Stu Shepherd ~ Canada

Birthday Music. 1988 Editions SA du Nord

Adding this here since I really don't have anywhere else to place it. But wanted to get down a couple of thoughts for posterity. This is one of those Distributed by Wayside kind of albums that were popping up here and there in the late 80s. The music is like a jazz rock orchestrated piece. Just two side long cuts with saxophone in the lead. Shepherd plays the "Apple Macintosh computer" which is very forward looking for 1988. Think of artists such as Wittox O'Hara, Michael Gordon Philharmonic, Chris Lemon, and Famous Actors From Out Of Town. Maybe Frank Zappa's Jazz From Hell too. Sort of indescribable. The spirit of exploration is alive and well here. It's more academic than pleasurable. I think this would appeal to those who love classical music and like to branch out into rock and jazz forms.

Priority: none

7/6/26 (new entry)

The Selection ~ Germany

Pop In Action. ?? private

Pop In Action is a private press from an era (supposedly) when such things were unheard of, especially in Europe. Though careful study of the Discogs release notes makes me suspicious that it was actually released back in the day. A lot of hearsay and third party copies are referenced. The labels looks like a later 70s or 80s release to me. The recording date of late 1969 is much more believable, however. Likely an archival release, and pressed in small quantities, so no doubt it's rare regardless. Also to note that none of the musicians or producers ever turned up anywhere else. 

Musically, there are many ties to what we find here in America, albums that did get released real time. All over the place musically, with a definite psychedelic approach in tone and outlook. Once again we hear the creativity of Sgt Peppers, and what impact that album had on many young minds of the era. Frank Zappa and The Mothers also gets referenced. There's a bit of incompetence, which becomes more apparent in the folkier sections. These are traits, of course, that only add to the allure for many collectors. 

Though German, there isn't a hint of the burgeoning Krautrock movement. It completely misses the cosmic aura, and the angst of the scene. Which isn't entirely surprising when one considers the 45's released in Germany in the late 60s, mostly influenced by England and the USA.

A fun artifact, though not likely to be in anyone's favorite column. Except maybe those who prize rarity over quality.

Priority: none

Big Amongst Sheep ~ England

Striding Edge. 1980 private (MC)
Terminal Velocity. 1982 Rock Solid
Syndrome. 1983 Rock Solid (MC)

Here's a band I was familiar with way back in the day. They were sold through Lotus Records, a prog rock specialist mail order concern from England, and one of the earliest catalogs I ever received from the genre (1983 / 84 time frame). That's where I learned about bands like Haze, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Red, and many more from the UK.

Then I completely forgot about Big Amongst Sheep. I mean completely. It was only recently I saw their Terminal Velocity album being sold online, and not for very much. Oh yea, I remember them! Never did hear their albums and don't recall ever having them on a wantlist, which tells me that Lotus Records wasn't hyping them as a prog band (at the very least). I think I might have those old catalogs here somewhere, and see what they originally said.

In researching the album, the data out there is also confusing. RYM says it's Space Rock. Discogs has the LP labeled as Space Rock too. However, same website has the cdr (not CD, hence it's placement on this blog) listed as New Wave, Pop Rock, Synth-Pop, and Power Pop. Truth is, it's all the above. You won't find it in ProgArchives (and yea, it would qualify). Even with Hawkwind's Nik Turner guesting on winds (and his presence is obvious), the album remains somewhat unknown. Given the latter's presence, I'm sure that's why the Space Rock tag was applied, something of a knee jerk reaction. 

Personally I was hoping for music like the great unheralded Body Album or maybe a proto Omnia Opera. No such luck. While listening to it, one can understand why this album has fallen through the cracks. It's certainly not proggy or trippy enough to capture the space rock audience. But it's not tough or snotty enough to appeal to punkers. It lacks hooks, and they hardly are a match for the synth pop stars of the day like Duran Duran or Depeche Mode. They have no feminine tendencies whatsoever. They look like your typical smelly English pub band from the early 80s. I'm more reminded of The Clash but with synthesizers, flute, sax, and more variety.

So what do you do with this album? It's way too arty for their preferred music choice. And yet not near arty enough to crossover to a different audience. All this to say, it's not a bad album at all. I can appreciate an album that sounds unique within expected boundaries. But I can't hear who the target audience may have been. And even for today, it's easy to understand why there's been no revival. The pseudo punky-space rock-power pop album. There's a niche audience for you.

As for their two cassettes, the debut is labeled by Discogs as Experimental and Post Punk. And the latter as Space Rock. RYM abdicated their responsibility on these. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the truth is.

Priority: none

4/8/26 (new entry)

S.J.C. Powell ~ Australia

Celestial Madness. 1975 Albert Productions

Here's an album that I've had on my curiosity list for decades. I can't remember when or how I'd heard the name, but it never surfaced during the CDRWL heyday despite having it on lists sent to those who were helping me with the site. It's on Albert Productions which is most famous for pressing the original AC/DC albums. Well lookee there, someone posted it on YouTube. Let's dig in.

Stephen Joseph Christopher Powell offers up ten short form vocal tracks and one trippy interlude ('Supernova'). So the prog rock tag is definitely a misnomer here. The music belongs more to the loner folk rock genre, with copious vocals and acoustic guitar being the primary sounds. Powell's vocals are on the airy side, and there is some use of synthesizer giving it that "celestial" feel I suppose. I can certainly hear the appeal as there's a type of collector who will eat this up. Add to that the genuine rarity, and that's how albums like this become sought after worldwide. Not really my bag though.

Apparently Powell went deaf after this recording and that was essentially the end of his career. 

Priority: none

4/17/25 (new entry)

Satwa ~ Argentina

Danza de Amor. 1983 Raviol

Satwa play a type of commercial rock with period instrumentation. Very much like an American AOR band with ballads and occasional harder edged guitars (think same era Journey) but sung in Spanish. A4 draws on some Yes themes (one chord progression comes straight from 'And You and I') but is slick and very much watered down. Straightforward and rather uninteresting overall. Not neo prog, hard rock, nor jazz fusion, at least as I define those terms.   

Priority: none

11/7/23 (review); 4/13/25 (new entry)

Abakus ~ Austria

Spielzeug. 1981 Atlantis Studio Reutlingen

Not even sure how or where I ended up with this title (probably could say that about most of the albums I've jotted down). Hard rock and prog are the descriptors on Discogs. Hard rock maybe. Prog no - unless having a Hammond organ in 1981 qualifies as such. This is German sung rock, otherwise known as Deutschrock. Apparently they were from Austria. There's some interesting breaks on A3, A4, and B4. The second side is more straightforward overall. Good but inessential album. 

Priority: none

4/13/25 (new entry)

Crazy Dog ~ USA

Crazy Dog. 1979 Scratch-N-Sniff

Crazy Dog were one of hundreds of hard rock bands roaming this fine land. This time we're in St Georges, Delaware, a place in the north part of the state on the way in and out of Wilmington. Hard guitar and synthesizers rule the palette of sounds. This is definitely the hard edged bar n' roll / AOR hybrid music of 1979 America, where every band with one unique riff, a half way decent singer, and a standing invitation to the Local 101. Then made a go at a private press hoping that Capitol or Columbia Records would take notice. Put five promo pictures on the back cover with harmless, friendly poses and hope for the best. 46 years later no one has still noticed except those of us crawling around on the floor looking at the dustiest crates - in the back - hoping to find something like Crazy Dog. Once you hear it, you are transported to that time where the bands that did manage to get one album on a major (and one album only) are just as forgotten. Except they go for five bucks today instead of 50. This isn't the album that has aged well like those that gave the middle finger to the establishment. Crazy Dog were the establishment. It's worth a couple of spins (maybe only one actually). Might want to watch James at 16 or Eight is Enough to prep though.

Priority: none

4/13/25 (new entry)

Magi ~ USA ***REISSUED***

1976 Uncle Dirty's Sound Machine

***Reissued by Got Kinda Lost (2021)

From the Elkhart, Indiana area, Magi play a typical brand of Midwest hard edged bar n' roll with occasional guitar jamming. There's definitely a southern tilt to the songwriting. Picking up some early era Styx as well (first four albums), minus the keyboards of course. A3 has some excellent dual guitar work, with complete knucklehead lyrics "Girl I'm only interested in what's below your waist". A4 is a fine instrumental though one would hope for more of a lethal guitar assault. Definitely appreciate the break section though. B1 gives off a whiff of classic Ted Nugent especially the 'Stranglehold' styled solo towards the end. The subject matter certainly would appeal to him as well. B2 is the requisite ballad, because you know, they're sensitive. These guys will try anything to score it would appear.  It's a boring tune BTW.  B4 has a strong finish, but by then it's too late. Seems Magi might have been a killer live act if they let loose for a few minutes. Perhaps a more meaty production coupled with a commitment to original songwriting would have taken this to the first division. Too much crowd pleasing boogie, not enough extended jamming and composition. They had the talent, no question. Solid straightforward hard rock, but inessential I would submit.

Priority: none

4/8/25 (new entry)

Wacholder ~ Germany

Crystal Palace. 1978 private
Gin-Phonic. 1980 private

If one were to stumble upon Wacholder's debut LP for the first time, they may think they'd unearthed some unknown Krautrock classic. With tracks like 'Marokko' and 'Känäbis', could it be the continuation of Agitation Free's Malesch? Ehh... no. In fact it's side 1 that is the more interesting since it's all instrumental. The first three tracks are jazz fusion with a prog rock slant. Nothing too radical, and in fact, it's a bit pedestrian for the era. 'Time of Your Life' is the peak of the entire album, and it's not going to excite much I'm afraid. Side 2 is the where the vocals come in - in the usual out-of-tune English we expect from this time and place. Here Wacholder are going for an Anglo styled progressive rock sound, and overall not too bad, especially on the two fetching titles as mentioned in the prelude. 'Tolstefanz' (named for a district in Germany) however is best skipped over.

Priority: none

7/13/18 (review); 3/31/25 (new entry)

Alain Bellaiche ~ France

Metropolitain. 1974 Asylum
Sea Fluorescent. 1976 Asylum

Sea Fluorescent reissued by SouffleContinu (2020).

Alain Bellaïche's second album Sea Flourescent is a mix of mellow acoustic guitar soundscapes, light jazz fusion, and American styled funk with English lyrics. Not one of the highlights of the mid 70s French jazz rock scene, but not without its moments. Title track is quite nice in a stare-out-the-window kind of way.

I haven't heard the debut yet.

Priority: none

7/13/18 (review); 3/31/25 (new entry)

Mazeville Crossing ~ USA

Mazeville Crossing. 1975 Strawberry

UMR review

Priority: none

3/28/25 (new entry)

Demian ~ USA (IL)

Rock Star Farm. 1974 Starburst

This Demian - not to be confused with the Texas band - were from Moline, Illinois, a populous area near Iowa known as the Quad Cities. Rock Star Farm is their sole album and flows similar to a rock opera, and is extremely vocal heavy. There are some nice guitar and organ passages here and there, but it's not really a prog or hard rock album as is often purported. I suppose if they weren't telling some sort of story, one could compare this to the politrock albums of Germany. More from a listening perspective verse the purpose of the album. For whatever reason I was reminded of the Capability Brown albums from England. A very interesting album from the American Heartland, and definitely outside the norm. Worth hearing for certain, though if seeking an original LP, prepare to fork over a large amount of moolah.

Priority: none

3/25/25 (new entry)

Serene ~ Germany

Serene. 1981 Lava

Serene's sole album is a type of straightforward rock with light prog embellishments. Typical of the time and place, Serene's album is littered with heavily accented English vocals, when German would have probably suited better. There's some nice Hammond organ work here that contains a wide open and spacious sound. I hear late 70s Novalis as an obvious influence with some nods to Eloy's lesser progressive efforts. A harmless 40 minutes, but not disturbing.

Priority: none

3/25/25 (new entry)

Asahi ~ Netherlands

The Rising Sun. 1978 Waterland

Apparently this album was sponsored by the Asahi Optical Company for a multi-vision show presented throughout The Netherlands. It's in effect a proto New Age music with flutes, piano, percussion, organ, etc... Like most 70s albums in this field, it's much rawer than the slick gloss that followed throughout the 1980s and beyond. As would be expected, the flow is very much like a soundtrack album. At its best, one can hear the pastoral folk sounds of Quebec (Connivence, Harmonium). At its worst... well it's borderline easy listening music honestly.

Priority: none

3/24/25 (new entry)

Abus Dangereux ~ France

Bis. 1982 Elanore
Happy French Band. 1983 Metro
Live. 1985 Metro

UMR review

Priority: none

Their debut was reissued in 2000.

3/18/25 (new entry)

Nada ~ Germany

Song For a Happy Girl. 1979 Chancellor

Nada's sole album is primarily a jazz album, but with plenty of rock fusion elements. In particular the flute driven numbers, as well as an occasional guitar rave-up, will make you turn your head up. Otherwise it's a lot of jazz tone guitar and sax solos. Nothing wrong with that of course, but considering the multitude of bands from this time and place, Nada then comes across as average.

Priority: none

3/18/25 (new entry)

Clystere ~ France

Daemoni, Etiam Vera Dicenti, Non Est Credenum. 1987 private

When one sees a name like Clystere, you might be thinking it's a transliteration of Cluster. I don't think Roedelius and Moebius would be too happy about that, no sirree. But as it turns out Clyster (presuming same word) is an archaic word for... enema. How apropos!

Clystere is the duo of Frank Fromy of Shub Niggurath with Kasper Toeplitz, later of Sleaze Art. Their sole cassette release is called Daemoni, Etiam Vera Dicenti, Non Est Credenum, which translates to Demons, Even the Truth, is Not a Believer. Okaaay. What the heck does that even mean? I think it means Noise in Latin.

If your idea of great music is immersing oneself within a skyscraper construction site without earbuds, then do I have a recommendation for you! I cannot fathom where the allure lies here. These guys are experimenting with metal instruments and it's freeform noise. Kids, you too can do this at home. You probably did already - when you were 5.

Clystere's one album is a very obscure cassette. No reissues exist as of 3/12/25.

According to Steve Freeman, Audion reviewed this album in the summer of 1987, so he concludes the cassette was released in 1986 or 1987. 

Priority: none

3/12/25 (new entry)

Head ~ Scotland

GTF. 1973 SRT
Red Dwarf. 1975 Canon
Blackpool Coll. 1977 private

Head were a band from Glasgow, Scotland who had a pretty good run of three albums, though all of them could best be described as "obscure". Red Dwarf appears to their most known and respected album. Here the band intersects with - on the far left of the circle - the Canterbury scene. I'm most reminded of Ian Carr's Nucleus, and like that crew, Head finds themselves immersed into the jazzy wing of the genre. In fact much of the album is just that - jazz. But a track like 'White Giant' definitely has the Canterbury pedigree with its driving fuzz bass and familiar melody lines. At times the album sounds like a jazz band playing classical music (Third Stream?). There's quite a bit of noodling going on here as well. I've read comparisons that Head sound like electric era Miles Davis, but I don't hear it myself. Seems to be a highly rated album by many, but to me it's more academic than enlightening. A solid "good" album, but nothing more from me.

Priority: none

3/11/25 (new entry)

The Tingling Mother's Circus ~ USA

A Circus of the Mind. 1968 Musicor

UMR review

Priority: none

Another album I had in the main list but never featured. 

3/11/25 (new entry)

Hippopotamus ~ Germany

Schnatterzapfen. 1982 Kopf

Hippopotamus were a band from Germany who released one album with the odd name of Schnatterzapfen. Google Translate informs us that it means Schnatterzapfen in "Luxembourgish". I didn't even know such a language existed and I've been there! My best guess then is that Schnatterzapfen means - in Luxembourgish of course - "straight jazz".

Hippopotamus is frequently lumped in with the Kraut Fusion crowd (and I have it in my own list), but it isn't really. The instrumentation is alto and tenor sax, piano, lightly amplified electric guitar, bass, and drums. It's as jazz as jazz is. There's absolutely zero edge here. On compositions such as 'Midnight in Ruhrort' and the title track, one can hear similar themes as found on the 1974 Missus Beastly album, minus any kind of rock ambition of course. Overall an OK jazz album, nothing more and nothing less.

Priority: none

3/8/25 (new entry)