Nebu. 1978 Les Disques Cadence
Motus. 1980 Les Disques Cadence
Priority: 3
2/21/25 (new entry)
Friday, February 21, 2025
Affirmation ~ USA
Identity Crises. 1985 Rhombus
Much more edgy and interesting than their 1980 debut. There's almost a bit of "Kraut Fusion" here (think Real Ax Band), combined with the more obvious electric viola driven Jean-Luc Ponty styling. Rare that a jazz rock album from 1985 has any personality at all, much less surpassing one from a better era. Nice album here.
Priority: 3
Their Inner City debut Lost Angeles was reissued on CD by Rhombus (the label this LP is on). Strange.
2/21/25 (new entry)
Metamorfosis ~ Spain
Papallones i Elefants. 1982 Apolo
Despite the surreal cover art, Metamorfosis do not belong to the Spanish progressive rock revival of the late 1970s. Rather, this is a homage to Chick Corea's Return to Forever, or perhaps even fellow countrymen Iceberg. Minus the insane chops that is. No matter, as the melodic content is high, and the compositions are well written. Had this been a private American album from 1982, fusion enthusiasts would be hollering about it everywhere. And so yes, recommended indeed.
Priority: 2
2/21/25 (new entry)
Sod ~ USA
Sod. 1971 Decca
Face the Music. 1972 Decca
Coming from Las Vegas, Nevada, Sod are one of many horn rock albums from the late 60s and early 70s to have emerged onto the scene. There are some really great tracks on this one, especially 'Too Loose to Get Tight' parts 1 and 2, 'Things I Wanna Say', and 'Makin' It'. As is often the case with the genre, the random dabbling in blues and soul pop drag down the immense potential classic this could have been. Oh well... still one not to miss if coming across in a rummage sale.
You'll often see the name stylized as the acronym SOD, but best I can tell, especially considering the album cover, the band name is Sod - defined as "the surface of the ground, with the grass growing on it."
Priority: 3
2/21/25 (new entry)
Iguazu ~ England
Iguazu. 1984 Music Factory
Very obscure UK band with a Latin tinged fusion sound. First half of their sole album is a light and breezy fusion with flute and acoustic guitar in the lead role with wordless male/female vocals. At this point, I was recalling Galie from Mexico or perhaps Brazil's Cheiro de Vida. The second half becomes aggressively edgier, with more guest stars on electric guitar, synthesizer, and saxophone - almost to the point of freaky, and thus the revelation of a great find is at hand. However there's no denying its 1984 heritage (especially in the keyboard tones and overall production). Despite that fact, this is something of an essential work.
Priority: 2
2/21/25 (new entry)
Chango ~ USA
Chango. 1975 ABC
For whatever reason I never added Chango to the CDRWL. The Akarma issue is considered unauthorized by the band (though Discogs hasn't mentioned it) and that still hasn't been rectified.
Priority: 1
2/21/25 (new entry)
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Think ~ New Zealand ***REISSUED***
We'll Give You a Buzz. 1976 Atlantic
***On Frenzy with eight bonus tracks. This is the same label that reissued the first Ragnarok album.
UMR review
Priority: 2
UMR review
Priority: 2
3/14/10 (new entry); 2/1/25 (complete)
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024
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
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)
Monday, September 23, 2024
Carpineta ~ Italy
---See below for recent news
And as promised yesterday, here is that new Italian discovery from The AC. Of all the countries that have had almost complete reissue coverage in regards to progressive music from the 70s, Italy is most certainly in the lead. Though this one does fit the profile for the few that still remain like Gramigna, Ultima Spiaggia, Arpaderba, Roberto Picchi, Orchestra Njervudarov, and others. All the same, Carpineta up until now, is a complete unknown. And it's fantastic! Much of what I just said is far more detailed in The AC's review below.
For quick reference, I'd say Carpineta tracks closest to Canzoniere del Lazio at the end of their storied career (Morra 1978, Miradas). That is - at their most progressive! Mid 70s Area also deserves a shout out, as well as artists as disparate as Gramigna, Franco Battiato, and even Aktuala. For my tastes, Carpineta surpasses all of them. Yea, it's that good.
OK, enough of my 30,000 ft view. Let's get down to The AC's much more professional reading liner notes: "There's probably no individual progressive rock scene from the classic 1970s era that has been more thoroughly excavated and cataloged than the Italian one. Massive printed tomes and comprehensive web archives are devoted to it, and a multitude of record labels have left practically no stone unturned, reissuing almost the entire back catalog of noteworthy albums, often multiple times over. A quick glance here at the CDRWL will confirm this, showing a relatively paltry selection of Italian LPs, most from the more obscure jazz/fusion oriented corner of the scene. A few well-known items (like Orchestra Njervudarov or Canzoniere Del Lazio) have somehow managed to avoid reissue, but overall it's pretty slim pickings. The continued passionate following (and incredibly high prices of many originals) have necessitated a very active reissue scene, and created a legion of dedicated collectors, both locally and abroad, who over the ensuing decades have dug to the very bottom of the well in hopes of unearthing that one last Italian gem. So it's with great surprise that I offer this particular album up for your inspection, as it does seem to be a genuine specimen of that rarest of birds - a previously undiscovered Italian progressive LP from the 1970s, not (to my knowledge) ever mentioned in any of the standard Italian prog references or encountered by collectors until just the past year or so.
Hailing from the ancient province of Cosenza in southern Italy, Carpineta seem to have been named after a type of tree, although turning the record sleeve over will reveal that each letter of the name seems to stand for something, possibly making it an acronym: "Carpini Abbandono Rabbia Pianti Incontaminazione Nord-africa Emigrazione Trasformazione Abbrazzamuni". Really rolls off the tongue, eh? With a name like that, and being from 1978, you might be able to guess that we're within the realm of that strange and uniquely Italian take on avant-prog and RIO that proliferated (on a relatively minor scale) from the mid 70s through the early 80s, in the wake of the classic early 70s prog scene's demise, rising in tandem with (and sometimes related to) the increasingly popular jazz-rock/fusion movement. But as I'm sure you know, this whole little mini-movement was quite diverse and hard to put a finger on, mixing in elements of progressive rock, jazz/fusion, Italian folk, pop, ethnic/eastern and avant-garde elements in wildly varying combinations. None of these albums really sound alike, even if you can kind of pigeonhole them due to the time, place and politics. Carpineta are no different, in being completely different. Does that even make any sense? In any case, what we have here is a mixture of elements that's not easily summed up. It opens with an abstract piece full of droning reeds (the "zampogna", a characteristic southern Italian bagpipe, is frequently used on this album, although often in a way that almost makes it sound like an eastern instrument), clattering percussion and declamatory vocals. After that we move into avant-prog territory, with varied but cohesive songs featuring elements of prog, jazz-rock, indigenous southern Italian folk and even psychedelic rock. There's a wide instrumental palette here, as aside from the standard progressive rock instrumentation and impassioned Italian vocals (which at times are sung in the local dialect, which seems to be somewhat Greek-influeced, if I'm not mistaken) they utilize various wind instruments, exotic percussion and also indigenous elements like the previously mentioned zampogna, mandolin, etc. However, the two things that really stand out are the electric guitar work and the drumming. The lead guitar is often played in an almost anachronistic psychedelic style, loaded with fuzz and distortion, while the drummer sometimes freaks out in a nervous, twitchy jazz-inflected way, unleashing rapid-fire rolls and fills like Furio Chirico after downing a few too many cappucinnos. This all really comes together on side two, in the manic and appropriately titled "Storie di cose nostre", with vicious lashings of fuzz guitar, hyper-active drumming and angry screaming vocals, creating one of the most relentless tracks you'll ever hear on a 70s prog LP. But naturally this is followed up by a mellow, sunny Italian folk-oriented song. And so it goes. A fascinating album that I've found myself returning to again and again, which certainly deserves to be reissued and discovered by the wider Italian prog fanbase. Hopefully someone in their home area can find these guys and get on the case!
By the way, the "Mu. Co." label was either their own private imprint or a tiny local interest. It has no relation to Mu, the well-known Turin prog/fusion label from the same time period (Zauber, Esagono, etc.)."
Priority: 1
And as promised yesterday, here is that new Italian discovery from The AC. Of all the countries that have had almost complete reissue coverage in regards to progressive music from the 70s, Italy is most certainly in the lead. Though this one does fit the profile for the few that still remain like Gramigna, Ultima Spiaggia, Arpaderba, Roberto Picchi, Orchestra Njervudarov, and others. All the same, Carpineta up until now, is a complete unknown. And it's fantastic! Much of what I just said is far more detailed in The AC's review below.
For quick reference, I'd say Carpineta tracks closest to Canzoniere del Lazio at the end of their storied career (Morra 1978, Miradas). That is - at their most progressive! Mid 70s Area also deserves a shout out, as well as artists as disparate as Gramigna, Franco Battiato, and even Aktuala. For my tastes, Carpineta surpasses all of them. Yea, it's that good.
OK, enough of my 30,000 ft view. Let's get down to The AC's much more professional reading liner notes: "There's probably no individual progressive rock scene from the classic 1970s era that has been more thoroughly excavated and cataloged than the Italian one. Massive printed tomes and comprehensive web archives are devoted to it, and a multitude of record labels have left practically no stone unturned, reissuing almost the entire back catalog of noteworthy albums, often multiple times over. A quick glance here at the CDRWL will confirm this, showing a relatively paltry selection of Italian LPs, most from the more obscure jazz/fusion oriented corner of the scene. A few well-known items (like Orchestra Njervudarov or Canzoniere Del Lazio) have somehow managed to avoid reissue, but overall it's pretty slim pickings. The continued passionate following (and incredibly high prices of many originals) have necessitated a very active reissue scene, and created a legion of dedicated collectors, both locally and abroad, who over the ensuing decades have dug to the very bottom of the well in hopes of unearthing that one last Italian gem. So it's with great surprise that I offer this particular album up for your inspection, as it does seem to be a genuine specimen of that rarest of birds - a previously undiscovered Italian progressive LP from the 1970s, not (to my knowledge) ever mentioned in any of the standard Italian prog references or encountered by collectors until just the past year or so.
Hailing from the ancient province of Cosenza in southern Italy, Carpineta seem to have been named after a type of tree, although turning the record sleeve over will reveal that each letter of the name seems to stand for something, possibly making it an acronym: "Carpini Abbandono Rabbia Pianti Incontaminazione Nord-africa Emigrazione Trasformazione Abbrazzamuni". Really rolls off the tongue, eh? With a name like that, and being from 1978, you might be able to guess that we're within the realm of that strange and uniquely Italian take on avant-prog and RIO that proliferated (on a relatively minor scale) from the mid 70s through the early 80s, in the wake of the classic early 70s prog scene's demise, rising in tandem with (and sometimes related to) the increasingly popular jazz-rock/fusion movement. But as I'm sure you know, this whole little mini-movement was quite diverse and hard to put a finger on, mixing in elements of progressive rock, jazz/fusion, Italian folk, pop, ethnic/eastern and avant-garde elements in wildly varying combinations. None of these albums really sound alike, even if you can kind of pigeonhole them due to the time, place and politics. Carpineta are no different, in being completely different. Does that even make any sense? In any case, what we have here is a mixture of elements that's not easily summed up. It opens with an abstract piece full of droning reeds (the "zampogna", a characteristic southern Italian bagpipe, is frequently used on this album, although often in a way that almost makes it sound like an eastern instrument), clattering percussion and declamatory vocals. After that we move into avant-prog territory, with varied but cohesive songs featuring elements of prog, jazz-rock, indigenous southern Italian folk and even psychedelic rock. There's a wide instrumental palette here, as aside from the standard progressive rock instrumentation and impassioned Italian vocals (which at times are sung in the local dialect, which seems to be somewhat Greek-influeced, if I'm not mistaken) they utilize various wind instruments, exotic percussion and also indigenous elements like the previously mentioned zampogna, mandolin, etc. However, the two things that really stand out are the electric guitar work and the drumming. The lead guitar is often played in an almost anachronistic psychedelic style, loaded with fuzz and distortion, while the drummer sometimes freaks out in a nervous, twitchy jazz-inflected way, unleashing rapid-fire rolls and fills like Furio Chirico after downing a few too many cappucinnos. This all really comes together on side two, in the manic and appropriately titled "Storie di cose nostre", with vicious lashings of fuzz guitar, hyper-active drumming and angry screaming vocals, creating one of the most relentless tracks you'll ever hear on a 70s prog LP. But naturally this is followed up by a mellow, sunny Italian folk-oriented song. And so it goes. A fascinating album that I've found myself returning to again and again, which certainly deserves to be reissued and discovered by the wider Italian prog fanbase. Hopefully someone in their home area can find these guys and get on the case!
By the way, the "Mu. Co." label was either their own private imprint or a tiny local interest. It has no relation to Mu, the well-known Turin prog/fusion label from the same time period (Zauber, Esagono, etc.)."
Priority: 1
See the comments section where I have a translated version of what's going on. But essentially the band has decided to re-record the album with one bonus track. So the album remains in this list since it hasn't been technically reissued, but the re-recording is most welcomed as well.
3/3/14 (new entry); 9/23/24 (update)
Monday, September 16, 2024
Granmax ~ USA ***REISSUED***
A Ninth Alive. 1976 Panama
Kiss Heaven Goodbye. 1978 Panama
***Both albums reissued by Cult Metal Classics (2024)
Priority: 2
9/16/24 (new entry / reissue complete)
Friday, July 19, 2024
Monday, July 1, 2024
Strongbow ~ USA ***REISSUED***
Strongbow. 1975 Southwind
***Reissued by ProgAOR Jun 2024
I didn't get a chance to feature this fine hard rock / AOR album. The CD doesn't include either track from their excellent 1973 single, but does have three other bonus tracks.
Priority: 3
7/1/24 (new entry / complete)
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Joachim Kuhn ~ Germany ***REISSUED***
There may be other titles to consider but I haven't investigated further
11/6/09; 6/9/24 (complete)
Friday, May 17, 2024
Flasket Brinner ~ Sweden ***REISSUED***
7/12/09 (new entry); 5/17/24 (complete)
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Kashmir / Patrice Guenat / Laurent Beguelin ~ Switzerland
Alarme! (aka Je Suis...). 1979 Kiswell. (Je Suis... was the original private issue)
Histoire Cruelle. 1982 Kobold
Patrice Guenat / Laurent Beguelin - Les Reflets du Lac. 1986 label unknown.
Priority: 3 (for Histoire Cruelle)
6/17/11 (new entry); 2/14/24 (update)
Monday, January 15, 2024
Vanessa ~ Norway ***REISSUED***
City Lips (Norway) 1975 On
Black and White (Norway) 1976 Compendium
***Both reissued by Norsk Albums Classics in 2023/24
The more known of the two albums, Black and White, is a better than average instrumental jazz fusion album, with some tight rhythms and occasional funky lines. Primary leads come from the sax, but plenty of good guitar and keyboard leads as well. Comparisons to the French group Spheroe wouldn't be out of place. This album received pretty good distribution in the US, and it wasn't too difficult to find in the used bins in the 1980s. Because of this, I'm surprised it still hasn't been reissued to date.
City Lips is similar, again a mix of funk and fusion, with a couple of experimental bits thrown in for good measure. A bit more meaty than Black and White, but not as focused.
Priority: 3
The more known of the two albums, Black and White, is a better than average instrumental jazz fusion album, with some tight rhythms and occasional funky lines. Primary leads come from the sax, but plenty of good guitar and keyboard leads as well. Comparisons to the French group Spheroe wouldn't be out of place. This album received pretty good distribution in the US, and it wasn't too difficult to find in the used bins in the 1980s. Because of this, I'm surprised it still hasn't been reissued to date.
City Lips is similar, again a mix of funk and fusion, with a couple of experimental bits thrown in for good measure. A bit more meaty than Black and White, but not as focused.
Priority: 3
5/23/10 (new entry); 1/15/24 (complete)
Friday, December 15, 2023
Earthstar ~ USA ***REISSUED***
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Hades ~ Norway ***REISSUED***
Hades. 1992 Colours (1974 recording)
***Reissued by Norsk Album Classics in Jan 2024
This live album (soundboard quality) reminds me a lot of Osanna's L'Uomo, which in itself was a strong play on the early Jethro Tull sound. That is to say blues based heavy rock with aggressive, stuttering flute as the lead instrument. Many time changes also point to the Osanna way of doing things. The Norwegian vocals recall the unique Scandinavian flair found in bands like Host or Trettioariga Kriget. Great fuzz guitar leads as well. Short album (under 25 minutes), but great all the way through.
Priority: 3
This live album (soundboard quality) reminds me a lot of Osanna's L'Uomo, which in itself was a strong play on the early Jethro Tull sound. That is to say blues based heavy rock with aggressive, stuttering flute as the lead instrument. Many time changes also point to the Osanna way of doing things. The Norwegian vocals recall the unique Scandinavian flair found in bands like Host or Trettioariga Kriget. Great fuzz guitar leads as well. Short album (under 25 minutes), but great all the way through.
Priority: 3
6/1/09 (new entry); 10/25/23 (complete)
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Satin Whale ~ Germany ***REISSUED***
7/25/09 (new entry); 8/17/23 (complete)
Friday, June 30, 2023
Visitor 2035 ~ England ***REISSUED***
Visitor 2035. 1978 Ariola
***Reissued by Made in Germany Jun 2023
Progressive fusion influenced by the usual suspects like Return to Forever, David Sancious and Weather Report. I also pick up some fellow countrymen Skywhale here as well as the US group Flight, and that's a good thing.
Priority: 3
Progressive fusion influenced by the usual suspects like Return to Forever, David Sancious and Weather Report. I also pick up some fellow countrymen Skywhale here as well as the US group Flight, and that's a good thing.
Priority: 3
12/12/09 (new entry); 6/30/23 (complete)
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Hannibal ~ England ***REISSUED***
Hannibal. 1970 B&C.
***Reissued by Talking Elephant May 2023
Hannibal are squarely in that unique early 70s UK blues rock school of saxophone lead proto prog, similar in scope to other same-era English acts like Diabolus, Aquila, and Raw Material (circa their first album). Some really nice jazz-tone guitar work too. Despite the lengthy tracks, there isn’t much in the way of inter-song development. Highlights are certainly the last two tracks: 'Wet Legs' and 'Winter'. A good example of the style.
Priority: 3
Hannibal are squarely in that unique early 70s UK blues rock school of saxophone lead proto prog, similar in scope to other same-era English acts like Diabolus, Aquila, and Raw Material (circa their first album). Some really nice jazz-tone guitar work too. Despite the lengthy tracks, there isn’t much in the way of inter-song development. Highlights are certainly the last two tracks: 'Wet Legs' and 'Winter'. A good example of the style.
Priority: 3
11/25/09 (new entry); 5/23/23 (complete)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Oz Knozz ~ USA ***REISSUED***
***Reissued by ProgAOR in Mar 2023
UMR review
Priority: 2
8/1/10; 3/1/23 (complete)
Friday, February 17, 2023
Structure ~ France ***REISSUED***
***Reissued by Sommor in 2023
In effect, Structure is a Bernard Wystraete solo album. Lead by his various flutes, the instrumental (with some wordless female chants) jazz psych presented is somewhat typical of the film and TV library music of the era (of which Wystraete has at least two albums under his name with titles like "Hits Variety"). It just happens to be a very good representation of said style, and recalls later instrumental flute lead outfits from France like Jean Cohen-Solal's two albums or Triode (on Futura). Some fine fuzz guitar and violin work here too - not to mention a particularly fat bass sound, something the French have become known for over the years. This would be a good choice for Vadim or Finders Keepers.
Priority: 3
2/7/11 (new entry); 2/17/23 (complete)
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Vecchio ~ Argentina ***REISSUED***
Afro-Rock. 1971 Music DeWolfe
10/18/09 (new entry); 1/25/23 (complete)
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Recreation ~ Belgium
Don't Open. 1970 Triangle / Recreation. 1970 Bellaphon
***Music or Not Music reissued by Musea (Dec 2022)
Priority: 2
6/11/09 (new entry); 12/15/22
Friday, December 2, 2022
Maajun ~ France ***REISSUED***
Vivre la Mort du Vieux Monde. 1971 Pop Music / Vogue
6/6/09 (new entry); 12/2/22 (complete)
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Memoriance ~ France
L'Ecume Des Jours. 1979 Philips
***L'Ecume des Jours reissued by Musea Nov 2022
Relatively well known French progressive rock band, who are similar to other groups of the era like Atoll, Pentacle, Carpe Diem, Pulsar and even Shylock. There's a slight psychedelic air on the debut, whereas the second is a full blown concept album.
Priority: 1
8/24/09; 11/19/22
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Wolfgang Duren ~ Germany ***REISSUED***
Eyeless Dreams. 1980 WPL
***Reissued by Made in Germany Nov 2022
Back in the 1980s, there used to be a really cool store here in Dallas called The Record Gallery that stocked all sorts of European imports, with a strong slant towards the avant garde. Electronic music was one of the specialties of the owner (who now lives in Portland and still sells on ebay). It was here that I discovered bands like Ashra, Heldon and many others. Oh, and he sold original art paintings as well - thus the name of the store.
I remember seeing Wolfgang Düren's sole album back then, but there was just too much for me to still discover, and this one looked a bit synth-poppy to be honest. But it's nothing of the sort. Mike sent this along as he thought I'd enjoy it, and as usual he was right.
Eyeless Dreams is a solid entry for those into 1970s Berlin School sounds. Sequencers and synthesizer solos are the order of the day. Lots of Klaus Schulze, some Adelbert von Deyen and even a little Kraftwerk. Since I'm fond of the genre, this is an easy one for me to recommend.
Priority: 3
12/7/11 (new entry); 9/29/12; 11/15/22 (complete)
Back in the 1980s, there used to be a really cool store here in Dallas called The Record Gallery that stocked all sorts of European imports, with a strong slant towards the avant garde. Electronic music was one of the specialties of the owner (who now lives in Portland and still sells on ebay). It was here that I discovered bands like Ashra, Heldon and many others. Oh, and he sold original art paintings as well - thus the name of the store.
I remember seeing Wolfgang Düren's sole album back then, but there was just too much for me to still discover, and this one looked a bit synth-poppy to be honest. But it's nothing of the sort. Mike sent this along as he thought I'd enjoy it, and as usual he was right.
Eyeless Dreams is a solid entry for those into 1970s Berlin School sounds. Sequencers and synthesizer solos are the order of the day. Lots of Klaus Schulze, some Adelbert von Deyen and even a little Kraftwerk. Since I'm fond of the genre, this is an easy one for me to recommend.
Priority: 3
12/7/11 (new entry); 9/29/12; 11/15/22 (complete)
Granicus ~ USA ***REISSUED***
***Reissued by Hellion (2022)
Priority: 1
A real under the radar reissue. I'm just now seeing it (3/30/25). Hellion is a completely legit concern out of Germany and Brazil, the latter is where this comes from. Granicus reformed and has released new material on this label, hence their reissue is here as well. Has many archival bonus tracks too. I plan on hunting it down.
4/15/11 (new entry); 11/15/22 (complete)
Friday, September 2, 2022
Sanctuary ~ USA ***REISSUED***
***Reissued by Sundazed Sep 2022
Kansas based progressive rock group, with remnants of psych, somewhat typical of the US rock scene of 1971. They take the unusual course of covering Yes' Time and a Word, plus an Edgar Winter Group composition stretched to 20 minutes. Some folky bits and lots of mellotron for fans of the style.
Priority: 3
7/2/10 (new entry); 9/2/22 (complete)
Saturday, August 13, 2022
This Oneness ~ USA ***REISSUED***
Surprize. 1975 Oz
***Reissued by the band in a 3 CD set with two unreleased albums Nov 2022
UMR review
Priority: 2
5/22/10; 8/13/22 (complete)
Saturday, August 6, 2022
Tullio de Piscopo ~ Italy ***REISSUED***
Tullio de Piscopo Vol. 2. 1976 Carosello
***Both reissued by New Platform Aug 2022
De Piscopo is a well known jazz percussionist (to this day), who ventured into progressive fusion in the mid 1970s. First he played with The New Trolls, then he released these two fusion albums with some excellent Fender Rhodes, sax and guitar action. De Piscopo reminds me most of Toni Esposito's albums from the same era. Sotto e 'ncoppa features Sante Palumbo who was also on the Sway album. Vol. 2 is more diverse, mixing in period disco, acoustic folk, tight fusion, and rock versions of traditional Italian sing-a-longs. I felt this was the stronger of the two releases. Thanks to Midwest Mike!
Priority: 3
9/28/09 (new entry); 8/6/22 (complete)
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Jukka Hauru ~ Finland ***REISSUED***
Episode. 1975 Love
***Information reissued by Lipposen Levy Ja Kasetti in 2021
***Episode reissued by Lipposen Levy Ja Kasetti in 2022
Episode is quite a bit different than Information, and moves towards the center of the Euro fusion movement. But it's a really good example of the style, with tight playing and Hauru proves to be once again quite adept with the electric six stringer. As an aside, Jukka Linkola plays keyboards here, and he as well fronted a fine fusion album.
Priority: 2
3/25/11 (new entry); 8/3/22 (complete)
Friday, July 15, 2022
Kebnekaise ~ Sweden ***REISSUED***
Ljus Från Afrika. 1976 Silence
Elefanten. 1977 Silence
Vi Drar Vidare. 1978 Mercury
Elefanten. 1977 Silence
Vi Drar Vidare. 1978 Mercury
***Reissued by Japan Arcangelo, Jul 2022.
Vi Drar Vidare still hasn't been reissued, but for purposes of this list I'm considering this complete.
UMR reviews
UMR reviews
Priority: 2
12/4/10 (new entry); 7/15/22 (complete)
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Ole G. Nilssen ~ Norway ***REISSUED***
***Reissued by Norske Album Classics 2022
Future Solaris member Nilssen put out this one incredibly obscure album before he himself disappeared into the ether. I've had this one on a curiosity list for well over 10 years, and finally in 2009 I had a chance to hear it, due to a good friend of this site. So was it worth the effort? Rarely is the answer yes in these cases, and World of Dreams is no exception, but this is a mighty fine album for certain. Light years better than the subpar Solaris Misty Morning album. At its core, World of Dreams is a soft rock vocal album. But there are long sections dedicated to instrumentals, and its these sections that are clearly progressive rock influenced, with 1970s era instrumentation. Like a lot of soft rock, the songwriting is better than average, and Nilssen possesses a fine voice, and so the combination is highly appealing, even if not consistent. One I'm glad I finally heard.
Priority: none
3/24/10 (new entry); 5/4/22 (complete)
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A.F.T. ~ England ***REISSUED***
Automatic Fine Tuning. 1976 Charisma ***To be reissued by Think Like a Key Nov 2026 UMR review Priority: 1 5/25/09 (new entry); 11/20/26 (...
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Final Update for this post: October 20, 2015 Current CDRWL News can be found here CDRWL Priority 1 can be found here * - A very good...
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Metaphysical Animation - s/t. 1973 private. Well, after much ado, here we are. You know, we all hear so many rarities... so many things ... -
(Updated 6/23/11) Good news here and thanks to the tip-off from an anonymous reader. We had mentioned in the Missus Beastly entry , that ...