Under the Dome - Wot No Colin? 2003 England

Wot No Colin?, which came near the end of Under the Dome's recording career, is a high energy sequencer fest with some very fine electric guitar leads. If you drew a straight line from Tangerine Dream’s Encore to Pergamon, rather than traverse through the rock era that was Cyclone and Force Majeure, you would encounter this particular Under the Dome album. Fitting then, that this is a live album too. Look for some unexpected experimental sections with heavy echo on the sequences. Under the Dome were one of the best of the retro EM bands coming from England during this time, and Wot No Colin? is a good representation as to why.

Ownership: CD: 2003 Neu Harmony

7//05; 8/19/17 (new entry)

Lady Lake - SuperCleanDreamMachine. 2005 Netherlands

Lady Lake's comeback album is how all such reunions should be. No nods to modern music such as techno or heavy metal. No attempts at trying to win over a radio friendly audience. No overt plagiarist 1970s sound. Nope, Lady Lake pretty much picked up where they left off on No Pictures and recorded a new album in a similar style. Sure, it sounds like it was done in 2005 rather than the late 70s, just as it should be (though there's plenty of tasty Hammond and real mellotron here). Lady Lake play a type of music that is difficult to get right, since it's almost entirely built on melodic structure. Similar to like minded bands such as Camel and Sebastian Hardie. There are no sophisticated arrangements, fancy time signatures, or long jams. So if the music quite simply isn't appealing from a melodic perspective, it's going to be a yawn fest. As most are in this genre, truthfully. But Lady Lake is that special band that transcends the scene and the group hasn't lost their magic touch one bit. Maybe not the classic No Pictures is, but an excellent reunion, one of the best I've heard.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Musea (France)

4/22/07 (review); 8/8/17 (new entry)

Siniaalto - Tallentumia. 2004 Finland

Tallentumia is Siniaalto's second album, and represents a unique twist on the retro electronic sound. There are some Berlin School sequences of course, but more emphasis is paid on atmospheric keys, including novelties for the genre like processed Fender Rhodes. It’s as if Siniaalto wanted to explore every avenue from Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra album, to the point of exhaustion perhaps. Many sections go for long periods of time, making this not one of the easier electronic albums to digest in one setting. All the same, a strong entry for the genre, if a bit different.

Ownership: CD: 2004 If Society

3//05; 8/14/17 (new entry)

Fernand Pena et Puzzle - s/t. 1977 France

Fernand Pena and his backing group Puzzle are one of the few bands who actually put the psych in psychedelic folk. You've heard me go on about this already, but I often question where the rock parts are in these supposed acid folk / psychedelic folk albums. A lot of this stuff isn't terribly far from my Old Man's collection (that I still possess), and his albums were pure Irish/Scottish/English/American folk music. My pop couldn't stand listening to rock music  - and yet there's plenty of the "psych folk" albums I picked up along the way that he enjoyed. Because there was no rock!

About the only group from France that Fernand Pena et Puzzle remind me of is Canelle. And as you may recall from that entry, my initial thought about them is that they were from Quebec. Perhaps Fernand Pena et Puzzle is a bit less pop/country than Canelle, and more geared toward progressive and psych. So in that light, Fernand Pena et Puzzle recall groups such as L'Engoulevent, Connivence, and Harmonium more so than the standard Brittany groups of Malicorne or Gwendal. While it's not specifically cited in the liner notes, I doubt Pena is from Breton, and thus that adds another dimension to the usual folk music coming from France. There is some really fine electric guitar work here, among the folk/vocal based compositions. At times it's straight rock, others it's haunting acoustic folk, and even a little bit of funky business to date it precisely at 1977. Despite the band moniker, this isn't really a solo affair, as the group Puzzle features no less than 10 members (mostly on various stringed instruments).

Personal collection
LP: 1977 Centaur

The album is housed in a nice gatefold cover. Still no legit reissues can be found.

Last listen: January 7, 2013

McLuhan - Anomaly. 1972 USA-Illinois

McLuhan's sole album, despite being American, is a very British sounding, quirky progressive rock / horn rock blend. Fuzz guitar, organ, menacing bass, wailing sax, some narration with twisted lyrics, flute, and horn charts ala early Chicago define this fantastic work. The soft vocal style and composition structure calls to mind Uriah Heep's side long title track on Salisbury. Brainchild and Heaven (UK) are other good references, without the pop aspirations. The only missteps here are a short ragtime bit and a funk soul sequence that is off track. For those who love both progressive rock and horn rock, McLuhan comes as an easy recommendation.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Brunswick. Gatefold. Online acquisition (2002). It was still sealed at the time.

2002; 9//04 (review); 8/14/17 (new entry)

Kirkbinsinek - Sis Pus Sus. 2015 Turkey

My vision of what I want Turkish rock music to be is always much more psychedelic than the reality. It seems like such a natural path for the indigenous sounds of Turkish folk music to merge with the exciting and exotic scales and tones of the psychedelic. And even though an entire genre exists that somewhat addresses this - namely Anatolian Rock - I haven't really heard much to excite me. Yea, sure, Erkin Koray, Baris Manco, Bunalim, and the lot of them have moments of excitement, but none captured my imagination wildly. All of that to state - Kirkbinsinek is what I've been looking for. Right from the opening notes of the instrumental 'Hoyrat', one will be automatically transported to a secret hideaway in 1969 Istanbul. The music is a combination of retro psych and Ozric Tentacles like space rock, especially when the latter borrows from Middle Eastern scales. So if the idea of a band like Vespero or Quantum Fantay mixing with Wolf People - and a dash of early Agitation Free - sounds good to you, then I suggest you make an effort to obtain Kirkbinsinek's debut. Excellent album and goes straight to the top spot in my (limited) Turkish collection. I hope we hear more from them soon!

Personal collection
CD: 2015 World in Sound (Germany)

Ma Banlieue Flasque - 1979 France

Ma Banlieue Flasque sole album is an excellent work that draws from a variety of early 70s sources such as Moving Gelatine Plates, Komintern, and Frank Zappa. The music is complex, yet still melodic, with a bit of a wacky sense of humor thrown in. I'd submit that Ma Banlieue Flasque is perhaps more jazz influenced than the references above, but it I think would go down a storm with the avant prog crowd, plus those who like that European Continental fusion sound, as first pioneered and influenced by Zappa's Hot Rats.

Personal collection
LP: 1979 Celluloid

Originals come in a somewhat nondescript single sleeve cover. No legit reissues exist.

Last listen: June 26, 2010

Pantha - Doway Do Doway Do. 1975 Australia

Pantha's sole album is a real gem in the rough. The music is like a mixture of that unique Australasian take on symphonic rock, similar to Sebastian Hardie (Oz) and Dragon (NZ) - combined with some of those wonderful early Santana grooves with sustain guitar. Which also reminds me of another regional band: Living Force (NZ). The album can be somewhat poppy in places, reminding me a bit of late era Fruupp actually, but the melodies are highly infectious. This is an album I reach for more often than usual from my collection (well, I used to anyway...). Like I said, it's a real gem.

Ownership: LP: 1975 Wizard. Gatefold. Online acquisition (2001).

No legit reissues as of 6/4/24

2001; 1//06

Kebnekajse - Elefanten. 1977 Sweden

Elefanten is Kebnekajse's 5th album and represents a wonderful return to form, after the somewhat middling African/world music affair Ljus fran Afrika. Elefanten is about as close to jazz rock as Kebnekajse would ever get. It's a particularly strong outing for guitarist Kenny Håkansson, who lights it up everywhere he can. Also worth noting the strong violin play from Mats Glenngård adding the folk touch one would expect to hear on an earlier Kebnekajse album. This is a very fine work, that for whatever reason isn't as highly revered as I would expect. I think it's their best album along with their self-titled second.

Personal collection
LP: 1977 Silence

Oddly this album has been completed ignored in the reissue market as well. And original LPs still go relatively cheap. Such an anomaly really. Well, grab one of those LPs while they remain affordable I guess. I've had my copy since the early 90s.

Last listen: September 18, 2018

Djam Karet - No Commercial Potential. 1985 USA

Djam Karet's debut album, the cassette No Commercial Potential, was a true anomaly when released in 1985. The concept of long form, psychedelic guitar driven rock instrumentals, was an extinct concept in the mid 1980s. Whereas LS Bearforce released the homage to early Guru Guru in 1983, Djam Karet had taken the idea of combining mid period King Crimson mixed with any number of west coast late 60s psychedelia bands. And yes, with more than a hint of Krautrock as well. Djam Karet were born out of a (still operating) California record store, and it's no accident they possessed the historical capacity for musical research. Quite simply, they were considerably ahead of their time, and by the 90s many were following their lead, arguably to lesser success. It must be said, the title is as accurate as any in history.

Personal collection
CD: No Commercial Potential (2004 HC) 2 CD set w/...And Still Getting the Ladies (2002)

As noted above the original was released only on cassette.

Black Mountain - In the Future. 2008 Canada

In the Future is an intriguing release by Black Mountain. The band's background is one of both the stoner and indie genres, and yet In the Future is an authentic attempt at an early 1970s retro prog sound. As we learned from their followup Wilderness Heart, Black Mountain's "heart" remained true to their background, and In the Future ended up being something of an anomaly (or at least I believe that to be the case, having not heard IV, but the reviews indicate similar). To my ears, because of this juxtaposition of styles, Black Mountain ends up sounding like an "out of time" band from 1978 trying to recreate 1970, rather than a modern band doing such. In the Future is like discovering the most interesting looking album at the local Montgomery Ward, set inside some ancient mall that felt more like a DMZ than a shopping plaza (America in 1978 was a much different looking place than today). Black Mountain has captured the aura of what Arista Records originally intended to do, before giving into crass commercialism. It's the type of album you can hear over and over, because of the many different textures, colors, and styles. In some ways, I can also hear a band like Australia's Tarot here, with the focus on a hard rock style, and teetering that stoner genre, but not quite crossing over. There's also quite a bit of mellotron here as well for fans of the instrument. I really like this album, though it does appear to be one-off greatness in their canon.

CD: 2008 Jagjaguwar (USA)

The Enid - In the Region of the Summer Stars. 1976 / 1984 England

If one can imagine Camel, not as a rock band, but rather a true symphonic classically oriented group, then In the Region of the Summer Stars would have been the result instead of The Snow Goose. Contrary to what you might think, especially if one has been exposed to The Enid prior, is this album most certainly rocks out on occasion. This is about as true a symphonic rock album as you'll ever hear, minus actual symphony instruments. In other words, it's not like William Sheller either. A very refined, majestic album. Not one for hard rockers, no sirree.

Former ownership: CD: 2006 WHD (Japan). Papersleeve edition.

This CD is the 1984 "partial re-record" version. I'll have to hear the actual 1976 recording again to compare. It's been many years since I last owned and heard that version.

8/11/17 (review / new entry); 12/7/24

Del Jones' Positive Vibes - Court is Closed. 1973 USA-Pennsylvania

The single most intense Black America album ever. Basically Del Jones is the Philadelphia ghetto version of the Berlin based Cosmic Couriers clan. Intense does not even begin to describe this album. The anger that comes through will melt your mind. And all the freaked out vocals, wah wah guitar, flute, and heavy rhythms will make you grab for your Ash Ra Tempel albums and hold on tight. Given the economic conditions of the housing projects of the early 1970s, it's surprising more albums didn't seep through like this. Of course there are a couple of throwaway soul numbers that are fortunately short - but most of the album will fry your brain! 'Cold Turkey' has some of the most anguished freaked out madness since John L. went nuts on 'Flowers Must Die' (on Ash Ra Tempel's Schwingungen).

Ownership: LP: 1997 Hikeka; CD: 1997 Saucer Man / Hikeka (Japan). Like Velvert Turner, Del Jones released two versions of the same album: A soul mix and a psych mix. The soul mix is available on CD and appears legit. The psych mix has only been reissued on LP so far, and did involve Del Jones who wrote contemporary notes for it, so we'll consider that legit. But no one has issued it on CD to date. The soul mix is not that much different really - there's an additional horn section, two extra tracks, and some of the guitar work has been moved into the background. It's still a monster and highly recommended.

6/1/06; 8/11/17 (new entry); 7/14/22

Richard Pinhas - Chronolyse. 1978 France

Richard Pinhas' second solo album is an absolute classic of progressive electronic music. The music is very much in line with what he was accomplishing with his primary vehicle Heldon at the time. The album contains 7 vignettes of aggressive Moog sequencing, and one longer electronic piece on Side 1. And on the flip, there's a 30 minute brain blaster of guitar-bass-drums and electronics in the best Heldon tradition. A fine companion album to Heldon's Stand By. Brilliant.

Ownership: LP: 1978 Cobra; CD: 2006 Captain Trip (Japan).  Though not difficult to find on vinyl back in the day, it's one that eluded my grasp. So my first exposure to the album was the Cuneiform CD that appeared in 1991. It was definitely the last Pinhas album for me to hear at the time, and it's also his best solo (IMO). Over the years I finally picked up an original LP as well as the Japanese mini-LP. The single sleeve cover is nondescript as most French albums are from this period. I also obtained the Disk Union box set, so the Japanese mini-LP collection is complete for Pinhas.

new entry

Progresiv TM - Dreptul de a Visa. 1976 Romania

Though Romanian, Progresiv TM seem like distant cousins to the Italian scene (well, I guess they are anyway if you think about it). More than I ever realized, there are parallels to the Italian band Delirium here. Except that Progresiv TM are considerably heavier and a bit less diverse. Progressiv TM are one of a few bands from the 70s that have that Black Sabbath guitar tone. They don’t utilize it in a doom-laden riff style like Sabbath does, but the sound is so very thick. Contrast that with a strong flute presence, an instrument that provides the melody line throughout the album. Vocals are well done, dramatic and well, seem Italian (no surprise as Romanian is as close to Latin as any active language). Note there’s also a strong post psych element at play here, which can be off-putting to those who aren’t 60's psychedelic fans. For me, appreciation of said style may also contribute a half star. I personally feel this album is light years better than anything else coming out of 1970s Romania. I just wonder how much great material could have been released during the progressive heyday, had it not been for the most oppressive dictator of the Eastern Bloc? Tragedy really.

Ownership: LP: 1976 Electrecord. Single sleeve. Acquired in trade from a well known Belgian dealer (1994).

Former ownership: CD: 2002 Rock in Beat (Germany). Jewel case. Discogs lists it as unofficial. It would, after all, seem odd that a German label would reissue an album like this. The CD certainly doesn't go out of its way to claim authenticity. But the label itself seems to be legit, with a focus on older 60s rock and beat albums. I had presumed it was legit all these years, but maybe not. Won't fall on my sword to defend it.

1994 (first listen); 9//05 (review)

Regressive Aid - Effects on Exposed People. 1983 USA-New Jersey

Awhile back I wrote about a Japanese band called Nishin and their one album Dai Dai, and I have to say New Jersey's Regressive Aid reminds me quite a bit of that. The early 1980's sound is very apparent here, from the use of digital technology to the fast punkish pace of the music. There's no mistaking the Discipline era King Crimson influence, though Regressive Aid appear to have drawn the same conclusion as Fripp rather than just obsequiously following the master. By the time of the all instrumental Effects on Exposed People (like the EP before is itself a very short album clocking in just under 30 minutes), the Crimson influence is more apparent and the production values are of a higher quality. Another group that reminds me of Regressive Aid, but showed up a couple of years later, is the Virginia-based Famous Actors From Out of Town.

Ownership: LP: 1983 Rhesus. Single sleeve with a sales flyer and a photograph of an old typewriter with a note from the band. Odd. Online acquisition (2013).

No reissues exist as of 11/27/24

4/2/11 (review); 2/25/21 (new entry)

Jumbo.1972 Italy

Hard to imagine two albums more different than Jumbo's debut and Vietato Ai Minori Di 18 Anni?, all only in the span of two years. This is blues rock - harmonica (mainly the first track) and all the trappings. Though there is plenty of great guitar (heavy at times) and organ leads as well. And hand drums and flute go a long way to making this a pleasurable experience. Listening closely, what’s on display here is the basis for any Jumbo track. Consider that the varied instrumentation and wild experimentation going on by the time of Vietato Ai Minori Di 18 Anni? are so much more elaborate, it’s hard to imagine that after a complete strip search, they are in reality simple blues numbers in disguise. And then there’s Alvaro Fella himself, maybe the greatest of all Italian singers in terms of raw expression. Oh sure, Leone wins the drama queen award and Giacomo gives Pavarotti a run… but Fella resonates with what’s on the street... man. He’s the ghetto brother of Milan! I can probably only recommend to those that worship at the Jumbo altar, otherwise you’re gonna get strange looks. Me? I like it.

Personal collection
CD: 2004 Philips (Japan)

Original LPs are super rare - way more so than their other 2, which are hardly common.

Last listen: June 2005

Radio Massacre International - Rain Falls in Grey. 2007 England

As stated in my review for Septentrional, Radio Massacre International are one of today's most innovative groups. Case in point: Rain Falls in Grey. On this outing, RMI pay their respect to Syd Barrett. Musically this is RMI's most overt space rock effort, with raging electric guitars, and ferocious drumming. As well, RMI have successfully created those magical atmospheres that one would typically find on an old German Ohr release, who themselves were enamored with late 1960's Pink Floyd. This being RMI, one is never too far from classic mid 70's Tangerine Dream, and the combination of the early Krautrock sound with "Berlin School" electronics is highly fascinating. After a bit of a lull at the beginning of the decade, RMI has created a triumvirate of classic releases starting with Emissaries. Each represents an entirely different sound. Rare is this kind of innovation found, much less from a band whose recording history was almost 15 years old by this point.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Cuneiform (USA)

2008 (first listen / review); 8/10/17 (new entry)

Patchwork - Ouvertures. 1978 France

Patchwork's sole album is very much a product of the time and place. Tropical, light, and breezy fusion all played professionally, and with the requisite sax and flute leads. Of course any self-respecting fusion band must add some funk as well. It was 1978 after all and was the prudent commercial thing to do! One could considered this to be a proto smooth jazz album. For some this is going to be a cringe worthy album, but for me, the high melodic content makes this title a good listen. These type of albums have aged well for me.

Personal collection
LP: 1978 Cobra

Back in the mid 80's, after having secured some awesome albums on the Cobra label (Heldon, Weidorje, Hydravion, etc...), I had begun to seek this title out too. Good thing I didn't find it, as I would have been sorely disappointed back then. It wouldn't be until 2014 that I actually secured the record (though I had a CD-R for a few years prior, taken from a buddy's copy). Still no CD exists as I update this from the CDRWL.

Last listen: 2014

Samurai. 1971 England

Samurai's sole album is, in effect, the final effort from the group formerly known as Web. And I feel it's much improved from their previous 3 albums. Web themselves had progressed greatly on I Spider, but Samurai takes it to another level. The songwriting here is absolutely incredible. Every song has a memorable melody - and played in a complex progressive rock fashion with fuzz bass, organ, sax, flute, superb vocals. There's really no other album like it. A 5 star masterpiece, and easily one of my favorite albums from England.

Ownership: CD: 1996 Landren (USA); LP: 2010 Guerssen (Spain) Samurai is an album I hadn't heard (but heard of) until the first CD reissue came out (Landren). Purchased online new upon release. It's an odd CD considering the American source, but has full credits. It's been suggested to be unauthorized, but this is the only reissue from the label (Discogs maintains it's legit for now). It's also the only reissue with 5 live bonus tracks, all in great sound. The Guerssen reissue is a recent online acquisition. It's a high quality release that comes in a fine gatefold cover. 

Attacker - Battle at Helm's Deep. 1985 USA

In retrospect, it may seem that there were 100's of bands like Attacker back in the mid 80s. And there may have been, but for those that got to the recording stage, Battle at Helm's Deep is actually quite a bit ahead of its time. Personally I hear a lot of Fates Warning's The Spectre Within in Attacker. These are not the usual straightforward metal riffs and compositions. There's quite a bit of tempo and theme variation within each track. Also there's lots of raw guitar solos, ball squeezer vocals, and dopey fantasy lyrics to ensure that yea, sure, it's 1985 alright. And these guys are so Italian New Joysee, each LP should have come with its own meatball. And the threads these dudes are wearing? Oh my. And how about that cover?  I stepped on a bug in my garage yesterday that looked like that. Well sure, we can make fun, but damn the music is solid here. I love everything about it, and it's this kind of metal that was the only thing that made the mid 80's great - a period of history I could go a lifetime without remembering. How I missed this album originally is something of a mystery to me. It was written up enthusiastically in Metal Forces, a crap rag I read religiously back then. Well, better late than never.

Personal collection
CD: 1999 Sentinel Steel

CD features new artwork (aww, c'monnnn!). Though they were kind enough to leave the original on the back. I could probably write a thesis about it... it's so glorious in its ridiculousness. It also features the original demo that Metal Forces originally enthused about, and which helped them land a record deal. Great liner notes, photos, review clippings, poster shots, etc....

Mezquita - Recuerdos de mi Tierra. 1979 Spain

In post-Franco Spain, regionalism - which for years had been suppressed - came back with a fury in the mid to late 70s. And progressive rock was but one of many different art forms to be affected by this passion in a positive way. Mezquita were from Corboda, right in the heart of Andalusia. It's a place I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in while backpacking through southern Spain in 1996. It's a part of the world that is electric - alive in color, taste, and sound.

Recuerdos de mi Tierra is one of the best examples we have from this time and place. It takes the blueprint laid out by Triana, and accelerates it forward, while adding large doses of complexity. A complexity that is found in Flamenco music in general. There are speedy guitar runs, acoustic interludes, synthesizer explosions, and dramatic Arabian voices. Mezquita have perfectly captured the realization that progressive rock has a place in this mysterious world, that of southern Spain. This is a type of music that has sadly gone extinct, almost before it begun. By the 1980s, Spain was anxious to be part of a general Europe, and this too was reflected in the music. Likewise ,Mezquita's followup effort was just a mere shadow of its predecessor, an album that could have been from anywhere. But we still have Recuerdos de mi Tierra, an album that has stood the test of time well. Along with Triana's El Patio, and Medina Azahara's debut, Mezquita's album represents the third piece of the triumvirate of masterpieces of Rock Andaluz.

Personal Collection
LP: 1979 Chapa
CD: 1990 Crime (Japan)

I first heard this album via the Japanese CD, which was recommended to me by various mail order dealers at the time. There were a couple of other reissues, but they've long fallen out of print, and the album is now sadly in the hands of pirates. The surreal gatefold artwork is awesome, and as such owning it on vinyl became imperative. I purchased a copy on ebay over 15 years ago for a good amount of cash. And now it hangs proudly on my LP wall, where my favorite artwork albums can be found. There's never been an LP reissue, which is truly surprising.

Atila - Reviure. 1978 Spain

The Catalonian group Atila released three diverse albums in the mid to late 70's. Starting primarily as a raw hard rock psych group, Atila evolved into one of the finest instrumental progressive space rock acts around. They are one of the few 70's Spanish bands to not include a strong indigenous element to their sound.

Two years after Intencion, the band delivered their final album, and masterpiece, Reviure (aka Revivir). Promoted to major label EMI/Odeon, Atila produced another primarily all instrumental album. They've removed the hard rock/psych edges of the past and they've been replaced by a smoother, more cosmic edge. The organ has been tossed completely for the Moog now, and the biting fuzz guitar traded in for a more spacey tone. The complex progressive oriented disposition is still present, but now the focus is on long synthesizer drones and atmospheric spacey guitar. The four long tracks on display are each marked by their superb composition style, changes of tone and mood, and subtle energy. Sounding unlike any other album from Spain, Reviure is a must listen for the fan of Continental European progressive music.

Personal Collection

LP: 1978 Odeon

An album I've owned since the early 90s, and have had about 3 different copies to date. Once again, a curio pops out, and we must presume (as usual) it's a difference in pressing plants. This time I noticed that some copies have Reviure on the spine, while others don't. Also I noticed the title is slightly embossed on one but not the other. As for a CD, it has been said that Odeon will not release this title due to legal reasons (could be compensation related). The band decided to rectify that situation by recording the album live in 1999 and releasing it with the authorized reissue of Intencion. A noble intent, though still not the same as having the original. I wouldn't sell my LP in any case, but it would be nice to have a (legal) supplement. Bootlegs, of course, exist everywhere for this title. As such, it's been on my CDRWL since the creation of the list.

Wah Wah of Spain did manage an LP reissue of this one (2017), so perhaps there is a ray of hope for a CD.

Mylla - Vanya. 2007 Sweden

Mylla are the house band for Subliminal Sounds and sort of represent an "All-Star" cast featuring, among others, label wunderkind Gustaf Ejstes (Dungen). Recorded on a remote forest island in the Arctic, Mylla’s sound is, appropriately enough, isolated from modern times. Organ, acoustic and electric guitar, flute, and the songwriting and production all recall a 1969 to 1971 vibe. The compositions are all quite lyrical and the overall sound is very Swedish. So a love of the language in song is mandatory for one to have any chance of appreciating this album. Anyone from Träd, Gräs och Stenar to November would be a good guidepost here on the vocal front. Musically, it’s interesting to spot pre-Aqualung Jethro Tull coming to the fore. I’m averse to comparing any rock band with an abundance of flute to Tull, but sometimes it’s unavoidable, especially if the songwriting style is similar. And even though I said earlier how Swedish this album is, the closest album I can compare it to is Finland’s Tabula Rasa circa their debut. Vanya comes recommend for fans of the communal one-with-nature early 70s Swedish psych scene.

Former ownership: CD: 2007 Subliminal Sounds. Jewel case.

1/16/07 (first listen); 8/8/17 (review / new review); 4/26/24

Thieves' Kitchen - One for Sorrow... Two for Joy.... 2013 England

I bought One for Sorrow, Two for Joy upon release, thought it was decent - not great - and filed it away. I was so nonplussed, that it found itself on the "weedout" stack. And that's how I reunited with the album as I was going through said stack. However, this time I heard it completely different, and I'm a bit confused as to why I had doubts in the first place. So let's work through my hang-ups shall we?

This isn't my first encounter with Thieves Kitchen, owning or having heard at least two other earlier albums. With two key members of Anglagard on board (Thomas Johnson (keys) and Anna Holmgren (flute)), it would seem a slam dunk for my tastes. And both pretty much sound the same as they would with their prior/other band (depending on the week). Johnson's Mellotron is all over it (sampled apparently utilizing Mike Pinder's tapes) and Holmgren's flute is as warm and beautiful as ever. And consider that earlier Thieves' Kitchen albums toyed with both a modern sound and a retro 70s outlook. That also remains apparent here. All of this is to my liking honestly. So what was the problem? The vocals. There can be no question that Amy Darby has talent and knows how to sing. That's not the issue. It's a style thing with me. Just as the "androgynous nasally whiny" modern male voice drives me nuts, so does the "breathy I-am-woman" vocals from the better half. It's soooo 2000's. And that's her style - every time she sings. There is no variation from that. But it is a fascinating juxtaposition with the 1973 Anglagard sound. And considering the album is instrumental in nature - I wouldn't exactly call these pop songs with accompaniment - then it's a matter of the ears adjusting. And they have.

So for you the reader, if you like the modern style of female singing and love retro prog, this will be one of your favorite albums. If you struggle as I have with the vocals, give it time or try for a different perspective (honestly that's what I did). If you don't like 70's prog - run far away.

Ownership: CD: 2013 private. The CD is housed in a 3 part digi-pak with a lyric booklet.

3//13; 8/8/17 (new entry)

Yasuo Inada & Bemi Family - Kankaku Shikou. 1976 Japan

Yasuo Inada & Bemi Family's sole album is a highly fascinating work, with a classical piano base. You'll hear plenty of organ, mellotron, electric / echoed piano, analog synths, percussion, drums, rhythm guitar, and both male and female voice. Can't say I've heard another album quite like it, and it's well worth  the time to hear.

Ownership: CD: 2013 Bridge. The CD reissue is a 2 disc set that features an entire CD of original material. Unfortunately it's not up to snuff, but certainly serves well as bonus material. Don't pay extra for it though. The CD is taken from vinyl (or sounds like it). Original LPs are very rare. This was a CDRWL item for a few years until the reissue came out. It was via this CD that we learned the specific original LP release date as March 25, 1976, altering the prevailing belief it had been 1974.

8/8/17 (new entry); 9/21/22 (removed)

Sukellusvene - Vesi- Ja Lintumusiikkia. 1979 Finland

Very nice fusion album. Primary instruments are sax, synthesizer and guitar. Sounds much more like an album from 1973/74 than anything as late as 1979. More of a gritty edge, and one track sounds like a lost organ freaky fusion number that would've shown up on the German MPS label (and naturally my favorite track). Another anachronism is the use of the wah wah pedal as a rhythm component. Not a totally breathtaking release, but executed perfectly for the 70s jazz fusion sound. Overall the album recalls early Weather Report and Bill Connors era Return to Forever. File next to the Jupu Group album. Band translates to "Submarine" and the album to "Water- And Bird Music".

Personal Collection
LP: 2016 Svart

The reissue LP comes in a fine gatefold cover,with a history of the band. Also included is a reissue of the 45 single. Originals on Love are very rare. The album has yet to find its way to CD. One would presume Svart will eventually tackle these Finnish albums once they've sold out of the LPs. Or at least I hope they do. June 2018 update: Svart did eventually reissue this one on CD.

Joachim Kuhn - Cinemascope. 1974 Germany

Talented jazz and fusion keyboardist who had many albums through the 60s and 70s (and beyond). Cinemascope is probably the rarest from this time frame, and the one that is most aligned with my personal focus from a musical standpoint. A very strong fusion effort, with Toto Blanke lighting it up on guitar.

Ownership: LP: 1978 MPS. 2xLP gatefold with Piano. Online acquisition (2011).

An odd choice for a coupling. The original LP features a brilliant gatefold cover. The double LP wisely chose this artwork as well. Recently reissued  on CD by Belle Antique (Jul 2024).

2009; 12/15/11; 8/8/17 (new entry)

Energy. 1974 Sweden

Energy were formed from the ashes of the progressive hard rock group November. Here, we catch the guys playing in a heavy fusion bag, which was becoming all the rage by 1974. Heavily influenced by Inner Mounting Flame and Between Nothingness and Eternity era Mahavishnu Orchestra. Fiery stuff and comes recommended.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Harvest. Mail order acquisition (1994). 

It's still patiently awaiting a quality/legal reissue (as of 6/11/17). This has been on the CDRWL for as long as I've been making the list.

1//94; 4/25/10 (CDRWL); 8/8/17 (new entry)

Release Music Orchestra - Bremen 1978. Germany (archival)

Live recording from their Beyond the Limit years. Way more stretched out and improvisational than the album proper. Takes a bit to get going, but once they catch the groove, they zone out into an earlier and more pure era of music. No more sunny skies, fake smiles, and bad teeth. This is Kraut Fusion for the Umsonst und Draussen set.

Personal collection

CD: 2004 Garden of Delights

Om - s/t. 1976 Argentina

Om's sole album is a fantastic recent discovery. Recorded in 1975 and released only on cassette a year later, this album had remained completely obscure until recently excavated and pressed on CD by Fonocal. The music is driven by a hyper active rhythm section and constantly shifting guitar chord sequences, followed by some wicked soloing. Even better is when the Mini-Moog enters stage right, lays down a big fat solo, and the whole thing ends up sounding like El Reloj playing ELP's 'Lucky Man'. There's a combination no one thought of before! Overall I'm reminded of another obscure 70s band from Argentina called El Trio. A highly progressive work throughout, and moves quickly into the top tier of Argentine prog rock albums.

Personal Collection
CD: 2016 Fonocal

The CD seems sourced from cassette, so it does have its sonic challenges. In addition to the album proper, there is a 18 minute live bonus piece, which is also excellent, though the sound is bootleg standard.

Sun Dial - Mind Control. 2012 England

Two seconds into this album, I love it, and ready to crown it a masterpiece. Why you may ask? Because it reminds me of the greatest "psych prog" band of them all: Group 1850. As you have seen me write before, "psych prog" is one of those terms thrown out for just about any band from the late 60s and early 70s that were maybe one, or the other - and often neither - in order to obtain top dollar for their LP wares they are selling. Group 1850 is the pure embodiment of the term, and Paradise Now (1969) is simply one of the greatest albums of all time. If Amsterdam Coffee House means something to you, then Group 1850 provides its soundtrack. With the opening notes of 'Mountain of Fire & Miracles', Sun Dial has tapped right into that psyche. It is absolutely a phenomenal piece of music, and even if the rest of the album was gangsta rap, I'd still recommend it. Fortunately no heavy gold chains, diamond earrings, sideways caps, swinging arms, and hand signals for Gary Ramon and company, as the album continues in its neo psych glory. 'Radiation' heads east toward Germany and enters the mysterious land of early 70s Kosmische, with wonderful flute laden mellotron and trance inducing drums. And they go east from there... way east. And then back for some motorik action with sitar on the title track. Oh, you get the idea. Just buy it for crying out loud. Special mention goes to the CD bonus track 'World Within You', yet another "psych prog" monster.

Ownership: CD: 2015 Sulatron (Austria)

Originally released on LP only from Sun Dial's own Tangerine label, Mind Control is the perfect fit for the cosmic oriented Sulatron label.

8/4/17 (new entry)

La Bocca della Verita - Avenoth. 2009 Italy

With my limited Spanish - and Italian by extension - I expected La Bocca della Verita to mean something like Mouth of Life. Apparently it's Mouth of Truth. Well, you know, as an acronym backwards it would be TOM. OK then, this is a masterpiece right off! Avenoth, BTW, translates to Avenoth. Irreverent portion of review over... Maybe.

So what do we have here anyway? Yet another retro Italian prog album you ask? Well, yes, for the most part. Perhaps not enough for Genius Hans, but yes, 70s Italian prog is right. Actually it's more like the 90s imitation of 70s prog than the real deal. I've spoken about this before, and it's a style I quite like, but purists tend to scoff. By no means should this be classified as "neo prog" either (meaning in the British/Dutch/German sense of the term). No, it's not that. Definitely 70s in spirit and 90s in instrumentation. For those that have no use for modern sounds and production techniques, then it's probably best to steer clear. Best I can tell, this album was available as a download only in 2009, and later picked up by the good folks at AltRock/Fading for proper CD release. Now the production does leave something to be desired, as it's a bit distorted on the loud side. But if we take out all the modern concerns, and just focus on the music, then we have something to behold here. Long tracks filled with imagination and complexity, sung in the native tongue as God intended, just like any upstanding Italian prog album would have it. For fans of the genre, this goes to the priority cue. Otherwise, not the first CD I would recommend from the modern age.

Ownership: CD: 2016 Fading. Tri-fold thick digi-pak and thick poster insert.

8/4/17 (new entry)

Corima - Amaterasu. 2016 USA-Texas/California

Corima's last album, the kinetic Quetzalcoatl, blew my bloomin' mind, so I was a bit reticent to jump into their new one. Even though I bought the album upon release late last year, I didn't hear it until this week. So did Amaterasu match or exceed the previous effort? No, of course not. I don't think that was even possible, or even a reasonable ask. OK, then, but is it at least good? Oh heck yea! It's fantastic in fact. But I don't think there was much more they could have done in the direction of Quetzalcoatl without being a straight copy. So, like Eskaton before them, they tried something a bit different. Eskaton had at their disposal a current trend of synth pop, that they completely destroyed into their own unique twisted vision. Corima was not near so bold, sticking to more tried and true Zeuhl principles. Amaterasu is broken into two distinct tracks. The more jazzy, atmospheric, and melodic 'Tsukutomi' (recalling at times Vander's Offering) and then the charter Zeuhl school of the title track. The opener has some brilliant foot stomping moments offset by a bit of loose sax wankery that doesn't serve the band well. However the melodic songwriting is a step in the right direction, and would be interesting for them to marry Quetzalcoatl's style with it. The title track too has an atmospheric buildup. Think Weidorje. And then the real party starts. Zeuhl styled chanting and screams, hyper active rhythms, sax and electric piano cycling into swirls of madness, bass and drums pounding your brains into the turf. Weeeeeee. OK, time to get in line for another ride.

Ownership: CD: 2016 Soleil Zeuhl

8/4/17 (new entry)

Weidorje. 1978 France

In business circles, you'll often see the term "response" to a competitor's initiative. For example if you're in the telecom industry, and the "leading brand" offers a new bundled service, then your company will need to offer up a response. With that... Weidorje is Bernard Paganotti's response to Janick Top's 'De Futura'. For the whole album (and Weidorje of course was a track name on the same Udu Wudu Magma album). The familiar staccato bass lines, the pound-into-oblivion rhythms are all on display. And while it never reaches the sheer intensity of the almighty 'De Futura' - nothing does I don't think - it does add brass elements to give it more gravitas. More thunder that is to say! A fine album, that wears its superhero t-shirt with a capital Z. If you have to ask why Z, then you should not be reading this review. I had one colleague from back in the day who often referred to this as perhaps the best album in the entire oeuvre of genre-not-to-be-named-lest-they-guess-t-shirt.

Ownership: LP: 1978 Cobra. Single sleeve. Acquired at VVV in Dallas (1988).

CD: 1992 Musea. Jewel case release with liner notes and two excellent bonus tracks.

1988; 8/4/17 (new entry)