977 England

Depending on one's perspective, England's Garden Shed is either forward looking or out of date. The music is heavily influenced by Yes first, and Genesis second, with a dash of densely composed Van der Graaf Generator to boot. In Continental Europe there were plenty of more obscure bands doing similar, but for the namesake country itself, this kind of progressive rock music had pretty much slowed to a trickle. There are some commercial styled moments, and it's these that would seem to point the way toward the upcoming Neo Prog (nee NWOBPR) movement that would take hold in the early 80s. But the instrumentation is heavily analog, with Mellotron, Moog, and woody bass, and is definitely a recording of the 70s. Like any album that is influenced by something, one will hear familiar bits here and there, though it's still unique enough to enjoy it simply as the band England. This is a safe pick for new fans looking to venture beyond the Big 6, but aren't quite ready for something entirely new. Like going from Heineken to Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

Ownership: LP: 1977 Arista. Single sleeve. New copy acquired from a record collection buy in Tucson (1994).

Despite being on Arista, Garden Shed did not receive a US issue. I think it would have actually done quite well commercially in the States, as the progressive rock audience hadn't died out yet. Apparently they didn't see it that way, and the album was always a bit of a "cult classic" over here. Avoid the first Japanese CD as it was taken from a scratchy vinyl, which is really strange as I'm sure mint vinyl copies were easily accessible (if not the master tapes). 

1991; 7//05; 6/17/16 (new entry)

Architectural Metaphor - Creature of the Velvet Void. 1997 USA-Massachusetts

Architectural Metaphor were a space rock / Krautrock band from the Boston area, that are long forgotten today, but had a bit of momentum during the late 90s space rock renaissance (most notably playing in the festivals of the day plus various compilation albums). Generally Architectural Metaphor performed as a trio, with loud electric guitar, effects, found sounds, and pounding drums. The latter is unique in that they are provided by a female, who also is their lead singer and "space whisperer". Creature of the Velvet Void is their second full length "proper" album, and marks a distinct improvement on their debut Odysseum Galacti. Musically, Architectural Metaphor are clearly informed by the early Kosmische Musik scene, such as Amon Duul II, Ash Ra Tempel, Cosmic Jokers, et al, as well as the usual space rocker suspects like Hawkwind and Gong. They're not the most accomplished musicians you'll ever hear, but for the type of music they play, a bit of raw amateurism plays to their favor. Besides, any band that names a tune 'March of the Wooden Potatoes' has to be onto something special... 

Ownership: CD: 1997 Black Widow (Italy). Standard jewel case layout with lyrics.

1997; 6/15/16 (new entry) 

Coeur Magique - Wakan Tanka. 1971 France

Guitarist Claude Olmos was later to be enshrined into the collective hearts and minds of Zeuhl fans everywhere as the guitarist on Magma's mythical Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh album, but you would never know he was destined for such a fate by this recording. Coeur Magique is another kind of rare breed: That of the French psychedelic record. Whereas most French bands in 1971 were emulating what was happening over the Channel - and singing in English - Coeur Magique reached further back in time and space - to that of the late 60s American heavy psych scene. What you have here is a late-to-the-dinner-party album recalling Iron Butterfly, Sir Lord Baltimore, Hendrix, even a bit of Santana, all sung in French mind you. Solid album throughout (though it barely clears 30 minutes), and somewhat out of alignment with both time and place, which makes it even that much more interesting. Those who scan 30 albums a day looking to be "wowed" would probably be better served to move on, but for the deep divers, this one is a definite pickup.

Ownership: LP: 1971 BYG. Gatefold. Online acquisition (2013). Very nice gatefold cover with a band photo as its centerpiece. I started with the CD on Spalax (2006) but it offers nothing else and can be let go.

2006; 2013; 6/14/16 (new entry)

Amon Duul II - Phallus Dei. 1969 Germany

I'll let a four decade plus old newspaper article write my review for me today. Süddeutsche Zeitung said once, which happens to be the largest German national subscription daily newspaper according to Wikipedia: "Amon Düül II is a pop band that needn't shy away from comparisons with Pink Floyd or the Velvet Underground, but they are much better, more influential and more progressive than their English and American counterparts." OK then, my work is done here I think....

Ownership: LP: 1972 Sunset (UK). Acquired at VVV Records (1986), What's great about this version is the back cover, which is hilarious. Sunset was known for releasing adult pop music. What on Earth were they thinking when they put Amon Duul II on the label with the not-too-disguised title of Dick God? I always imagined some old codger with a pipe, getting excited at the strip-mall record store "Look Edna, a new album on Sunset! I got to get this!". Imagine the scene back home. ROFL.

CD: 1993 Repertoire. Standard jewel case release. Mail order acquisition (1995)

CD: 2006 Revisited. Digipak. Online acquisition (2016). Excellent liner notes, but I prefer the sound of the above. So I'm keeping both for now.

1986; 1995; 6/14/16  (new entry)

Present - Live! 1996 Belgium

An interesting live album from Belgium's Present. Sounding more like a psychotic blues rock take on their first 2 albums, the album has a rawness and deep soul missing from their studio works. Present always sounded to me like a typical mathy, ultra precise, avant prog unit. Here, they sound a bit messy, and even give into the odd guitar jam, just the kind of dirty soot the band needs. I've had this CD since it first came out, and never held it among the finest of their works, but I'm hearing it in a whole different light this go round. Hmm.

Ownership: CD: 1996 Cuneiform

6/13/16 (new entry)

Galactic Supermarket. 1974 Germany

As good a place as any to jump in on the happenin' Berlin Kosmische Kourier Musik scene. A non-stop peak experience with roaring guitars, swirling synthesizers, pulsating bass, frantic drums, and echoed female vocals. Moment-in-time live jamming that perfectly captures the ethos of a bygone era. Mandatory.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Kosmische Musik. Single sleeve. Mail order acquisition (1988).

CD: 1994 Spalax (France). Digipak

1988; 1995; 6/3/16 (new entry)