Kumm - Moonsweat March. 2000 Romania

Certainly one of the more interesting albums I've heard in some time, Kumm combines neo psych, indie, and progressive rock seamlessly. Their sound is distinctly of an earlier era, and that's where the allure lies here. It's an impeccably recorded album, and there's plenty of vintage gear to savor. I'm not an indie rock fan, and I have to admit that's where they get a couple of demerits here. The style mostly shows up in the vocal sections (all sung in English BTW) which aren't overly prominent. When learning of their heritage, the story become clear - one of their earlier incarnations was Talitha Qumi, which was one of my favorite new discoveries of the last decade. Had Kumm stayed out of the era from which they came, this too would have been a near masterpiece. As it stands, still very much worthy of ownership, given its unique style.

Ownership: CD: 2010 Soft Records. The CD is housed in a fine mini-LP package. This is the second press and includes one short bonus track.

Talitha Qumi - Despre Cuvinte. 1996 Romania

Not sure I can describe Talitha Qumi any other way than this, but would you believe Eastern European free folk meets early 1970s Italian progressive rock? Atman meets Errata Corrige meets Pholas Dactylus meets Sensations' Fix meets Nu & Apa Neagra meets Museo Rosenbach. Yea... I didn't think you would believe me. This album has the reckless abandon of the early 70's era, something you rarely hear today. Usually it's measured and calculated nowadays. An absolute gem of an album.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Soft

Recently the original cassette from 1996 has emerged as the source. So that proves its provenance which I wasn't sure about initially.

2/7/13 (new entry)

Progresiv TM ~ Romania

Dreptul de a Visa (1976)

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: 1976 Electrecord (LP)

No legit reissues as of 2/22/25

1994 (first listen); 9//05 (review); 8/10/17 (new entry)

Sfinx ~ Romania

Lume Alba (1975)

Sfinx's debut album is an extraordinary accomplishment given the time and place. Since so few rock albums were privileged to a deprived audience, Sfinx released something akin to a "Beatles Effect" album, with a mixture of popular styles. But being it was 1975 and all, progressive rock was one of those prominent styles, and this is where Sfinx excelled most. Especially on the stunningly beautiful 'Sinteze' which sounds like an underground track on the Pole label from France - and the Moog solos are divine. Plenty of highlights to go around in the progressive, folk, and hard rock genres, understanding that consistency is not what Sfinx were striving for at the time, so be prepared for some downtime too. Including the beginning.

Sfinx (1974)

Debut recordings from Sfinx, who were to flesh out more on their subsequent debut LP in 1975. Opens with the hard rocking 'Coborise Primavera', before delving into the pop songwriter 'Ziua Ta'. Flip side consists of what could be called a "classic Midwest USA AOR" sophisticated pomp rocker, before closing with the lovely ballad 'Peste Virfuri'. Nice EP.

Ownership: 2015 Soft Records (CD). Tri-fold digipak. Liner notes in Romanian and English (latter truncated somewhat, but informative). It contains both the album and EP as noted above. Copy #155 / 500.

12/5/15 (acquired / review); 10/6/25 (update)

Many years ago I owned Zalmoxe. I'll need to revisit that title again.

12/5/15 (new entry)

Experimental Quintet - Atlantis. 2012 Romania

Experimental Quintet (aka Experimental Q, Experimental Quartet) are a group that go back to the 1970s. They were a band I had researched for the CDRWL, and after hearing some songs on YouTube, I about wet my pants. This is some of the finest unreleased progressive rock music I'd ever heard. Imagine a cross between Progresiv TM and Tortilla Flat, and you'll understand my enthusiasm. Flute, organ, fuzz guitar and hyper complex rhythms are what defined their sound. Unfortunately, as I already mentioned, the key word is unreleased. So therefore I couldn't really add it to the CDRWL. Apparently a whole LP was recorded, but the state label Electrecord must have thought it too subversive. And sadly, most of this material remains that of mystery and imagination.

After many years, the band decided to reform, sans the flute player who is now MIA. That's a pity, as the flute is such an integral part of their original sound. So they decided to use synthesizers to recreate the sound of the flute. Perhaps the weirdest part of this reunion is that the sound quality of the CD is worse than a Communist era 1970s recording. I'm guessing they were going for an "authentic" original experience, but I'm not sure it was necessary to take it that far. However, the guitar sound is still great, so there's much to grab onto here. All the music was originally written in 1970s, so it has that compositional reckless abandon that we only find from that era. Perhaps the best track of the CD is the one they didn't re-record: 'Quintet No. 2', which they transferred from the 1970s, complete with the original flute. Once you hear this, you'll see the great potential the band once had.

Ownership: CD: 2012 Soft Records

2/14/13 (new entry)

Survolaj. 1992 Romania

What perhaps is most extraordinary about this album is the original recording date of 1992. There are countless bands today recreating the early 1970s sounds and attitude. But no one was doing this in 1992. Especially in places like Romania. Or so I thought. Side 1 is an 18 minute brain blaster of a track called 'Broken Flight'. Survolaj are basically a guitar based trio, with guest on flute, and the sound here is remarkably similar to 1971 German outfits of the same mindset like Silberbart, Dies Irae, Haze, Blackwater Park, and Second Life. Wah wah bluesy guitar, histrionic vocals, and a hyper active rhythm section is what you can expect here. Outstanding. Side 2 (tracks 2 and 3) are decidedly more blues based, and recall the 1969/70 English scene. Classic early Led Zeppelin in particular seem to be a major influence here, though other bands like The Groundhogs, Ashkan, and Elias Hulk come to mind too.

Ownership: CD: 2007 Soft Records

2/13/13 (new entry)