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The CD Reissue Wish List blog has been discontinued as of October 2015, as it had served its initial purpose.

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Friday, December 31, 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Skyeros, USA


Skyeros - s/t. 1975 private.

Skyeros reminds me a lot of another band we featured a few days ago - Luna Sea. Both are from the Midwest, and pretty much play in a straightforward rock style with a rural tinge. But whereas Luna Sea dedicated all of Side 2 to their more progressive ambitions, Skyeros waited until the final lengthy track, and even at that, it's marginally progressive. A few changes here and there, but it's pretty conservative. Some nice organ and guitar work can be found on this track. Doesn't really fit the "Midwest progressive" sound that we feature quite a bit here. This one is more rock / AOR oriented. It's a very rare and sought after album, so worth a daily entry for that at least.

The origin of the band is unknown, though one ebay auction states it's from the state of Missouri (since confirmed to be from Farmington, MO). This album came in courtesy of Heavyrock's collection, and from that we learn the album was recorded at Golden Voice Studios, which is in Pekin, Illinois (near Peoria). The studio is not a stranger to fans of the Midwest progressive crowd, as its where Pentwater, Starcastle (first album) and Styx (Man of Miracles) laid down their recordings. St. Louis based rock group Head East also recorded there.

Priority: none

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Cosmic Eye, England


Cosmic Eye - Dream Sequence. 1972 Regal Zonophone

moved to UMR

Priority: 3

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Collective Star, USA



The Collective Star - Music of the Mantric Wave, Part II. 1974 Unaminous Anonymous
The Collective Star - Garuda. 1975 Unaminous Anonymous

moved to UMR

Priority: 3

Monday, December 27, 2010

Zadri & Mo, France



Zadri & Mo - Erebus. 1982 Polydor.

Zadri & Mo, despite looking like the bad guys in a Luc Besson film, have created quite an exquisite analog electronic album before the market became saturated with third rate amateur done-in-the-bedroom digital variations. Not only is there a duo on keys and sequencers (and that extra person definitely adds to the creativity), they also brought along Heldon's drummer François Auger for the ride. And he adds an urgency to the proceedings, just as he did for Richard Pinhas. Erebus continually changes in a progressive rock sort of way, never settling too long on any one sequence. Real drums in an electronic setting has always been appealing to me, and there aren't that many examples. So file this along with Klaus Schulze's "Moondawn", Klaus Krüger era Tangerine Dream/Edgar Froese, You's "Electric Day" and Wolfgang Bock's "Cycles". Or imagine Zanov with another synthesist and analog drums. Despite the listing of a guitar player, he unfortunately doesn't make his presence felt. A rave up ala Pinhas would've put me under for good I think...

Thanks again to the Alaskan Connection for this one.

Priority: 2

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Tangle Edge, Norway





xxx Tangle Edge - Improvised Drop Outs. 1983 Mushroom (cassette). 1990 Auricle (UK cassette). *** Reissued by the band as "Dropouts" (2010) and featured on the UMR.
Tangle Edge - Radio Stroganoff. 1986 Mushroom (cassette).
Tangle Edge - Live in the Presence of Aphrodite. 1986 Mushroom (cassette).

Radio Stroganoff shows a remarkable progression from Improvised Drop Outs. This transformation would ultimately lead to the brilliant In Search of a New Dawn. In fact, many of these songs ended up on that album with different arrangements. There's a little less than 30 minutes of music here, considering that the last piece is a radio interview in Norwegian, which will obviously have limited appeal. But being the archivists Tangle Edge are, I'm sure they can find enough quality material to fill a full CD including this whole album. Just consider the void of released material from 1984-1988, save 1986. Or the time from 1998-2005.

Live in the Presence of Aphrodite is probably the most stripped down recording from the band. It's more like an instrumental Hendrix or Cream, which is a good thing in my book. And then, in fact, they do cover Hendrix on the second side. This is the one and only place you'll hear vocals on a Tangle Edge album, and both the music and the vocals are in the early 70s blues rock style. Perhaps fortunate for us that Tangle Edge abandoned this style quickly after. Not their best release.

Priority: 2 (on the strength of Radio Stroganoff)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Getriebe, Germany



Getriebe - Syncron. 1975 Pauer (EP)

Moved to UMR

Priority: 2

Friday, December 24, 2010

Luna Sea, USA



Luna Sea - s/t. 1976 Luna Tunes.

Well, this really is lunacy. About as dramatic a difference in A-side, B-side as the Eik - Speglun album.

This is a newly discovered rarity out of Nebraska, that's just starting to make the rounds. Interesting to note that Queen used the exact painting on their 1991 "Innuendo" album, except in color (thanks Waxidermy for that info!).

This is another rarity sent in from The Alaskan Connection. I thought he did a magnificent job at describing the album, so take it away AC:

"It's the lone private press LP by an almost totally unknown US band named Luna Sea. They were from Blair, Nebraska of all places, but the album was recorded in Iowa. The first side is going to really test your willpower, as it's just straight radio-rock a la the Eagles, so you'll just have to "man-up" and slog through it. There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, though, because side 2 is totally different. Suddenly the synths appear, and things start getting a lot more interesting. It starts out in a still fairly accessible style, but things get proggier literally by the minute, until the last track "Rousing The Ghost", which is a fantastic piece of instrumental symphonic prog with great guitar, keys, and even a little flute. Oh, and be sure to stay tuned for the unlisted (and totally stupid) outro! A completely schizophrenic album, but even the band seemed to know this as they named the first side the "Light Side" and the second side the "Dark Side"! Hard to tell what they were really trying to accomplish here. But, such is the nature of the US underground. One part confusion and one part inspiration. I guess that's kind of the charm! In any case, this thing is seriously rare. It only first emerged onto the collector scene within the last year or two, and since it was first discovered only like two or three copies have popped up."
Thanks AC!

So true on the question "what are they trying to do here?". It was very typical for bands in the 1970's to try for a radio hit while mixing in their progressive rock ambitions. That strategy never did work.

One of those bands you just hope has more on tape somewhere, to make for a truly great album. The last track is brilliant but Side 1 is indeed dreadful...

Be sure to read insights from friends of the band in the comments section!

Priority: none (way higher if they have unreleased material like Side 2)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Genre, USA



Genre - Commercial Success. 1978 Black Gold.

Now here's one that was buried deep in my LP collection. I first discovered this one while on a record buying trip in 1992 to Albuquerque with my old buddy Jeff. At one store there was a pile of sealed local albums, almost all of them pop or country. But this fusion album looked like it was worth taking a chance on - so we did. One reason is that we were both looking for the hard rock Message "It'll Be Awhile" album (also on Black Gold) that Jeff had received a tip on (we later found one at a different store). Neither of us regretted the choice on picking up the Genre album.

Lead by the guitarist - a slightly chunky black dude with a cool fro - named L.A. Jenkins, Genre play a fairly typical late 70's fusion with toned down guitar leads and Rhodes piano as the lead instruments. While Side 1 isn't particularly noteworthy, Side 2 opens with the excellent 'All Mixed Up' where Jenkins lets loose with a more psychedelic tone to the guitar. And this continues throughout the side, though the standard fusion motif is never strayed from too far.

Features a cool textured cover. Not the greatest fusion album ever, but I have fond memories of it. And I think many of you would enjoy - especially the fusion heads out there.

Priority: 3

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Akropolis, Denmark


Akropolis - Half A Million Hours Symphony. 1979 Circle.

What says PROG like that cover, eh? The dude in the white overalls gives me nightmares. Was he auditioning for The Village People before the photo shoot?

This is one that Midwest Mike sent in, but I put it off thinking perhaps he lost his mind. He swore it was much better than it looked. And, as usual, he was right.

In fact, while listening to it, I began to question if Denmark had cities named Toledo, Detroit, Kansas City, Columbus and Ft.Wayne. Blindfold me, tell me nothing else, and I say 1978 Midwest progressive rock. You know, it's just got that sound. The one where St. Louis college aged students, who've been drinking a case of Falstaff and listening to KSHE past midnight - decide to start a band. One of those albums that makes no sense, but it's really good for fans of American progressive rock. Seriously, file next to Albatross, Ethos and Surprise.

If someone does the reissue, one would hope for a redesigned album cover. I'm sure there is a story behind it. At least I HOPE there is a story behind it. Otherwise...

Priority: 2

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Train, Germany



Train - Coo-Coo Out. 1977 private.

German band Train puts the jazz in jazz fusion. Mostly this is sax and toned down guitar driven jazz rock. But there's also some acoustic guitar pieces, and the opener 'Solution' is pure funk. The best track is saved for last, a slow atmospheric exotic percussive Middle Eastern piece with flute as the lead, appropriately enough titled 'Arabesque'.

Recommended to fans of the jazzier side of the large German fusion scene.

Train is another rarity sent in from The Alaskan Connection.

Priority: none

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Working Progress, France





Working Progress - s/t. 1976 RCA.

As mentioned yesterday, we have a new patron of the CDRWL - The Alaskan Connection (no, it's not Sarah Palin). And here's his first submission. I wasn't familiar with it prior, not even on one of my many esoteric want lists. And of course guess who's involved? None other than Mr. Obscuria himself - J.P. Massiera.

This one starts off in the funky fusion style, but it's a head fake, something you can almost predict with Mr. Massiera. Within the album you'll find sweetly sung soft female vocals ala Cortex, indigenous islander music, a little Zeuhlish horns - flute and vocal piece, and even some straight jazz. For certain, all of that is fine and dandy, but it doesn't prepare you for the middle of the album with the lengthy West Indies tribal percussion and underground fuzz guitar soloing. This sequence elevates the album to a must listen experience, even it's not entirely consistent.

Priority: 3

Saturday, December 18, 2010

News: Surgery's "Übermorgen" released on Garden of Delights!


Last week we reported on the Sündenfall II reissue. Now we get word that they will also reissue Surgery's "Übermorgen", one of our Priority 3's! It's been on GoD's Coming Soon list for a couple of years, so I'm glad to see it come to fruition.

This is an album that I first heard courtesy of Midwest Mike, sometime in 2007 or so. And we recently featured the album here on the blog.

Amos Key, Germany ***REISSUED***


Amos Key - First Key. 1973 Aamok / Spiegelei

*** Reissued by Long Hair 2016

Moved to UMR

Friday, December 17, 2010

News: Tangle Edge releases archival "Dropouts"




I saw this a couple of weeks ago, but I wasn't quite sure what it was. Now I've come to find out it's a 3LP / 2CD set of recordings the band did from 1982 and 1983.

While I haven't found any conclusive data to support this, I'm suspecting this is a reissue of their first 1983 cassette "Improvised Drop Outs" (on Mushroom originally, later reissued in 1990 (also on cassette) by Ultima Thule's Aurical label), but with considerably more bonus tracks. Or the remainder of the sessions I suspect.

All the tracks on Improvised Drop Outs are also on Dropouts, but I'm not sure if they're the same versions or not. I have been wanting to hear the Improvised Drop Outs tape for a long time. So it appears I'll have that chance.

More data here and here

That leaves two further cassettes still left to be reissued, both from 1986: "In The Presence of Aphrodite" and "Radio Stroganoff". I haven't heard these either. But I'm a big fan of all their LPs and CDs released starting in 1989 with "In Search of A New Dawn".

BTW, be sure to head over to Wayside or The Laser's Edge, as both are running a fantastic sale on the first two Tangle Edge CDs. Both are excellent albums in the psychedelic space rock field.

The Albert, USA



The Albert - s/t. 1970 Perception (plp 4)
The Albert - s/t. 1970 Perception (plp 9)

The Albert PLP 4 moved to UMR

PLP 9 is very similar. I plan on relistening to it one more time, and will update UMR then.

Priority: none

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Grasland, Germany


Grasland - Echt Null! 1981 Torpedo.

Well, after 3 days of some pretty exciting stuff, we're back to the more mundane rarities. This was another one out of Heavyrock's collection, that I'd been looking for a copy for some time. And while I'm not assigning it a priority, I thought it was good enough for a separate entry.

I was a bit surprised at the heaviness of the first track, almost a proto metal sound permeates. There are other times further in where the guitar is grungier than you would expect. Overall, I'd say it's like a harder edged Rousseau, around the time of "Retreat" (but minus the flute), mixed with some straightforward rock with German vocals. This latter element made me think of late 70s Novalis. Overall a pretty decent album, and worth seeking for a couple of listens.

Priority: none

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Profil, Germany


Profil - For You. 1982 Brutkasten.

I've felt like an urban Indiana Jones here the last two days, digging through the lost underground of the Japanese scene. I hope to have more to report on, as the archaeological dig is on! In the meantime, here's another gem from Heavyrock's collection, and it's no less relevant.

We've posted on the Brutkasten label before. It's the original German DIY label, like France's FLVM. So there's really no consistency to what's on it - a true grab bag of styles. After listening to Profil for the first time on Saturday, I'd say it's in the top 4 albums I've heard on the label to date, along with Sirius' "Running to Paradise", Gebärväterli's "Im Tal der Emmen" and the label's most famous underground album - Carol of Harvest (and the only one of these to be released legit on CD).

Profil can be simply described as instrumental rock driven by guitar and synthesizer. But what I found fascinating was how expressive the guitarist is, and the choice times when the synthesizer would lay down a fat solo. And the tracks seem to extend longer than usual, but with an irregular rhythm giving off a trance like effect. There's little variation of this sound, save a couple of tracks, including one funky bit. I've been trying to think of a comparison for 3 days now. About the best I can come up with is the debut of Flaming Bess ("Tanz Der Gotter") minus the narration parts of course. You know how that album just keeps driving forward, with guitar solo after guitar solo. It's kind of like that. Despite the rather simplistic and generic description, Profil's album is somewhat unique in this space. I really enjoyed it myself and would love an opportunity to hear it as a remastered CD. A perfect fit for Garden of Delights.

Priority: 2

There's another Profil album from Germany, also strangely from 1982, but I'm pretty certain it's a different group (and supposedly not very good either).

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Rock Joint Biwa (Furukotofumi), Japan *** REISSUED ***




Rock Joint Biwa - Kumikyoku: Furukotofumi. 1972 RCA Victor 4-Channel "QuadraDisc" (R4J-7015)

*** Reissued by Sony Japan, May 2011 ***

Moved to UMR

Priority: 2

Monday, December 13, 2010

Toshiaki Yokota and Genshi Kyodotai, Japan *** REISSUED ***


Toshiaki Yokota and Genshi Kyodotai - s/t. 1971 Toshiba

*** Reissued by Think, October 2011 ***

Moved to UMR

Priority: 1

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Gian Piero Pramaggiore, Italy


Thanks to Augusto from the Italian Prog website as he found some data on the internet for me!

It's not the best photo, but it's a start. And we have the label now.

This is Part 2 of our Rare Italian records request. See the First Born entry for more detail.

We already had more data on Gian Piero Pramaggiore than on First Born. At least we know who he is! What we do know is that Pramaggiore shows up as a contributor on some of Don Cherry's mid 70's Italian concerts on guitar, flute and voice, where he is known as Jaya Deva (and he's a music teacher).

Gian Piero Pramaggiore - Chan. 1981 Mama Barley.

On "Chan", the music features primarily acoustic guitar, soprano sax and a variety of flutes in a rock setting along with some wordless voice. Definitely a variation on the post 70s jazz fusion display. A good album, with a high energy level. It appears that Pramaggiore is currently active in conducting music workshops.

Here are the track titles:

Entrando nel Mundo
Una Ruota Brilla nel Cielo
Frammenti
Farfalle fra le Betulle
Chan
All'Angolo
Canto per un Piccolo Fratello

Priority: 3

Thanks Augusto!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Rino De Filippi (Awake), Italy


For the last couple of weeks, we've featured a few items that were recently sent to me from "Midwest Mike" (Ada le Fol, Metronic Underground, SREL, CdL, Earthstar, Heavy Joker - as well as other items you'll find in the main list like Jigsaw - Puzzle and Röda Ropet - Spänn Bågen). And he's sent me many more items over the years, to which I'm forever grateful. A few years ago he sent me two albums that neither of us can find anything on the Internet about. He once owned them on LP, so there's no doubt of their authenticity. He transferred them to cassette over 20 years ago, made note of the track titles, sold them, and that's where we stand.

Both are from Italy. Neither are mentioned in Augusto Croce's excellent Italian Prog website. Or anywhere for that matter.

(update) And, once again, Augusto Croce comes through. He found some wonderful information on Popsike via an old auction. I looked there myself, but missed it! And I was right - it sure enough is a film library album. The artist is Rino de Filippi, going by what appears to the name of Awake. I can't tell by the front cover, but Augusto tells us: "The author is Rino De Filippi, a library music composer using the nickname Awake in this case. The album was relased on Smash, a minor label that also issued the rare album by I Boom."

Rino de Filippi (Awake) - First Born. 1972 Smash.

To me this sounds like an Italian film library album, for which there are dozens. It has that cool 60's jet-set jazz funk feel - music for the martini drinking James Bond crowd. The thing is, many of these library albums went by different titles and artist names.

Here are the track titles:

Ivory
Green Road
To Carla
Gipsy
Blue Lagoon
Sinai
Jumping
To Venice
Spring
To Rumble

Priority: none

Thanks to Augusto for this fantastic info!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Ada le Fol, France


Ada le Fol - Les Années d'Errance. 1980 Velia Disques

moved to UMR

Priority: 2

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

News: Transubstans to reissue Taste of Blues


Great news here, and one that Record Heaven had announced over a year ago. I hadn't featured this one in the hopes that the reissue would come out - and here it is! I had the Garageland LP that came out in the 1990s, but it was never reissued on CD until now.

Record Heaven says: "
TASTE OF BLUES
Schizofrenia (CD)
Finally we see the re-issue of this old Swedish underground psychedelic monster. Formed around Claes Ericsson, who would later perform in ASOKA and 70's band LOTUS. The album open with the title track, which is a feast of krautockish voodoo rhytms, and flips over to more bluesy style on the 2nd side. The booklet holds a complete history of the band. Very recommended !! "

My entry from the CDORWL:

Taste of Blues - Schizofrenia (Sweden) 1969 SSR (released only in Denmark). One side is a cool free rock jam, like the best of the Krautrock and Swedish artists like International Harvester. The other side is more traditional electric blues, so the album is indeed schizophrenic. Garageland reissued it on LP in 1992.

Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language, France ***REISSUED***

Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language - Lambi. 1976 Moshe-Naim

***Reissued by the parent label prior to the CDRWL. I just didn't know about it!

Monday, December 6, 2010

News: Garden of Delights reissues Sündenfall II


Here's a big time rarity that has been on Garden of Delights Coming Soon list for awhile. I remember seeing this on ebay a few years back and fetching an enormous sum. I haven't heard it, but it definitely sounds intriguing. Should be available in the next couple of weeks.

"SUNDENFALL II from the Kevelaer area at the Lower Rhine played a mixture of folk and jazz, influenced by Jethro Tull. While their predecessors SUNDENFALL exclusively dedicated themselves to jazz, the group included folk after a change in line-up and band name (following the example of Amon Duul II). In 1972, Hubert Schmitz invited the band into his Trepitia film and sound studio in Alpen-Dorfor free recordings, as he wanted to test the newly installed equipment after a recent move into the new location. Thus the recordings were made for the album SUNDENFALL II (Trefiton HS 1017), which was released in a small edition of 200 copies at the end of 1972. Today it is sold at a price of about 500 to 1000 in mint condition. The track "Montpellier", chosen for the sampler on hand, stands out due to the distinctive trumpet play both at the beginning and at the end."

Metronic Underground, Germany


Metronic Underground - Illusion (Electronic aus Bonn). 1981 private.

Another rarity sent to me by a great friend of this site (along with others in his latest batch like Earthstar - Salterbarty Tales, Heavy Joker, Jigsaw - Puzzle, and a couple of others I'm excited to report on).

Produced by Conny Plank, this is an excellent entry into the large scale German electronic scene. Not really a Berlin School album, though some rhythmic sequencing is present, but still very much informed by late 70's Berlin based artists like Edgar Froese (especially "Ages"), Ash Ra around the time of "New Age of Earth" and Klaus Schulze circa "X". Haunting synthesizers with THAT vibe combined with lightly sprinkled fuzzed and acoustic guitars makes for an album the CDRWL recommends. Side 2 of the album shifts gears a bit and features some vocal numbers that are quite a bit different than the other contents but are strangely engaging all the same. My friend and Gnosis colleague Lev Gankine, who knows far more about obscure German albums than I do, also states on RYM that Metronic Underground reminds him of some of the modern electronic groups on the German indie scene.

Priority: 3

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Mediterráneo, Spain


Mediterráneo - Estrechas Calles De Santa Cruz. 1978 Aphrodita.

It's been years since I had heard this album. I had the LP in the early 90s, but didn't enjoy it much then, and promptly sold it (and it's always been a rare piece). Then totally forgot about it until recently. I thought it may have been reissued by now, but it doesn't appear to have been. Musically, it's a bit of a disappointment if you're looking for Spanish regional influences. In fact, some of this reminds me of the slow moving German symphonic music of the day (Shaa Khan, Albatros, Indigo, etc...). There's also an impossibly long drum solo that ruins the flow. There are some nice guitar leads in the Camel vein, though, that makes it worth a listen or two. Starting with their second album "Tabarca", the band moved into a more specific pop direction, and released 5 more albums. The group appears to still be together.

Priority: none

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Kebnekaise, Sweden ***REISSUED***




Kebnekaise - Ljus Från Afrika. 1976 Silence
Kebnekaise - Elefanten. 1977 Silence
Kebnekaise - Vi Drar Vidare. 1978 Mercury

*** Reissued by Japan Arcangelo in July 2022 *** The latter album still hasn't been reissued, but we're not so interested in that here.

Lead by guitarist Kenny Håkansson, Kebnekaise are an interesting group in that all of their 6 albums (not including the 2009 release) are very different from each other, and yet they are one of the often named bands when looking to identify a "typical progressive rock Swedish group". I know I'm guilty on that point.

Their 1971 debut is an acid blues rock affair, not too far removed from bands like Midsommar and early November. The 1973 self-titled album mixes Swedish folk music with instrumental psychedelic rock, and for me represents their best album. It's also the one I think of, in regards to my opening thoughts, when reaching for a name that represents early 70s Swedish progressive rock. 1975's "III: Innehåll" follows and is somewhat similar to the one prior, but is definitely more folk oriented. All of the above were reissued on CD by Silence back in 2001 (or prior with "II").

Light from Africa sees Kebnekaise moving from the comforts of home and trying their hand at a completely other style. This is a pioneering world music effort, pre-dating even Embryo's attempts. I'm not too keen on it myself, but one has to admire their spirit of exploration. Vi Drar Vidare was a disappointing end to their 70's career, adding in the all-too typical elements of funk and light fusion, and it mostly fell flat IMO. These last 3 albums have not been reissued. I personally would love to see Elefanten at least.

Elefanten moved to UMR

Priority: 2 (for Elefanten)