Iliad, USA-California

Distances. 1976 Northern Lights

Lead by keyboardist Sandy Owen, Los Angeles based Iliad present a fairly mellow and relaxed symphonic progressive album. At times the tranquil piano and flute give off a proto New Age feel. Features a couple of rockin' rave-ups, as well as an extended jazzy improvisation on the familiar Beatles chestnut Norwegian Wood. The mixed classical-progressive-jazz-new age style recalls Minnesota's Sailor (1974) in many places. Two groups from completely different regions drawing a somewhat similar musical conclusion.

Sapphire House. 1978 Northern Lights

A stunningly beautiful album. I've already written about the debut Distances, but Sapphire House takes everything to a new level. Piano remains the primary instrument, and the music is a mix of deep grooves, high flying jazz fusion, and melancholic atmospheric numbers with oboe and wordless female vocals. 'Beyond the North Wind' is a jaw dropper - a sixth dimension type of composition that will leave you speechless in wake of its beauty. This is an album still awaiting its discovery and audience. There's enough breaks and grooves here, that even the DJ crowd would find plenty to latch onto.

Priority: 1 (for Sapphire House)

2/22/15 (new entry); 11/8/16; 12/29/24

Rayuela, Argentina ***REISSUED***

Rayuela. 1977 Orfeo

***Reissued by Fonocal, Dec 2024

Moved to UMR

Priority: 1

3/16/14 (new entry); 12/10/24 (complete)

Formas, Spain ***REISSUED***

Largos Suenos. 1981 Surcosur

***Reissued by 5 Lunas Producciones Dec 2024

Formas also has two cassettes I haven't heard to date.

One of the many Rock Andaluz albums from Spain during the late 70s and early 80s, which Triana had popularized to great success starting in 1975. It can be argued that Formas isn't progressive rock at all, but rather straight up Flamenco rock, with short, compact tunes. The irregular rhythms, hand claps, synthesizer,s and Arabian voices add an exotic flair, and I personally find this style of music highly appealing. This is a second tier work for the style, but a good one all the same, and it's too bad the album missed the first wave of CD reissues coming out of Spain in the 1990s. As with most Spanish albums, it features fetching art work.

Priority: 2

3/18/11 (new entry); 12/7/24 (complete)