Morgan ~ England

Nova Solis (1972)

Morgan's debut Nova Solis is certainly one of the more unheralded UK progressive rock albums from the golden era. There's a strong influence from the "majors", primarily ELP and Yes, which wasn't as common for English bands in those days as you might initially think. Morgan Fisher's piano and organ work, in particular, are quite engaging. But how on Earth did they end up in Italy? Band member Mo Bacon's father was an international merchant, and passed on the band's tape, which ultimately ended up in the hands of RCA in Rome. The album was recorded in Italy with the likes of Il Rovescio della Medaglia and The Trip both in the studio at the same time. The latter band was most certainly influenced by Morgan's presence. Due to some ill-timed hard line negotiation, both RCA USA and UK declined to repress the album in their home countries. Thus its obscurity today. A fate it did not deserve.

Ownership: 1972 RCA Italy (LP). Uni-pak gatefold; 2012 Esoteric (CD). Liner notes.

1999; 6//05; 4/7/14; 7/16/16 (review / new entry)