Bobak Jons Malone "Motherlight" {UK}[1970](Psychedelic)

Funny how some bands head straight to the limelight yet others fade into obscurity.

This CD reissue of a real nice slice of psychedelia will perhaps reduce the triple figures reported as being the amount that the original was selling for.

It's just the sound I love with raw fuzzed up guitar and swirling keyboards. The cover notes shave an excerpt from The Tapestry Of Delights which says "An album full of spooky psychedelia with progressive leanings "Motherlight" was the brainchild of (top pop-psych act) The Orange Bicycle's Wilson Malone. These days arranger to Massive Attack and The Verve etc.

I love the comical approach to the song "Burning The Weed". Only problem is the whole thing ends! Would it lasted a little longer (running time just above 30 minutes). Similar vocal sounds to Syd Barrett on the final song The Lens.

Mike Bobak
Andy Jons
Wilson Malone.

1 - Motherlight 3'28"
2 - On A Meadow Lea 4'38"
3 - Mona Lose 3'00"
4 - Wanna Make A Star Sam 2'09"
5 - House Of Many Windows 3'39"
6 - Chant 4'09"
7 - Burning The Weed 3'24"
8 - The Lens 6'48"
@320 with Hi Res scans.

St. Helena - "Early Daze & Hello Friend" {Norway} [1973-4] (prog rock)

The only review i found on web is in norweigan language from: http://musikk-labeler.blogspot.com/

The last planned released album on BAt Records was a demo recording with the band St Helena
(during a period they used the name Foppen but later they took back the name St Helena).
The differnce between Akasha was that St helena were more typical progressiv and was more inspired
by Jethro Tull and Gensis (the early period). During this recording session Willy Bendiksen drums
Fezza Ellingsen guitar,vocals,fluite,piccolo,percusion these 2were the center of the band. They later
becomed members of the legendery norwegian group Höst. bendiksen have also been a member in Flax, Blond on Blond and Perfect Crime.
Ellingsen was before he was a member in St Helena a member of Akasha. After St Helena he palyed in Cobra and a solo project
named Kaptein Nemo. Other members of the band was Rolf Andersen Guitar, voclas and
Kjell Arne Pleym piano, vocalsand Ray Briseid bass. These guys have been recording an album named "have your own feeling, have your own way"(HArmoni K 1278) back in 1971.
These album was only made in 250 copies and with a lyricsheet. ANd are maybe Norways first alternative release.

thx to Ola for the translate ;)



"...Den siste planlagte utgivelsen på BAT Records var en demo innspilling av bandet St. Helena (het i en periode Foppen, før de skiftet navn tilbake til St. Helena.). I motsettning til Akasha var St. Helena mere typisk progresiv, med klar inspirasjon til Jethro Tull, Genesis (tidlig periode) osv. St. Helena besto på denne innspillingen av Willy Bendiksen (trommer) og Fezza Ellingsen (gitar/sang/fløyte/ piccolo/rytme instrumenter) som var kjernen i bandet. Begge havnet senere i bla.a. Høst. Bendiksen har i tillegg en lang karriere der vi kun nevner band med plateutgivelser bak seg; Flax, Road, Jannicke sitt backingband (Ikke barne stjernen), Blonde on Blonde, Perfect Crime og Wild Willy`s Gang. Ellingsen derimot var innom Akasha tidlig på 70 tallet, før han ble med i St. Helena. Etter 80 bosatt i Bodø hvor han bla.a. har spilt i Cobra, samt solo prosjekt som Kaptein Nemo. Med seg i St. Helena hadde de Rolf Andersen (gitar/sang) og Kjell Arne Pleym (tangenter/sang). Disse to hadde spilt inn en lp som duoen Pleym/Andersen i hjembyen Kirkenes i 71, som het "Have your own feeling, have your own way" (Harmoni K 1278) lp med teksthefte. Utgitt i 250 eksemplarer og er muligens Norges første alternativ utgivelse. I tillegg besto St. Helena av Oslo mannen Ray Briseid (bass). På denne tiden fikk de forøvrig Paul Karlsen (ex bl.a. Cool Cats og Happie) som manager, kjent som Mr. Kalvøya festivalen. I følge Yfus skal noen av St. Helenas medlemmer også spilt i Nord-Norsk rock ensamble som skulle vært med på Møljerock 78 utgivelsen. Av personer som har vært innom St. Helena bør vel Stein Johannes Ellesef Olsen nevnes. Han startet senere Karlsøy prestegaard i 1977...."

Both albums under 30minutes, the first one is more like 60s prog psych released in 70s, second one more like fusion become my fav album from Norway. Any informations welcome. Enjoy!

Song is Sung..

Billy Bond Y La Pesada "Rock+Blues+Rocks+Rocks"{Argentina} [1972] (Blues, Blues Rock)

I promised some Billy earlier this week so here it comes. In 1972, Billy Bond y La Pesada released their second album, another excellent LP featuring Alejandro Medina on bass Pappo, Kubero Diaz Poli Martínez on guitar, Javier Martínez and Luis Gambolini on drums. Jorge Pinchevsky on violin and Billy Bond on vocals. Remarkable tracks are: "La pálidad ciudad" -by Kubero, with a great rocker guitar job and Pin's violin "La máquina" ("The damned killer machine!") -sung by Medina with Pappo on guitar. "Blues para mis amigos" -the lyrics describing the members of the band; and "Para que nos sirven" -a great rock number. All selections were segued with fragments of a so called "Vida y obra del negro Julio", actually a simple melody played by Pinchevsky and Pappo on violin and piano. All and all, this was a harder LP than the first one, as the text on the cover would read: rocks+blues+rocks+rocks= Billy Bond y La Pesada!

This LP also included the controversial blues version of "La marcha de San Lorenzo" -a patriotic military march- which was immediately banned (consider that few years later the Armed Forces took the government).

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Best wishes from Sweden

Svenska Löd Ab! "Hörselmat" {Sweden} [1971] (jazz-Rock/Fuison)

Some people says that this is the holy grail of swedish jazz groups. A very rare record only made in 200 copies. Maybe swedens best known guitar player are playing on this album Janne Schaffer he kicks ass! He later did a project also named Hörselamt with Gävleborgs Symphonic Orchestra and Björn J-son Lindh back in 1987 if you have ehard it tell me.
If you like really rocking jazz-rock fuison try this one.

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La Kabala - "La Kabala" {Peru} [1970] (funk/groove rock)

This is nice piece of music, 70s funk/groove listeners will enjoy it more for sure. easylistening repeating melodies and vocals..couldn't find a good information on net. informations welcome.

el cumbanchero..

Chalot Veronique - "A L'entrèe Du Tèmps Clair" {France} [1982] (folk/celtic)

Study the traditional guitar with the Academy of Le Havre. 2005 - Creation of the Veziana group: an exploration of the musical practices on both sides of the Pyrenees of the Middle Ages until the current interpretation of the traditional musics. 2003 - She takes part in Rennes with the recording of CD "Noma' S" produced by Coop-Breiz 1998 - She melts the whole of old musics Volubilis Florens
continuation with a musical artistic career exerted since a score of years in particular in Italy. Its first approach of the song turns to a thorough research of the various forms of traditional song, the lament, the ballade, the reverdies, the pastourelles ones. She takes part in the creation of workshops of traditional dances in the Arts centre of Etno-Musical Florence F.L.O.G Incontro dei gruppidi Ricerca (France, Italy, Ireland, England.) She is in Florence where it lived more than 10 years that it starts a research on the old music Italian and Iberian. She instinctive approach of the song at the beginning will grow rich by the contributions of the new musical productions related to current research on the old musics. 1975-1989- - Take part in many festivals on the international level, i
in Italy (Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Verone, in Sicily, Sardinia) in England in London. 1972 - Take an active part as an interpreter in the movement "Rivival" of the traditional musics and begins its career by occurring with the Club from Folk "the Bumblebee" and in "American Center" in Paris.

review translated with a translation tool from: http://www.veziana.net/vero.htm

nice female vocal,good traditional folk with various instruments.
thanks to lyrkoss :)

I.D Company (Inga Rumpf and Dagmar Krause)"I.D Company"[1970]{Germany}(Avant Garde)

I think this slots in between Inga's time with The City Preachers and Frumpy. I dont know that much about it - If anyone does well, perhaps they will enlighten in the comments section. Certainly ID stood for Inga Dagmar. I have the German liner notes but cannot translate too well, perhaps one day I will ask my son. If you want they are on the Wikipedia page for this here:

I.D Company

It's full of Eastern sounding Folk Rock, sitars and psych sounds (On the Inga tracks). Electronics, Sitars, Eastern Rock Inga Rumpf and Dagmar Krasuse all mixed together to produce an experimental album. And it has the Avant Garde emergence for Dagmar on the flip.

Personnel:
Frank St. Peter: sax, flute
Hans Hartmann: Sitar, Kontrabass
Joe Nay: percussion
Wolfgang Kliegel: violin
Inga Rumpf: vocal
Dagmar Krause: vocal

Production by Eckhard Maronn and Michael Laukeninks.

Side Inga (all tracks written by Inga Rumpf)

1. Bhagavad Gita (2'49")
2. Bum - Bum (3'24")
3. I watched the women (2'30")

Side Dagmar (all tracks written by Dagmar Krause, Gerhard Arnoldi, Eckhard Maronn)

1. He's out now (2'44")
2. Dünne gläserne Frauen (2'13")
3. Schneeweiße Hände (2'20")
4. Schwarzes Insekt (2'09")

Inga and Dagmar had sung together with The City Preachers and this was a totally different direction for them both, Inga going on to a great career with both Frumpy and Atlantis whilst Dagmar did some great stuff with the likes of Slapp Happy, Henry Cow and the Art Bears.

I think you will agree that the two sides are very different and (certainly with Dagmar's tracks) are indications of the future styles both would eventually follow.

Thomas Mapfumo & Acid Band - "Hokoyo" {Zimbabwe} [1976] (afro psych folk/chimurenga)

Thomas Mapfumo’s life began in rural Rhodesia in July of 1945, about 50 years after the First Chimurenga (Struggle): in 1896-97, Shona and Ndebele warriors rose up against the British, only to be defeated and their spiritual leader hanged. Rural life and Shona society had continued despite the oppression under British rule, and herding goats and village life was Thomas’ existence as a child. Traditional music and ceremonial gatherings were inherent to this life.
At the age of ten, he went to live with his Uncle in Salisbury (Harare), where he was exposed to the modern music of the fifties and sixties, as British and American technology began the first wave of "globalization" in the music industry in Africa. Gravitating to the musicians life, and playing "copyright" music to survive as a musician, he also began to forge his own sound in the seventies, using Shona lyrics and traditional styles as the Second Chimurenga built momentum. This movement adopted his songs, and he the Movement. His early singles were a valuable tool of resistance, sung in a language the oppressor did not fully understand. Yet, many ideas were evident.
The title of Thomas’ first recorded album "HOKOYO! / THOMAS MAPFUMO & THE ACID BAND" (GRAMMA,ZIMBABWE,1976) meant "Watch Out!". The record was banned by the Smith government, the first in a long history of banning by both white and black regime. Smith, a few years later, arrested and detained Thomas in prison. Thomas was released after agreeing begrudgingly to perform at Bishop Muzorewa’s inaugural, (the puppet of the Smith regime). He played his most controversial songs in protest, yet was further vilified in the press as a collaborator, after the government suggested that Thomas supported the Bishop.
His songs, after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, initially praised the new order, praised Mugabe personally, and urged people to follow the new government. He also spoke of social issues, such as alcoholism and poverty, and of Africa’s plight.
As the Mugabe government disintegrated into scandal after scandal over human rights abuses, political corruption, corporate fraud and thuggery, Thomas’ music spoke to the people who were suffering. His 1989 CD Corruption (Mango, 1989) pointed the finger at those responsible, and was the first of Thomas’ releases that Mugabe banned under his rule. In 1999, Chimurenga Explosion (CMC, 1999) had two of it’s songs banned, and 2001’s Chimurenga Rebel (CMC, 2001) was banned entirely from ZBC airwaves. 2003 finds Toi Toi (CMC, 2003) number one on Gramma Records cassette sales charts, but banned from airplay.
The government also worked in other ways and, in 2000 Thomas was accused of being part of an automobile theft ring and had all his automobiles impounded by the police. A magistrate said Thomas and his wife should be arrested; Thomas was never charged with any crime, but never regained his property.Other economic strangleholds were placed on Thomas through intimidation of those who played his music, or sold it.

...read more here

Matiregerera mambo..

relaxing & easygoing songs, send you to a different world. Dedicated to the friends who wont able to make a good vocation this summer because of work,exams,economy and such similar things. enjoy! :)

Nahid Akhtar - "Film Hits" {Pakistan} [1975] (psych folk/soundtracks)

Nahid Akhtar remained an unavoidable part of the titles of almost all Pakistani films between the mid-70's to the late 80's. In so many ways, she was the female counterpart of Ahmed Rushdie, even though coming a generation later. Nahid suddenly found her place as one of the most versatile singers around mid-70's when it turned out that she has got an unusually expressive voice that can be suited to so many diverse situations - creating the gloomiest melancholy with her television ghazal Tum say ulfat kay taqazay or Sawan kay din aye (Naag Aur Nagin), boosting the spirits up with such peppy songs as Dil tore kay mut jayyio (Waqt) or Piyar Kabhie karna na kum (Aashie), establishing a touch with spirituality with the devotional Allah hi Allah kya karo (Pehchan) and even getting herself established as the raunchiest and lewdest female voice of the time if need be: Yeh aaj mujkpo kiya hua (Naukar), Dil sanbhala na jaye (Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat), etc. Indeed there was no way escaping her in those good old days of the late 70's. Nahid's voice became for Babra Sharif what Ahmed Rushdie's voice had been for Waheed Murad. Indeed, they retained a kind of symbiotic existence on the screen throughout the following decade. With the decline of the film industry early 80's onwards Nahid had more time for television and did such memorable programmes as Sur Bahar, which gave her opportunity to display her talent in a more classical style (that particular programme was based on the music of Ameer Khusro). She has now retired from singing and lives her life completely off the screen. What a pity. Nahid Akhtar was perhaps the last audio legend of our film industry - the heydays were already over when she left and people hadstopped remembering the names of the best film singers. info from: http://pakistani_singers.tripod.com/nahid_akhtar.htm

tArasta Hai Yeh Dil (Film - Arzoo)..

This is the most beautiful record that i have listened for Pakistan 70s after Sohail Rana. Thanks to my friend Piotr for the vinyl rip :)

Pogonophobia "The Father The Son and The Holy Plant" {Sweden} [2006-2007] (Psychadelik, Kraut)

Wow what a trip! First time I listend to this my mind went off to a trip to an unknown place I dont know if I have been recovered yet. Imagine early Ash Ra Temple, Guru Guru, Träd Gräs och Stenar and some flutes from Jethro Tull. Very rare private released stuff never seen a copy before just heard some samples so this is a great oppertunity to get it. Dont get afraid that it is released in 2007 this sounds like it could have been recorded back in 1971.The band camed from the south off Sweden and Bax have been playing organ in Rohans Horn a very good Hansson & Karlsson styled band. But my opinion is that its not until this album that he gets absolutley free hands to what he is best on, to make really good psychadelic! Göran are handling the guitar like Manuel Göttsching at his best moments. A funny thing is that pogonophobia means that you are afraid of beard. People get ready to take off!

Write a comment and say what you think : )

Muscians:

Bax Svensson : Keyboards, Flute, Bass Flute, Percussion
Göran Svensson: Guitar, Lap-Steel, Voice, Percussion

Tracklisting:
Pogonophobia part I 4.39
Pogonophobia part II 5.43
Pogonophobia part III 5.45
Pogonophobia part IV 14.36
Pogonophobia part V 6.06
Pogonophobia part VI 16.39

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Bloody Mary "ST" {USA} [1974] (Heavy Rock)

This is a little bit intresting album. Some people said that it is Sir Lord Baltimores 3rd album but it isnt. The only connection they got with the legendery heavy rock group is that the drummer from SLB sings on some tracks. When SLB finished their studio session for their second album Bloody Mary was booked to use the studio after them. And Bloody mary asked John Garner to sing one some tracks and he did. But back to Bloody Mary to be honest I dont know a shit about the group I just bought the CD when I was on vacation becuse it was cheap. And I discovered that it was petty good with some really good organ and fuzz parts. If yo like traditional US heavy this is something for you.
If you know something about them tell me in comments.

Tracklisting:

1. Dragon Lady
2. Highway
3. Riddle of the Sea
4. Free and Easy
5. You Only Got Yourself
6. Can You Feel It
7. I Hear Music Playing

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Daevid Allen & Das "The Mystery Disque (Das Duz Dae Duz Das) "{UK}[2006](Avantgarde)

Bananamoon Obscura #07:

We press play, leaning forward with slight apprehension.
We await the first wave of blissful deception.
We are perpetually rewarded. A series of gleeful pataphysical encounters with a mysterious creator of BIG CITY ORCH in SFOakland, Cal. I mean just sip the first track...


SEz dAS: ahhh details, meself i'd have virtually none but we might want to mention the following:

21c Progrok man is remix from "Replayer".

Barnicool Bill is remix from "Salty Sea Shantys For Young Pirates".

Masterfreek is the full length version remixed from BCO's "Greatest Hits & Test Tones".
No Udder radio exzert is from KPFA in 2003.

DAE: I wanna call it dAS duz dae duz dAS...
dAS: methinks you are teasing me but I prefer mysteries.

Number 7 of the limited "Bananamoon Obscura" series.

Tracklisting:
1 21c Progrok (5:06)
2 Clown Is Petrol (3:34)
3 Master Freek (6:33)
4 Barnicool Bill (3:27)
5 Not Smiling... (5:53)
6 Artscrew (7:16)
7 Stuckinmybrain (9:03)
8 I Planet (5:11)
9 No Udder... (3:33)

Artistic Enhancements Feature the Following:
daevid allen:
Nina Pixie: aka ninaH pixie
Werner Slack: (Negitivland)
Rob Workman: aka rob worDman
Phil Knight: (Legendary Pink Dots)
Alan Harrick: aka alan hErrick
Michael Clare: (University of Errors)
Russ Kant: aka russ kEnt
Malissa Margolis: aka mElissa margolis
Mark Robson: (Kangaroo Moon)
Michael Gandeau: aka michael gEndeau (Crawling with Tarts)
dAB: aka daS

Mystery Disque

Pappo's Blues "Vol 3" {Argentina} [1972] (Heavy Blues Rock)

I got some vacation, so I have to post this one now when I have posted Billy Bond. This is (in my opinion) the best album with Pappo or Norberto Napolitano. A short history: Born March 10th 1950 and died 24th of February 2005 in a motorcycle accident. In his early days of his carrier he played with Los Gatos and Los Abuelos de la Nada. He even played piano on Manals coast tour. Later he joined Cónexio Nro 5. Well the first Pappo's Blues album was released 1971 and you can here that he is a self taught guitar hero. Vol 3 is maybe the heaviest album he have done. Its opens with the sped instrumental song " Stratocaster Boogie" and ends with the superb blues song" Siempro Es Lo Mismo Ena". This power trio only deliver good stuff so download it now!

Tracklisting:

1. Stratocaster Boogie
2. Pajara Metallico
3. Sucio Y Desprolijo
4. El Sur De La Ciudad
5. Sandwiches De Miga
6. El Brujo Y El Tiempo
7. Trabajndo En El Ferrocarril
8. Caras En El Parque
9. Siempre Es Lo Mismo Nena

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Billy Bond Y La Pesada "Del Rock And Roll Vol 1" {Argentina} [1971] ( Blues Rock)

Lord what I love Argentina how can a country produce such great groups like Pappo's Blues, Aeroblus, Almendra and Billy Bond?! Well this is the first album in the heavy blues genre that he made back in 1971. He got the idea to found a group with the best muscians from Argentina. Billy was born in Italy but moved to Argentina. He have released several singles and two solo albums before the Y La Pesada period. The intresting thing is that Y La Pesada Was like an open community wich people could leave and join as they wanted. Some of the muscians that was member of the group was Pappo (from Pappo's Blues) Javier Martines the drummer from Manal and Luis Alberta Spinetta that played with Almendra. All this people plays on this album. If you like heavy blues like Pappo's Blues or Chicken Shack but in spanish this is something for you. (I got some more albums with him let me know if it is intresting : ) )

Tracklisting:

1. Salagan Al Sol
2. Divertido
3. Verdes Prados
4. Buen Dia Senor Presidente
5. El parque
6. Cada Dia Somos Mas
7. Dueno De Tu Piel

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Ame Son "Catalyse"{France}[1970](Progressive)

1970 French Gatefold Original. Ame Son Were One Of The Earliest Prog Bands To Cross-Polinate Free Jazz With Psychedelic Music, Especially On Their Full-Length "Catalyse," Released In 1970. Many Tracks Begin In An Avant Free-Form Jam That Eventually Develop Into More Structured Song And Rhythm, With Lyrics In Either French Or English, And Then Slips Back Into Another Wild Free-Form Freak-Out. Prominent Flute, Drugged-Out Vocals, And Fuzzed-Up Electric Guitar Lend This A Definite Late-'60s Underground Vibe, Though Because Of The Originality Of The Material And The Quality Of Musicianship, It Doesn't Sound Dated Like Similar Releases From That Era. Regarded By Connoisseurs Of The Genre As A Masterpiece.

The classic LP by French prog quartet formed from members of Daevid Allen's
"Bananamoon" outfit. Originally released in 1970, these long spacey jams have
obvious Gong influences.

Tracklisting
------------
01 (6:15) Seventh Time Key/I Just Want To Say
02 (6:58) Eclosion/Marie Aux Quatre Vents
03 (8:50) Coeur Fou/La Globule/Le Mai Sonne
04 (6:16) Reborn This Morning On The Way Of.../Unity
05 (6:57) A Coup De H/Les Sables Mouvent
06 (6:37) Hein, Quant A Toi/Comme Est Morte l'Evocation/Hommage
07 (2:56) Le Veux Juste Dine
08 (3:56) Unity

Credits
-------
Marc Blanc- voice, drums
Bernard Lavialle- guitar
Francois Garrel- voice, flute
Patrick Fontaine- bass

Playing Time : 48:45

Interestingly, the track 04 - Reborn This Morning On The Way Of...,Unity has a second in the Flute intro which is 19 seconds into the song and is taken from The Man Band song Poella Puella which is on the Revelation album. So I included that song in case anyone wanted to check. Whether this means that Francois Garrel was on that album I dont know. Any information would be gratefully received.

Progarchives Review

GÄA "Auf Der Bahn Zum Uranus" {Germany} [1974] (Progressive, Symphonic, Space)

We all need some kraut so here I give you an album I have never heard off and have only seen one time. The group name is GÄA an old ancient greek word for the earth. They were from Sorland located in the southewestern part of Germany. Its a progressive album with some space and symphonic wibes. Maybe like a cross between Wallenstein and Necronomicon. Its really fun that they sing in german its dosent sound like anything else I have heard before.
Only 300 copies were sold back in 1974 and the remainig were trashed. Last time I spoted a copy the price was something like 1000 DEM. But remeber only becuse a copy is rare or expensive it dosent means it have to be good. Its up to you!

Werner: Jungmann vocal, percussion
Werner Frey: guitar vocal
Gunter Lackes keyboard, vocal
Peter Bell: bass, flute, vocal
Stefan Dorr: drums, vocal

1. Uranus
2. Bossa Rustical
3. Tanz Mit Dem Mond
4. Mutter Erde
5. welt Im Dunkel
6. Gäa

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Glenn Faria "ST" {USA} [197?] (Singer-Songwriter, Acid, Folk, Blues)

Well here we got some really rare stuff Glenn Farian's selftitled album from the 70's. Some books says it was released 1976 and some says 1970. For you that knows a little bit about US psychadelic knows that he was one of the members of the group Headstone Circus. Well this is a mega rare piece of art that was released on the Tiger Lily label that have some connection with Roulette if I don't remember wrong. The whole recording of the album took five years to do and could problaby be an album to be released on a major label presumably on the Roulette label.
This is the CD version with 7 bonus tracks and they are really good.
Well if you like electric folk and singer songwriter mixed with some acid (not so much acid) this is something for you.

(Sorry for the picture I didn't found a better one)
As you can see I dont know a lot of the muscians that appears on the album please help.

Musicans:
Guitar, Glenn Faria
Drums, ?
Bass, ?
Piano, ?

1. Born In Georgia
2. Summer's Gone
3. Reason To Live
4 Centuries To Live
5 Feast Your Eyes
6. Love Is Calling
7. No Time For Your Tears
8. Im Crazy
9. Im Crazy (original demo)
10. Get Off My Back
11. I Can't Take It
12. Strange Love
13. Im Goin' Down
14. You Got To live
15. Bear Down

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Dick Hyman "The Age of Electronicus" {USA} [1969] (Moog, Electronic)

Well I dont know much about this guy, born back in 1927 and still rocking. But I know that he is a very great jazz pianist and have been recording albums since the early 50's. This is a little bit different it is a album with only Moog
synthesizers. I think that is only covers on this one but who cares?! Really great electronic stuff and the song Kolumbo its a really strange piece of music. If you like early electronic stuff this is something for you.





Musician: Dick Hyman Moog

Songs:

1. Ob-La-Di Ob-La-da
2. Give It Up Or Turn It To Loose
3. Blackbird
4. Aquarius
5. Green Onions
6. Kolumbo (Partial)
7. Time Is Tight
8. Alfie
9. Both Sides Now

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Little Wolf Band "Dream Song"{Native American}[1995]"New Age"

The sky blesses me.
The earth blesses me.
Up in the skies I cause the Spirit to dance.
On the earth I cause the people to dance.
- Cree round dance.

Artist: Little Wolf
Release Date: Jun 28, 1995
Label: Artemis Records
Genre: New Age
Styles: Contemporary Instrumental

Critic's Review:
Little Wolf Band is the creation of Native American producer/performer Jim Wilson, a project that means to celebrate Native American songs as living things, as sources and keepers of wisdom, emotion and spirit. Wilson has achieved this with a sterling blend of samples and beats, mixing in some live instruments and live voices to help shape his work. If NA songs are seen as keys to doors to different states of being, states of mind, then this is a collection of keys. Given this, Wilson has crafted an album of fine assists to a trance state, one that bears up well under auto-repeat, even endless shuffle play. The mixtures of samples have an intriguingly hypnotic effect, pleasant and beguiling, mysterious and yet comforting. ~ Steven McDonald, All Music Guide

Tracklisting:
01 Prayer Song 6:25
02 Oweegon 4:38
03 Coyote Dance 6:32
04 Song For The Journey 2:33
05 Eagle Dream 6:57
06 Moonlight 3:02
07 Jaguar 4:42
08 Night Chant 1:46
09 Buffalo Nation 6:16
10 Raven 5:17
11 - Twisted Hair 5:56
12 - Twisted Hair (Continued) 6:00

Credits:
Celso Machado Percussion
Chief Seattle Liner Notes
Dave Pickell Arranger, Programming, Producer, Adaptation
David Carson Narrator, Liner Notes
David Elledge Technical Assistance
Herman Martinez Engineer, Mastering Engineer
Jim Stallings Bass
Jim Wilson Guitar, Arranger, Programming, Producer, Adaptation
John Barlit Guitar, Drums
K.D. Kagel Executive Producer

Personally I love this sort of thing. Alternate cover of the re-release. And info on Jim Wilson at Jim Wilson

Donovan "Bold Young Bugger" {UK}[19??](Folk)

I have no idea at all when this album was released. In fact as it is an Unreleased album the term released hardly applies. Recorded would be more accurate.

It is referred to as Donovan with Nigel Kennedy however, Nigel does not play a great part in the proceedings. They sound like demos for an album and I would think it most likely an 80's thing looking at the picture of Donovan and Nigel Kennedy together on the sleeve.

Tracks:

01 Why Do Lovers Lie
02 Dance The Dance
03 Lay Down Lassie
04 All About Eve
05 Rosie
06 Half Moon Bay
07 Lady Euphoria
08 Mandrake’s Theme
09 Moon In Capricorn
10 Darling I Love You
11 Lady Of The Flowers
12 Madrigalinda
13 The Bold Young Bugger
14 The Girl Who Used To Live Here
15 Liquid Gold (White Gold Ring)

A couple of tracks appeared on Neutronica (1980). However, Donovan has tracks written many years before they appear on actual releases. So this recording could be late 70's stuff. For Donovan fans this is a treat - Mostly just the Man himself with acoustic guitar. Any date info would be appreciated.

Landberk "Lonely Land"{Sweden}[1992](Progressive Rock)

The first Landberk album for me has great significance for a 'cover song'. Track 5 "No More White Horses" is a cover of Peter Dunton's song which was recorded by T2 in 1970 (Original (Short) version by Please in 1968).

Not that this is the only song of note on this album.

On the debut album "Lonely Land" these guys almost openly recreate the sound of the '70s, actively and effectively using such famous (and popular) keyboard instrument as Mellotron (The Keeper of the string samples). A lot of acoustic piano, and some songs feature even accordion. Cold, Northern music with slow dramatic themes and quite complex arrangements slightly influenced by such bands as Van Der Graaf and PFM. Keyboards play a prominent role here, though often you can hear excellent sad guitar solos.

If you haven't heard the T2 "It'll All Work Out In Boomland" version and want to - Check out the post on this blog (if the link is down I will post it again for you) it has blistering Guitar work from the (then 17 year old) Keith Cross.

Please note this is the English version of "Riktigt Akta" which is their Swedish first album in 1992 (any links to that would be appreciated).

Tracklist:
01 - Waltz Of The Dark Riddle
02 - The Tree
03 - Pray For Me Now
04 - Song From Kallsedet
05 - No More White Horses
06 - You And I
07 - Lonely Land

The music here is pretty simple (especially harmonically speaking), it creates a nice, melancholy mood using mellotron, flute, and guitar to good effect. Vocals for the most part are quite laid-back, fitting the slow, plodding mood of the disc. Guitar solos form the only real breaks from the broodingness of the music, and even those are somewhat cold: either chilly acoustic work (a la Robert Fripp's acoustic runs in "Cirkus" from Lizard) or a dirty, tortured tone from the electric guitar. Few specific influences come to mind, though there are definite similarities to early King Crimson, certain Änglagård passages (it's worth noting, though, that Riktigt Äkta was released before any Änglagård albums), quieter Anekdoten pieces, and perhaps the more mellow compositions out of 1970s Italy. While I am told that later albums by this band begin to steer closer to pop-prog territory, this is a worthy release for fans of Scandinavian prog that don't mind a lack of harmonic activity.

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Corpus 2 - "Rice" {Russia} [1991] (prog rock)

This is a really obscure record. It was released on a vinyl only by a small private label in Russia in early 90s - very unfortunate time for progressive rock - and sank into oblivion before a new wave of interest in this kind of music emerged in the second half of the decade. I have neither cover art nor line-up information for this one, and I don't know anything about the band's history. All I know is what my ears tell me - this is rather fresh sounding, albeit somewhat crude and naive at times, melodic progressive rock embellished with stylizations for Oriental music and timid avant try-outs. Most of the album is instrumental, few tracks have vocal parts sung in Russian. Overall, a nice and wrongly forgotten effort which may appeal to a wide circle of listeners. I am really thankful to a person who made this album available at Ru_Tape.

Tracklist:

1. The pearl
2. Deuterium
3. Riding a white elephant
4. Tai fai
5. Dance of shadows. Rice
6. Flamper zamper
7. Fai tai
8. The glimpse
9. The spring

The link is to be found in the comments.

PS: Actual cover art added, thanks to Flora.

Nazca - "Nazca" {Mexico} [1985] (neoclassical/avant)

For many reasons, it took me quite some time to post this excellent (and requested) upload by our friend Francisco Ayes. This is a piece of dark, sinister and somewhat disturbing experimental music in neoclassical avant-garde vein. Neither frog, nor prog, but probably still not out of place here..

"All of the album's compositions contain anywhere from a few to a dozen musical pictures that are different among themselves: in tone, mood, and the level of loudness. Although there are more low rather than powerful arrangements on the album, all of them are highly complex and at the same time very intriguing. Rather silent crossing solos and passages of oboe and piano change with the moderately loud interplay between a bass guitar, bassoon, two violins, and a wide variety of percussion instruments, etc, again and again, and over.For the most part, precisely the fact of the predominance of low and even silent (in places) arrangements makes the music of Nazca so distinctly unique. Unlike all of the other musical contents of the album, the RIO-sounding parts are rather dark and sinister, and these are the only instances that remind me of Univers Zero" (Vitaly Menshikov, Progressor.net).

The download link is to be found in the comments.

Once again, our thanks go to Francisco Ayes.

Landberk "Indian Summer"{Sweden}[1996](Progressive)

This is a totally new band to me, I decided to buy one of Landberk's albums after hearing how good they are from several people. I agree, to some extent. Landberk are a relatively typical Swedish band with lots of Scandinavian melancholy in their music. However, do not expect to hear another Änglagård here, all the songs here are rather simple, with influences from alternative rock, I hear something similar to "Spirit of Eden" era Talk Talk too. I was told they are somewhat similar to KC and Gentle Giant, but I do not hear it here. This is the only Landberk album I own, so I don't know about the others. The musicianship is excellent, I especially enjoy Stefan Dimle's tasty bass-lines and Reine Fiske's crunchy guitar playing. Some mellotron can be heard too. As others have pointed out, Patri Helje's singing sounds much like Bono of U2.

The compositions are mainly excellent, the album has many hauntingly beautiful melodies. My favs are "Humanize" and the beautiful "Why Do I Still Sleep". Actually, the only flaw I can find here, is that the songs are not diverse enough to keep you satisfied forever. "Indian Summer" is a perfect album for an occasional spin in your cd-player, but with repeated listening, it might get a bit boring after a while. Much recommended anyway. (Progarchives Review).

Tracks:
01 - Humanize
02 - All Around Me
03 - 1st Of May
04 - I Wish I Had A Boat
05 - Dustgod
06 - Dreamdance
07 - Why Do I Still Sleep
08 - Indian Summer

Lineup:
Reine Fiske - Guitar
Sebastian Öberg - Cello (04)
Simon Nordberg - Keyboards
Patric Helje - Vocals
Sara Isaksson - Vocals (07)
Stefan Dimle - Bass
Jonas Lindholm - Drums
Lotta Johansson - Saw (01)

Sevda - "Live At Jazzhus Montmartre" {Sweden} [1972] (turkish oriental folk fusion)

Hello Friends. Forum is OK. 4 days before i came to another city for my cousin's wedding & a small vocation, and it happened a Dns problem. Unfortunately i cant solve this right now, because i am far from my desktop pc. 3 days later i will be at home again..and i will fix it. Sorry for this.
[Edit]: Solved

While i was talking about a wedding, i decided to upload an album of Sevda. The band name "Sevda" means love (passion). The songs inside the album; gypsy flovered free ride for some anonymous classic songs that take place in weddings, entertaintments, fasıls. Every region at Turkey has its own traditional sounding, as a result folk music, from place to place way different. These tunes are dominant mood at north west side (according to its gypsiesh sound & style), but probably the most common style all over the country. As i know this is the first band of famous percussionist, drummer Okay Temiz. Band members: Bernt Rosengren (Tenorsax, taragot), Björn Alke (Bas), Maffy Falay (Trumpet, piano), Okay Temiz (Drums), Peter Smoliansky (Darbuka), Salih Baysal (Violin), Tommy Koverhult (Tenorsax, sopransax)

more info in swedish language here

Ya Mustafa..

Donovan "Celtia - Unreleased Album"{UK}[1990](Folk Rock)

Guess everyone knows there was some sort of World Wide event happening in the Music Industry yesterday to promote the awareness of Global Catastrophe's arising due to the proliference of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

I dunno about you but, I have been aware of global problems in this area ever since my teens - Sort of a gift of the Psychedelic influences I had in my formative years. Third Eye stuff!

So. I get to thinking. Who - in their musical abilities would best suggest the theme the BIG boys wanted to push yesterday. Well, I could only think of Donovan. I love all his work. My favourites are Essence To Essence and Open Road. Essence to Essence contains the song "Operating Manual For Spaceship Earth" I wonder if Al Gore would choose to listen to what WE knew in 1973.

You see, Mysticism offers far more scope for imagination and delving into the unknown than science does. Not that Science is wrong - Indeed Science is excellent and can be combined in many ways with other areas of exploration.

The same goes for Religion!

OK. On to the album.

"Celtia" is an unreleased studio album from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. Had it been released it would most likely have appeared sometime during 1990. The music on the album was arranged by Maire Bhretnach and engineered by Dan Fitgerald.

Musicians:
• David Gilmour (guitar)
• Nigel Kennedy (violin)
• Sharon Shannon (box accordion, fiddle)
• Noël Bridgeman (congas, drums, percussion)
• Anthony Thistlewait (mandolin, slide mandolin)
• Colin Blakey (whistles, flutes)
• Eleonor McIvoy (violin, backing vocals)
• Maire Bhretnach (violin, celtic strings, backing vocals, electric violin)
• Dan Fitgerald (tambourine)
• Steeve Cooney (bass, didgeridoo, lead acoustic guitar, bass, finger picking guitar)
• Mandy Murphy (backing vocals)
• Astrella Celeste (spoken)

History:
In February 1990, Donovan entered Sulan Studios in Ireland to record tracks for what was likely intended to be his eighteenth studio album and nineteenth album overall. The songs were produced by Donovan's manager Patrick Hehir, who had recorded several of Donovan's concerts for Mellow Records throughout the 1980s. Those recordings would be released in 1990 as Rising in the UK, The Classics Live in the U.S., and 25 Years in Concert in Europe.

The songs recorded during the Celtia sessions were written at various stages throughout Donovan's life. "The Ferryman's Daughter" was originally written and recorded for Moon in Capricorn, another unreleased album whose sessions dated from 1968 and 1969. "Everlasting Sea" was reportedly written during the sessions for The Hurdy Gurdy Man and later appeared on Donovan's 1996 album Sutras. "Lover O Lover" was originally released on Donovan's 1981 album Love Is Only Feeling and later recorded and released on his 2004 album Beat Cafe.

While it is not publicly known why Celtia was not released, it has been speculated that Donovan and his manager and producer Patrick Hehir had disagreements about the running of Donovan's business affairs. Celtia was released in 2002 by Durga Records and was made available on Patrick Hehir's "Donovan's Friends" website. The album was quickly withdrawn, however, and that release of the album is now viewed as a bootleg.

An interesting piece of Trivia is the fact that there was a Bootleg called Donovan and the Waterboys - He appeared live with Colin Blakey and Sharon Shannon (Both of whom played on the Waterboys album "Room To Roam". Not missing a chance the Bootleggers released the concert as "Donovan And The Waterboys" - I guess their attempt at profiteering from both sets of fans. Note - Colin Blakey and Sharon Shannon appear on this album (As does Dave Gilmour and Nigel Kennedy). So maybe we should name this as Donovan and The Waterboys accompany Pink Floyd and Nigel Kennedy in the Studio!

Ok - Tracklisting:
01 - 3'52" - Watchin' The Sun Go Down - Feat Nigel Kennedy
02 - 2'40" - Moon Over Clare - Trad. Donovan sounding fresh.
03 - 3'19" - Glasgow Town - Let's get a Convention Goin'
04 - 3'47" - The Ferryman´s Daughter - Pure Magic (An Old Song).
05 - 8'36" - Ghost of Pagan Song - Donovan up close - Beneath the lonely tree. ***
06 - 3'59" - Where Are You Now - A Love Song - Unrequited.
07 - 2'30" - Living On Love - The Hope Of Man.
08 - 2'56" - Madrigalinda (On Neutronica - Wonderful song)
09 - 2'36" - Lake Isle of Innisfree (A Challenge to choose Peace)
10 - 4'56" - I Love You (I Love You All Too)
11 - 4'43" - Wahine (True Love)
12 - 4'36" - Down By The Harbour (Donovan Turns Tables)
13 - 3'46" - Against Your Will (Magic in the Air)
14 - 4'26" - Rock Me (Gilmour Appears)
15 - 4'49" - Love O´ Lover (Majestic Mover)
16 - 2'13" - Awakening Year (The Year Is Awakening)
17 - 4'17" - Everlasting Sea (Everlasting Sea - Everlasting Sea)

PNF Forum

Prognotfrog is at your service! well some more time..The frog is an amphibian in the order Anura (meaning "tail-less", from Greek an-, without + oura, tail), formerly referred to as Salientia (Latin saltare, to jump). The name frog derives from Old English frogga,[1] (compare Old Norse frauki, German Frosch, older Dutch spelling kikvorsch), cognate with Sanskrit plava (frog), probably deriving from Proto-Indo-European praw = "to jump".[2] Most frogs are characterized by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits(fingers or toes), protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.
The distribution of frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, but most species are found in tropical rainforests. Consisting of more than 5,000 species described.

Man "To Live For To Die" "The Honest One" {Wales}[1970](Prog)

"To Live For To Die" is the original bootleg of the Man Band from 1970. The concert was Hamburg, October.

Originally 2LPs also a CD release in Italy.

The Songs

1. Spunk Box 13:08 (Jones/John)
2. Conscience 6:38 (Man)
3. The Storm 12:45 (Leonard/Jones)
4. Would The Cristians Wait Five Minutes...? 10:08 (Man)
5. Alchemist Of The Mind 19:32 (Man)
6. Daughter Of The Fireplace 4:08 (Leonard)
7. Scholar Of Consciousness 5:55 (Man)

THE BAND

George Ace--Vocals

Martin Ace--Bass

Clive John--Keyboards, Vocals

Mickey Jones--Guitar, Vocals

Deke Leonard--Guitar, Vocals

Terry Williams--Drums

The sample is just 128. The Honest One (the official release of this same concert) is a 192 sample. However, there are times when I prefer the lower rated sample as it has more clarity.

The album, originally titled 'To Live For To Die' and released as a double vinyl album on the Violet Systems label, came about by a roundabout route explains Deke 'The gig in the Ernst-Merck-Halle in Hamburg was a corker. The promoter surreptitiously recorded it, and a week or two later a bootleg was released. Bootleggers, like drummers, are a necessary evil. It's a curious feeling, being flattered and ripped off at the same time.'

The release of 'Man' several months later on a new label, United Artists, marked a new beginning as its eponymous title suggested. It also featured just five tracks as opposed to their first album's eleven, indicating that the extended, improvisatory approach they favoured on stage was being carried through to the studio.

Three tracks the band previewed in their October (not May, as billed) 1970 performance were presented in definitive form: Deke's 'Daughter Of The Fireplace' (introduced with the words 'if you like 'Purple Haze" you'll know what it's all about'), 'Would The Christians,..' and 'Alchemist', here split into two tracks called 'Alchemist of The Mind' and 'Scholar Of Consciousness'. As guitarist Micky Jones, normally the most reticent Man member, says: 'If you listen to "To Live For To Die", It's very embryonic. Some tunes came out of that tour, like 'Many Are called": you can see the development of things. 'This, then, is work in progress... not only that, but amazingly the first ever gig of the Leonard Jones John Ace Williams line-up. (Best line up IMHO).

'To Live For To Die' reappeared in digital form in 1992, retitled 'The Honest One' and with its sound re-EQ'd. The band have now bootlegged the bootleg, and why not? One final mystery remains, though: the gig was also filmed for an unknown German Kids' TV programme. If we could locate that historic footage, 'The Honest One' would be even more of a blast from the past. But even without the visuals, this is a prime piece of early- 1970s prog.

Commentary

This is the earliest live recording of Man I know of (1969 Beat Club videos exception), predating "Live at the Padget Rooms" by nearly two years , and recorded about the time of their third album "Man" (if you can rely on the dates given by Italian bootleggers, more about this in my notes for "Live in London 1975"). The sound quality is better than average considering the age of the recording, the vocals are mixed well back making them difficult to understand at times, but the quality of the instruments, especially Clive's keyboards is quite good. This is the only acknowledged appearance of George Ace (Martin's wife) on a Man album whose vocals appear most prominently on "The Storm". This is a good example of what the early shows must have been like and includes the two long jams from the third album, "Alchemist" and "Would the Christians Wait" plus "Spunk Rock" and "The Storm" from the second album. Of the shorter cuts "Conscience" and "Scholar of Consciousness" are otherwise unreleased, while "Daughter of the Fireplace" appears as the obligatory "medley of our hit".

The Point Records reissue is not an improvement over the original bootleg, actually the sound is much more muddy and the vocals even harder to decipher. This was probably mastered from a LP copy of the original boot without the re-EQ'd mix of the Italian CD.

Notes taken from http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/users/staffba3/manb1.html which has the Man Band homepage.

Tim Dawe "Penrod" {USA}[1970](Psychedelic)

I may not be a fan of US Prog but US Psych is possibly the best and this little beauty is one of them.

From: Stephane Rebeschini (source: Borderline's Psychedelic Archive) Tim Dawe appeared on the scene in 1969 with an album on Frank Zappa's Straight label. Penrod was a superb debut, full of psychedelic folk rock with lots of organ, harpsichord and brilliant acid guitar. Four masterpieces are included:- Nite Train Home, Junkie John, Sometimes Alone (with strong percussion) and
Didn't We Love.

The result stands comparison to another more well known Straight artist, Tim Buckley. Quite surprisingly, however, the backing group doesn't seem to have played on other albums (unless they were using pseudonyms).

Dawe then wrote songs for Rod Taylor and It's A Beautiful Day (Places Of Dreams and Bitter Wine, on Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime).

In 1976 he returned with an interesting west-coast album produced by the ex- It's A Beautiful Day member Mitchell Holman, who also played bass on it. Another ex-It's A Beautiful Day, member Hal Wagenet, also played guitar, whilst Patricia Pickens, was an excellent vocalist. On this album Dawe included versions of Bitter Wine and Junkie John together with nine new songs. It was recorded in Coos Bay, Oregon.

In 1978, he produced A Night On The Wine Cellar (Cabernet GWC 101), a live folk/ blues album on which he sang three new songs, along with Billy Roberts and other Californian local artists.

Album Credits

Side One
1. Scarlet Women 2:25
2. Nite Train Home 3:45
3. Nothing At All 4:20
5. Little Boy Blue 2:15
6. Junkie John 7:20

Side Two
7. Sometimes Alone 4:10
8. No Exit (Cafe and Gallery) 5:20
9. I'm Comin' 3:45
10. Some Other Time 3:48
11. Didn't We Love 4:46

Tim Dawe- Guitar, Vocals
Arnie Goodman- Keyboards
Chris Kebeck- Guitar
Claude Mathis- Drums
Don Parrish- Bass
Jerry Yester- Producer

Man "Slow Motion" {Wales}[1974] (Rock)

When I first bought this album I was somewhat disappointed. The merging of Man and Help Yourself into one band for 'Rhinos' and the subsequent 1999 Space Party tour, was exciting. And the loss of Malcolm Morley and the reduction of the band to a four piece was a let down. Gone was the arena rock majesty of Roy Thomas Baker production. What followed was seemingly a hastily slapped together collection of very sparsely arranged songs.

Looking back on the album over thirty years later, however, it has held up surprisingly well. There are a number of great songs here, and they are performed with great energy. It's not surprising that this material stayed in the live set while 'Rhinos' was left by the wayside. Even when I saw them during the 1999 Space Party there was no material from 'Rhinos' in the set. True they only played four songs. This was also their last studio album for United Artists. They turned in one last live album to finish the contract and went off for a brief stay at MCA.

SIDE 1
1. Hard Way to Die (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
2. Grasshopper (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
3. Rock & Roll You Out (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
4. You Don't Like Us (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
SIDE 2
1. Bedtime Bone (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
2. One More Chance (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
3. Rainbow Eyes (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)
4. Day And Night (Williams/Whaley/Jones/Leonard)

THE BAND
Micky Jones--Guitar and Singing
Ken Whaley--Plays Bass
Terry Williams--Plays Drums, Sings and Does all the Effects
Deke Leonard--Plays Guitar and Some Piano and Sings

Trapeze "Medusa" {UK}[1970](Classic Rock)

Not only is Medusa the finest offering from '70s outfit Trapeze , it is one of the decade's most underappreciated hard rock recordings. With a lineup that consisted of future Deep Purple , Judas Priest , and Black Sabbath members, there seems to be proof that at least a few fellow musicians appreciated this 1971 offering. Fans of his later work might be surprised by Glenn Hughes ' soulful vocal delivery, especially on the mid-tempo blues-rockers like 'Black Cloud' and 'Your Love Is Alright.' Guitarist Mel Galley also deserves mention for his sparse approach to classic rock riffing that is catchy and affective. Even the ballads are focused, memorable, and unique. There are some melodic moments on the closing title track that sound almost as if a '90s alt-rock crooner composed them. Considering that Medusa predates many similar, and more successful, classic rock LPs from the likes of Bad Company , Nazareth , Foreigner , and others, it's a wonder that the record isn't mentioned more when influential albums of this era are discussed. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide

Tracks:
1. "Black Cloud" (Galley; Galley) 6:13
2. "Jury" (Hughes) 8:10
3. "Your Love Is Alright" (Galley; Hughes; Holland) 4:54
4. "Touch My Life" (Galley; Galley) 4:06
5. "Seafull" (Hughes) 6:34
6. "Makes You Wanna Cry" (Galley; Galley) 4:41
7. "Medusa" (Hughes) 5:40

Personnel:

Dave Holland - Drums
Glenn Hughes - Bass, Piano, Guitar (Bass), Vocals
Mel Galley - Guitar, Vocals

Produced by John Lodge

The Trip "Caronte" {Italy} [1971] (Progressive)

This was one of the first groups to emerge from the new Italian rock scene. They formed in London in 1967 on the initiative of pop singer Ricky Maiocchi (ex-Camaleonti) who needed a new backing group. Many British beat bands moved to Italy in the late sixties in search of gigs, among them The Sorrows, The Primitives and The Talismen. Most of the original Trip members were also English, including (future Deep Purple axeman) Ritchie Blackmore, who eventually became homesick and returned to England. When Joe Vescovi was recruited in 1969, he quickly became the leader of the group, updating their sound with the current (pioneering) Anglo-American attempts to expand the rock format, blending it together with the inspiration and composing techniques of 17th and 19th century classical music.

On their eponymous first album, The Trip almost sounded like a cross between Vanilla Fudge, The Nice and Quatermass (another group that had a great deal of influence on the early Italian rock scene; they released their only album in 1970). "Prologo" almost pastiched the organ work of Mark Stein on Vanilla Fudge's first album. Other enlightening features were Billy Gray's Blackmoresque guitar parts and Joe Vescovi's distinctive, high-pitched voice. The album showed great promise, but didn't quite succeed in creating an integrated group sound. Organ parts of great emotional intensity were sometimes followed by almost banal vocal arrangements in a more pop tradition.

However, better things were soon to come when The Trip released their masterpiece, "Caronte" in 1971. The powerful interplay between Gray and Vescovi is excellent throughout the album. If the "dream collaboration" between Jimi Hendrix and Keith Emerson had ever happened, then I imagine it would have sounded close to this! The finest example of this is on "Two Brothers", which merged psychedelic, heavy and classical flavours of rock. By now, Vescovi could afford a mellotron, offering mellow string textures on the track, "Little Janie". The excellent rhythm section throughout the album, courtesy of Andersen and Sinnone, was also notable. Speaking of Jimi Hendrix, the album also included the mournful requiem "Ode a J.Hendrix".

Personnel:
William Gray guitars,vocals
Arvid Andersen bass,lead vocals
Pino Sinnone percussion
Joe Vescovi organ,piano,church organ,mellotron

Tracks:
1. Caronte I 6:48
2. Two Brothers 8:18
3. Little Janie 4:02
4. L'Ultima ora e Ode a Jimi Hendrix 10:16
5. Caronte II 3:33

Agincourt "Fly Away" {UK} [1970] (Folk)

Recorded 1970 released on private pressing 1974 (99 copies) this CD release is most welcome.

A beautiful blend of folk and psychedelia -- carried off with a bit of a Sunshine Pop twist as well! The recording's got a homespun sort of feel -- one that's a lot less polished than other efforts like this of the time, in a way that really furthers the charming nature of the tunes. There's clearly elements of bigger, more established acts filtering through the music -- but the end result is deeply personal and homespun. John Ferdinando and Peter Howe sing in a harmony-based style on some of the best tracks -- more Sunshine than folk, despite the acoustic guitars on the set -- and the lovely Lee Menelaus also delivers some great vocals too, further sweetening up the sound! Many tunes have a catchy, jingly-jangly quality -- a bit like post-folk work from the west coast of the late 60s -- and titles include "Mirabella", "All My Life", "Going Home", "Joy In The Finding", "Get Together", "When I Awoke", and "Lisa". CD features 2 bonus tracks -- "Going Home (alt)" and "Though I May Be Dreaming (stereo)" -- plus a well-done booklet, filled with plenty of notes!

This particular album is folkier than Ithaca, for example, but like the latter still has a strong Moody Blues influence, particularly on the best track Through The Eyes Of A Lifetime, which begins with a poem and ends with some lovely piano-dominated instrumentation. The opening cut When I Awoke is a very pleasant folky number with some lovely female vocals. Next up is Though I May Be Dreaming, which has a gorgeous acoustic guitar intro and more delicious female vocals. There's some nice flute work on instrumental Joy In The Finding, Dawn and Kind Sir. All My Life is a nice piano-led piece with a spooky sounding ending. All the material is written by either Ferdinando or Howell and whilst I'd be reluctant to recommend people to fork out hundreds on the album, the CD reissue is essential for fans of progressive folk.

Personnel:
JOHN FERDINANDO A
PETER HOWELL A
LEE MENELAUS A

Tracklist:

01. When I Awoke 3:21
02. Though I May Be Dreaming 3:18
03. Get Together 2:56
04. Joy In the Finding 3:15
05. Going Home 2:34
06. All My Life 3:00
07. Mirabella 1:45
08. Take Me There 2:38
09. Lisa 2:40
10. Dawn 3:24
11. Barn Owl Blues 3:09
12. Kind Sir 3:04
13. Through the Eyes of a Lifetime (in 3 parts) 5:21

Love Cry Want "Love Cry Want"{USA}[1972](Psych Jazz)

Cant find a decent image of this one but it is not for the feint hearted.

June 1972, Lafayette Park, Washington DC. Richard Nixon ordered aide, J.R. Haldeman, to pull the plug on the concert fearing that this strange music would 'levitate the White House.' Here is that music." [Newjazz.com press release]

Love Cry Want is a monstrous piece of psych-jazz, sorta like the most zonked moments of Tony Williams' Emergency Mark I further extended into some unimaginably degenerate mutation.? Over the course of an hour, Larry Young's space organ is repeatedly injected into a maelstrom of primitive guitar synths, spastic ring modulated moans and an abundance of percussion.? Technically-speaking, it's probably closer to free rock than free jazz and in the end, it's one of those discs so dissociating that I wouldn't dare listen to it outside of sobriety.? Heavy?? No shit. That this group was never documented until 1997 only hints at how much of this genre has fallen through the cracks.? So yeah, muchos gracias to Love Cry Want percussionist (also the mind behind Newjazz.com) Joe Gallivan for embracing his past work... and thereby allowing us other freaks to do the same. [DW]

Did manage to track down Love Cry Want & it is indeed all that & a bag of chips!? This is some of the most whacked music ever made!? The drummer & guitarist are both playing through prototype drum & guitar synthesizers, Larry Young's doin' his outer space organ thing-- sheer Nirvana!? Each 10+ minute song has more musical ideas bubbling around (in a remarkably cohesive & flowing fashion) than you can shake a stick at!? Moments of unholy beauty & red-hot scree bumpin' right next to each other, never losing the flow.? That this music was created & '72 & more importantly, that this music was *heard by* & *scared the shit out of* Tricky Dick Nixon brings a smile to my face a mile wide.? Get it if you know what's good for you! [JW]

Tracklisting
01 (07:06) Peace (for Dakota and Jason)
02 (05:10) Tomorrow, Today Will Be Yesterday
03 (09:27) The Great Medicine Dance
04 (04:48) Angels Wing
05 (10:10) Ancient Place
06 (15:06) Love Cry

Credits
Nicholas - Prototype Guitar Synthesizer, Ring Modulator, Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning, Water, High-Tension Wires, and Wailing Dervish

Joe Gallivan- Drums, Steel Guitar, Moog Synthesizer, Percussion

Jimmy Molneiri- Drums, Percussion

Larry Young- Hammond Organ

It starts off like some Free Form Funkafied Filth but quickly meta-morphs into an album that compares well with what McLaughlin was doing at the time. His "prototype guitar synthesiser" is actually just a heavily processed electric guitar, and its sound is now creakily dated even while Nicholas urges the music into the space age.

The nearest comparator is probably what Abercrombie and Surman were doing in the same year -- a grainy, Coltrane-inspired jam which would quickly become unfashionable. Not of the same musicianly standards, this is a more quirky record, and a highly enjoyable one for that.

Larry Young is always value for money, and his contribution here lifts what might otherwise have been a rather immature fusion session.

Prepare for something special and 'levitate the White House!!!'

Man "2 Ozs of Plastic With a Hole in the Middle"{Wales}[1969](Progressive/Rock)

Following up as requested with a double bonus on the second Man album. First bonus is that this is the recently released "And In The Beginning" reissue with bonus tracks. Second bonus are the 2 "Best Club" mpg videos which must be the earliest recordings of Man that I know of.

I have the 1970 Hamburg bootleg "Honest One" which is probably the earliest album of Man Live and has many of the tracks from the Third album Man live on it.

THE BAND

Roger Leonard--Guitar, Harp, Piano, Percussion, Vocals
Clive John--Organ, Piano, Guitar, Vocals
Mike Jones--Lead Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Jones--Drums, Percussion
Ray Williams--Bass

SIDE 1
1. Prelude (1:49)
2. The Storm (5:07)
3. It Is as It Must Be (10:36)

SIDE 2
1. Spunk Box (8:30)
2. My Name Is Jesus Smith (5:53)
3. Parchment and Candles (3:09)
4. Brother Arnold's Red and White Striped Tent (2:53)

CD Bonus Material
1. A Sad Song - Previously Unreleased - Early Version Of Grasshopper
2. Walkin' The Dogma - Early Version of Spunk Box
3. My Name Is Jesus Smith - Previously Unreleased Version

1969 Beat Club MPG Video
1. 2.30 Definitely
2. Brother Arnold's Red And White Striped Tent

Here is a reduced size clip of Micky from the Beat Club Video in glorious Black And White.

Also (in the comments) is a minor Discography.

Please note the Beat Club videos have separate links as some people do not want video at all. Whereas those who already have this album may want the video on it's own.

The second album whilst being less ambitious than the first was still a great thing to hear. Some great tracks "Prelude- The Storm" "It Is As It Must Be" and "Spunk Box" being my faves.

Ghost "Hypnotic Underworld"{Japan}[2004](Progressive)

When I heard this for the first time I loved it. With a real nice
60s Psych sound freshly produced and bang up to date feel.

Tracklisting:

1. Hypnotic Underworld Part 1: God Took a Picture of His Illness on this Ground
2. Hypnotic Underworld Part 2: Escaped and Lost Down in Medina
3. Hypnotic Underworld Part 3: Aramaic Barbarous Dawn
4. Hypnotic Underworld Part 4: Leave the World!
5. Hazy Paradise
6. Kiseichukan Nite
7. Piper
8. Ganagmanag
9. Feed
10. Holy High
11. Dominoes - Celebration for the Gray Days

Michio Kuribara - electric guitar
Taishi Takizawa - flute, saxophone, tin whistle, boizoukl, etc.
Takuyuki Moriya - electric bass, contra bass, cello
Kazuo Ogino - piano, mellotron, korg m8-20, organ, lute, recorder, celtic harp
Junzo Tateiwa - drums, table, & other percussion
Masaki Batoh / vocals, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars
Kohji Nishino / bass guitar

All Music Guide Review:

Five years after releasing both Snuffbox Immanence and Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet, Ghost returned with Hypnotic Underworld, and there were some changes in the band.

Cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto and percussionist Setsuko Furuya (whose marimba gave those albums such a distinct sound) are gone, replaced by a great young rhythm section of Takuyuki Moriya (bass, conta bass, cello) and Junzo Tateiwa (drums, tabla, percussion).

Also, Ghost co-founder Taishi Takizawa continues as producer but rejoins the group as a musician as well (he has served only as producer since the mid-'90s). Of course, Masaki Batoh is still here, along with longtime keyboard player Kazuo Ogino and guitar hero Michio Kurihara.

With a brief U.S. tour (October 2002) under its belt, the band really jelled, and with Hypnotic Underworld, Ghost have released their most expansive set yet. The four-part title track starts somewhere near the Heliocentric Worlds, with Takizawa's sax playing over the sparest of bass figures and percussion as wisps of electronic ether float in and out. This morphs into a fuzzbass-led groove with great soprano sax that leads into a hard rock movement with a choir adding to Batoh's vocals and an ending so surprising I'll leave it for the listener. This epic track is followed by a glorious cover of Earth & Fire's "Hazy Paradise." The production here is amazing, with harpsichords, Mellotron, and sitar melting into each other and a majestic Kurihara guitar solo at the end. "Kiseichukan Nite" features a very pretty Celtic harp and recorder over a simple bass ostinato and Batoh speaking in Japanese with little washes of electronic treatment creeping in.

This album is all over the place stylistically, yet it all sounds like Ghost, even with the electronic treatments and almost prog rock keyboards that hadn't been present on their prior albums. They turn in a version of Syd Barrett's "Dominoes" that is so completely personalized as to be virtually unrecognizable. "Piper" is a rocker featuring some blistering guitar work, and "Ganagmanag" is a classic Ghost-style instrumental trance jam, highlighted by Takizawa's flute and amazing production work.

Batoh's vocals have never been stronger, and Ogino's various keyboards add a new dimension to the Ghost sound. Kurihara, as mentioned, is brilliant on electric guitar. The sound achieved by Takizawa and the band is a stunning mixture of ancient acoustic, hard electric, and electronic that Jimmy Page should be envious of. Hypnotic Underworld is a new high-water mark from one of rock's most interesting bands. Highly recommended.

I was about to post

Brett Garsed & T.J. Helmerich "Quid Pro Quo" [1992] (Fusion/Rock) but I found a better copy than I had here = http://tinyurl.com/2ggo79