Tortilla Flat ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

Für ein ¾ Stündchen. 1975 private

***Reissued by Long Hair Nov 2019

UMR review

Priority: 1

6/18/09 (new entry); 10/24/19 (complete)

Legend ~ USA ***REISSUED***

From the Fjords. 1979 Empire

***Reissued by Cult Rock (Cult Metal) Classics of Greece 2019

UMR review

Priority: 2

6/27/09 (new entry); 10/17/19 (complete)

Peak ~ Australia ***REISSUED***

Peak - Ebondazzar. 1982 Cement (1983 Innovative Communications)

***Reissued by Round About Oct 2019

Here's an album I must have passed over 100 times in the used record bins, thinking it was some kind of New Wave album, that was somewhat typical of Klaus Schulze's Innovative Communications label. Then a friend of this site sent me the LP recently to check out.

Peak play in the style of "electronic rock", a place that Tangerine Dream visited with their Cyclone and Force Majeure albums. There are no vocals here (some samples), but for the most part this is driving sequencer based electronic with some wonderful electric guitar, and quite a bit of invention. 

Priority: 2

***6/10/24 update: Just learned about this reissue while researching the entry.

12/18/09 (new entry); 10/15/19 (complete)

Splash ~ Sweden ***REISSUED***

Splash - Ut På Vischan. 1972 Polydor
Splash - s/t. 1974 PLA
Splash - Splash 2. 1978 PLA

***All albums reissued by the band in 2019 in a 5 CD + 1 CDR box set.

UMR review

Priority: 2

9/27/10 (new entry); 10/9/19 (complete)

Atila ~ Spain ***REISSUED***

Reviure. 1978 Odeon

***Reissued by Belle Antique Aug 2019

UMR review

Priority: 1

9/21/09 (new entry); 8/25/19 (complete)

Firyuza ~ Turkmenistan ***REISSUED***

Firyuza. 1980 Melodya

***Reissued by Soviet Grail Aug 2019

UMR review

Priority: 2

8/11/10 (new entry); 8/1/19 (complete)

The Grodeck Whipperjenny ~ USA ***REISSUED***

The Grodeck Whipperjenny. 1970 People

***Reissued by Now Again Apr 2019

UMR review

Priority: 2

8/31/09 (new entry); 4/26/19 (complete)

Group 1850 ~ Netherlands ***REISSUED***

Live. Release: 1973 Orange. Recorded: 1969
Polyandri. 1974 Rubber
Live on Tour. 1976 Rubber. Recorded: 1973

***All albums reissued by Pseudonym in 2019 as part of the Purple Sky box

UMR review

Priority: 2

6/30/09 (new entry); 10/17/15; 4/19/19 (complete)

Nemo ~ France ***REISSUED***

Nemo. 1973 Agave
Doin' Nuthin'. 1974 Agave

***Both albums reissued by Musea Apr 2019

Nemo are a mix of funk, rock, jazz fusion. First album has more vocals and recalls to mind Santana in places (the best parts actually). 'Doin' Nuthin', their sophomore effort, is mainly instrumental. Good stuff overall and features Francois Breant, who later had some success as a solo artist. Both albums are similar in their eclectic style.

Priority: 3

6/29/10 (new entry); 4/2/19 (complete)

Time ~ England ***REISSUED***

Time. 1975 Buk

***Reissued by Belle Antique (Japan) March 25, 2019

UMR review

Priority: 1

6/13/09 (new entry); 3/25/19 (complete)

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

Snakes Alive ~ Australia ***REISSUED***

Snakes Alive. 1974 private

***Reissued by Belle Antique, Nov 2017

UMR review

Priority: 3

9/13/10; 11/25/17 (complete)

A.R. & Machines ~ Achim Reichel, Germany ***REISSUED***

Echo. 1972 Polydor
A.R. 3. 1973 Zebra. Turns out there was a reissue on the Spectrum label from 1996. 
IV. 1974 Zebra
Autovision. 1974 Zebra. Exact same with A.R. 3
Erholung. 1975 Brain

***Sept 2017 update: All albums reissued in late 2017 as part of a 10xCD set on Warner/BMG

UMR review

Priority: 1

7/7/09 (new entry); 10/27/17 (complete)

White Wing ~ USA***REISSUED***

White Wing. 1976 ASI

***Reissued by Blood and Iron Sep 2017

I recently got back into the Asia (Rapid City, South Dakota) albums that were diligently reissued on CD by Michael Piper / The Wild Places back in 1995. While reading the liners, I had forgotten that the precursor to that band was White Wing, an album I heard way back when and completely forgot about (didn't even have it rated anywhere).

There's nothing really special about White Wing. It's pretty much a mix of hard rock and AOR styles with some good organ runs and mellotron strings. Recorded in the same studio (ASI) as the Minnesota group Cain, and there are some similarities regarding the hard rock aspects. Not at the same level as the successor band Asia, especially Armed to the Teeth, but an album worth hearing a couple of times for certain.

Priority: none

12/4/11 (new entry); 9/20/17 (complete)

Zanov ~ France ***REISSUED***

Green Ray. 1977 Polydor
Moebius 256 301. 1978 Polydor
In Course of Time. 1983 SFPP

***In Course of Time reissued by Groove Unlimited Apr 2015 
***Green Ray reissued by Groove Unlimited Nov 2016 
***Moebius 256 031 reissued by Groove Unlimited Sep 2017 

UMR review

Priority: 2

5/26/10; 9/3/17 (complete)

Dennis ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

Hyperthalamus. 1975 Nova

***Reissued as part of a 5xCD set called Krautrock 3. Unfortunately the rest of the set includes unrelated CDs that have already been reissued. But technically it has been reissued on CD. Sort of like those Sensations Fix albums.

UMR review

Priority: 2

1/16/11 (new entry); 8/4/17 (reissue complete)

Mingo Lewis ~ USA ***REISSUED***

Flight Never Ending. 1976 Columbia

UMR review

***Reissued by Wounded Bird Jun 2017

2/24/10 (new entry); 6/16/17 (complete)

Saluki ~ Norway ***REISSUED***

Saluki. 1977 Compendium

***Reissued on CD and LP by the Norwegian record shop Big Dipper May 2017

UMR review

Priority: 3

5/7/12 (new entry); 5/30/17 (complete)

PSI ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

Horizonte. 1977 Bacillus

***Reissued by Chickadisc Mar 2017

UMR review

Priority: 2

6/3/10; 3/17/17 (complete)

Rob Thomsett ~ Australia ***REISSUED***

Yaraandoo. 1975 Kubernete

Hara. 1976

***Both albums reissued by Now-Again Mar 2017

UMR review

Priority: 1

2/1/12 (new entry); 3/1/17 (complete) 

The AC's original notes: "Fascinating and somewhat unique psychedelic/progressive jazz-rock artifact from down under. Originally released as a tiny run of 100 copies with handmade covers, and finally reissued last year by small Australian label The Roundtable. Unfortunately, it's an LP only reissue, and while it does include a nice insert, I'd much prefer to see a proper CD version with more extensive liner notes, photos, etc. In any case, this one is certainly deserving of wider exposure. It's a short album (barely topping 30 minutes), but the interconnected suite of tracks flow together seamlessly on both sides, being a sort of concept album based on ancient aboriginal "dreamtime" mythology. It's highly evocative and dripping with the hazy, surreal atmospheres of the Australian outback. Flutes, percussion, droning synthesizer and mellotron, and of course Thomsett's excellent guitar-work make for a very pleasing sound overall, despite the somewhat primitive nature of the recording. Thomsett actually returned to this work years later and released a new, re-recorded version of it on CD in 2004. While obviously not at the same level as the original, it's still quite good in its own right and is well worth tracking down if you enjoy this LP."

In regards to this 2004 CD, I have one on the way to me now so I can compare for myself. And, as the AC points out, the only flaw of the original is it's too short. I could have easily digested 45-60 minutes of this!

Dusty Groove writes: "A strange, cool and stylistic boundary busting set from Australian jazz rock guitar player Rob Thomsett! Yaraandoo is a 1975 set inspired by Aboriginal folklore. It has some spare, dryly wispy bits of percussion and bamboo flute that feels that gives it that feel – but Thomsett also brings in some loose, proggy and jazzy rock dynamics with heavy drums and electric guitar, some improvisational jazz inspired passages, plus some tape delay and other effects."

Sway / Sante Palumbo ~ Italy ***REISSUED***

Sway. 1973 CPT

***Reissued by Schema Nov 2016 LP/CD

UMR review

Priority: 2

7/7/10 (new entry); 12/3/16 (complete)

Iliad ~ USA

Distances. 1976 Northern Lights

UMR reviews

Sapphire House. 1978 Northern Lights

Priority: 1 (for Sapphire House)

2/22/15 (new entry); 11/8/16 (update)

Kiyoshi Tanaka and Super Session ~ Japan (aka Seiji Tanaka To Super Session) ***REISSUED***

Kiyoshi Tanaka & Super Session - British Rock Live In Japan. 1972 Teichiku

UMR review

6/19/15 (new entry); 10/15/16 (complete)

Leaving the original AC's notes here: "While drummer Tanaka is ostensibly the leader of this particular studio group, it's really just another incarnation of the Hoguchi/Mizutani gang heard on so many of these sessions. However, by this time they had lost their minds entirely and exited the studio having belched out one of the most insanely over the top instrumental psych/prog freakouts ever to defile the ears of man. This thing was touted to be a live concert of popular British/American psych/rock tunes by artists such as Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. Except that it's absolutely none of the above. A little fake audience noise can't hide the fact that this is a (very well recorded) "live in the studio" jam session, and there's nary a hint of any cover material at all. Instead, we're assaulted with an amazingly long (almost a full hour!) instrumental blowout, divided into two continuously running side-long tracks. It all seems to be semi-improvised, driven by pummeling rhythms that sort of ebb and flow while the bass, guitar and organ converge and coalesce into one freaky jam after another. Even the most stoned-out-of-their-minds krautrockers would have been shocked by this level of depravity. This is so excessive in fact, that one might imagine modern Japanese psychonauts like Acid Mothers Temple having descended directly from this family tree. Except that they didn't, and this is about ten thousand times cooler. Needs a reissue ASAP, but I'm not sure these guys even remember recording it at this point..."

Osamu Kitajima ~ Japan ***REISSUED***

Benzaiten. 1975 Antilles

***Reissued by PSI (Germany) 2016

Definitely one of the more recognizable albums in the CDRWL. Kitajima's album received relatively good distribution in the US due to it being on the Antilles label, benefiting no doubt from Jade Warrior's presence. I've had this album for well over 20 years, and I'm pretty sure it's still somewhat easy to find on LP. 

This past December we featured extremely rare albums by Toshiaki Yokota (Primitive Community) and Rock Joint Biwa (Fulukotofumi). Kitajima's debut album fits squarely in the same mold. This is truly a world fusion - a melting pot of Western rock and Japanese indigenous music. Very few have pulled it off so well as Kitajima does here. Either they fall prey to new age sappiness, or worse, move towards amateurish exploitation. This is a serious work, and the type of rock influenced world music that still hasn't been explored much at all. I for one would like to hear more.

Priority: 2

2/23/11 (new entry); 10/14/16 (complete)

Amos Key ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

First Key. 1973 Aamok / Spiegelei

***Reissued by Long Hair 2016

UMR review

Priority: 2

12/18/10 (new entry); 9/15/16 (complete)

Hydravion ~ France ***REISSUED***

Hydravion. 1977 Cobra
Stratos Airlines. 1979 Carrere

***Reissued by Cleopatra in 2016 as part of the Philippe Besombes Anthology

UMR review

Priority: 2

8/28/09 (new entry); 8/12/16 (complete)

Laurence Vanay ~ France ***REISSUED***

Galaxies. 1974 SFP (Societe Francaise de Productions Phonographiques)
Gateway Evening Colours. 1975 Galloway (aka "Evening Colours" 1976 CAM)

***Reissued by Lion Productions 2013; 2016

Moved to UMR

Priority: 1

6/14/09 (new entry); 9/11/13; 7/28/16 (complete)

Tyll ~ Germany ***REISSUED***

Sexphonie. 1974 Kerston

***Reissued by Mental Experience Jun 2016

UMR review

Priority: 3

10/27/09 (new entry); 6/2/16 (complete)