Pocket Size - Vemood. 2016 Sweden

Pocket Size have perfectly captured the essence of being alive in 1973 Sweden. Cigarette and marijuana compete for your olfactory senses, but your eyes water no matter the substance. You, of course, recite the Manifesto of the Communist Party verbatim, but only because you think you might get laid if you do. Otherwise King and Country works too, whatever. Progg, hell yea! Or not... who cares? Images of perfectly formed naked breasts shine ever so perfectly as you gaze blindly from your flat. Vemood is your soundtrack to your dream night in Stockholm. Long track Hammond organ jams that battle with saxophone, flute, and loud electric guitar. And even a melody to whistle to while waltzing down Drottninggatan. Ahhh.

Ownership: LP: 2016 MillHill. Single sleeve.

CD: 2016 MillHill. Simple slip case that I include with the LP.

6/30/17 (new entry)

Jupu Group ~ Finland

Ahmoo! (1975)

Ahmoo! is a heavy instrumental progressive fusion with violin being the centerpiece - to be expected given the band is his nickname. There's also quite a bit of guitar / electric piano / Moog interplay. The title track seems promising but unfortunately features a dull drum solo one must endure. Typical mid 70s fusion, that was all the rage at the time. Similar to other European acts like Pumpkin, Pop Workshop, Napalis, Energy, and Ex Ovo Pro. And of course the progenitors of the jazz fusion movement: Return To Forever and Weather Report.

Ownership: 1975 Hi-Hat (LP). Acquired in 1996.

1996; 1//09 (review); 5/14/17 (update)

Jazz Liisa 05 (1974 / 2016)

Jupu Group's contribution to the Jazz Liisa sessions is a good one. Lead by violinist Juhani (Jupu) Poutanen, the jazz rock flavor of the day is once again clearly informed by Mahavishnu Orchestra. Considerably rawer than their studio album that was to surface one year later, the listener will be treated to the rough and ready jazz rock sound of classic early 70's Miles Davis (no trumpet though) with Jean-Luc Ponty guesting on violin. Closing number 'Lokki' sounds like an outtake from any number of Soft Machine's 1971 concerts, with its raw fuzz bass and soprano saxophone leads. It's a bit loose in places, as to be expected from a live improvisation such as this. Overall, if the name Jerry Goodman gets your heart started, then most assuredly you will not want to miss Jupu Group's Jazz Liisa 05 album.

---12/28/25

Not much to add here. I'll just mention that the longest track 'Cybele' is also my favorite, given its mellow nature with violin, flute, and electric piano.

Ownership: 2016 Svart (CD). Booklet with historical liner notes. Includes Jukka Linkola Octet Jazz Liisa 06. Acquired in 2016.

11/6/16 (review); 12/28/25

11/6/16 (new entry)

Redd - Tristes Noticias del Imperio. 1978 Argentina

Here's a CD I bought not long after the first reissue hit the market, and I didn't care for it much at all. Years later, I heard it again, and it still didn't make a mark. Now a few more years have passed, I regained the original CD reissue, and now I think it's great! Part of the issue may have to do with PRW's insistence in reordering the tracks, so that the most progressive compositions get your attention early. The problem with that approach is it often leaves the listener with the weakest last impression. I think a better approach might be to put the lesser tracks in the middle. Or - leave it just as it was intended to be! In any case, this is a fine symphonic progressive rock album from Argentina with a mixture of styles (jazz, folk, heavy prog), including the requisite singer-songwriter tendencies that you often hear from this part of the world (and Italy).

Ownership: CD: 1996 PRW (Brazil). Nice reissue, with a short biography, photos, original artwork, and 4 bonus tracks. Recent online acquisition.

Humus ~ Mexico

Whispering Galleries (1999)

One primary characteristic of Humus that I picked up is that each successive album was more sophisticated than the last. Given the album covers, it almost seemed the band was evolving in a Darwinian state. And the cover here is astounding. While I wouldn't necessarily say Whispering Galleries has taken this to a new level of complexity (not even sure how they would do that honestly), I would say this is a nice sideways move for the band. The guitar trio arrangements are still dizzying complex, and Humus continues to possess that unique primo-era Sensations' Fix space rock vibe. Amongst the more standard Humus fare, there is an atmospheric/experimental keyboard piece, a female vocals number with some splendid electric blues guitar soloing, a modern interpretation of what seems like a Group 1850 improvisation, and an all-in 22 minute space rock number. A can't miss item for space rock aficionados.

Ownership:1999 W-Dabliu (LP). Gatefold.

5/14/17 (review)

Malleus Crease (1996)

Here is my favorite Humus album. Malleus Crease is, IMHO, one of the best albums from the 1990s. This album is an amazing mixture of psychedelic space rock and Canterbury style melodies. Humus could almost be considered the second generation of prime Sensations' Fix.

Here's some old notes from the 90s: "Right off the bat let me tell ya - this is the most progressive album of the Loch Ness / Humus / Frolic Froth cadre. The fringe of their experimental underground Krautrock sound. There is a strong Canterbury current running through that separates this from the others - organ-flute - hell, even melodies. But, of course, that always FUZZED out guitar keeps this in the familiar barrio. I was floored." I still am.

Ownership: 1997 W-Dabliu (LP). Gatefold with three posters. And one bonus track.; 1996 Smogless (CD) .

8/29/97 (review); 2/3/10

4 Degrees (1997)

4 Degrees is the follow-up to Malleus Crease. Humus is one of those bands that I really like, but there doesn't seem to be much support elsewhere to corroborate my views. They started as a rather primitive space rock group, and evolved into something highly complex, while never losing their fierce psychedelic edge. In the end, they combine two of my favorite styles: Space rock and Canterbury fusion. Like a meeting between Sensations Fix and National Health. 

4 Degrees is Humus' 4th and last widely available album. The album covers seem to indicate this to be a multi-year project demonstrating an evolution. They've gone from primitive at the beginning to alien-like on 4 Degrees. Here, the album features only two tracks, though the first one is broken into 24 small segments and jumps all over the place with a madness and fury of ideas. The second composition is the complete opposite, and is a rather static meditational piece.  It should be noted that the opener is considerably longer, which works well for my personal tastes. A very fine album showing a continued progression for the band - though I still prefer Malleus Crease overall.

Ownership: 1997 Smogless (CD)

1/15/10 (review); 2/2/21

1/15/10 (new entry)

Rantz ~ USA ~ New York

Rantz (1982)

Now this is one doggone weird album, I'll tell you that. The early 80s were a lost time for America. These were my high school years, and I remember them like yesterday. Culturally we bordered on anarchy. Which is of course the breeding ground for true creativity. Unlike Europe, we never had a true "progressive scene". We had fans of English progressive rock, but indigenous bands pretty much wallowed in obscurity. I've already documented this to death in my USA Midwest / Ontario Progressive Rock (1970's/early 80s) list. Myself, I was banging my head against every wall (explains things doesn't it?) while listening to heavy metal. Then moving to 70's progressive and sequencer based electronic music. And eventually relating way too much to Nicolas Cage in Valley Girl with his Tangerine Dream T-shirt and being a social outcast to those "preppies" with their Top Siders and pulled-up-collar "Alligator shirts" (Izod for the culturally unaware) and weren't allowed to date the cute cheerleaders, only because we listened to Iron Maiden and knew how to program Assembly code on an IBM - even if said cute girls actually liked you. Today you're cool if you're a geek. Back then we were just geeks (actually we were called "Freaks" - that was the early 80s term used for us long hairs who went to heavy metal and hard rock concerts, played in the high school band, and actually learned how to program a computer - oh, and liked girls, something I've come to learn was less common than initially thought. I guess I'm "old fashioned" that way. Explains my runway model wife of 20 years at least). And, naturally enough, us Freaks listened to "weird music".

Which gets me back to Western New York's Rantz (whew... wasn't quite sure how I was going to do that). I don't even know where to start here. The cover is indicative, perhaps. The female vocalist sounds like a mutant Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons. The guitarist plays in a decidedly psychedelic manner as if 1973 never happened. Did I mention flute? Oh yes, it's everywhere here - all played 1970 style (and the sisterhood is alive here too). The compositions? Clearly informed by the MTV acts of the day: Men Without Hats, Talking Heads, Blondie, The Pretenders, The Human League... oh you get the idea. (I'm so old, I remember when MTV only played music videos). Gotta love a tune called 'Gnostic Blues'. You know, I've been thinking of getting a bunch of international guys together to rate progressive albums... and call it Gnosis! Naw, that would be dumb. Anyway, real time warp stuff here for this high school junior in 1982. About the only album this screwed up is the Amish Rumspringa band Quasar Light. Seriously, if Ancient Aliens had a show on progressive rock, Rantz would be their proof. Not sure they'd be off base either. If only they were from Roswell, New Mexico. "Could it be, as Ancient Astronaut Theorists believe..."

Ownership: 1982 Casino (LP)

No reissues exist as of 2/22/25

9/19/13 (review); 5/14/17 (new entry)

Discipline ~ USA ~ Detroit, Michigan

Unfolded Like Staircase (1997)

When Unfolded Like Staircase first hit the market, there was an enormous buzz surrounding it. I wasn't overly impressed, the album seemingly like many new American prog bands that were being praised at the time. And left me scratching my head. Echolyn and Spock's Beard were also receiving rave reviews, and while I could appreciate both (the former more so), to my ears they weren't even necessarily worth keeping. And same with Discipline, which I sold quickly. Recently the title popped up again for sale on the cheap, and so I thought I'd give it another whirl some 20 years later. Yes, OK, this album now does resonate quite a bit. No question it has an earlier era feel to it - more 70s for certain than most bands coming from the 90s. There's a strong VDGG component here, mixed with the complexity of a band like, yea, Echolyn. Some of the music here, especially the vocals, annoy me at times. But then again, Peter Hammill annoys me often too, so therein lies the problem. The many reviews I see for the album go to great lengths to describe the superlatives here. They can't all be wrong. I can see that multiple plays will result in a better experience. Well worth owning.

Ownership: 1997 Strung Out (CD). Lyric booklet.

1997 (first acquired); 5/14/17 (reacquired / review); 5/22/24

5/14/17 (new entry)

Vesania - s/t. 1999 Brazil

Brazil was a hotbed of creativity in the 1990s, much of which is sadly forgotten today. Vesania are an instrumental prog band with one foot in mid 70s King Crimson and the other in modern space rock motifs. Algaravia and Dialect are two other Brazilian bands operating in a similar space earlier in the decade, and are no less obscure. You can also hear the debut of France's Nebelnest creeping through here, though not quite as dynamic or intense. One could also view Vesania as a prototype for the Spanish band October Equus. Sure, I'm namedropping here, but if you know these bands of which I speak, then you'll want to know Vesania too. Otherwise work backwards through the review. Everyone goes home happy...

Personal collection
CD: 1999 Record Runner

Crime in Choir - The Hoop. 2004 USA-California

San Francisco's Crime in Choir are like a number of bands to appear in the second millennial landscape. The music is exceptional, and the audience for it at the time was nil or fleeting. Especially here in America where creativity was at a high, but the data to find such gems was hard to filter. I only knew of the band because they wrote me directly to review their 3rd album Trumpery Metier, which impressed me on impact (2006). So a little exploration had me going back one album further, which would be The Hoop. This was many years ago that I bought the CD, probably for all of $2 on ebay or something similar. A quick look around suggests that a similar experience awaits the buyer.

As I arrive on RYM's entry, I see math rock as the genre. Crime in Choir is math rock in the same sense as an instrumental Soft Machine and Egg are. Don Caballero, Crime in Choir is not. And thus lies the problem with our modern situation. I can certainly understand the assertion (perhaps the band themselves made it for all I know), but for those of us raised in a different generation, instrumental progressive rock is what we would have thought on first listen. And so had it been marketed to such an audience, the end result would have probably been the same from a financial perspective. And totally different from an artistic one.

The music found on The Hoop is highly melodic, and keyboard driven. Even space rockish at times. No, Crime in Choir are not Canterbury, and they are certainly modern. And yet my comparisons hold. And my grade of 4 stars stands. So if you're a prog rock guy or gal, then perhaps the next $3 you spend could go to giving this one a whirl. Not much to lose, now is there?

Ownership: CD: 2004 Frenetic

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

Mammoth Volume - A Single Book of Songs. 2001 Sweden

As a rule I don't have much appreciation for the "stoner" genre. I appreciate the sounds, but after awhile, the premise becomes worn out and boredom ensues. Those vocals and those fuzz guitar sounds. Sometimes I'll hear about a "progressive stoner album", which is some type of oxymoron I believe. A Single Book of Songs is a progressive stoner album. It does exist after all. And the organ sounds are straight out of an American 60s garage. Flute and bells? This is one strange album, that's for sure. Not strange in the NWW list kind of strange, mind you.

I bought this CD not long after it was released, since it was advertised as a "progressive stoner band". Gullible as always, I bit. 15+ years later it's time to sell it right? I like it better now than then. Hmmm.

Ownership: CD: 2001 The Music Cartel. Comes in a cardboard digi-pak with recording details. Hasn't been released on vinyl to date.

5/3/17 (new entry)

Shades of Dawn ~ Germany

The Dawn of Time (1998)

Throughout the 90s and 00s, there were quite a few German bands operating in the UK neo prog styled genre. Most of them didn't capture my ear. Shades of Dawn is definitely in the upper tier of that set of groups, primarily due to the exceptional instrumental work, that captures the very best of bands like IQ and Lahost. They also remind me quite a bit of fellow countrymen Tea in the Sahara. And the synthesizer and guitar work do recall the German late 70s heyday of bands like Ivory, ML Bongers Project, Anyone's Daughter, and Amenophis. As is often the case with bands from Germany performing in this style, the vocals are quite suspect, and they would have been better served to sing in either their native tongue, or found someone more suitable for the task. And during some of the song sections, the music is nothing more than a backdrop for the lyric. This isn't their strong suit, so they probably should have tried harder to obfuscate it. Ah well, not to end on a sour note, as fortunately the instrumental work dominates here. Interesting to note that this album didn't score well on ProgArchives, demonstrating a completely different view of the neo prog genre than myself.

As an aside, the Early Birds label is actually Second Battle. I had completely forgotten that they had taken an interest in contemporary music, only thinking of them in a reissue capacity. Shades of Dawn were to move to Musea, a label much more associated with this kind of music. Oh cool, looks like I have another one from this band in the stack! 

Ownership: 1998 Early Birds / Second Battle (CD). Acquired in 2017.

5/13/17 (review)

Also own: From Dusk Till Dawn

5/13/17 (new entry)

Amos Key - First Key. 1973 Germany

Amos Key, from Munich, are a high energy classically based organ driven progressive rock trio like Trace, ELP, Trikolon, and a host of Italian bands who were similarly influenced. I keep expecting Long Hair to ultimately reissue this LP*, especially considering they've already issued a fantastic archival album from the same era (Keynotes: The Lost Tapes SWF Session 1973). This is bread and butter progressive rock, which gives you the nutrients needed, without any sinful decadence (a little of that would have been nice actually...)

Personal Collection
LP: 1973 Spiegelei

The original LP comes in a fine gatefold with a cartoon and band photos in the inner part.

*And indeed they did! As I write this, I have yet to pick up the CD.

UHF ~ USA ~ Miami, Florida

Timeless Voyager (1981)

There's an obscure Chicago band called The Seiche (that recently has been reissued). When listening to UHF, I was reminded of The Seiche. At its core, both bands are heavily influenced by late 70s Rush, minus the epic aspirations. More of a streamlined approach, similar to how Rush would emerge themselves, but with a rawer edge that is to be expected on a private production. But Miami, Florida based UHF take it one step further by adding a bit of a metal component. There's a certain riffing style that identifies it as such, though it doesn't fit comfortably into what is generally known as heavy metal - even for the early date. In fact, it wouldn't be a reach to compare UHF to Manilla Road at this 1981 stage (again, minus the more grandiose compositions and themes). And it's not just hard rock and metal, but a very strong progressive component can be found, with unusual meter breaks, and well placed keyboards. 

Ownership: 1981 Rofer (LP)

No reissues exist as of 2/22/25.

7/29/10 (review); 5/11/17 (new entry)

Ache - Green Man. 1971 Denmark

I've never really been able to ever pen notes for this one. Not sure why, as it's just such a great example of the 1971 landscape. Heavy organ and guitar, definitely progressive, but with a harder edge. Shorter songs than the debut, but actually a better album with stronger compositions, and more ideas per minute. Well... those are my notes I guess. Anyway, no-brainer buy item for fans of the 1971 progressive rock sound.

Ownership: LP: 1971 Philips (Germany); CD: 2000 Philips (w/De Homine Urbano). The original comes in a fine gatefold. I bought mine (or traded for it) sometime in the late 90s. The 2-fer CD has unique liner notes and good sound, straight from the masters.

Sub - In Concert. 1971 Germany

In a nutshell, Sub is a Krautrock version of Deep Purple. Which works real well for me, especially these days as 70s hard rock is really resonating. Long tracks with intense solos, but with that Germanic vibe not present with Lord and Blackmore. It's not a live concert, though it plays like one, and perhaps that's why they went forward with the idea. For this kind of album, Sub is top of the class.

Personal collection
CD: 1994 Penner
LP: 2012 Garden of Delights

Original LPs on Help (Italy) are very rare. My first copy was the reissue LP (2012 Garden of Delights), but I recently sourced the CD. Since it's the same in every way, I decided to cut the one that occupied the most space.

Herbe Rouge - s/t. 1978 France

Herbe Rouge's sole album is very much a "French" album (despite much of it being sung in forced English - bizarre). At its best one can hear the Canterbury sounds of Moving Gelatine Plates, but there's also the somewhat goofy circus cabaret of Komintern to contemplate. Throw in bits of Le Grande Nebuleux and Ma Banlieue Flasque and you're pretty much there. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then... why are you reading this? Well I guess you could be lost looking for another band named Herbe Rouge. Is there another band named Herbe Rouge? Questions...

Personal collection
CD: 1995 Legend

Be sure to pick up this CD on Legend, that has no less than 12 bonus tracks - all quite relevant to the actual LP. The CD took me some time to secure as its fallen long OOP and is hard to source.

Real Ax Band - Nichtstehenbleiben / Move Your Ass in Time. 1977 Germany

Real Ax Band were one of many Embryo offshoots to appear in the late 1970s, and were active in the German festival scene of the time. They took the Bad Heads and Bad Cats jazz rock fusion sound to the next level. Featuring Maria Archer, a soul singer from Ghana with a beautiful voice (and was with Embryo as well), along with funky electric guitars and a driving rhythm. There's an edge to all of these songs that would be likely missing on an American album from this time. A very fine album not to be missed. And if you're fan of late 70's Embryo, Missus Beastly, Munju, Moira, et al, then this becomes an essential pickup.

Ownership: LP: 1977 April; CD: 2001 Funfundvierzig. The vinyl comes in a fine gatefold, and was originally picked up online in the late 90s. The CD is superb with one translated German article from 1978 and a new essay for the reissue. Many photos as well. No bonus tracks though.

Ere G - Au-Dela des Ombres. 2002 Canada-Quebec

Ere G's sole work is quite simply a well researched retro Quebecois styled prog album. Acoustic guitars, fluffy French vocals (well, they are fluffy), mellotron (lots of this), acid leads, Moog (lots of this too), flutes.... and most importantly gorgeous melodies. One tends to forget this component in these modern analytical times. Harmonium is probably the main influence here (think Les Cinq Saisons). Also elements of Et Cetera, Pollen, Morse Code, Opus 5 (note cover), plus Ange from the mother country (note title). There are many albums that attempt this sound, and fall flat. This one is special. The ingredients are darn near perfect, but the special touches this one has are remarkable for a debut acting in a pure retro capacity.

Personal collection
CD: 2002 Ipso Facto

Friendship Time - s/t. 1976 Sweden (archival)

Holy Moly, these are the kind of unreleased recordings collectors live for. A full blown professional recording that was slated for release on Virgin (I mean Virgin? That's BIG time for a rural Swedish group). Reminded me of the day that the Norwegian post-Host group Deja-Vu was discovered in the mid 90s. Friendship Time play an English inspired brand of progressive rock, not necessarily the big 3, but a cousin of that: Flash. I always felt Flash were highly neglected, perhaps not meeting the lofty standards of the mothership band - nor the keyboard heavy approach. There's also a distinct Swedish rock sound found here, notably Trettioariga Kriget (especially at the time of the second album) and the laissez-faire melodicism of the first Lotus album. Beautiful digipak release with histories and photos. No brainer pick up for Euro progressive rock heads (like me).

CD: 2007 Mellotronen

Circus. 1969 England

Most famous for featuring Mel Collins on flute and sax, later of King Crimson. For what this is, it's outstanding. Jazzy progressive instrumental work, with fantastic musicianship and great tones. But, and it's a big but, most of the material are cover tunes. Some are more recognizable than others, and pretty much feature extended, improvised, and original jams on most tracks. So, as I said, about as good as it can get for the limited style.

Former ownership: CD: 2005 Arcangelo (Japan). Papersleeve edition.

My first copy was the Get Back LP reissue.

2000 (first listen); 5/11/17 (review / new entry); 2/18/24