Jeseter - Slavnost Pro Jednoho! 2008 Czech Republic

In the last decade or so, there have been a couple of excellent Czech groups performing music in the retro progressive rock genre: Hokr and Cuprum. Unbeknownst to me there was a 3rd band also hiding under the cover of darkness. And that would be our subject today. Jeseter (translates to Sturgeon) are a band from Ostrava, located on the eastern part of what is now known as Czechia, bordering Poland.

Apparently Jeseter began their career as a Yes cover band. There are worse ways to build out one's prog chops than studying at the hallowed halls of Yes. So when it was time to branch out into original material, most assuredly Close to the Edge and Relayer would be the sound path they followed right? Wrong. Instead, Jeseter looked inward (similar to the above two groups) and researched their own country's respectable past. Czech is the language of choice, and the influences come from the late 70s and early 80s Czech progressive scene. You won't hear Modry Efekt or Flamengo here, but rather more Synkopy and Progres 2. There's also a strain of neo prog blending throughout - similar to IQ maybe. At times the music here is brilliant. Jeseter does continue to circle greatness but doesn't quite achieve it - at least here on their debut (the only one of three albums I've heard to date). The vocals can be a bit stiff, which was a problem for the communist era bands as well. Sometimes the music can be a bit too straightforward, but make no mistake, this is still certainly progressive rock for fans of the style. Compared to Hokr and Cuprum, Jeseter finds themselves behind the curve. But the potential is certainly there, and I'm most interested in hearing their later works. High side of the RYM 3.5 rating.

Personal collection
CD: 2008 private

The CD is obscure as all get out. I had to add it to Discogs and it appears I'm the only one to own it on RYM as well. Comes in a very fine tri-fold professional digi-pak.

Zeit - Waves from the Sky. 2008 Italy

Tommaso Cino (aka Zeit) is most known for his collaborations with ambient artist Alio Die. On Waves from the Sky, Cino demonstrates his passion for the German Kosmische movement, from which he takes his name from. This is pure mid to late 1970s styled analog elektronik musik - haunting, hypnotic, and introspective - influenced by the masters like 'Nightdust' era Ashra, Klaus Schulze's masterful 'Crystal Lake', Pascal Languirand's three albums, as well as home country cosmic minimalist hero Roberto Cacciapaglia. Cino was only 30 years old when this was composed and recorded, so let's hope he plans on future works of a similar cloth.

Ownership: CD: 2008 Hic Sunt Leones

11/10/14 (new entry)

Pandora - Dramma di un Poeta Ubriaco. 2008 Italy

Pandora's debut Dramma di un Poeta Ubriaco seems like the group's own personal chronological trajectory. The album starts off in the standard prog metal zone with modern synthesizers - similar to other Italian bands like Eldritch or Pathosray. While they are good at this style, they are by no means exemplary. By track 3 'Cosi come sei', the band begins to become ever more complex. The metal guitars are still prevalent, but the keyboards are moving towards an analog sound. This along with some insane counterpoint musicianship, and Pandora are starting to sound somewhat like an updated A Piedi Nudi. Then the final 3 tracks pretty much kick the metal to the curb, with mellotron, acoustic guitars, and dramatic vocals in Italian, while pushing the gas harder on the progressive front. I remember my first impression of the album went something like "Oh no, not more prog metal.... wait, this is kind of interesting.... whoa... wow... this is freaking amazing!" It was 2008, and you could almost credit Pandora for ushering in the latest Italian retro progressive movement that we enjoy today.

Ownership: CD: 2008 BTF/AMS. Like all of the Pandora albums, it's housed in a beautiful mini-LP fold out cover.

6/28/14 (new entry)

Willowglass - Book of Hours. 2008 England

What do you do with a guy who is enamored with the European Medieval past of stained glass windows, Celtic crosses, and towered villages - and who has an obsession with 1970-1973 era Genesis? Someone who distills those ideas, reshapes it in his own image, and then pushes back out to the wilds for all to critique. It's easy to pan such an effort, but when it is done this well and with this kind of passion, one really does have to admire the final product. If early Genesis is your thing, and you're OK with no vocals being present in such a setting, then it's highly likely you will enjoy, or at the very least appreciate, Andrew Marshall's Willowglass. 

Ownership: CD: 2008 private. Jewel case

LP: 2018 private. 2xLP gatefold. Acquired in 2024.

6/27/13 (first listen / review / new entry)

Kharmina Buranna - El Arte de Seguir Vivos. 2008 Peru

Though from Peru, Kharmina Buranna remind me quite a bit of the 1970s Argentine progressive rock scene. They squarely fit the "retro prog" category and play a direct mix of early 70s styled blues rock mixed with classic era Yes, and a dose of 70s Italian progressive rock. So imagine a cross between El Reloj and Ave Rock. Other guideposts would include Invisible, Agnus, and Espiritu. Kharmina Buranna definitely are Western European sounding, and do not possess any indigenous elements in their sound, differentiating them from their peers like Flor de Loto or Supay. El Arte de Seguir Vivos has many twists and turns, and contains a fat 70s analog sound. It holds up well on repeated listens, and something new reveals itself each time - always the hallmark of a great album.

Ownership: CD: 2008 Mylodon (Chile)

2/19/13 (new entry)

Klotet - En Rak Höger. 2008 Sweden

Klotet are a modern instrumental band who play in a very Swedish 1970's sort of way. Utilizing only analog keyboards, and a fuzzy electric guitar, Klotet conjures up classic Kebnekaise, Harald Hedning, Lotus, and Flasket Brinner. The foundation of the melodies can be found in Swedish folklore, whereas the music approach is pure early 1970s. An excellent combination.

Ownership: 2008 Musea (France)

4/28/11 (new entry); 9/8/18