Soular System ~ France

Birth of Paradise. 1976 BASF

UMR review

Priority: 2

10/3/10 (new entry); 11/23/18 (update)

Artcane ~ France ***REISSUED***

Odyssee. 1977 Philips

***Reissued by Musea Sep 2018

UMR review

Priority: 2

9/22/09 (new entry); 8/26/18 (complete)

Jupu Group ~ Finland ***REISSUED***

Ahmoo! 1975 Hi-Hat

***Reissued by Svart Jul 2018

UMR review

Priority: 3

11/7/09 (new entry); 7/2/18 (complete)

Grasland ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

Echt Null! 1981 Torpedo

***Reissued by New Music - Green Tree 2018

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: 3

12/16/10 (new entry); 7/15/18 (complete)

Noa ~ Japan ***REISSUED***

Tri-Logic. 1987 Pam

***Reissued by Belle Antique Jun 2018

In the 1980s there were a lot of Japanese progressive bands flying well under the radar (a few examples would be Nishin, Dada, Heretic, Saisai Koubou, Orpheus, Picaresque of Bremen - and many more). Noa would have to be considered in this group of bands. Musically a strong guitar fronted fusion / King Crimson hybrid, with typical 1980s era sounding keys. I've seen one Heldon reference in researching, but I don't hear it myself. Good album and worth seeking out.

Priority: none

1/30/10; 6/20/18 (complete)

Ex Vitae ~ France ***REISSUED***

Ex Vitae. 1978 private

***Reissued by Musea, Jun 2018 No bonus tracks unfortunately

UMR review

Priority: 3

2/18/11 (new entry); 6/19/18 (complete)

Sukellusvene ~ Finland ***REISSUED***

Vesi- Ja Lintumusiikkia. 1979 Love

***Reissued by Svart, Jun 2018

UMR review

Priority: 2

11/11/09 (new entry); 6/17/18 (complete)

Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami ~ Japan ***REISSUED***

Introducing "Ponta" Murakami. 1976 Toshiba EMI

***Reissued by Universal Music Apr 2018

Starts off pretty much in the funky fusion bag, similar to many European fusion albums of the era. Plenty of funky Rhodes, clavinet, and bass. But then by the third track, Murakami goes all George Hirota, and delivers spacey electronics with indigenous Japanese percussion. Suddenly the album becomes more interesting, though unfortunately the drums become a bit too dominant. Last track brings it altogether. A good album, though not as consistent as it could have been, especially with the percussion focus being a bit strong. 

Priority: none

10/9/10 (new entry); 4/4/18 (complete)

Earthrise ~ USA ***REISSUED***

Earthrise. 1977 ArcEden

***Reissued by the band properly in Apr 2018

UMR review

Priority: 2

6/18/15 (new entry); 3/18/18 (complete)

Fondation ~ France

Sans Etiquette. 1980 Eurock (MC)
Metamorphoses. 1980 private (MC)
La Vaisseau Blanc. 1983 Tago Mago (MC)

***Compilation issued by Bureau B Jan 2018. Since none of the albums have been reissued in full, the entry stays.

Fondation were a duo made up of Ivan Coaquette (Spacecraft, Musica Elettronica Viva) on guitar and electronics and Annanka Raghel on organ and voices. For Sans Etiquette the first side contains one long, dark electronic soundscape (primarily droning organ), with haunting female voice. The other side is more rhythmic with some fine guitar. Metamorphoses is the best of the three featuring a more varied palette, and tracks closest to the Heldon / Spacecraft model (though more dynamic and interesting than Spacecraft). No less worthy, the final album features female French narration from Annanka (she has a beautiful speaking voice), with plenty of excellent guitar and electronics floating on top.

Priority: 2

***La Vaisseau Blanc reissued on LP by Tunnel Vision (2017)

8/4/10; 1/12/18