Blåkulla. 1975 Sweden

Blåkulla's sole album has some similarities to Trettioåriga Kriget's work during this era. Though not as dynamic or interesting. The album is very Swedish in nature, including lyrics in the native language, plus the period instrument and production choices. The CD adds 3 bonus tracks from 1974, and it's here that we are able to determine Blåkulla's progressive rock brilliance. Much more progressive and instrumentally interesting than the album itself. Though it must be said the album is excellent in its own right, it's just that the bonus' are exceptional.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Ad Perpetuam Memoriam. Purchased new online upon release. Nice reissue with great sound, bonus tracks, and unique photographs. Includes the original lyrics. This is one of those reissues where the bonus tracks determine it to be a mandatory presence in the collection.

Blakulla

D.F.A. - Lavori in Corso. 1996 Italy

When this album first hit the scene, it was a marvel. One of the most exciting releases from Italy, and it really has nothing to do with classic Italian prog. Rather it is rooted in complex fusion with hard rock overtones. Just demonstrates that having a digital sound doesn't mean the album has to suck. DFA (Duty Free Area) - along with others from the 90s - proved that. The music here is jumpy, melodic, kinetic, and constantly challenging. I've owned it since it first came out, and 24 years later, it sounds as great as ever. Don't miss out, if this is the first time you're hearing of the DFA name.

Ownership: CD: 1996 Scolopendra. Purchased online upon release. This is the first pressing, and possesses a fine new album presentation (though I'm not real fond of the original artwork to be honest).

Bernd Kistenmacher - Wake Up in the Sun. 1987 Germany

Given that Klaus Schulze has released something like 500 albums worth of material, one wouldn't think there's much of a demand for copycats. And Kistenmacher is just that, but I have a soft spot for his early works. I first discovered the electronic artist real time in the 80s while I was still "early in the game", and even though I was quite familiar with Schulze by then, it was nice to have new music in this genre. But this was before Schulze unleashed his massive archives. In any case, if you can't get enough of Timewind styled Berlin School music, one could do worse than Wake Up in the Sun. Kistenmacher proves he's quite adept. I'm keeping it.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Green Tree. CD's like this give the medium a bad name. A single tray card with no info, and the "bonus" track was taken from Head Visions, an album they reissued at the same time! What bonus? Makes one question why they even bothered to reissue this in the first place (there were already 3 CD pressings in print at the time). Was part of a large collection buy in the late 90s.

4/9/20 (new entry)

Fusioon. 1972 Spain

Fusioon's debut - the least heralded of their 3 albums - is a fine release of 8 progressive rock instrumentals. Perhaps a bit raw and unpolished, but for 1972 Spain, it's quite accomplished. There's also hints of their transition into a more Canterbury styled group. I find the album excellent on the whole.

Ownership: CD: 1997 Divucsa. Purchased new online upon release. Straight reissue with original album details and that's it. Gets the job done though.

Tusmørke - Hinsides. 2017 Norway

Tusmørke have been an entirely frustrating band. Their debut showed immense promise. Their sophomore effort was a slight step back only to have their 3rd album demonstrate a resurgence. And now another regression here on their 4th release. Tusmørke's music tends to be vocal heavy and the music lacks the kind of breaks one looks for in progressive rock. But the overall sound is still welcoming, with a distinct analog 70s feel. And the flute, as usual, provides the requisite warmth and melodic lines. Borderline keeper, but the 23 minute 'Sankt Sebastians Alter' is a cut above the rest. 

Ownership: CD: 2017 Svart. This is really the way to do new CD releases. Housed in a tri-fold digipak and comes with a thick booklet containing the lyrics in both English and Norwegian. Also provides a full history about the concept of the album. Fascinating subject matter. 

1/19/18; 4/29/20 (new entry); 11/8/23

Iron Maiden. 1980 England

Iron Maiden's debut actually predicts their future better than the followup, Killers. 'Remember Tomorrow', 'Transylvania', 'Iron Maiden', and especially 'Phantom of the Opera' are overtly proggy, while 'Strange World' is a fine ballad. The opening 'Prowler' has a strange psychedelic aura about it, though with Di'Anno singing, you're always closer to punk than psych. One track that I've always had near the top - but is widely panned by fans - is 'Charlotte the Harlot'. Despite the rather dumb subject matter, the track features some nice mood changes, and the blistering dual guitar solos coming out of the last break, is some the most pointed and fierce of their entire career. The US version adds 'Sanctuary', a mid-level song that foreshadows Killers. The only track I can do without is 'Running Free'. Iron Maiden were/are huge English soccer fans, and they had a tendency to slip in a "football styled" anthem every once in awhile.

Anyway, brilliant album. You already knew that... presumably.

Ownership: LP: 1980 Harvest (USA). Single sleeve.

CD: 1988 Capitol. Commodity jewel case release.

MC: 198? Capitol. Good 25 cent find at a garage sale (2024).

This came out when I was 15, so it's likely my Mom took me to the record shop to buy (and it is this exact copy). Just makes me laugh when I think about it. Incidentally, she's still alive and kicking strong. 81 and as feisty as ever. Lives independently in an apartment about 10 minutes from our home here in Colorado. She'd lived in Texas for 51 years straight, so it was quite a change for her. I remind her that she's responsible for my dementia in music. We just crack up. If Mom had it her way, I'd be singing church hymns instead. On another side note, the cover of Eddie here looked like one of our neighbors back in Texas (she is (was?) my Mom's age actually...). I digress... 

1980; 4/28/20 (new entry) 

Hellwell - Behind the Demon's Eyes. 2017 USA-Kansas

Hellwell were one of 3 active concerns Mark Shelton was running with before he died. Manilla Road of course was his flagship. He also had Riddlemaster, which featured original Manilla Road drummer Rick Fisher. And then Hellwell, which had Fisher's MR replacement Randy Foxe on drums, and was Shelton's progressive rock outlet. At least in theory. Hellwell pretty much sounds like Manilla Road with a predominance of synthesizers in play (credited to EC Hellwell - a Shelton pseudonym). Behind the Demon's Eyes is their second effort, and is off the pace of the debut. It's a bit of a sloppy run through, and there's a lack of inspired ideas. Not to say I don't like it - I really do - but had hoped for more given the promise of the debut. Of course music like this often takes time to penetrate, so perhaps it will age well. With Shelton no longer with us, it's likely Hellwell has ended its run as well.

Ownership: CD: 2017 High Roller. Standard new jewel case issue with lyrics. 

4/28/20 (new entry)

Vytas Brenner - La Ofrenda de Vytas Brenner. 1973 Venezuela

I find Vytas Brenner's debut a pleasant progressive rock album, with a few interesting instrumental passages. It's not very memorable to be honest, but it's an immediately likable sound. Perhaps a bit too much percussion for such a short album. My Venezuelan collection can be counted on 2 fingers, so for now, this is as fine a representation as I have to offer.

Ownership: LP: 1973 Yare. Picked up the gatefold LP online only 4 months after originally posting this. And with this comment "I should look into getting the original LP here (or an early pressing)". This replaced the basic 1999 CD that made up the original entry.

4/28/20 (new entry)

Uriah Heep - Demons & Wizards. 1972 England

Even though Uriah Heep are relatively obscure here in the States (in the grand scheme of things), it's interesting to note how strong of an influence they were on the musicians here back in the day. When one looks at the American grass roots hard rock movement in the mid to late 70s, many of the private presses have early Uriah Heep stamped all over it. Especially Demons & Wizards. It's an album that captured the male mindset of the day.  While not as adventurous as Salisbury, one could argue that Demons & Wizards is the personification of the Uriah Heep sound. At least in my mind it is. 

Ownership: LP: 1972 Mercury (USA). The LP is a recent pickup at a local b&m for dirt cheap. Wonderful Roger Dean multi section uni-pak gatefold with lyrics inside the cover. This replaces the commodity CD that made up this entry.

9/11/20

Volare - Memoirs. 1996 USA-Georgia (archival)

For some reason I had this as a -1 to The Uncertainty Principle, but in retrospect it's very similar. A bit more raw,  but that only adds to the allure. Funny to see a band have an album called Memoirs with only one album to their credit. These recordings come from a cassette release recorded in 1996 + a couple of live spots. I'm not finding existence of this cassette, though not sure if it was ever released for public consumption until this CD. OK, one of our readers owns it - and has provided photos!

Ownership: CD: 1999 Pleasant Green. Nice archival release with detailed liner notes. Purchased new online upon release.

Volare - The Uncertainty Principle. 1997 USA-Georgia

Fantastic Canterbury styled album from Athens, Georgia. I keep thinking this will go +1, but it never quite does. Still a great album for fans of the genre.

Ownership: CD: 1997 The Laser's Edge. Standard new album layout. Purchased new online upon release. 

Night Sun - Mournin'. 1972 Germany

Back in 2015, I wrote the following scratch off review:

The album that answers the all important question: What would have Deep Purple sounded like if they were on the Brain label? About as good as it gets for the early 70s hard rock style!

---

To be honest, not much else to be said really. Conny Plank does his thing in the studio, and definitely adds the Krautrock touch. But otherwise this is a blistering set of tunes, much heavier and kinetic than almost any band from this era. And that's some serious competition it's blowing away. Essential for the hard rock genre.

Ownership: LP: 1976 Polydor. Single sleeve. Recent acquisition from JL (2023). I originally bought this LP (same version) at Bananas in St. Petersburg, Florida while there on business in 1996. I sold it off after getting the CD, but this album is too good not to have an original of (close enough).

CD: 1997 Second Battle. Digipak with no info and a 1997 Second Battle catalog. Keeping this as the music is first division.

10/16/96; 7/12/15; 4/24/20 (new entry); 3/29/23 (LP acquire)

Pazop - Psychillis of a Lunatic Genius. 1972-73 Belgium (archival)

Two different archival recording sessions, though both are similar musically. The namesake album is from 1972 and is about 26 minutes in length - more like an EP. The 1973 recordings, later reissued as simply Pazop, is about 35 minutes. The music rounds up the usual Continental European suspects in the Zappa/Canterbury genre like Cos and Moving Gelatine Plates, and on the 1973 album, I was reminded of a band not normally associated with this kind of music: Kornelyans - Not an Ordinary Life.

Ownership: CD: 1996 Musea (France). Jewel case. Usual great 90s Musea archival issue with complete historical liner notes. 

I bought the CD online when it first came out. 20 years later, the convenient and essential CD has fallen out of print, and you can now buy the album as two separate LPs - each a brick - without any extras and likely sourced from the CD anyway. Why not release as a double LP? What, and miss out on getting $40 retail + exorbitant shipping costs (360 grams!) for each? How the mighty have fallen. Not for me.

4/22/20 (review / new entry)

Somnambulist. 1996 USA-Tennessee

One of the many great progressive rock bands that appeared in the 90s and are now a distant memory but of a few. This was one of the gems in The Laser's Edge catalog of albums. While it's not exactly a retro prog album, many elements of that sound exist here. This is for hardcore prog junkies, that's for sure. A little Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and VDGG. American style. If this is the first time you've heard of this band, grab a sample, and then buy a copy while you still can.

Ownership: CD: 1996 The Laser's Edge. Purchased new upon release. Comes in a standard digi-pak with recording details.

Le Orme - Collage. 1971 Italy

In the late 1960's, Le Orme were one of the few Italian bands to attempt an American styled psychedelic music, and the results varied from high quality original compositions to trite mimicry. By 1971, Le Orme had changed directions to the new music movement sweeping Italy: Progressive rock. Collage, Le Orme's first progressive album and third overall, is a stripped-down affair with only organ, piano, bass, and drums. The exception is the opening title track which could be considered the bridge between their psych and prog composition styles. This track has a kitchen-sink mentality and features an orchestra, pseudo-baroque motifs, and some trendy of the era moves. The next piece however, 'Era Inverno', is the beginning of the classic Le Orme sound. Aldo Tagliapietra's instantly recognizable alto voice opens the song and then is followed by Tony Pagliuca's fabulous organ and the energetic drumming of Michi dei Rossi. Of all the songs found on Collage, this one would be the model for the future. The amazing 'Cemento Armato' follows. Le Orme has never been known for being a jam band, but this eight-minute organ trio number is one of the greatest of its kind. Blistering organ work and the rhythm section of Aldo and Michi are as hot here as anywhere to be found in their entire canon. Another highlight can be found on 'Evasione Totale', an experimental organ jazz rock piece with heavy echoed keyboards and groovy rhythms. Overall, Collage is Le Orme's most energetic, raw, and experimental album. As such, this album tends to be overlooked by those awed by their more polished follow-up efforts. Fans of heavy organ rock, as more commonly found in Germany, will likely adore Collage.

Ownership: LP: 1971 Philips; CD: 2004 Philips (Japan). LP was purchased online about a decade ago. Comes in a fine gatefold cover. To the best of my knowledge there really isn't any special CD out there, so might as well go for the mini-LP packaging. This CD replaced the jewel box edition that was the source for the original review.

3/11/01 (Gnosis); 4/22/20 (new entry)

Ides of March - Vehicle. 1970 USA-Illinois

Long before Jim Peterik made his name as the author of Survivor's 'Eye of the Tiger', he had another major hit with 'Vehicle'. Personally I think it's one of the greatest of energetic horn rock tracks. Not sure if this is still the case, but not too long ago one would still here this song at Chicago Bears games (appropriate since that's where the band were from). After this, most of the original material is serviceable for the horn rock genre, though not extraordinary. And the Creedence Clearwater Revival homage 'Factory Band' is best skipped over. But the other two monster tracks here are the extended cover tunes, with highly original arrangements: 'Wooden Ships' and 'Symphony for Eleanor'. I've always liked The Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby', but without any doubt, this is by far my favorite version of the track. And it rocks too!

Ownership: CD: 2003 Rhino Handmade (Friendly Strangers). Includes all of Common Bond as well. There are no less than 7 A/B singles included here, though some are just double-ups from the LP. Package is filled out with full liner notes, photos, and great sound. Encompasses one full CD plus a mini CD (fortunately full size so you can play it in all CD players). The CD originally could only be purchased from Warner Bros direct marketing, which I dutifully accomplished not long after its release. It's been since repressed by Wounded Bird. Not sure if they have the full liner notes though.

Iron Maiden - Killers. 1981 England

Definitely the most straightforward of the Iron Maiden albums. The band were at the crossroads here of raw heavy metal and the more elaborate composition style band leader Steve Harris seemed to prefer. Paul di'Anno was always more suited to be a punk rock singer, and the music here fits his style perfectly. That's not to say the music here isn't complex, often times it is, just more compact. Especially on Side 1 with 'Wrathchild', 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', and the instrumental 'Genghis Khan'. Eventually, though, Harris followed his instincts and recruited from fellow NWOBHM band Samson - the Renaissance Man known as Bruce Dickinson - and thus Iron Maiden were guaranteed their place in music history.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of seeing the band on the Killers tour during the summer in my hometown. I still have the ticket stub: June 13, 1981 at Moody Coliseum (Dallas - SMU campus). I was all of 16 and drove another high school buddy there in my old 1973 Chevy Impala. It was originally a three band bill with Iron Maiden opening, Humbie Pie, and Judas Priest headlining. An unusual pairing, and I'm sure the promoters felt they needed Humble Pie to help fill the arenas, as heavy metal wasn't really that popular yet here in the States. Right before the show was to begin, we received an announcement that Humbie Pie had to cancel last minute due to an illness. The guy next to me was pissed! And we were elated - what a break! These were the two bands we wanted to see. So we got extended sets from each. I saw Maiden a few times after this with Dickinson, but it was great to see and hear them with Di'Anno this one time.

Ownership: LP: 1981 Harvest. Single sleeve. Purchased new upon release at Sound Warehouse in Dallas.

CD: 1988 Capitol. Jewel case commodity release.

1981; 5/24/12; 8/19/15; 4/22/20 (new entry)

Oz Knozz - Ruff Mix. 1975 USA-Texas

One of the more interesting US private press rock albums from the 1970s. Coming from Houston, but having that amateurish production, vocal style (Id's Where Are We Going leaps to mind), and overall mindset of any US 1970s group from any place. Like most bands of the era, the idea was to throw out a few different styles to see if something would stick. The theory then goes that a major label talent scout would hear their private album by pure happenstance, and want to sign them up for a 5 album contract so they could open for Led Zeppelin or Foghat's next US tour. Sure. What separates Oz Knozz from the others, is a strong composition acumen, with plenty of original ideas and superb instrumentation, especially the guitar work. My favorite track, though, has to be the anomalous groovy and infectious horn rocker 'Love Poem', which could have been recorded in 1968. The 3 part 'Doodley Squat' is not only blessed with a great name, but provides plenty of instrumental highlights. A strong album that improves with time.

Ownership: LP: 2019 ShroomAngel. Decided to go forward with the LP reissue here. The LP comes with humorous liner notes about the recording and mixing process. Though it's not stated, these stories most assuredly lead to the album title.

8/1/10 (CDRWL); 4/21/20 (new entry) 

Imagine - Images, Clear Skies and Rainbows. 1980 USA-Florida

The first two tracks are well done - though not head turning - hard rockers. 'Rock & Roll Man' is the requisite boogie song, and is the low mark of the album. At this point, not much to recommend. Starting with 'Superstar', the album gets exponentially better. This track has a classic Santana vibe. Side 2 clearly moves towards progressive rock, with plenty of changes, synthesizers, flute, and creative ideas. It's these last 5 songs that makes this LP a keeper.

Ownership: LP: 1980 Light Horse. Recent online acquisition (2020). My copy came with a promo sticker as well, not sure if that was standard or not (Discogs doesn't mention it). The original also uses the well worn "generic rainbow" cover, which is just charming by this point.

4/20/20 (new entry)

Zauber (Il Sogno). 1978 Italy

My old friend Mr. Music used to always say this album had "a most incredible vibe". We both bought this on CD when it came out in 1989, and I have to say his enthusiasm encouraged me to keep it. Multiple tries at it in the ensuing years did little to move the needle forward. It's been probably 25 years since I last heard it, and now it's judgement day. You know what? It has this great vibe! :-) These charming Italian albums from the late 70s - long past the heyday - just makes you want to settle into an Umbrian hill town with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. It's definitely a fine progressive rock album, with folk trimmings, and questionable tone choices. Like the aforementioned wine and hill town, albums like this age well.

Ownership: CD: 1989 Vinyl Magic. Who knows what Vinyl Magic were doing in the early days. They rearranged the tracks and added others (bonus) indiscriminately without notes to support. They took the wonderful photo from the back of the LP and botched that all up. The CD is obviously taken from vinyl too. And they appended a new title Il Sogno. According to Discogs, this is what the band wanted. OK, fine. Apparently the second reissue from Vinyl Magic is even more messed with (I'm sure also band driven, given they were still performing back then). So no good reissues I'm afraid. I would love the original LP at this point given the state of the reissues, but hoo-baby, that price!

1990; 4/19/20 (new entry)

Free System Projekt & Dave Brewer - Okefenokee Dreams. 2000 Netherlands/USA

There are few bands that emulated Tangerine Dream's mid 70s years as effective as Free System Projekt. At this point FSP was just Marcel Engels, and on the first Okefenokee gathering, he's joined my American electronic musician Dave Brewer.  They go about creating 73 minutes of sequencer based Berlin School music. No surprises here at all. Honestly I have too much of this kind of music, but I have a soft spot for this title, as it was one of the earliest revival CDs I had picked up (real time when it was released). For the next 6 years or so, I loaded up on dozens of titles like it. I have already begun to shed some of those titles, selling to an audience still hungry for anything and everything Tangerine Dream like. But I won't do that with Okefenokee Dreams. Not so much because it's that much better (it's not), but rather its place in my personal history.

Ownership: CD: 2000 Groove Unlimited. Basic new CD layout with a nice photo.

4/19/20 (new entry)

Osiris - Futurity and Human Depressions. 1991 Netherlands

I had reviewed this for Gnosis a generation ago, but my thoughts are more or less the same. Once again we're dealing with a very dense style of thrash (from teenagers no less), not that dissimilar from Deathrow's Deception Ignored that I just entered and also listened to recently. As time goes on, I seem to enjoy this kind of metal more than even prior. This was a +1 listen.

Ownership: CD: 1991 Shark. Standard CD jewel box with full lyrics and the requisite thank you section.

7/15/06 (Gnosis)

Van der Graaf Generator - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other. 1970 England

Honestly I find Van der Graaf Generator impenetrable at times. They're definitely not a head groovin' band that's for sure. They were so original and ahead of their time, it's somewhat staggering really. It's easy to understand why the band draws a fanatical base. At some point, I should just play this over and over for about a week and start to learn the compositions. This was the exact type of effort I applied to Yes when I was about 15. And that's what is needed here.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Virgin (Japan). This is essentially the same reissue as the 2005 UK Virgin release, with the mini-LP design. It doesn't include the same booklet, but they were kind enough to supply both Peter Hammill and Mark Powell's English liner notes into the Japanese insert. They also included a replica of the original (rare) poster. A beautiful package overall. Also includes a 45 single as bonus tracks. I never did own this album on LP, my first copy coming from the CD age (an earlier press).

Saga. 1974 Sweden

Saga are a guitar based rock band founded by ex-November members. Great fuzzed-out bluesy guitar ferociously played over jazz, hard rock, folk, and progressive styled tunes, sung in the native tongue. Similar in sound to many of the 1970s Swedish groups, though this is quite a bit more expressive in places, taking it to a higher level. In fact, for the style, perhaps the highest level! How many bands from the modern era (especially from Scandinavia) have we heard trying to capture this very sound? Hear the real deal first, before sampling the imitators. The last two tracks are nothing short of phenomenal.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Sonet. Single sleeve. Acquired from a friend (2000). Beautiful cover.

 

1997 (first listen); 8/8/09 (review); 4/19/20 (update / new entry)