Bronin Hogman Band ~ USA ~ New Hampshire

Bronin Hogman Band (1975)

Bronin Hogman Band were a group from Manchester, New Hampshire, who released this one album - with promise of another - and then drifted away into the history books. There is no one named Bronin or Hogman, but the group features an impressive eight members to carry forth their vision.

Bronin Hogman are yet another American band who mixes AOR FM radio styled music with complex progressive rock interjections. The guitar and organ / Moog work is particularly well done. I also detect a slight southern rock influence which belies the group's origins. With the right breaks, Bronin Hogman should've been a household name, as they had the perfect mix for 1975 - perhaps predicting the future of radio by one to two years. File alongside other similarly minded bands such as Hot Flash and Fairchild.

There aren't too many albums with an American football helmet on the cover. However it ties to one of the songs, where the main protagonist seems to be whining about his old man pushing him into the macho game of football (verse presumably being a musician? A low point of the album for sure... Man Up!).

No reissues as of 3/28/25.

Ownership: 1975 Gamut (LP)

7/13/10 (review); 2/23/20 (update / new entry)

Mazeville Crossing ~ USA ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mazeville Crossing (1975)

I was bound to run into this 1975 album sooner or later. Not that I was looking for it, mind you. Shoot, I'd never even heard of it before. But once I saw it at a local garage sale for $1, I knew it was something worth picking up. It had the right "look". And how about that - they're from Englewood, Colorado, which is just up the road in Denver. But as RYM's Streetmouse reports, they were actually from Colorado Springs. And, well, guess where we currently reside? Given its rarity, I hope I find more of them!

Admittedly I did buy it with resell in mind, but didn't know if it was actually expensive (not all private presses are...). But yep, this one is. And as I started listening to it, I said to myself there was no way I was selling it anyway. This is good! But you have to hear the whole thing. That's the problem.

Honestly the first 12 minutes are great. Sure 'All Along the Watchtower' had been done numerous times before, but Mazeville Crossing's version is worth hearing. They're basically a guitar duo, and on this track, one on acoustic and one electric (a very nice psychedelic tone too). And these two definitely enjoy their studio effects and they used them wisely here. This is followed by the longest cut 'They Call the Wind Maria'. It is mostly acoustic guitars and serious vocals, but very trippy and at times I was reminded of British Columbia's Ptarmigan, a long time favorite for me.

Then it breaks down. The last two tracks are from a live show. One of those banter-with-the-drunken-crowd bits that only work when you're actually there. In the cold sober light of day it's... painful.

I had high hopes for side 2, where the duo perform original songs. However, most of these are fairly straightforward folk songs, with light rock touches. The exception is 'Morning Song' that brings forth more effects, but it's no mindblower either. Just more interesting.

So there you have it. I did enjoy some of this and pondered keeping it for the "local flavor". But nah. I have plenty of other rarities I need for the collection. I'll take the cash and run...

No reissues as of 3/28/25. And I haven't found another copy since either....

Source: 1975 Strawberry (LP)

2/16/20 (review / new entry)

Fresh Start ~ USA ~ Detroit, Michigan

What America Needs (1974)

Fresh Start's sole album is an excellent example of the American ghetto funk rock sound that was popular in the early 70s. Lead by guitarist Paul Frank, who hailed from the Detroit area and was formerly in the band Head Over Heels, Fresh Start formed in California and took advantage of the music scene thriving there. What America Needs is a killer slice of heavy funk rock, the kind you wish all of these type of albums to be. Michigan rockers Rare Earth and Grand Funk Railroad are two obvious influences, but one will also hear similarities with obscurities such as Purple Image and Lost Nation. As expected, there's plenty of great guitar leads courtesy of Franks, especially on 'Gypsy'. Other than the relatively more radio friendly 'Right Away', most of this album just kicks ass non-stop. Given that's it's a < $10 record, don't miss out on this one!

No reissues as of 3/12/26.

Ownership: 1974 ABC Dunhill promo (LP). Acquired in 2013.

12/14/13 (review); 2/5/20 (update / new entry) 

To Be ~ Germany

To Be (1977)

To Be - now there's a name / title that's easy to find on the internet. When I first heard this album, I hated it. Of course, I fully expected it to be a full-on Krautrock album filled with heavy organ and acid guitar solos. It's on Brain right? And that cover looks great to me. And long tracks too! Yea, well, that goes back to 1988 when I found it at a local record show. So YouTube boy, don't get all high and mighty on me that I should have known better.

Many years later, I caught the "Kraut Fusion" bug. And To Be is a bullseye for that style. Latin tinged fusion, in particular, was all the rage in late 70s Northern Europe. So what we have here is an instrumental mid 70s Santana mixed with Return to Forever. Some fine guitar solos, extra percussion, and complex unison runs are what you'll hear. All packaged nicely to go with your Pina Colada. It's a bit slick, sure, but I like it.

No reissues as of 3/25/25.

Former ownership: 1977 Brain (LP). Acquired in 1988.

1988; 7/3/10 (review); 2/3/20 (update / new entry)

Mother Yod ~ England

Mother Yod (1997)

The first album offered from the one time experiment / series known as the Prescription Drug label. This one at least gives hints to its 1997 date, with a decidedly post-rock sound mixed with the overt 70's Krautrock underground aesthetic that all of the label's groups possess. Only duffer track is a short vocal folk piece (which sounds too much like the duffer vocal folk pieces on real Krautrock albums!). Heavy use of analog instruments per recipe, with emphasis on processed keys and fuzz bass. Electronic percussion sounds more modern, though I think they're going for the early 70s Klaus Schulze variety of that sound (Picture Music, Blackdance). Neat use of choral voice (not mellotron). Not quite at the high standard of Ohr Musik and Quad, but pretty close. Good album.

Ownership 1997 Prescription Drug (LP). These LPs were supposedly strictly limited to 99 only pressings. Mine is numbered though it's suspiciously the same as another numbered copy. Which puts the total in question. Covers are hand sprayed.

6/6/10 (acquired / review); 10/27/11; 2/3/20 (update / new entry)

Richie Duvall and Dog Truck ~ USA ~ Long Island, New York

Richie Duvall and Dog Truck (1973)

---2/3/20

 

Here's a new discovery for me and one that did not manage to waft under my nose during the CDRWL heyday. Last year's completely new finds of Terry Masters and Christian Friday constantly remind me that we'll probably always be discovering something from the past. And that doesn't count newly unearthed archival recordings, that I'm sure will continue on for another few decades. Richie Duvall and Dog Truck are a known entity, just not one I'd run into before. For those curious, the artist themselves have released the album on YouTube, and it's how I heard it. I think they should just go all the way with a CD reissue here (and full historical essay).

From an innovative and background perspective, Long Island's Richie Duvall and team ties closest to Minneapolis' own precocious Tom Nehls and his running set. Once again we're dealing with the smartest kids in high school who decided to release an album of great invention. Whereas Nehl's tapped into a strange kind of late era psychedelia, Duvall tried his hand at jazz fusion. Not in any typical sense mind you. In fact, what one hears is a strain of Canterbury. In 1973 America? Now that's inspired. The only band I can think of that tapped into this vein back then were The Muffins, and they didn't arrive until a few years later (thinking their 1976 archival Chronometers here). As with Nehls, it comes as no surprise that Duvall and group were inspired by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. The type of jazz rock played here is incredibly in control and highly melodic. Perhaps it would have been better served with some more of that teenage angst, but they are to be admired for their discipline and maturity. Dog Truck is a large ensemble with many instruments on display, including multiple horns. The front cover of the album itself says of the music: "Half poly-precipitated jazz and half post-meditation rock". 

Like I said, these were the smart kids in the class. 

---10/18/24

I've now obtained the LP after almost five years on the want list. What great insights do I have to offer beyond what I said above? Nothing really. Such an anomaly - where on Earth did they get the inspiration? I suppose the English bands as noted above, but they were unique to do that here in America. Someone needs to do a dissertation here. 

Ownership: 1973 United Sounds (LP). It appears my copy once belonged to trombonist Skip West, based on a note inside the LP.

No reissues exist as of 3/31/25.

2/3/20 (review); 10/18/24 (update)

2/3/20 (new entry)

Mackenzie Theory ~ Australia

Bon Voyage (1974)

Bon Voyage is the second and last album from Australia's Mackenzie Theory. Their main ingredients were electric viola and electric guitar, which gives off more than a whiff of classic Mahavishnu Orchestra, though more stripped down to its core. Given the live setting, Bon Voyage is definitely more "jammy" than Out of the Blue. Unfortunately 'The C Thing' is marred by a lengthy drum solo. Best track goes to the closer 'Supreme Love' that takes Coltrane's famous tune and turns it upside down into a fiery jam. Overall a very fine album especially for those who love the rougher edges of jazz fusion.

Ownership: 1974 Mushroom (LP). Acquired in 1995.

2//95 (first listen); 4/16/11 (review); 2/2/20 (update) 

Out of the Blue (1973)

I think the best way to describe Mackenzie Theory's debut is that of a laid back Mahavishnu Orchestra. Which sounds like an oxymoron, but when you hear Out of the Blue it will make sense. Electric guitar and electric viola are the main protagonists here, and both put in a splendid performance. Not only do they possess the necessary chops, but also achieve the most wonderful psychedelic tones. The music is clearly composed, and offers far more than the usual three note backdrop while throwing endless boring jams on top. The tight ensemble work is really where the Mahavishnu Orchestra comparison comes in, especially at the time of Inner Mounting Flame. Another element that Mackenzie Theory excels at is pacing - that is to say, their ability to slow a song down and suddenly propel it back to a blistering speed. It adds a level of unexpected excitement, and it's just these kind of surprises that make Out of the Blue a truly progressive jazz rock album. And don't miss the live version of  'New Song' as presented on the Aztec CD, as it will leave your speakers smoldering for a few hours afterward. This is a must own album for early instrumental fusion fans.

Ownership: 2009 Aztec (CD). Tri-fold digipak. With copious / insightful liner notes, photos, a much improved sound, and one smoking hot bonus live track. Acquired in 2009.

First acquired the Mushroom CD in 1994.

1994; 2009; 3/29/13; 8/5/14 (review)

8/5/14 (new entry)

Nuevo Mexico - Hecho en Casa + Nuevo Mexico (Ceramica). 1975/1979 Mexico

When I think of progressive rock from Mexico, I immediately go to the 80s when bands such as Iconoclasta, Delirium, and Praxis first hit the scene. And certainly Mexico had a most exciting psychedelic period in the early 70s that included Dug Dugs, Toncho Pilatos, Antorcha, El Tarro De Mostaza, El Ritual, and a few others, most of them hiding on obscure 45s. But classic 70's styled Prog? Nope. Can't think of any.... except one. And here it is. Nuevo Mexico's Hecho en Casa. And it's not just merely good, but rather it's great! Mostly I'm reminded of the Italian scene, and specifically Osanna comes to mind. This is primarily due to the harder edged guitars, impassioned vocals, and the strong presence of flute. Just hearing this album tells us there's plenty more from the time and place. But was it recorded - that's the question isn't it?

As for the second album, I completely misunderstood it on original listen some 23 years ago. I had it in my head as some sort of Latin pop/boogie rock album. But that's not right. It's not really a prog album, nor is it hard rock, but it has elements of all the above. There's also a couple of instrumentals that recall prime era Santana. It definitely fits the term "eclectic". So while not every track is a winner, the majority are satisfying with a couple of skip-overs. Maybe not worth having on its own,  but certainly great to have as bonus tracks.

Ownership: CD: 1997 La Ciruela Electrica. Both of  Nuevo Mexico's albums are on this CD en todo. Not sure of the date of the CD, but since that's when I bought it, we'll be bold and call it! The CD has no info beyond track titles.

2/2/20 (new entry)

Chemical ~ England

Chemical (1996)

For the most part Chemical's sole release is a darkwave album (of the non synthesizer variety) hiding in Acme's stable of psychedelic bands. Even the cover looks like an album one would see from the Ventricle label. Beyond this, there are a couple of Eastern influenced psych folk numbers on Side 1 that are quite excellent. Then the first half of Side 2 goes by mostly unnoticed, but there is a huge payoff for those who stick around: A colossal psychedelic jam with organ and electric guitar, followed by a haunting outro. Recommended especially if you like the idea of modern darkwave with a dose of psychedelia.

Ownership: 1996 Acme (LP). Numbered edition. Comes in a oversized flimsy folder cover, that's easily bent at the top. Acquired in 1997.

1997; 2/1/20 (review / new entry)