Little Brian - Thrash Funk. 2007 USA

Thrash Funk is one of the most interesting albums in my collection. If you read what's on the tin, the album promises to combine two great genres: Thrash metal and jazz funk. However, other than perhaps the title track (maybe), it doesn't really contain thrash metal. But there's definitely heavy metal parts - as added to a jazz rock album. Funk nor jazz in metal is hardly a new concept, but what separates Little Brian from the others is that the jazz is really more what was known in the late 60s and early 70s as horn rock. Now that I've not heard mixed with metal before. And it's all instrumental, making it just that much more unique. I really appreciate the tight horn charts juxtaposed against the heavy riffing of the guitars.

The album starts off with a head fake on 'Slow Greasy', which is a self defining title - that of a grimy blues jazz. Then 'T-1000' blasts from the speakers and offers up the album's highlight, sounding like a fine mix of early Chicago and a speedy Iron Maiden. From here on, Thrash Funk continues in this manner. It's a relative short album (around 33 minutes), spread across 11 tracks, which is the perfect length for music such as this. The album's closer 'Party' continues on (after what I consider the end of the album) into silence and then breaks into a lengthy experimental bit. Not sure why they appended this on as it has nothing to do with the album proper, and it's not particularly well done (annoying in fact). But you can stop the CD prior to it.

Little Brian were trailblazing a new path, and I for one would like to see other bands in pursuit of similar. It takes a lot of work to write in horn charts within the context of complex metal compositions. Unfortunately it appears this album was to be a one off. A very obscure one at that. See below.

Personal collection
CD: 2007 private

The CD comes in a digi-pak, and at one point was available from CD Baby, where I purchased mine. You can still get a download version, but the CD has gone extinct. But I'm not sure who bought it other than me. I added this album to Discogs over 2 years ago, and remain the only owner, with precisely zero people wanting it. On RYM, 2 of us own it (the other being a friend there) and has all of 3 ratings. Gnosis has 3 ratings as well including mine. A tragedy an album like this is so unknown.

Alters - MILD. 2007 Poland

Alters are somewhat typical of modern progressive bands who do not blend their influences together as a cohesive whole, but rather attack each segment on their own. Or what I call "genre hopping". So there's no "brand identity" as it were. Just various parts and pieces pasted together. You'll hear everything from the usual prog suspects (Yes, KC, Genesis), to Miles Davis, Stockhausen, Polish stalwarts (SBB, Nieman), complex French prog, mid 70's Pink Floyd, etc... There are of course, as with any album like this, some really great parts to enjoy and savor. But once they've moved on, you won't hear anything like it again. It's an Around the World tour in... 52 minutes.

CD: 2007 Lynx

Last listen: August 7, 2017

Tuna Laguna - Ripples and Swells. 2007 Norway

Tuna Laguna are a modern Norwegian post rock band who have a clear connection with the US post rock scene similar to Tortoise for example. But there’s more here than insouciant mid paced jams to aid with your sleeping disorder. With the growling fuzz bass, wah wah guitars, filtered organs, and the occasional tempo change, it’s clear Tuna Laguna have a bit of 1970's instrumental European prog rock in them. And the 7 piece band collective, including 3 guitarists and 2 keyboardists, allow the group a multitude of options that really expand their sound. Add in the melodic content that is post rock’s greatest contribution to begin with, and you have a nice piece of music to drive the Interstate with.

CD: 2007 Guano

Last listen: August 8, 2017

Pentwater - Ab-Dul. 2007 USA-Illinois

Already a charter member of the Pentwater fanboy club, I just had to get the new album, even though these guys haven't released anything in 30 years and the album cover art leaves much to be desired. With most reunions, I duck for cover, figuring the band had long forgotten why anyone wanted to hear them in the first place, ergo the irrational desire for a quick FM hit. As if all the 18 year old girls will start swooning for 55 year old geezers singing about lost loves, or worse, some sort of fairy queen eaten by a jester elf... But this is Pentwater, and these guys were an intellectual bunch even amongst the intellectual, so its no surprise they came up with another winner. It's not perfect, and there were a couple of tracks that seemed to imply that maybe Neil Diamond had it right all along. But they catch themselves, and throw something in 13/8 with a mellotron on top and the world is all perfect again. Very few groups can pull off melody and complexity like Pentwater.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Beef

2007; 10/10/17 (new entry)

Mar de Robles - Indigena. 2007 Chile

From the opening notes of 'Chucaro', one could be fooled that Mar de Robles' sophomore effort is to be some kind of Dream Theater like instrumental prog metal album. And while that element remains present throughout, there's also a strong fusion element at play here, with the addition of sax (lightly used) and ripping electric guitar solos and complex meters. In addition to that - and where the real separation comes for Mar de Robles - is the incorporation of the indigenous landscape of South America. Rain sticks, tribal percussion, and a plethora of sights and sounds are then added with that patented "European Warm Progressive Rock" style including soft flute and beautiful melodies. I find Mar De Robles to be a unique group operating on otherwise familiar terrain. They're not as inward looking as Peru's Flor de Loto, or some metal mutation of Los Jaivas, nor are they some generic bland instrumental prog metal unit looking to show off their chops. They are a fusion metal folk prog hybrid unlike any other. Well worth seeking out if looking for something different in an all too crowded field.

Ownership: 2007 Mylodon (CD). Acquired in 2007.

4/23/07; 9/14/17 (review)

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

Karmic Society - Journey. 2007 Germany

Karmic Society are a new, primarily instrumental German band who have a sound somewhere between the early 1970s German/British heavy prog rock sound (2066 and Then, Odin) combined with some 1960s jam band elements (Grateful Dead, QMS), and even some Kraut space rock similar to Ohr-era Guru Guru. Nice to see the high quality reissue label World in Sound beginning to produce some fine new talent in addition to their excellent reissue inventory. Journey opens with a fascinating cover of an obscure mid 1960s synthesizer composition, though with a full sounding rock band (organ, guitar, bass, and drums). From here they launch into their 4 original compositions, which are easily the highlights of the album. Hammond organ and electric lead guitar are the solo instruments of choice, and to my ears at least, they sound like the best of the retro hard prog rock groups like Black Bonzo, Blood of the Sun, and the Wicked Minds. One aspect of Karmic Society’s sound that I find highly appealing is their strong melodic sense, something that is lost on many newer bands. The final 3rd of the disc comprise of all covers. 'Yoo Doo Right', the old Malcolm Mooney era Can chestnut gets a much needed upgrade, and I find Karmic Society’s version considerably better and more focused (and frankly less annoying). Quicksilver’s 'Witches Moon' is up next, and Karmic Society are up to the task with a riveting version. They close with the Dead’s 'Dark Star', which if nothing else takes a lot of guts. There are literally thousands of live versions of this opus (by the Dead themselves of course), many of them masterpieces in their own right. They’re stomping on sacred ground here, and perhaps it would be better not to try an attempt, even if they do indeed produce a fine version I must say. An excellent album from a band we never heard from again.

Personal collection
CD: 2007 World in Sound

Last listen: May 9, 2017

Puppet Show - The Tale of Woe. 2007 USA-California

Recently on the Kaipa Da Capo review, I mentioned a certain aversion to the modern commercial wing of progressive rock. The Flower Kings / Spock’s Beard sound was always lost on me – too much 80s and 90s styled radio ballads and anthems interspersed among the more thoughtful progressions. ProgRock Records specializes in just this sound. And despite numerous releases, almost none of them have been invited into my home. I don’t consider them terrible mind you, just on the margins of my personal interest area. And given the label’s long run, I would say they knew their market well.

So it took me aback to see a band like Puppet Show obtaining release on ProgRock. I’ve been in possession of their debut Traumatized for many years now, and recall it being a cut above the ordinary neo prog dreck. Still, I can see the intersection of the 2 styles here, and took a chance. Well it wasn’t much of a chance since sealed copies of the CD can be had for less than a pack of chewing gum…

It’s been many a year since I heard my CD copy of Traumatized, but if memory serves, The Tale of Woe is very much in line with it. Puppet Show are one of the few modern bands to reach back to the progressive era of Genesis (strange as that might seem, but most go for the Marillion variation of said sound). Not quite as Foxtrot obsessed as say Simon Says or Cliffhanger, more towards the last throes of the famous band’s progressive rock leanings. Like Wind and Wuthering. And Puppet Show also look toward the original neo prog emulators – namely IQ – especially around the time of Ever, for further guidance. And there you have your table of contents for this audio book. Mid 70s Genesis meets early 90s IQ. At times, Puppet Show can get a bit wordy, and begin to slow down to a crawl, as does IQ on occasion. But just at that point of reaching for the remote, in comes some fantastic keyboard/guitar/complex rhythm musical progressions, and thus giving context to the lyrical portions. I won’t go so far as to call this an instant classic, but I do find albums such as this maintaining staying power. And for the price it’s going for, it makes no sense not to take a chance if what I say above resonates.

Ownership: CD: 2007 ProgRock

3/26/17 (new entry)

La Torre dell'Alchimista - Neo. 2007 Italy

La Torre dell’Alchimista (LTdA) are one of the many current Italian progressive rock acts that are recreating the sounds of the past and moving it forward to the 21st century. LTdA are a bit more purist than most groups in this space, eschewing modern tendencies such as metal, electronica, and post rock. Keyboards are the focal point, like with many of the 1970s classic groups, and bandleader Michele Mutti possesses an impressive array of vintage gear including Hammond C3, Mini Moog, Mellotron, and a 1973 Fender Rhodes amongst many others. However, unlike fellow Italian retro rockers Wicked Minds, modern production techniques are in full force, and there’s no question that LTdA are a band from the current age. All of these historical references don’t matter if the music compositions aren’t there - and LTdA come through on this front. As students of the Italian progressive rock genre are keenly aware, the options of creating exciting and unique music is immense, and LTdA have found their little slice of the big pie. And fortunately they use the Italian language which goes so naturally with the style. File along with La Maschera di Cera as the current torchbearers of the original Italian progressive rock sound.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Ma.Ra.Cash

9/17/07 (first listen / review); 10/15/16 (update / new entry)

WintherStormer - Woodwork. 2007 Norway

Norway's WintherStormer is a name that represents the combination of the two main protagonists' Terje Winther and Eric Stormer, both of whom play a large array of analog and digital keyboards. The duo perform an old fashioned Berlin School styled music with plenty of cosmic alien textures and complex darkened sequencer lines. They're augmented on this album by an additional electric guitarist and drummer, which adds some needed fire and affords the group many more composition options to pursue. Overall, definitely on par with Radio Massacre International during this era and/or the genre's founding brain trust of Tangerine Dream-Klaus Schulze's 1970s rock based efforts. 76 minutes of progressive electronic goodness is packed within.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Bajkal

2007; 8/9/16 (new entry)

Neverness - Cuentos de Otros Mundos Posibles. 2007 Spain

Neverness are a band from northwestern Spain, who released a trio of albums that have largely been overlooked by the progressive rock contingent. I bought this CD not long after it was released, thought it was OK/decent, and filed it away for a future listen. That listen has now happened... nearly a decade later. Proves once again, that sometimes the best thing to do is to wait for a different time and place before passing quick judgment, as the album now sounds great to my ears.

What Neverness has done is almost the impossible: Copy mid to late 70s Pink Floyd... and not be dull. I happen to really like that era of Pink Floyd, but it seems every modern band that goes on to emulate that sound misses the dynamics, and ends up just plodding along at a snail's pace. Neverness has not only captured the spirit of Wish You Were Here and Animals, but also the analog instrumentation and production. The music is heavy on atmosphere, and light on pyrotechnics, so it requires the right melancholic mood to appreciate. Other than perhaps 'Muro de Cristal', all the tracks here avoid the modern music trap, where 90's indie songcraft has penetrated too deep. And even that track has long flights of instrumental work to offset the potential snoozefest. The rest is very consistent and superb. I'm now curious what their albums are like, though it appears the debut may have been taken out of the oven a bit early.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Musea (France). Nice 12 page booklet with recording details, lyrics, photos, and images.

2//08; 1//13; 7/5/16 (new entry)

Setna - Cycle I. 2007 France

If Zeuhl is the genre tag that must be applied, then it's Zeuhl in the same way Offering is rather than Magma. Cycle I is primarily an atmospheric jazz release with soft chanting female vocals. Electric piano, synthesizer, and saxophone are the other primary instruments of choice. Those coming to this looking for ripping Paganotti/Top-styled bass and insane martial Vander-like drumming, will surely come away disappointed. Certainly Setna sit towards the Magma side of Offering (especially as the disc spins on, and the last track features some fine Mahavishnu styled guitar from guest James McGaw), but still the metaphor holds. Ambient jazz Zeuhl.

Former ownership: CD: 2007 Soleil Zeuhl. Digipak

2008 (first listen); 5/18/13 (review / new entry); 4/11/24

Litmus - Planetfall. 2007 England

Continuing on from You Are Here, Litmus ups the intensity level on Planetfall. Once again, Litmus trades in on the Hawkwind meets Omnia Opera market, though this time everything gets the "turned up to 11" treatment. 75 minutes of brain blasting fun. Hard rock thrash, aimless wah wah solos, Moog tweets, mellotron interludes, and monotone vocals. It's sooooo English spacerock. Not sure there's anywhere else Litmus can go with this concept - they've exhausted the possibilities of the style.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Rise Above

1/21/13 (new entry); 12/29/23 (removed from collection)

Hidria Spacefolk - Symetria. 2007 Finland

Symetria shows Hidria Spacefolk cutting back on the edgy complexity of their first two albums, while adding more of a steady post-rock sensibility. These changes are somewhat understated, so it's more like a trimming of the hedges, rather than a replanting of another bush. The title track and 'Futrur Ixiom' demonstrate quite well this movement to the center. Gone are the high powered psychedelic sequences and ripping guitar solos, and its place is a more staid melodic and atmospheric approach. That's not to say the band has moved away from mid-tune meter shifts, it's just a bit more toned down. '322' seems inspired by the stoner metal movement, as no doubt the band performs live with many acts that represent that genre. However they do manage to avoid the standard trappings of stoner rock (slabs of metal guitar distortion, raw drunken vocals, etc...), and instead inflect the typical Hidria Spacefolk treatment, that as a bonus inserts midstream a cool funky rock sequence complete with horns. 'Flora/Fauna' is a new twist for the band, calling out their Scandinavian heritage - in this case the region's penchant to produce a type of [i]rural rock[/i], a favorite style of nearby Denmark, especially in the early 1970s. To be honest, at this point of the album, Symetria is a bit of a disappointment. However, Hidria Spacefolk saves the best for last, and the last two tracks, totaling close to 20 minutes recall the superiority of Symbosis and Balansia. All the same, I hear this album a full star less than its predecessors, though still quite excellent obviously. It's probably no surprise that Hidria Spacefolk decided to break at this point, probably realizing they were beginning to hit a rut. Fortunately they reconvened in 2012 for a new album.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Next Big Thing

2007; 11/13/12 (new entry)

La Desooorden - Ciudad de Papel. 2007 Chile

La Desooorden are very much a modern progressive band, that utilize current production techniques as well as some dark, atonal metal guitar. So elements of Tool and Porcupine Tree can be discerned on a quick glance. That alone would not make an A-list group, but underneath this superficial view, we find a group exploring all aspects of exciting music. You find Latin percussion, jazzy bits, RIO inspired avant progressive, folk melodies, early 70s Italian progressive rock and a host of other exciting ideas. The list of instruments utilized would take forever to type out. La Desooorden are an intriguing, complex and deep group - a group that reveals something different with each listen.

Ownership: CD: 2007 private

The CD is a private release with no catalog number. It's a beautiful package with a tri-foldout digipak and a nice insert.

2008; 8/28/12 (new entry); 8/15/17

Lunar Dunes - From Above. 2007 England

There are scores of psychedelic space rock bands in existence these days, and that's a good thing, but there a few that clearly are rising to the top. And Lunar Dunes is in the top tier. Superior and inventive guitar work combined with a creative rhythm section define this amazing debut. The songs are well written with actual melodies, and aren't just skeletons to launch the next jam. There's a distinct Middle Eastern exotic flair, as evidenced by the hand percussion and soaring wordless female voice on 'Herzegovina (interpolating Le Petit Chevalier)'. This track is even more remarkable in that it sounds like Tony Hill from High Tide jamming with the rhythm section of Can. 'Loophole' reminds me of Ashra from their Correlations improv sessions set. The aggressive psychedelic space rock of 'The Todal Gleeps' recalls the great Omnia Opera. Lunar Dunes go into psychedelic chill-out form from 'Seaspray' through 'When I Was on Horseback'. The final three tracks feature both styles of aggression and serenity successfully.

Ownership: CD: 2007 private. Digifile

5/12/11 (new entry); 4/16/18

Last listen: April 16, 2018
Originally reviewed: May 12, 2011

Mysteries of the Revolution. 2007 England

Their website says "MYSTERIES OF THE REVOLUTION features BB Davis of the legendary Red Orchidstra and virtuoso French virtuoso keyboardist Dan Biro. Influences range from Miles, Hancock, Zawinul, George Duke, Roland Kirk, Corea, Coltrane, Mahavishnu, Lifetime to Hendrix, Zappa, Led Zep, Doors, Steely Dan to neo-classicism and psychedelica all dished up in a sweaty, heady brew of heavily jazzified, passionate, funked up, blissed-out, head-on grooves with a whole dash a' finesse n' panache - yeah, really."

Yea, really. And no kidding. Damn. Here's a band that not only is current, but is already completely obscure. C'mon, this isn't fair! I think part of the problem here is it appears the band is being marketed to a jazz audience. And while that's not entirely wrong to do, I think the progressive rock buying public would perhaps be more interested in Mysteries of the Revolution.

Mysteries of the Revolution combine instrumental retro Hammond and flute driven rock with a modern jazz approach. On this latter point, despite the analog instrumentation, one can hear the crystal clear production and modern percussion ever so slightly calling out St. Germain for example. But by no means is this a techno jazz album. Just listen to The Crunch and you'll swear it's from a 1971 English proto-prog album. And they use a regular drum-kit. About the only group I can think of in this space is the Norwegian band Elephant9, but Mysteries of the Revolution are more varied and not quite as much in "Hammond overdrive" as Elephant9 are. Let's hope this isn't all we're going to hear from these guys, as they've shown tremendous potential here.

Highlights: 2. The Crunch (10:16); 3. Storius Sensorius (5:58); 7. Secret Fire (5:34)

Ownership: CD: 2007 Blue Serene Focus

4/25/11 (new entry)

Black Bonzo - Sound of the Apocalypse. 2007 Sweden

Following on my review of the first album, here is Black Bonzo's highly anticipated second album. While the debut represented the early 70s UK sound - anywhere from the heavy rock of Uriah Heep to the gentler tones of Caravan - Black Bonzo's second album Sound of the Apocalypse shows the band moving to top billing on the arena stage. This album has what I would call a BIG sound. Mellotrons and organ, fat bass, loud guitars, and crashing drums. From the dynamic moments of King Crimson and Yes, to the more progressive sounds of Kansas and Styx is where you'll find the music of Black Bonzo's second album. You'll also spot Gentle Giant and VDGG, so all the big names are here. In effect, Black Bonzo moved the needle of the time machine from 1971 to 1976. And perhaps they also sailed from England to America. I find the album lacks a distinct personality, but it's hard to root against it. This is hardball progressive rock.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Laser's Edge (USA). Purchased not long after release. Fine tri-fold digipak with a booklet filled with lyrics.

2/22/11 (new entry); 2/27/22