News: Garden of Delights latest releases

This batch includes the rare second album by Radio Noisz Ensemble, originally released only as a cassette. Also another archival Guru Guru release, this time a Wiesbaden concert from 1973 (they previously issued one from 1972). And finally, a another reissue of Embryo's "Surfin'", first done by Disconforme over 10 years ago and long out of print.

"The Radio Noisz Ensemble, successor of the folk group Emma Myldenberger, came from the Weinheim an der Bergstrasse area and released its only LP, 'Yniverze' (Ubu Muziek UMS 01), in 1982. It was compared to works of the Third Ear Band, Between, and Tri Atma. 'Odiszee-Parck'(Ubu Muziek UMS 03), appearing only as a small cassette edition, followed in 1983. The music on this album is of a significantly freer style, more unwieldy and harder to digest than its predecessor; less meditative. The CD was drawn from the master tape. The cover motif is the same as the one used for the cassette, the only difference being its coloured design - like the concert poster of a quite similar make - instead of black and white. Once again the oboe is the leading instrument, and also the remaining instrumentation, featuring English horn, zither, double-bass, violin, flutes, etc. is quite unusual."

"Guru Guru played in the Wartburg, a Wiesbaden hall, on September 17th, 1973. It was one of the gigs recorded by Xhol (Caravan) acquaintance Muck Krieger. His recording equipment was then state-of-the-art: an Uher tape recorder CR 124 and two Revox microphones for the stereo sound, the equipment he had used the year before (CD 'Wiesbaden 1972'). The result has turned out satisfactory, although the occasional singing sounds slightly thready and reverberant. That is partly due, however, to the live sound reproduction during the gig. With its 37 minutes, 'Ooga Booga' leaves a lot of space for free improvisation. 'Round Dance' and ;Das Zwickmaschinchen' are from their fifth LP, 'Don't Call Us', which had just been recorded at that time. Thus, Muck Krieger's supply of Guru Guru material has been exhausted. "

Niagara, Germany ***REISSUED***

***Reissued by Made in Germany Music Jun 2010 (all three albums)

S.U.B. 1972 United Artists

Founded by drummer and percussionist Klaus Weiss (see also Sunbirds), Niagara released three albums, two of which are entirely percussive, and thus out of the scope of this list. The exception is the middle album S.U.B., a jamming rock fusion session with an all star cast including Daniel Fichelscher (Popol Vuh), Kristian Schultze (Passport, and leader of the Recreation album), and Udo Lindenberg among a handful of others. The presence of trumpet and the bass heavy percussive driven sound reminds me of early 70's Miles Davis. 

Priority: 3

4/8/10 (new entry); 6/12/10 (complete)

News: Niagara CDs coming out on Made in Germany Music!

Suddenly we have quite a bit of news to report. Made in Germany Music (aka Fresh Fruit) is the label taking on the "La Vie Electronique" Klaus Schulze series (Vol. 5 & 6) as well as some of the recent Grobschnitt collectives. It appears they may have inherited some of the SPV Revisited line.

They are reissuing the entire Niagara catalog in one 3 CD set. That's good news for hardcore fans, though not preferable for me, as the first and last albums are percussion only, whereas the second album "S.U.B" is a fusion classic.

We've already featured the album here. Now if only Garden of Delights, or now perhaps MIG Music, will release the two Sunbirds albums, Klaus Weisse's greatest musical achievements!

News: Nosferatu to be reissued by Long Hair

I don't typically announce albums that have already been legitimately reissued, which is one reason these pages aren't filled to the top with the latest Esoteric reissues, even though I adore the label.

However, I do like to call out new reissues of albums I really enjoy, and the original CD was legit, but not very interesting otherwise.

And Nosferatu is absolutely one of my favorite non-cosmic/experimental German rock albums from 1970. I've already featured them on my Unencumbered Music Reviews site, and it's interesting that I made this note: "Ohrwaschl was one of the original reissue labels of the early 90s. They broke in by reissuing most of the Kuckuk label, and progressed from there. All are unfortunately straight reissues with no info, bonus tracks, etc... But the sound is great. No complaints, but all of these could certainly use an upgrade.". And here it is!

It doesn't look like it will have bonus tracks, which is a pity, but it does feature unique liner notes written by the band and some photos. And I'm certain a wonderful sound.

Sensations' Fix / Franco Falsini, Italy ***REISSUED***

**All of these are now available as part of 6 CD sets (Vol. 1- Vol. 6) of various Italian progressive rock albums. Not ideal, but technically they've been reissued

Sensations Fix. 1974 Polydor
Portable Madness. 1975 Polydor
Finest Finger. 1976 Polydor
Boxes Paradise. 1977 Polydor

Franco Falsini - Cold Nose. 1975 Polydor

Moved to UMR

Priority: 1

8/5/09 (new entry); 6/11/10 (complete)

News: Next two batches of Italian box sets (Vol. 5 and Vol. 6)

Last year, we covered the first two box sets coming out of Italy. The primary interest was the first time reissues of Sensations Fix "Portable Madness" and "Finest Finger". These boxes have been widely panned by the progressive rock buying community, for the poor mastering job: heavily compressed and very loud. I bought them both anyway, and I have no issues with the sound. I own the original vinyl of almost all of these albums (at least of the first two boxes), and many of them just aren't that great to begin with, and I have mintish copies in most cases. It's a subjective argument of course, and I tend to stay out of the discussion, because I'm sure technically those that are complaining have a good point. I didn't even bother to listen to the Jumbo's, Latte E Miele's etc, because I already own them on CD and I had no intention of selling them. I bought them for the Sensations Fix, and I was pleased (though I would have chosen they were issued separately).

I didn't report Box 3 or 4, as nothing of interest really caught my eye.

Thanks to a tip from reader Mike, Volumes 5 and 6 are coming out on June 24. Volume 5 has a bunch of obscurities that we've reported here (and I need to update). But the real gem here is Volume 6, that has the rare first Sensations Fix as well as Franco Falsini's "Cold Nose". I will be certain to buy that volume.

Progressive Italia Gli Anni '70 Vol. 5 (6CD) - available from June 24

CLAUDIO PASCOLI – NAIFUNK
MAURIZIO ARCIERI – TRASPARENZE
SENSATIONS’ FIX – FLYING TAPES
CLAUDIO DENTES – PANTAREI
MAURO PELOSI – IL SIGNORE DEI GATTI
MADRUGADA ‐ INCASTRO
Digital remastered sound!

Progressive Italia Gli Anni '70 Vol. 6 (6CD) - available from June 24

FRANCO FALSINI – COLD NOSE
MAURIZIO FABRIZIO – MOVIMENTI NEL CIELO
PANGEA – INVASORI
CARLO SILIOTTO ‐ ONDINA
PUEBLO – PUEBLO
SENSATIONS’ FIX – SENSATIONS’ FIX

Claudio Dentes, Italy ***REISSUED***

Pantarei. 1978 Mirto

***This album is part of Vol. 5 of Universal's Italian Progressive Rock Box sets Jun 2010

Generally solo artists from Italy during this era were singer-songwriter focused, but Dentes is primarily a multi-instrumentalist, and he puts his talent towards creating a strong instrumental work (though there are some sparse vocals). At times, Pantarei reaches the space rock heights of Franco Falsini's Cold Nose. I'm most reminded of this when I hear the electric guitar, which is super compressed and fuzzed out. While certainly not an Italian prog rock classic, Dentes' album is not one to overlook and is worth seeking out for a listen or two.

Priority: none

6/9/09 (new entry); 6/11/10 (complete)

News: Gunter Schickert's "Samtvogel" to be reissued soon?

In what has otherwise been a real slow year for reissue news, it was great to see this comment from reader Achim in my last posting for the Francisco album. Schickert's "Samtvogel" is one of the last of the "biggees" to yet see a CD reissue. Important Records is the chosen label for the CD (Wah Wah for LP). Important doesn't usually get involved with reissues, and there isn't any details on their website (nor Wah Wah's), but since the gentleman behind the band Holy Sons is directly involved, I'm excited to see this news!

More info here and here